Left handers

Does anyone else have a problem like mine?
Basically i really struggle with left hand corners, right handers im perfectly happy with i can hang off, get my knee out and i feel confident in the bike sitting in the postion i want it to go and i feel smooth however left handers are completely the opposite! I go all stiff, really have to concentrate to get myself off the bike, can position my knee out and can't judge my lean.

Ive had this problem for as long as i remember and i wonder if its to do with 2 thoughts that may be in the back of my head the first being that when i first started out biking i did a track day at Mallory park and did a massive slide on a lefty with camber on it i dont know how i didnt come off this combined with a weird feeling that if i go left and come off ill be on the opposite side of the road (UK) i think may be causing it.

Now if im pootling about then i have no problems this is sort of track/fast road pase any ideas what i can try to help or do or is it just a practice practice practice kinda thing?

You need to move to the US for a while. Your stuckn in the wrong side rut.

This has now become an ingrained problem!

The only way to rid yourself of this fear is too work hard at lefts and become confident.

Start off on the side stand or paddock stand, spend as long as you need and look/compare your body position on rights/lefts, look for the subtle diffirences that may be upsetting your confidence on lefts, get a mate to follow you with a camera on the bike and again compare rights/lefts.

Youl more than likely find your pushing the bike from under you on lefts (kinda like a motorcross style).

If you study your lefts carefully youl probly also notice your getting very tense/nervous and gripping the bars too much and this will cause problems. You may also notice that on lefts you dont look far enough ahead down the road (but rights you do as theres no nerves getting in the way)

These are all things to look at closely.
Finally get yourself along to Rockingham or Bedford, go out in the novice group and only ride at around %80 of your maximum, this will give you time to look at all the above and sort the problems, im sure that by the end of a day at Rockingham you will have sorted whatever it is thats screwing your lefts

I have exactly the same problem on right handers. Weird.

Crotch is exactly right!

In LH drive countries you can see further through LH corners which promotes confidence. In RH drive countries it's just the opposite, you can see further through the RH corners therefore can corner faster which requires more lean angle etc.

Definitely get to a track...you'll soon find that you can corner just as quickly in either direction.

John

Most Roads have a raised crown ,the middle is several inches higher than either side to promote drainage.
If you drive on the right- most right hand turns have positive camber.
If you drive on the left- most left hand turns have positive camber.
Counter steering is usually easier to do to initiate a left turn since your right hand is busier on turn in with throttle and brake inputs. ( I know, not your problem)
What might work to help with this.
On a road or track you are familiar with. Pick out turn in points. When you get there, turn. Counter steer into the turn with your focus on the apex. By the time you get to the apex your focus should have already shifted to the exit.
Braking, Downshifts, turn-in inputs need to done smoothly ,FIRST, with no noticeable change in chassis position.
As you gain confidence you can brake later, use more force countersteering in, and transition to the throttle earlier.
You still need to be smooth.
Smooth is fast.
Fast is Smooth.

Do a few trackdays at Bedford, that will learn ya.

Make sure your bike is quieter than a chruchmouse though and take a book for the endless waffling briefing tha MSV just love.

Yep, I'd say I'm still not as comfortable in lefts as I am in rights but a day at Bedford with a lot more lefts than most uk circuits helped me a lot to pick up my speed in the lefties

Check out your bike if nothing is wrong like the rear axle-chain adjusters way out so the wheels are not aligned, and while your there check tyres and so on. Do some reading on suspension setup and see if it is in the ball park for your weight.
Just do all these checks to boost your confidence nothing is wrong. If you can try on another bike to see if it makes any difference.

Go for a ride and self check your movements and position on the bike including your vision and head position and compare in left and right handers.
If you do something wrong you be able to pinpoint it and correct. If you can't fault yourself or the bike just mentally go for it and it will work.

If you can't work it out do a trackday with an instructor (like california superbike school or so) who can point you in the right direction. It will be worth it as it will improve you abilities and safety on the road and track.

All good advice.......

Or you could always do what i did....crash on the right a lot, it makes you so nervous on right handers that you start loving the lefties.

Im slow as fook in all corners now but at least they are all about even...

Cheers for all the advice guys i'll try give most of it a go and get to a track thats prodominantly lefties.

I was thinking of doing something like California Superbike School anyone done it before? Is it worthwhile?

I have done all four levels off Californian Superbike School on a 990sm and the price it cost me gave me far more confidence ,speed and fun than all the mods I have done to the bike which is considerable.Before you go and do level one read a copy of " Twist Of The Wrist II" ten times[more than once]and you will be the one giving advise, not asking for it.It dosn't matter what bike you are on,they cater for any one on anything.Personally the only riding advise I give is take on a professional riding school and or read books.My favourites are all the Keith Code books,Sports Riding Techniques by Nick Ienatsch and Total Control by Lee Parks.Cheers