Why do bikes have their sidestands on the left?

Message

Grey Thumper · Thu Jul 30, 2009 1:06 am

We mount/dismount our bikes from the left because they lean that way. Perfectly fine if you're in a right hand drive country, but if you're in a left hand drive country it puts you in the way of traffic. The motorcycle was invented by Germans, and for much of its early history, American manufacturers (Indian, HD) were the biggest producers. So why didn't they put the sidestand on the right?

Johnj · #2 Unread post by **Johnj** » Thu Jul 30, 2009 1:50 am

Most likely it's a carry over from mounting horses from the left.

HYPERR · #3 Unread post by **HYPERR** » Thu Jul 30, 2009 2:19 am

Johnj wrote:Most likely it's a carry over from mounting horses from the left.

True.

Also the fact that righties dominate the planet. It is much more natural for righties to mount/dismount on the left side. You will see that with little kids on bicycles without kick stands where the rider has a choice. Also the case with "real" mountain bikes which also obviously do not have kick stands.

slimcolo · #4 Unread post by **slimcolo** » Thu Jul 30, 2009 5:27 am

Honda on the CT110 puts a side stand on both sides (no center stand) for the NZ model.

http://ct90-ct110.com/2008454545Trail45110.html

Tennif Shoe · Thu Jul 30, 2009 5:51 am

most motorcycles if stood up complely straight and let go will fall to the left that is why

Johnj · #6 Unread post by **Johnj** » Thu Jul 30, 2009 6:02 am

Tennif Shoe wrote:most motorcycles if stood up complely straight and let go will fall to the left that is why

Have you tested this theory with all of your bikes?

Tennif Shoe · Thu Jul 30, 2009 7:08 am

yes, yes i have

havegunjoe · Thu Jul 30, 2009 9:16 am

As stated it comes from mounting horses from the left which comes from carrying a sword into battle on your left side. This way you don’t have the sword getting in your way as you swing your right leg over the horse. So if you are carrying a sword it also makes mounting your motorcycle easier. Don’t stick yourself.

Thu Jul 30, 2009 10:03 am

Most motorcycle police mount and dismount from the right. It's not hard and puts them out of the way of traffic. Just food for thought.

Grey Thumper · Thu Jul 30, 2009 3:11 pm

storysunfolding wrote:Most motorcycle police mount and dismount from the right. It's not hard and puts them out of the way of traffic. Just food for thought.

That's interesting. Are their bikes modified to lean right or are the sidestands stock?