left turns / right turns
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 399
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From:
left turns / right turns
I am fairly new to motorcycles, yet years ago I was a Cat4 bicycle racer riding between 200 - 300 miles a week between training/racing. Any of you math/physics smarties out there know why it is easier to turn left than right? It is not a motorcycle thing because I could always do tighter, faster turns to the left than right.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 4,007
Likes: 159
From: Mount Laurel, N.J.
RE: left turns / right turns
My theory: it goes to driving a cage. Left turns are not as tight a turn as right turns. Easier to see thru the turn, thus easier to make the turn. [sm=confused06.gif]
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,817
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From: Novi MI
RE: left turns / right turns
Just guessing, if you're right handed, turning left the right hand exerts the force to the left and turningright the left hand "pushes" the handlebar. I would assume if you're left handed right turns would be easier. I also assume you're talking about tight turns or u-turns 'cause on normal turns I can't tell any difference.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 30,881
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From: King George, VA
RE: left turns / right turns
I think it would be related to the brake pedal. For the rice burners that have the brake pedal on the left side, they say that making left turns is harder.
Of course, for the bikes that don't have a brake pedal at all, stopping is hardest.
Of course, for the bikes that don't have a brake pedal at all, stopping is hardest.
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Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 554
Likes: 4
From: Oxford, Mississippi
RE: left turns / right turns
Possibly because we drive on the righthand side of the road, making the right hand curves and turns shorter(sharper) than lefthanders. I would expect the opposite to be true in European (or other)countries where one drives on the left lane. Hope that helps.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 215
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From:
RE: left turns / right turns
I was reading something awhile ago on that subject, it actually started from noticing that tires tend to wear more on the left. At first it was thought because left turns are larger radius.....but there was a problem, not consistent, some wear on the right. The pattern as it turned out was right or left handed. Right handed people (majority) feel more comfortable in left turns. Lefties feel better turning right. We tend to ride harder on the turns opposite our dominant hand. I am right handed and I favor left turns.
I dont know if this is realy true, we could find out here....all you left handers out there, is it easier for you to turn right?
I dont know if this is realy true, we could find out here....all you left handers out there, is it easier for you to turn right?