Why Is It?

[Lissa]

Originally Posted by ixlr8

The most common bikes were British early on (LHD)? And then Japanese (LHD)?

But why do Harley have them on the left? Huge manufacturer, the Yanks drive on the right.

If you get on from the left and your foot accidently hits a pedal then nothing happens as its the brake pedal.
Different case from the other side, bike gets knocked into gear and rides off without you.



Yes know there are/were bikes with the gears on the right but......just a thought.

cos it's the strongest side to operate a centre stand from so the side stand just followed on? that and the horse thing, oh and I remember always getting on a pushbike from the left, so you've got your stronger pedalling leg ready. oh and it feels easier wheeling it about standing on the left.... or is that just cos I've always done so (ever tried putting your jacket on by putting 'wrong' arm in first, you look like a toddler staggering about in circles).

[dirtydog]

Originally Posted by ixlr8

The most common bikes were British early on (LHD)? And then Japanese (LHD)?

This is what I was thinking

Originally Posted by Lissa

But why do Harley have them on the left? Huge manufacturer, the Yanks drive on the right.

But then I thought of this as well


So in other words I don't have a scooby!

Force of habit...

Some bikes have them on both sides (Oz DR200SE) and it does look strange when using the RH stand.

Just tried Googling this as i was sure there'd be an obvious answer but nope!

This goes against us sometimes in this country as the side of the road sometimes has a steep dip into the gutter. I was nearly caught out by this a while back when i moved the bike up to let an old lady park behind me and when i leant the bike back over, the stand skidded into the gutter and the bike dropped.

Luckily with the SV being a wee thing i was able to leap in and catch it as it fell and stopped it just before hitting the deck but if i'd have been riding a ZZR 1400......!

Originally Posted by Lissa

Hmmm, never thought of that. I grew up around horses and automatically would mount horse or bike from the left. I've seen a couple of pillions mount from the right, and it just looks wrong. I couldn't do it!

My wife can only mount my bike from the right for some reason, doesn't feel comfortable doing it from left

gotta be something to do with most people being right handed...

Maybe because it's aimed at right handed people and maybe there are more right handed people than left, as you tend to be stronger on the hand you write with it's it's easier to pick the bike up using your stronger side?

That's my theory anyway, it may be a **** one but i'm sticking to it lol

I swear I never saw your reply custard Guides honour, swearing on life and everything haha