Left Handed Riders

ProKawi24
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ProKawi24
Edited Date/Time 8/15/2022 6:31pm
So today I noticed on the podium that Chase was signing his name using his left hand. Maybe this sounds a bit strange but me being a righty I've always wondered what is it like for those who are left handed to ride a bike? Personally I would imagine working the throttle with my left hand would feel so awkward and sort of a disadvantage.

1) Is it something you just naturally get used to and doesn't bother you at all or does it?

2) Why isn't there an option to have the throttle on the left side of the bars? Or is there and I'm just not aware of it? If there was would you prefer it?

Just something I've always been curious about. I haven't rode a bike in 20 years but I do play guitar and anytime I've tried a left handed guitar I can't play a damn thing. I'm sure with a bunch of practice that would change but still it would always seem awkward to me.
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Rupert X
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Rupert X 8/13/2022 6:42pm
8/13/2022 6:42pm
Hmmmm. What about pushing your bike thru the pits ? Are you on the right or left side ? And, here’s what’s weird, is that even the lefties stand on the left whilst pushing their bikes. Am I right ?
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profeshenal125 8/13/2022 6:43pm
8/13/2022 6:43pm
Chase being left handed I caught that a while ago. In boxing a left handed person is difficult. Because they do everything opposite. I don’t think a rider has much difference. ELi could tell ya more. Chase used to do balance training, maybe to equil things out.
ATKpilot99
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ATKpilot99 8/13/2022 6:54pm
8/13/2022 6:54pm
I write with my left hand and the throttle being on the right always felt natural to me . But then again I throw and swing a bat , golf club etc. righty . If I play underhand pitch softball it's with my right hand yet I bowl lefty . Guess I'm a little messed up .
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yzken250x
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yzken250x 8/13/2022 6:57pm
8/13/2022 6:57pm
ATKpilot99 wrote:
I write with my left hand and the throttle being on the right always felt natural to me . But then again I throw and swing...
I write with my left hand and the throttle being on the right always felt natural to me . But then again I throw and swing a bat , golf club etc. righty . If I play underhand pitch softball it's with my right hand yet I bowl lefty . Guess I'm a little messed up .
No because I’m the same way. But I eat with both hands
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LouisianaMotocross 8/13/2022 6:57pm
8/13/2022 6:57pm
Rupert X wrote:
Hmmmm. What about pushing your bike thru the pits ? Are you on the right or left side ? And, here’s what’s weird, is that even...
Hmmmm. What about pushing your bike thru the pits ? Are you on the right or left side ? And, here’s what’s weird, is that even the lefties stand on the left whilst pushing their bikes. Am I right ?
My buddy is left handed and pushes his bike on the right side(throttle side). It’s always freaked me out
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ProKawi24
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ProKawi24 8/13/2022 7:02pm
8/13/2022 7:02pm
Rupert X wrote:
Hmmmm. What about pushing your bike thru the pits ? Are you on the right or left side ? And, here’s what’s weird, is that even...
Hmmmm. What about pushing your bike thru the pits ? Are you on the right or left side ? And, here’s what’s weird, is that even the lefties stand on the left whilst pushing their bikes. Am I right ?
I always pushed and got on my bike from the left side. Whenever my dad pushed my bike up to the starting gate I would make a point to come around to the left to get on it since he also pushed it from the left. Getting on from the right side felt so awkward.
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StellARrr
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StellARrr 8/13/2022 7:03pm
8/13/2022 7:03pm Edited Date/Time 8/13/2022 8:14pm
I would assume most lefties, like myself, probably are pretty ambidextrous with things that don’t require fine motor skills. When you’re young and learning different tasks with hand-eye coordination (like using a computer mouse, dribbling a basketball, throwing a ball, opening jars) everything is (mostly) taught right handed. You get pretty comfortable using your right hand over the years, so at least for me it’s not awkward at all.

I also get on the bike from the left side like everybody else. I tried getting on from the right side once but it was really awkward…which kind of makes sense when you consider the kickstarter is on the right side of the bike. Much more natural to get on from the left side and start kicking than it would be to get on from the right side, shift your weight to your left leg, and then start kicking.

I also push from the left side, but I’m not sure if that’s because it’s more comfortable or if it’s because the triangle stand goes in the left side so it’s just easier.
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olympiamann
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olympiamann 8/13/2022 7:20pm
8/13/2022 7:20pm
My left arm is bigger than my right arm...WAnna know why....Wow you guys think to mutchhhhhh
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wwdiii
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wwdiii 8/13/2022 7:24pm
8/13/2022 7:24pm
Well I’m ambidextrous, I can fu………k up with both hands!!!
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AJ565
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AJ565 8/13/2022 7:25pm
8/13/2022 7:25pm
olympiamann wrote:
My left arm is bigger than my right arm...WAnna know why....Wow you guys think to mutchhhhhh

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olympiamann
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olympiamann 8/13/2022 7:37pm
8/13/2022 7:37pm
olympiamann wrote:
My left arm is bigger than my right arm...WAnna know why....Wow you guys think to mutchhhhhh
AJ565 wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2022/08/13/563905/s1200_27EBF779_1D12_45B5_A538_0C970E36BB72.jpg[/img]

Wahhhhahahahaahah. Exactacly
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JM825
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JM825 8/13/2022 7:41pm
8/13/2022 7:41pm
I am a lefty and never noticed anything weird or awkward with controlling the throttle with my right hand. Then again I did start riding at 4 years old so I was too young too know the difference anyways. Now that I’m in my 30’s I do prefer having my dominant hand controlling the clutch rather than the throttle being a 2 stroke guy lol.
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tuttle425
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tuttle425 8/13/2022 7:45pm
8/13/2022 7:45pm
I am left handed. Walk on the left side of the bike when pushing, throw my right leg over to get on (just thinking about the other way seems really uncomfortable). I’ve always thought a left side kickstarter would be bizarre.

I think when things are standard right or left, we all just get used to them because there are no other options. I can’t imagine driving a stick shift in England or Australia even though that’s my dominant hand. Just sitting here trying to imagine using my left for throttle and it’s beyond weird. I wouldn’t do it even if I had the option.



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M1000
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M1000 8/13/2022 7:56pm
8/13/2022 7:56pm
Yup , all these comments correct. South Paw here also. My clutch hand is strong. Can really feel engagement of the clutch most time. Keep elbows up, and Overgrip on the throttle ()Gary Bailey school)Yes I was a clutch abuser. Almost always in top five at starts.
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Dirt.Squirt
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Dirt.Squirt 8/13/2022 8:06pm
8/13/2022 8:06pm
ATKpilot99 wrote:
I write with my left hand and the throttle being on the right always felt natural to me . But then again I throw and swing...
I write with my left hand and the throttle being on the right always felt natural to me . But then again I throw and swing a bat , golf club etc. righty . If I play underhand pitch softball it's with my right hand yet I bowl lefty . Guess I'm a little messed up .
I’m exactly the same.
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Muzzle
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Muzzle 8/13/2022 8:13pm
8/13/2022 8:13pm
StellARrr wrote:
I would assume most lefties, like myself, probably are pretty ambidextrous with things that don’t require fine motor skills. When you’re young and learning different tasks...
I would assume most lefties, like myself, probably are pretty ambidextrous with things that don’t require fine motor skills. When you’re young and learning different tasks with hand-eye coordination (like using a computer mouse, dribbling a basketball, throwing a ball, opening jars) everything is (mostly) taught right handed. You get pretty comfortable using your right hand over the years, so at least for me it’s not awkward at all.

I also get on the bike from the left side like everybody else. I tried getting on from the right side once but it was really awkward…which kind of makes sense when you consider the kickstarter is on the right side of the bike. Much more natural to get on from the left side and start kicking than it would be to get on from the right side, shift your weight to your left leg, and then start kicking.

I also push from the left side, but I’m not sure if that’s because it’s more comfortable or if it’s because the triangle stand goes in the left side so it’s just easier.
This right here. Well said.
mustard530
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mustard530 8/13/2022 8:27pm
8/13/2022 8:27pm Edited Date/Time 8/13/2022 8:28pm
Never have felt awkward on a bike being a lefty. If anything it has made me pretty ambidextrous.

I have ridden with a throttle on the left side due to a snapped set of bars out on the trail and that was completely foreign
Dirt.Squirt
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Dirt.Squirt 8/13/2022 8:33pm
8/13/2022 8:33pm
I had a bro down about being left handed with Josh grant and chuck sun.felt special for a couple minutes Laughing

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Boomslang 8/13/2022 9:07pm
8/13/2022 9:07pm Edited Date/Time 8/13/2022 9:11pm
mustard530 wrote:
Never have felt awkward on a bike being a lefty. If anything it has made me pretty ambidextrous. I have ridden with a throttle on the...
Never have felt awkward on a bike being a lefty. If anything it has made me pretty ambidextrous.

I have ridden with a throttle on the left side due to a snapped set of bars out on the trail and that was completely foreign
You put your throttle assembly on the left side due to snapped bars?

That must have been awkward...i mean, using it lefty and having to twist the throttle forward...total mind f%ck..

Edit - how did you operate the clutch?
mustard530
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mustard530 8/13/2022 9:52pm
8/13/2022 9:52pm
Boomslang wrote:
You put your throttle assembly on the left side due to snapped bars? That must have been awkward...i mean, using it lefty and having to twist...
You put your throttle assembly on the left side due to snapped bars?

That must have been awkward...i mean, using it lefty and having to twist the throttle forward...total mind f%ck..

Edit - how did you operate the clutch?
Yeah, dad though full carbon bars were a good idea then proceeded to loop out his bike trying to get up a ledge. Clutch went on the little nub left on the right side. Was a hell of a ride back to the truck
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TheGetFresh 8/13/2022 10:17pm
8/13/2022 10:17pm
Tennis legend Rafael Nadal is naturally right handed. Growing up his uncle/coach taught him to play left handed because it makes his shots more difficult to play against. He’s since won multiple major titles playing with his left hand while using his right hand for most things off the court. If you do something with your weak hand for long enough you can develop the muscle memory to overcome your hand preference
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fastchookracing 8/14/2022 3:19am
8/14/2022 3:19am
My name is Mick, and I’m a lefty. Golf is hopeless cause clubs feel weird. Bats are fine left handed. Scissors are shit. mx bikes are fine. Mtb riders that have rear brake levers on the right are dangerous. Boxing is fair south paw or right.
Great thread 🧵
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davis224
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davis224 8/14/2022 4:08am
8/14/2022 4:08am
Right handed, play guitar right handed but the left hand does all the intricate stuff, when I skated I ollied regular but felt more comfortable skating in goofy.
TropicPilot 8/14/2022 4:13am
8/14/2022 4:13am
Like others have stated, you just get used to the world being designed for righties. I'd bet most of us are better at using our right hands than the majority is at using their left hand for anything else. It might even be an advantage for us when it comes to fine motor skills like pulling tearoffs, working the clutch, etc.
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wreckitrandy
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wreckitrandy 8/14/2022 6:41am
8/14/2022 6:41am
ATKpilot99 wrote:
I write with my left hand and the throttle being on the right always felt natural to me . But then again I throw and swing...
I write with my left hand and the throttle being on the right always felt natural to me . But then again I throw and swing a bat , golf club etc. righty . If I play underhand pitch softball it's with my right hand yet I bowl lefty . Guess I'm a little messed up .
I'm the exact opposite. Right handed, left footed. I know I'm messed up.
racin mason
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racin mason 8/14/2022 8:13am
8/14/2022 8:13am
My left hand hates my right hand. Everything bad that ever happened to my left hand, my right hand did it!!!
murph783
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murph783 8/14/2022 8:26am
8/14/2022 8:26am
Rupert X wrote:
Hmmmm. What about pushing your bike thru the pits ? Are you on the right or left side ? And, here’s what’s weird, is that even...
Hmmmm. What about pushing your bike thru the pits ? Are you on the right or left side ? And, here’s what’s weird, is that even the lefties stand on the left whilst pushing their bikes. Am I right ?
LouisianaMotocross wrote:
My buddy is left handed and pushes his bike on the right side(throttle side). It’s always freaked me out
I’m a lefty and push mine from the right…but it’s because I’m short and when I push it up into the truck I want the front brake lever closer to me Grinning

As far as riding idk I can only think maybe left handed people have an easier time with clutch control? But I think every left handed person is to some extent ambidextrous because you kinda have to learn to be.
jbonemalone
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jbonemalone 8/14/2022 9:26am
8/14/2022 9:26am
I’m a lefty, don’t get me started on scissors and power tools.
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