I get on and off from what ever side I happen to be on .
as I get older I find it easier to get on from the trottle side /right side
could be doing it wrong but then I have only been riding for 50+ years

 

 

Typical arrogant "know it all" HD salesman. If your friend bought a bike from them he is an idiot. I have had the same experience from the dealer I bought 2 bikes from and will never shop at again.

 

I have been getting on and off the right (throttle) side for 34 years on my harleys. Back in the days of my youth, there was a lever sticking out the right side of the transmission. A person had to manipulate this lever up and down to get said bike running. Just seemed natural that being on that side, you get on that side

 

When I had a bike with no tour pack, I always mounted and dismounted from the left, as taught in MSF course. I heard a good reason why, but forgot it after a while.

On my Ultra I was dragging my right boot on saddlebag sometimes, since I can't swing my leg over. So I mount from left and dismount from right. That changes based on terrain.

Plus we are HDF badasses. We can do whatever we want.

 

Been getting on and off left side for 50 years! I'm not changing now!

 

It also depends how tall you are and hight of the seat. Tall people dismount from either right or left easily. But when you mount on the seat, it's alway easier from the left, as you sit down your weight rights the bike with no much effort.
I guess the concern of the dealer was that if you mount from the throttle side, when you throw your left leg over some people would pull the handlebar having their right hand on the throttle thring to ight the bike like you'd do with a light bike. If you pull enough you may get the jiffy to withdraw but not enough strength to hold the bike straight as you only have your right foot down, the left foot is still across and the bike is leaning on the left and it's heavy and it could easily fall down pulling you along.
For the inexperienced the dealer may have a point there...

 

I guess I am ambidextrous(yes, I had to look up the spelling), I get on from both sides. When I first got the Streetglide, I had to get used to not kicking bags. One time I almost fell off the bike when I forgot I had my touring bag on the back seat and went to swing my leg out behind me when I got off and got tangled up. That was funny.

 

I always mount/dismount right side only. My training has this ingrained into me, as Buzzard spoke of. Also always put my right foot down when stopping. I carry my professional riding habits over into my personal riding.

As Buzzard pointed out, there are officer safety resons why the right side is taught. I assume there are other practical reasons why it is taught at the MSF courses as well.

 

In reading some of the other posts, maybe I'm wrong about the MSF teaching right side mount/dismount. My training has all been police motor training, US Park Police, US Secret Svc. Motor training, etc. They all pretty much go from the same book, so to speak.