Lean angle?

Al · 1st July 2008, 18:18

I have been riding for most of my life, since the age of 4, which make it nearly 44 yrs now.
One thing I have realised or noticed is that through the twisties I feel more confident leaning to the left than leaning to the right.
Has anyone else experienced this or am I just being a pussy?

All comments welcome.... (uh-oh)

Al

**Ixion** · 1st July 2008, 18:22

I studied this a few years ago in some depth. My conclusion was that it was due (in my case at any rate) to countersteering. or, more speciifcally, to the fact that if one pushes on the bars to countersteer (the usual way), then in a right hand turn the pushing action conflicts somewhat with the twisting action of the wrist controlling the twistgrip. The angle the wrist normaly adopts for twistgrip control is suboptimal for subtle countersteering variation.

This slight conflict, too subtle to be consciously realised, translates into an 'uneasiness' in right handers.

There was quite a long thread about it. The experiment was on a BMW BTW though I don't think that is significant.

EDIT BTW the same thing has been found in surveys of US riders. So it's not a road camber thing.

**doc** · 1st July 2008, 18:23

Na, your not a pussy your a thrillseeker thats the side you slide under the 18 wheeler "when you cock it up"

**DMNTD:Me** · 1st July 2008, 18:24

What Mr I said plus IMO (for me at least) is that leaning into the path of an oncoming car can be slightly...well unnerving

**MVnut** · 1st July 2008, 18:31

Originally Posted by Ixion

I studied this a few years ago in some depth. My conclusion was that it was due (in my case at any rate) to countersteering. or, more speciifcally, to the fact that if one pushes on the bars to countersteer (the usual way), then in a right hand turn the pushing action conflicts somewhat with the twisting action of the wrist controlling the twistgrip. The angle the wrist normaly adopts for twistgrip control is suboptimal for subtle countersteering variation.

This slight conflict, too subtle to be consciously realised, translates into an 'uneasiness' in right handers.

There was quite a long thread about it. The experiment was on a BMW BTW though I don't think that is significant.

EDIT BTW the same thing has been found in surveys of US riders. So it's not a road camber thing.

You'll find that people who ride on the other side of the road to us have more problem with leaning into the lefthanders. I suspect it's got nothing to do with throttle hand etc, more like a sense of 'relaxation' when not leaning into the traffic, so to speak, so they are happier leaning further on one side than the other......me I don't really care, I like rights and lefts, but I'm not normal (everyone tells me this anyway)

**Jacko2** · 1st July 2008, 18:49

Originally Posted by Ixion

I studied this a few years ago in some depth. My conclusion was that it was due (in my case at any rate) to countersteering. or, more speciifcally, to the fact that if one pushes on the bars to countersteer (the usual way), then in a right hand turn the pushing action conflicts somewhat with the twisting action of the wrist controlling the twistgrip. The angle the wrist normaly adopts for twistgrip control is suboptimal for subtle countersteering variation.

This slight conflict, too subtle to be consciously realised, translates into an 'uneasiness' in right handers.

There was quite a long thread about it. The experiment was on a BMW BTW though I don't think that is significant.

EDIT BTW the same thing has been found in surveys of US riders. So it's not a road camber thing.

My first thought was the camber thingy. But you say not so Les.
Would pulling opposite side rather than the push be better?
Did you try this in your study?

**Ixion** · 1st July 2008, 18:51

Yes, that was part of the process that led me to my conclusion. (pull on left instead of pull on right)

(EDIT - don't mean that pulling instead of pushing is 'better' - )

**Jacko2** · 1st July 2008, 18:56

Thanks,
I'll try that tomorrow, see how it feels.

**scracha** · 1st July 2008, 19:02

I'm the opposite....I blame years of scooting about Britain's "new towns"....a.k.a. roundabout cities.

**windingroad** · 1st July 2008, 19:11

I wonder what the effect of a shaft drive might be to this conundrum?

**skidMark** · 1st July 2008, 19:28

Originally Posted by Ixion

I studied this a few years ago in some depth. My conclusion was that it was due (in my case at any rate) to countersteering. or, more speciifcally, to the fact that if one pushes on the bars to countersteer (the usual way), then in a right hand turn the pushing action conflicts somewhat with the twisting action of the wrist controlling the twistgrip. The angle the wrist normaly adopts for twistgrip control is suboptimal for subtle countersteering variation.

This slight conflict, too subtle to be consciously realised, translates into an 'uneasiness' in right handers.

There was quite a long thread about it. The experiment was on a BMW BTW though I don't think that is significant.

EDIT BTW the same thing has been found in surveys of US riders. So it's not a road camber thing.

Explains why i am fast because i'm left handed

(yes i know you meant right handed corner) lol

**FJRider** · 1st July 2008, 19:37

It varies from person to person. Sometimes an inner ear blocked, even partially, can cause balance "issues". Get the ears checked next Dr's visit.
I prefer leaning to the RIGHT... maybe its a POLITICAL "issue" ?????