Why can't I turn right?

[Crisis management]

This seems to be going well then, what have you managed to glean so far Jay?

Before you do anything else check the bike thoroughly and make sure the wheels are actually aligned, any misalignment will make it steer better one way than the other, string line around the wheels works for me.
Get someone to watch you riding and comment on the differences, maybe at the superbowl at the sandpit?
Failing any of that, slow down your right hand turns and practice getting them smooth first perfecting body position through all the aspects of the turn, you will relearn the turn and then speed will come back.

[Jay GTI]

This seems to be going well then, what have you managed to glean so far Jay?

Before you do anything else check the bike thoroughly and make sure the wheels are actually aligned, any misalignment will make it steer better one way than the other, string line around the wheels works for me.
Get someone to watch you riding and comment on the differences, maybe at the superbowl at the sandpit?
Failing any of that, slow down your right hand turns and practice getting them smooth first perfecting body position through all the aspects of the turn, you will relearn the turn and then speed will come back.

So far I have gleaned that some people have no clue where they are and I'm glad I don't have a steering lock on my bike...

...but also I think there is definitely merit in what you and BM-GS are saying about bike alignment, so will definitely check that out.

Also agree with White Trash that it is a psychological issue, but for me not with the brake being covered, but more about the fact that I feel awkward and unsettled, so can't drop into the corners like I can going left. Then I get frustrated and the frustration itself continues to make it worse.

Good suggestions on getting someone to watch me, or vid me, I've done that before with my jumping when got an ex-MX racer mate to follow me around a track for loads of laps, was awesome!

Glad it's not just me too...

[Crasherfromwayback]

Glad it's not just me too...

The beach is an awesome place to go when you need to practice lefts or rights sideways at speed.

[Usarka]

Counter steering with throttle hand could be a factor..... Especially if you are conciously trying to countersteer.


I had something similar once and I started pulling and pushing on the left which left throttle hand/arm relaxed. Seemed to make some difference but no idea if it's based on any kind of theoreticalness.

[Jay GTI]

Counter steering with throttle hand could be a factor..... Especially if you are conciously trying to countersteer.


I had something similar once and I started pulling and pushing on the left which left throttle hand/arm relaxed. Seemed to make some difference but no idea if it's based on any kind of theoreticalness.

Ah now that is also a very good point, just playing things back in my head and I do have issues with my right arm in right-handers, as due to also trying to control the throttle while pulling the bars down, I struggle to stay relaxed and that is probably where my tensed upper-body issues start... hmmm, will try using my left hand more for control...

[Pornstar]

Hey ZOOLANDER, cant turn right huh? but serioulsy, remember to keep your elbows up dude, sometimes i get on my bike and wonder why its not turning so good, then realise my elbows are not up, as soon as i lift them the bike handles much better, also make sure your looking ahead through the turn to or even past the exit, hope this helps. or get a road bike and employ the other suggestions.

[Jay GTI]

Hey ZOOLANDER, cant turn right huh? but serioulsy, remember to keep your elbows up dude, sometimes i get on my bike and wonder why its not turning so good, then realise my elbows are not up, as soon as i lift them the bike handles much better, also make sure your looking ahead through the turn to or even past the exit, hope this helps. or get a road bike and employ the other suggestions.

Yeah I do tend to drop the elbows in the rights, kind of part of trying to control the throttle and do all that conrning stuff with the extended right arm. Got the looking ahead thing all sussed though, that makes such a huge difference to riding in general.

[Motu]

There is a reason all oval dirt tracks turn left...except for side cars and Waiuku. Get on the beach and do figure 8's,flip from one side to the other,over and over and over....you'll get the hang of it.

[flyingcr250]

I used to have the same problem, most of it was mental, but a big part of it i found was that i was subconsiously putting more weight on the peg with my right leg (im right handed), so when ever i turned right i consiously put lots of weigt on the left peg and eventualy i started doing it without thinking about it, turning left or right feels natural to me now,

[flyingcr250]

Riding out at kimmys alot helped to, most of the turns are right handed

[Pornstar]

Yeah I do tend to drop the elbows in the rights, kind of part of trying to control the throttle and do all that conrning stuff with the extended right arm. Got the looking ahead thing all sussed though, that makes such a huge difference to riding in general.

Ah, try gripping the throttle like a door knob and not at 90 degrees to the bars, i.e elbow up and sort of have your little finger knuckles more foward, this will let you keep your elbows up in the corners, you have to make a real consious effort to do it until it becomes 2nd nature.

[Jay GTI]

I used to have the same problem, most of it was mental, but a big part of it i found was that i was subconsiously putting more weight on the peg with my right leg (im right handed), so when ever i turned right i consiously put lots of weigt on the left peg and eventualy i started doing it without thinking about it, turning left or right feels natural to me now,

Ah, try gripping the throttle like a door knob and not at 90 degrees to the bars, i.e elbow up and sort of have your little finger knuckles more foward, this will let you keep your elbows up in the corners, you have to make a real consious effort to do it until it becomes 2nd nature.

Awesome, both of those I know are a big part of the problem, cheers guys

[takitimu]

Awesome, both of those I know are a big part of the problem, cheers guys

I got pinged last training for being to stiff in my arms, keeping loose might help.

Though my biggest issue ever turning one direction was caused by one of my radiator louvres coming loose.

[Woodman]

Got the same problem, always have, only its turning left that is hard for me. Even spinning the bike round on a trail to go back, right is so much easier.

Entered the beach racing earlier this year and its all left turns, but was way more confident (still am) after the days racing turning left so those guys that said go to the beach are on the money.

[scott411]

as said before it is comman as you will be dragging your rear brake in left hand corners, making the bike more stable, and giving you more confidence,

you just need to practice more, as crasher said is a good place to practice faster corners slidding the bike, think about what you are doing going both ways,