RustyKnight In: Newton Aycliffe
Posts: 2462
Karma:
*perhaps its on the left so
its the same side as the gear selector, so as your putting the bike in
neutral, the stand is there straight away to put down to dismount the
bike.*
Or you might catch your foot on the gear lever whilst stepping on the side stand thingy, accidentally kick it into first and wheely off up the road!
Not that that could ever happen to me of course!
*ironing out the creases in my 'good riding' code book*
Side stand on the left cos we drive on the left, therefore we dismount on the left side (onto the pavement) not on the right, the road and traffic side.
Of course that doesn't explain when bikes are ridden on the right hand side of the road, so I guess I dunno lol
Were'nt the very 1st bikes built with hand gear change ? i know the HD were right up until end of WW2...the 1st bike builder with sidestand would've had the answer , the rest surely copied the style...i know this does'nt help lol
i know what it is....in the early days when rats were running round the streets they used to run around next to the kirb, so when you put your stand dwon the chance is you would squash a rat too.....apparently the pied piper rode a Honda super rat scream 250.......
Great question BJ! I love it when things we take for granted are questioned (especially in design).
I have two theories:
The first is 'footedness' i.e. which foot you favour (which incidentally has nothing to do with being left or right handed). this is important in boardsports - left foot forward you are 'regular', right foot forward you are 'goofy'. You can find out in various ways: slide on a slippery floor and see which foot is in front, get someone to unexpectedly push you from behind and see which foot you place forward or even pretend to barge open a door and see which shoulder you use. About 75% of people are 'regular'. I am regular and have always leaned my 'bike or bicycle to the left when I get on. As a test, next time try mounting your bike from the right and see how it feels. therefore if the bike is leaning to the left, then it is easier to mount.
My other theory is to do with the kickstart. With few exceptions they are on the righthand side (so that you can use the predominantly stronger right leg). Although a centrestand would probably be used when cold, the bike could be leaned on the lefthand side using the side stand and you could stand on the peg to get better leverage. (which of course you couldn't do if the stand was on the righthand side and the bike was leaning over to the right).
I have sent emails to four bike manufacturers to see what explaination they come up with lol
But all the ones so far, apart from Ian and his rats !!!!! are feasible so thank you, dont you just hate it when a question gets in your head and you dont know the answer, it has become a mission now lol
Different thing, dunans - I kick the ball with my right foot but lead with my left (i.e. use a regular stance). Others could kick the ball with their right foot but lead with their right (known as 'goofy'). It's a weird thing. You are also supposed to be able to work out your 'footedness' by crossing your arms and seeing which ELBOW is outer (i.e. not partially covered by your hand) but I think this is confusing and not totally reliable....
Aw Kwak, it's easy really - when you snowboard do you have your left or right foot forward?
By the way - I am VERY impressed that you can live both on land and in water!!
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