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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: buzz on January 10, 2006, 09:18:51 PM

Title: right hand dominance
Post by: buzz on January 10, 2006, 09:18:51 PM
After about 4000 miles of riding my GS, I have noticed I have developed a tendency of steering, more countersteering, with my right hand.

I hit a favorite pass today, and checked my tires right after I finished. I cleaned more of the right side meaning I am going a lot deeper in the right curves.

So I rode home with just enough pressure to control the throttle and did the counter steering with primarily my left hand. I was pretty bad. I could not flick the bike as well and my leans where sloppy.

So my question to the more epiranced riders are..........

1- Is this common?

2- Is there an exersise to keep me from pulling with my right hand when countersteering other than thinking about it more?

BTW I am left handed. :icon_confused:
Title: Re: right hand dominance
Post by: annguyen1981 on January 10, 2006, 09:31:43 PM
 :laugh:

I was thinking about something else...  Sorry!   :icon_razz:
Title: Re: right hand dominance
Post by: Alphamazing on January 11, 2006, 12:02:34 AM
Yes, most people tend to have a side that they prefer turning to. Some people like left hand turns, some people like right hand turns. Some people are good at both. I'm not sure which I prefer, though. Sometimes I think I'm a righty, sometimes I think I'm a lefty.
Title: Re: right hand dominance
Post by: buzz on January 11, 2006, 09:17:54 AM
Well I like both, but it seems I do this while riding strait also.

I guess I will just keep my practice with my left hand controls, and try to get rid of my bad habit.

Quote from: annguyen1981 on January 10, 2006, 09:31:43 PM
:laugh:

I was thinking about something else... Sorry! :icon_razz:

Oh and that is all right hand. ;)
Title: Re: right hand dominance
Post by: natedawg120 on January 11, 2006, 12:28:03 PM
stated by my MSF course instructor: "Most people tend to turn beter to the right or the left.  This depends on wether the person in question is right or left handed, because subconsiously the body wants to protect the dominant side." 

I think that was his take on it but it makes scense to me.
Title: Re: right hand dominance
Post by: calamari on January 11, 2006, 12:30:31 PM
my MSF instructor stated: "if you have never riden motorcycles, then good! do exactly as I tell you to do..."

and I did. no problems turning left or right. same effort and same technique (kind of). I'm right handed.
Title: Re: right hand dominance
Post by: scratch on January 11, 2006, 12:55:45 PM
Palm the bars/grips. Don't grip the grips. Don't wrap your fingers around the grips. Unless you're on a road that you know is bumpy, palm the grips.
Title: Re: right hand dominance
Post by: buzz on January 11, 2006, 06:13:37 PM
Yes I have noticed that more of an upward puch nets me quicker transitions.

I think that a lot of my problem has come from my winter riding. I seem to spend a considerable amount of time riding with my left hand under the carbs for warmth.

Title: Re: right hand dominance
Post by: NightRyder on January 11, 2006, 06:55:45 PM
buzz: ridding one handed, in winter? Isnt it hot (like burn your hand hot) down there anyway?
Title: Re: right hand dominance
Post by: scratch on January 11, 2006, 07:01:12 PM
Quote from: buzz on January 11, 2006, 06:13:37 PM
Yes I have noticed that more of an upward puch nets me quicker transitions.

Yes, this is also called pivot steering. Where you steer in the plane of rotation.
Title: Re: right hand dominance
Post by: FearedGS500 on January 11, 2006, 07:42:09 PM
.... i'v never really notced my self .. i  kinda do pretty good eather way . but i did use to race motocross so .. i guess i addapted alot of that and just use alot of that know how on the street .. there are some diffrences .. but .. i guess i''v never noticed .
Title: Re: right hand dominance
Post by: rtcpenguin on January 12, 2006, 07:25:21 AM
I'm not sure if I have a dominant steering hand, but I have noticed that my right wrist tends to hurt after extended riding whereas my left doesnt. I think it has to do with the angle of the wrist due to the almost constant use of throttle.
Title: Re: right hand dominance
Post by: Grainbelt on January 12, 2006, 07:41:45 AM
I'll take a different approach.  In the US and Canada, we drive on the right side of the road. Thus, the radius of right hand turns is always shorter than the radius of left hand turns. While you may compensate by riding faster through the left hand turns, perhaps its simply the roads you're on?
Title: Re: right hand dominance
Post by: natedawg120 on January 12, 2006, 09:27:13 AM
Quote from: Grainbelt on January 12, 2006, 07:41:45 AM
I'll take a different approach.  In the US and Canada, we drive on the right side of the road. Thus, the radius of right hand turns is always shorter than the radius of left hand turns. While you may compensate by riding faster through the left hand turns, perhaps its simply the roads you're on?

interestingly ture :thumb:
Title: Re: right hand dominance
Post by: scratch on January 12, 2006, 03:32:41 PM
Quote from: rtcpenguin on January 12, 2006, 07:25:21 AM
I'm not sure if I have a dominant steering hand, but I have noticed that my right wrist tends to hurt after extended riding whereas my left doesnt. I think it has to do with the angle of the wrist due to the almost constant use of throttle.
Loosen both bolts on the right mirror mount and rotate the master cylinder assembly forward. Readjust your mirror afterwards.