Left or right

[Demannu]

Which bend are you more 'confident'*' with?
For me it's right handers. Been scrubbing in a new set of tyres today, took it to the local roundabout and did a couple of laps (les rond points go left here remember), built a bit of speed and angle up until it got up to pace and I was happy with the tyre grip ( but nothing dragging). On the way home there are some belles virages, 2nd or 3rd right hander, my brand new boots kiss the tarmac without me 'really'' trying.
I am weird or is this a 'thing?









*happy to tip into

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

For me it's lefts, I've no idea why

[wheelnut]

For me it's lefts, I've no idea why

I think it’s left for most people, maybe to do with a dominant side of the brain, maybe to do with the fact that the brain (wrongly) thinks that the available space in the oncoming lane is preferable to the dry stone wall on your left.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

For me it's lefts, I've no idea why

I think it’s left for most people, maybe to do with a dominant side of the brain, maybe to do with the fact that the brain (wrongly) thinks that the available space in the oncoming lane is preferable to the dry stone wall on your left.

Would the proof of that be people who are in countries that drive on the right preferring right handers?

[Horse]

It is a 'thing' in that I've heard it discussed.

With hindsight, I preferred lefts - but no idea why!

[wheelnut]

For me it's lefts, I've no idea why

I think it’s left for most people, maybe to do with a dominant side of the brain, maybe to do with the fact that the brain (wrongly) thinks that the available space in the oncoming lane is preferable to the dry stone wall on your left.

Would the proof of that be people who are in countries that drive on the right preferring right handers?

I think the OP drives on the wrong side. Surely a sample of three is proof enough?

[Horse]

Lefts typically have (in the UK) the camber working 'with' you.

RH may have better forward view, potentially encouraging higher speed, then the rider experiences the adverse camber.

[Skub]

It can sometimes be how you sit on the bike. I followed a mate who disliked r/h bends and he sat off centre in the seat,canted to the left side,so he was always halfway in position for lefts,but didn't feel the same for rights. I daresay there is more than one explanation.

I'm not sure I have a preference,I've cocked up both directions many times.

[Demannu]

I think it’s left for most people, maybe to do with a dominant side of the brain, maybe to do with the fact that the brain (wrongly) thinks that the available space in the oncoming lane is preferable to the dry stone wall on your left.

Would the proof of that be people who are in countries that drive on the right preferring right handers?

I think the OP drives on the wrong side. Surely a sample of three is proof enough?

Yebbut only been here 6 years. Always preferred r/h bends.
Something to do with the fact that you'll crash into the kerb rather than oncoming traffic

[Noggin]

Lefts typically have (in the UK) the camber working 'with' you.

I reckon it's a camber type thingy for me. I liked certain corners on track more than others, but not convinced it was left or right, it was how the corner was set up! I think!!

I can't honestly remember which way was better on the road - although I suspect I will now have a preference being handicapped n all!! It was a left corner at high speed last year that I failed badly on (driving on your 'wrong' side of the road) but I still think that was due to me forgetting that I needed to relearn than which direction that the corner was going in!!

[DefTrap]

I'm just imagining riding my favourite bendy roads (both France and UK) but doing it on the 'wrong' side of the road. I can picture it, feels all wrong.

So my answer is, it depends.

[Trinity765]

Left and I wonder if that has something to do with the right hand being on the throttle/brakes and the left hand being free so could be used to "save" you - even though it's not actually going to help.

Ask me again when I get back from two weeks in Europe.

[Count Steer]

Right handers. (I'm also right footed/handed but have no idea if that's related).

(Same on the other side of the Channel).

[Bustaspoke]

For me it's right,because if I run wide or come off on a left hander I'm aware that I'll be straight into oncoming traffic.
Way back in time when I did some racing I threw it down the road on both right & left hander's

[demographic]

Right handed and when I was a kid I preferred doing skiddies on my pushbike turning to the left.

[ChrisW]

Have always felt more comfortable in left handers. For context I'm right-handed for writing, left-handed for eating and goofy foot, yet prefer frontside to back.

[Scootabout]

Usually left handers. I assume because of the camber and/or lack of kerb/verge. On the latter point I've always had some difficulty with the hug-the-verge expectation of 'advanced' training on right-handers. Funnily enough I've just spent a couple of weeks in France but don't really remember being conscious of which type of bend I preferred there.

[iansoady]

In the UK (and other drive-on-the-left places) left handers give a false sense of security as it seems that you have the other ide of the road as a safety run-off - till a 40 tonner appears in it half way across the white line.... Left handers look as though you don't have much margin for error as you're closer to the kerb / hedge / wall whatever.

Re being in the gutter - I used to do this obsessively but it's not that sensible as there's all sorts of muck down there, not to mention protruding branches etc. So I'm more moderate these days. In truth, the extra vision afforded isn't that great.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

How fast would you have to be going where you're going to run wide on a modern bike?

[The Spin Doctor]

We have done this numerous times over the years, but we're no closer an answer.

On track, I always feel better on left-handers. My thinking is that less 'handedness' in the body, but more down to phyiscal control of the throttle. That's much easier hanging off to the left, than to the right, when the wrist angle becomes more awkward.

On the road, I'm reasonably certain it's the illusion of 'run-off' on the outside of a corner that makes the difference. On the training courses, it's obvious that many riders want to turn in early and thus away from hedges or walls on the outside of a right-hander. But they'll happily hug the white line on a left-hander even though the risks posed by oncoming vehicles are higher. And I know I personally take a while to dial into left-handers when I've not ridden abroad for a while.