Bike on Side Stand - Which Way Do You Turn the Wheel?

akbeemer said:

I think the real gamblers are those that live in one of our major metro areas.

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"You pays your money and you takes your chances." Having lived in both kinds of areas over the years, I've made my choice. For me, the benefits faaaaaar outweigh the disadvantages.

akbeemer said:

I'm not in denial about the risks associated with living here,

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Of course you are, as the facts will soon show.

akbeemer said:

but we certainly don't have gangs using three vehicles to steal motorcycles.

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ROFLMFAO. The gang we arrested, had stolen motorcycles in EVERY STATE except Alaska and Hawaii. See how "denial" works?!

Earlier I wrote,

... Add a chain that's attached to something secure and you've stopped just about all thieves. [Emphasis is added]

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Lee said:

Cordless angle grinder.

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98lee said:

Or bolt cutters on the lock. Quicker and quieter.

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It's about the numbers folks. As I said. "... just about all thieves." MOST motorcycle thieves carry NEITHER, angle grinders nor bolt cutters. It's mostly about making your bike less attractive to thieves. If you make them spend five minutes to take the bike, MOST of them will just go elsewhere. If there are two identical motorcycles parked side by side and one of them does not even have its forks locked, while the other has the forks locked and a heavy duty chain and lock attaching it to a fixed post, and a disc lock that makes a loud noise, which one do you think is more likely to be the target? It's rare that motorcycle thieves target specific makes or models, but of course it does occur. If that's the case, nothing can prevent the theft. BUT AS I SAID, "it's rare."

If someone wants what you have, they'll take it. I had a friend who had a gold plated high end bicycle. Thieves targeted him, but he took the bike indoors with him everywhere he went, at work, at restaurants, and at home. He never left it unattended. They followed him for several months and finally one day when he was riding it, they ran him off the road and took it. You can't make something impossible to steal, just more difficult in the hopes that they'll go looking for an easier target. AGAIN, that's when insurance kicks in.

PGlaves said:

I've taken more than one MSF course and was never told to mount the bike from the right. When and where did you take the course that taught this? Any Rider Coaches care to comment?

I have observed a Motor Officer mount from the right. Greenwald?

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Not Greenwald, but generally that's the training. It has them dismounting so they're facing traffic, rather than with their backs to it. Most of the retired motor officers that I ride with don't do it, only one does and he rides a very short bike. The others have told me that they also didn't do it when they worked, their legs were too short. "Some do, some don't."

I was in the Army. So everything is to the left.

"You're mother was home and you left!"

"You're right!"

"You're brother was home and you left!"

"You're right!"

"You're column is turned to yer left!"

"You're right!"

"You really farked up when you left."

"You're right!"

PGlaves said:

I've taken more than one MSF course and was never told to mount the bike from the right. When and where did you take the course that taught this? Any Rider Coaches care to comment?

I have observed a Motor Officer mount from the right. Greenwald?

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PM coming your way.

PGlaves said:

I've taken more than one MSF course and was never told to mount the bike from the right. When and where did you take the course that taught this? Any Rider Coaches care to comment?

I have observed a Motor Officer mount from the right. Greenwald?

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It was an experienced rider course (MSF), conducted on the tarmac in Everret, Wa. I think the coach was a LEO. His concept was that should there be a mishap upon mounting/dismounting (on side stand) all the ,injurious action would be on the left side. Makes sense to me--however i'm not 100% compliant b

Just seems awkward to me to get on a motorcycle from the right. I always get on a horse from the left, so why not the bike? If the bike was parked with the left side really close to a deep ditch, etc., then I would get on from the right .

bp@sr9 said:

MSF taught me to mount the bike from the right (high) side , when on side stand. bars to left leave more room for legs and easier to hang hat on right bar end. b

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Am not sure, but left handed guys can comment on this:is it easier to mount from the right for you? I find that to be rather difficult, and only reason I do that is when the bike is parked right against a wall. Am sure there are, but I don't remember bikes to have side stand on the right side. Maybe some Harleys?
Interesting thread, nice to read points of view, but mine is that no person in his right mind would suggest to mount the bike one way or another, if it is not comfortable for you! And if one is worried about the slight difference for turning the bars right, just cut a 1/4" of the side stand! JMHO

Getting off on the right seems like it would be more difficult. You have to reach farther out to the right to find footing in order to pivot up and away from the bike. Plus, getting off on the left side, your left leg is already closer to the ground.

Motor officer school teaches on/off on the right side. Works perfect on a Road King, and with the handlebars full left it opens up the bike so it is easy to get on and off.