| Author | Message | ||
     Tq_freak |
After I came home from work today I was looking at my rear tire to see how shot it is (its toast) and I knew that lately it has felt that I have been able to hit right turns alot better then left but looking at my chicken strips confirmed it, on the right edge I only have like a 1/4 inch and on the left I have like a good 1 1/2 inchs. Back in may I did break my left shoulder do you think that might have something to do with it? Or maybe I just find more right turns? pics will follow once I make it out to the garage later. | ||
| No_rice |
did you dump your bike in a left turn? most people find that if they wreck turning one way or the other, they baby the side they wrecked on. as in, if you dumped the bike taking a left, you wont push your left corners as hard. | ||
| Spiderman |
There is that and you turn much like you write. IE.. If you are right handed you write a lot better with your right than your left. The same applies for your bike, you feel more comfortable leaning one side more than the other. As for me I used to feel more comfortable leaning left than right. I practiced and got used to it and made my chicken stripes even on both sides  | ||
| Tailspining |
Right handed turns have a tighter turn radius than left handed turns, at least here in the States, where we normally drive on the right side of the road. This might be the reason you are leaning more in a right handed than you would in a left handed turn. | ||
| Tq_freak |
I did wreck on the left side last may, it wasnt on my XB but a friends636.( A land rover pulled out in front of me, made it around it but hit grass and low sided on the left) Also I am right handed, in most stuff im pretty much ambedextrious but I do write with my right hand. I did notice at first I was pretty gun shy of hanging of either side once I got back on, maybe my head isnt ready to let me lean that far over on the left yet. | ||
| Whodom |
Motorcycle Consumer News (MCN) had an article on this a few years back. It is very common for people to "shun" the side they crashed on after a wreck. The article included suggestions on how to deal with it and get over it; someone here may have a copy of the mag. | ||
| Glitch |
It is very common for people to "shun" the side they crashed on after a wreck. Good thing I'm not common or I'd be only riding on the interstate! | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Do they have curves in Florida?  I always laugh when I look at a bike on ebay. If it has three inch chicken strips, it's usually in FL. (Yes, I know you are a demon. Put the flame thrower down and back away.)} | ||
| Tq_freak |
I think I found my next issue to work on. Ft- no worries, I can take the ribing. I just moved down here and im trying really hard to fins twisty back roads and when all else fails there are still on and off ramps to hit as hard as I can  | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
I think it's a right brain/left brain issue. | ||
| Glitch |
TQ, check out Jennings. It's a real nice track, no big deal as far as having to race prep the bike either. Probably some of the better twisties in Florida, and too far from Ocala.  | ||
| Glitch |
and too far from Ocala. That should be not too far... | ||
| Elff |
Id give my right arm to be ambidextrous | ||
| Tq_freak |
Glitch - I was already looking at going there as soon as I can, I just want to find / build a tailer so I dont have to ride up (knowing my luck that would jinx me on breaking something) and am trying to find a resonable set of leathers. I was thinking about getting a 2 piece set. I think I would get more use out of it. | ||
| Debueller |
I feel much more confident on left handers. On right handers the body english required to bend it hard (even if it's just hanging your knee out) makes it slightly awkward to reach the rear brake. I like to have easy access to the brakes all the time....even if I have no intention of using them. Plus the illusion of touching my right toe into the ground if the brake is used in mid-corner plays tricks in my head. I think that explains why my chicken strips are slightly larger on the right side. Edit: also if I run wide I don't run into oncomming traffic. (Cages scare me!!) (Message edited by debueller on October 26, 2006) | ||
| Etennuly |
Tq_ You answered your own question. I can't think of any highway ramps that go on or off to the left. It seems like all of the long sweepers you ride are right handers. come to Tennessee for a week, that'll straighten you up.  | ||
| Djkaplan |
It is very common for people to "shun" the side they crashed on after a wreck. That makes me happier that I went straight over the handlebars in my last accident. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Tq_ You answered your own question. I can't think of any highway ramps that go on or off to the left. It seems like all of the long sweepers you ride are right handers. come to Tennessee for a week, that'll straighten you up. We'd love to have you. We promise not to drop you off the edge of Hwy 116 or Hwy 85. (At least not without recovering your body!) | ||
| Hedcase |
Tq_ Sent you a PM re: 2pc leathers. Hedcase | ||
| Glitch |
Debueller, you need more seat time, you shouldn't even be thinking about brakes while in a curve. Only about getting back on the gas. Even if you're not riding hard, all you braking should be over and done with before you turn in. Come to Tennessee for a week, that'll straighten you up. More like twist you up. | ||
| Debueller |
I think my problem is most of my learning was done over a lot of years riding in the dirt. (old habits are hard to break). Using the rear brake in the dirt while in a corner feels very natural to me. I know using the rear brake in a fast corner on the pavement will get me in trouble fast. I'm just a little insecure about not having instant access to the brakes. (another one of my "dirt" issues) I think a track school and some track time would help alot. One of these days I'd love to travel down south and maybe ride the dragon. If I'm ever down there I might look you up. I'd love a guided tour of some of Tennessee's twisties. | ||
| Fastfxrs |
I turn my head and look through the corner much better to the right than the left. I noticed this on the race track years ago. So once again, "its all in my head." Practice some parking lot full lock turns in both directions. Taking the MSF experiecned rider course every couple of years helps. I would like to do a track day as I haven't been on the track for many years. Tim | ||
| Frequency |
Im right handed, i've Lowsided twice on the left side... My left side strip is about an 1/8th of an inch. My Right side strip is about 3/8ths. | ||
| Diablobrian |
2 piece leathers are great for the street. I love mine (Firstgear "speed freak" in black) As a plus if you decide to do track days, or even some racing you're set. Assuming you get full circumference zippers, which I HIGHLY recommend. Most quality manufacturers offer the full zippers. The "standard" 10 inch zipper just doesn't do as good of a job, it cuts a corner to save a few bucks. | ||
| Etennuly |
Tq_ There is a quick cure for your right turn ailments, try some left handed donuts until the tire wear is even!  | ||
| Tq_freak |
 rock on I like that idea a lot. My rear is super shot and the new tire is sitting there waiting to go on.....I just need to find a place where I can LIGHT IT UP!! | ||
| Tq_freak |
OH, I had an idea about this on the ride home today. could it be that most left turns are off camber because of the crown in the road? Could that add to making left turns feeling not as natural? | ||
| Etennuly |
Yep, that seems logical too. Do you bite your tongue or wrench your jaw when cutting with scissors? Maybe you do this when you are carving corners with your bike. Something small like a minor tooth ache or a sore spot on your tongue, on the left side, could be effecting your lean in angle. I lived near Tampa for many years. It seems the small things are important on those straight flat roads.  |
