This question inspired by this column.
Every motorcycle I’ve ever ridden had the kickstand on the left and was mounted from the left. Is that related to mounting horses from the left?
Motorcycles tend to bolt from underneath you if you try to mount from the right side. It’s their nature.
Motorcycles, horses, bicycles, cars, trucks all must be mounted from the left, at least in America.
Americans seldom do anything right.
You know, when Sitting Bull was shot, his motorcycle took it as a cue from it’s days in the Wild West Show, and started pulling wheelies around the terrified Indian Police…
…I bet you can guess what kind of motorcycle it was, too.
there are motorcycles have the kick stand on the right. The Vincent Blackshadow had one on either side.
I am right handed and right legged. I have more force and dexterity with my right leg than with my left and lifting my right leg feels more comfortable and confident. I would feel much more clumsy mounting or kickstarting from the other side. In fact, when I’ve ridden bikes which had the kickstart pedal on the right-hand side, I tend to mount first and kickstart later if I can.
See my response to the horse column in comments on the columns.
It’s simple. Most people are right handed/footed. Even thought the right side may be stronger, we automatically reach and grasp with the right hand/foot. Watch right handed high jumpers. They push off with their left foot and reach over the bar with their right hand and right foot.
Sailor is right. Motorcycle kick starters are based on where the designer thought you would be when you wanted to start it. For a time street bikes tended to be on the left side (start before mounting) and dirt bikes on the right side (start while stuck in the mud).
Come to think of it, I had a couple of bikes that seemed to bolt no matter how you approached them.
I always mount my bicycle from the right, because that way I can engage the back brakes, which are located on the right steering bar. The bike is more stable that way.
Most motorcycles seem to have kickstands on the left side, putting the left side of the bike lower. It’s easier to swing your leg over the low side than the high side. (But I do mount from the right if I’m in a tight place.)