Originally Posted by
Trakhak
The OP says "I have read that this [i.e., counter-steering] is in fact essential to making the turn."
If counter-steering were essential to turning a bike, it wouldn't be so easy to steer a bike solely by leaning in the direction in which you mean to turn, i.e., without touching the handlebars.
All steering is counter steering. It is not possible to turn without counter steering. If you just regular steer, you will fall down, immediately.
Counter steering with no hands works exactly the same way as counter steering with hands. You're still making the front wheel turn left to tip the bike to the right into a corner.