I turn sharper going left than right

[ScottRNelson]

I know that it's safer if you take it easier in right turns than left turns, and I've read Gary_J's thoughts on the subject. But today at lunch while riding Calaveras Road behind another rider I decided to concentrate on the right turns a bit more, since normally I lead rides and spend more of my attention scanning the road ahead and put less attention on riding mechanics..

What I've discovered is that I tend to get my right hand into an awkward position on the really tight right turns and it seems to be preventing me from applying a little bit more forward pressure to get the bike leaned over a few more degrees into the turn. Hanging off a bit might help a little here, but I don't normally bother with that on either my Honda XR or Ducati ST2 with the hard bags on it. I could probably work on keeping my arms looser on the bars as well.

Back in the olden days, before I had heard of the term counter steering, I was more likely to pull on the outside bar as to push on the inside bar. Reverting back to my old habits in that regard seemed to help a little.

I'm still trying to figure out if this is a problem that I really want to solve, since for most right turns, I'm usually already going as fast as I consider safe, given the many unknowns in the road ahead.

If you have any thoughts on this subject, please share them.

 

[Gary856]

I’m left handed, and I turn stronger to the left than right on a bicycle. However, on a motorcycle, on a tight road, I found that I have a lot more trouble with left turn than right. I’ve been trying to figure this out and these are my current thoughts:

1. Since the throttle is on the right, in a sharp left turn I have to focus to not let the right hand fight the left hand. It’s hard to let the right hand totally relax in a left turn. On the sharp right turn, the right hand does it all (throttle and steering), and I have no problem totally relaxing the left hand.

2. In a right turn, I have the right edge of the road as the visual reference; that makes it easier. In a left turn, especially on narrow roads with no center line marking, the visual reference (left edge of the road) is farther away, and I struggle to not drift too far to the left (oncoming traffic) and not drift too far to the right (run off the road); that makes it harder.

I’ve had more “woops” moments (not holding the line and started to drift wide toward the end of a sustained turn) on left turn than right. My solution is to exaggerate the body and head movement – kiss the left mirror and position my face and body behind my left hand – that’s gives me a visual cue to push deep into the left turn. When I get tired or forget to look deep into the turn, it can get iffy.

 

[TrueFader]

on my gsx-r 600 i like rights better, they just felt more natural. on my ninja 250 i have to open the throttle so wide it puts my wrist in an awkward position in rights. i just got used to it and deal with any discomfort after the ride

 

[Norbs]

kiss the left mirror and position my face and body behind my left hand – that’s gives me a visual cue to push deep into the left turn. When I get tired or forget to look deep into the turn, it can get iffy.

Yeah this really works for me, it's a great feeling too when your railing the turn like that.

 

[Ironbutt]

I have the same problem sort of ..

I press/weight on the opposite peg and apply throttle... But I have to have my corner speed setup cause I can't brake and press/weight.. Well.. I can, but it feels awkward.

Ultimately, I press/weight for traction loss..<Whipping the tail> if I can bang through a corner and get on the throttle early enough to still be leaned over and break the rear tire loose.. I'm feeling like i have that particular corner down and I can go faster with more weight.. then I'll lean in.. switch body position next time.

I don't change body position mid corner anymore.. I stay where I am.. if I'm off when I drive in, I stay off.. I've almost lost it too many times doing that shifty wiggly shit.

 

[flying_hun]

Where are your eyes and where are your elbows?

 

[ScottRNelson]

Ultimately, I press/weight for traction loss..<Whipping the tail> if I can bang through a corner and get on the throttle early enough to still be leaned over and break the rear tire loose.

I don't think I want to ride on the same roads as you if you're sliding the rear tire.

 

[ScottRNelson]

Where are your eyes and where are your elbows?

Eyes always looking as far down the road as possible. Elbows, somewhere between my wrists and shoulders.

I'm not sure what I'm doing with my elbows. What would you recommend?

Looks like I should maybe be paying more attention to my elbows.

 

[Ironbutt]

I don't think I want to ride on the same roads as you if you're sliding the rear tire.

<-- Sad Chad.. I call it "Actively riding the machine.."

Don't sit on it, in it.. ride it! It's not like you're a new rider.. Raise the bar. I'm serious.

 

[flying_hun]

Eyes always looking as far down the road as possible. Elbows, somewhere between my wrists and shoulders.

I'm not sure what I'm doing with my elbows. What would you recommend?

Looks like I should maybe be paying more attention to my elbows.

Good answer. What I am thinking is that you mentioned your right hand getting into an awkward position, but you didn't elaborate. Sometimes in tight quarters it helps to get your elbows up and out to give your hands/handlebars greater freedom of movement without creating awkward hand positions. Does this seem applicable?

 

[ScottRNelson]

Does this seem applicable?

I'll have to do a bunch more riding before I can decide that.

 

[Brown81]

I learned from dirt riding to get the elbow out and change the grip on the throttle for tight right handers.

Rather than holding the throttle right under the knuckles, rather adjust your grip to hold it more like you would if you were going to thrust a knife or sword with the throttle across the palm. Thereby twisting the throttle more like twisting a screwdriver rather than pumping the wrist up and down.

 

[GAJ]

Right turns are tighter than lefts because we are forced to use the right 1/2 of the road, so I find left turns on the street easier. Better vision on lefts helps as well.

As you mentioned, you are "holding back" the bike more on rights due to lower vision while "opening it up" more on lefts, so the higher speed might also make for a smoother turn.

In the tight twisties, if you do the same route one way, then turn the bike around, and do it in the other direction you should find that difficult turns on the way out are simpler on the way back in.

On the track I didn't really notice a difference; it was kind of liberating!

 

[ScottRNelson]

Right turns are tighter than lefts because we are forced to use the right 1/2 of the road, so I find left turns on the street easier. Better vision on lefts helps as well.

As you mentioned, you are "holding back" the bike more on rights due to lower vision while "opening it up" more on lefts, so the higher speed might also make for a smoother turn.

In this case, we were traveling northbound on Calaveras Road which has six or eight right turns where you can see way ahead that the road is clear.

This is what made me realize that I wasn't just holding back due to reduced vision ahead. I had a clear view ahead and still found myself unable to lean the bike into the turn as much as I wanted to.

Ideally, I will solve whatever control issue I have, then return to taking right turns slower than lefts just like before, for the sake of safety.

 

[Ookie007]

Scott you doing the thursday lunch ride next week?

 

[rritterson]

I’m left handed, and I turn stronger to the left than right on a bicycle. However, on a motorcycle, on a tight road, I found that I have a lot more trouble with left turn than right. I’ve been trying to figure this out and these are my current thoughts:

If I had written your post, it would still be 100% accurate. I am wondering if handedness plays a part in turning preference (I too am left handed). When I try to turn quickly and deeply to the left, it feels odd, as if I am trying to write with my right hand, whereas turning to the right just feels natural.

I also think the ability to ride the edge of the road on the right makes it easier to follow the natural line of the curve. I wonder if, on a track, a left would become much easier because you can follow the inside line no matter what the direction. (Haven't made it to the track, yet)

 

[Brown81]

Well, at lest some of you guys are not alone.

 

[day004]

One thing I bring up to newer street riders about right turns is where to look.
We all know that the bike goes where the eyes go. If while entering a right turn your looking at the center line you will tend to turn towards it. I reccomend looking at the inside fog line, this is especially usefull in limited visibillity turns that tighten up. When the fog line moves away ,you'll follow it and tighten up your line.
It then becomes important to know when to bring your eyes back to the center line and/or further up the road.

 

[Cinco]

I have found that when I do this:

... My solution is to exaggerate the body and head movement – kiss the left mirror and position my face and body behind my left hand – that’s gives me a visual cue to push deep into the left turn.

It helps my turns by doing this.

... I was more likely to pull on the outside bar as to push on the inside bar. Reverting back to my old habits in that regard seemed to help a little.

Leaning far over to the side of the turn not only helps to push "inside" but positions your body to stretch your "outside" arm, thus pulling the "outside" handle bar toward your body. Helping you lean and turn a bit harder.

But in the end I think the answer to why are the rights harder, is the limited vision:

Right turns are tighter than lefts because we are forced to use the right 1/2 of the road,

 

[JO EBRMC]

If I had written your post, it would still be 100% accurate. I am wondering if handedness plays a part in turning preference (I too am left handed).

I think you are likely right here. I am odd in that I am left-handed. Mostly. Anything that requires precision is done with my left while anything requiring strength or speed is done right. I am a left-handed pitcher and a right-handed batter (keep your jokes to yourself). I write left handed unless it is on a chalkboard or whiteboard in which case I am left-handed. Hammer right, dremmel left.

When riding, I am far more comfortable in left turns which leads me to believe that riding requires the strength/speed rather than the precision.

What I have found though is that I need to forget my hands and focus on my feet. If I am weighting the outside I am fine.