Do you steer with one hand or two?

[Golden Dakota]

Being new to triking, I have been steering with two hands - pull with one hand and simultaneously push with the other. Recently a friend who has been riding a trike for 3 years told me that when he picked up his trike from the dealer who converted it, he was told to only steer with his left hand. He was told that the right hand should not be used to push or pull as that could inadvertently change the throttle setting leading to a potentially dangerous situation while cornering.

I would be curious to know how many of you experienced riders out there steer with only your left hand and what your opinions of this are. I will tally the score and post it after I get some replies.

Ride safe.....

 

[Veritas44]

You're Joking Right,,,,,, :xzqxz:

 

[Grandpa1]

Just steer it. You should steer it in a way you feel comfortable.
When I turn left I pull the left and push the right and when I turn right I pull the right and push the left. Just comes natural.
Ain't hard for me to figure out what works for me!

The more you ride the more you will feel comfortable with it.

 

[rhino 2]

It depends on which hand I'm holding the cell phone in.......

 

[bongobobny]

I'm thinking your buddy's dealer is a full tilt winkie!!

Nope, both hands although occasionally I might take my LEFT hand off the bars when just cruising down the highway.

We should get together and ride sometime! We do get up into Canada occasionally but usually get together with Venturerider.org people, but we aren't particular as to what you ride and you are welcome to join us!

 

[slick rick]

:cxtv:,,,,,,,,For the biggest part I use two but there are times I use one ( like when getting bugs out of my nose , or I think that's what they are ) hope this helped a bunch and your very welcome ....ThumbUp

 

[Trent]

When I have the cruise control on, I am one handed a lot, left and right. Even at 85 mph on the freeway, TG steers easy with one hand. On other roads, my right hand is all by itself quite often depending on how tight the curves are. I keep my left arm propped on my BOB's { Babe on Back } left knee all the time. In fact, I need to learn to shoot better left handed so I can pop at all the jack rabbits I see when ridin' in some areas around here!! . You will figure out quick what works best for you,,everyone is different. I do not agree with that dealer's theory.

 

[msocko3]

Once I grew familiar with how my trike handled I started doing the one hand thing. Nothing to be cruising 80 mph down the freeway with the cruise control on, the stereo cranked up, kicked back with my feet out on the highway pegs with either the left or right hand on the bars.

Riding one handed is also good for sending encouraging sign language to drivers who violate my personal space.

 

[Trent]

Once I grew familiar with how my trike handled I started doing the one hand thing. Nothing to be cruising 80 mph down the freeway with the cruise control on, the stereo cranked up, kicked back with my feet out on the highway pegs with either the left or right hand on the bars.

Riding one handed is also good for sending encouraging sign language to drivers who violate my personal space.

Do you mean like just pointing at them and giving them a dirty look?! That is all I ever do... ( yeah right )

 

[rayg5102]

I steer with my left and use my right to hold the beer can.

 

[Golden Dakota]

This was actually a serious question, but I don't think I explained it properly. It was not about riding along with one hand off the handlebars. It was about keeping both hands on at all times, but during a turn doing all the work of turning (pushing or pulling) with the left hand only, leaving the right hand to control the throttle without inadvertently opening or closing the throttle because you are also using that hand to push or pull on the handlebars.

Still interested to hear your comments - on another thread here a couple of people did say that they use only the left hand for pushing or pulling on the bars.

For all of you who replied aghast - thanks for the laughs! :laugh:

 

[Rick Kay]

This was actually a serious question, but I don't think I explained it properly. It was not about riding along with one hand off the handlebars. It was about keeping both hands on at all times, but during a turn doing all the work of turning (pushing or pulling) with the left hand only, leaving the right hand to control the throttle without inadvertently opening or closing the throttle because you are also using that hand to push or pull on the handlebars.

Still interested to hear your comments - on another thread here a couple of people did say that they use only the left hand for pushing or pulling on the bars.

For all of you who replied aghast - thanks for the laughs! :laugh:

I steer with both hands, and may even lock the outside elbow to put the shoulder in use, as well.

 

[Veritas44]

IF I ever find myself twisting the Throttle involuntarily with my Wrist while pushing & pulling the Bars with my Arms and Shoulders,,,,
I will immediately seek the services of an Orthopedic and/or Neurological Specialist.

Seems like the Ol' "Walkin and Chewing Gum at the same time" deal don't it ?????

 

[caveman50]

When on the open road I steer with both feet. No really. Cheers, cave.

 

[werewolf]

Serious answer,
It has a lot to do with how hard the wind is blowing in God's country.
With the throttle lock engaged, and a little breeze, either hand will
do.
If it is blowing, both hand firmly on the handlebars.

 

[RcSuD]

I would say, Don't over think it. Put both hands on and just go. You'll soon find out what's comfortable for you.

 

[Rod69]

I find I do various things while I riding. Don't even think what your doing, you just do it and go.

 

[2006gold]

Depends on the wind, road conditions, traffic. If on cruise control, I usually alternate the hands to keep from getting quite so tired.

 

[Trent]

When using both hands to steer, I have never had an issue concerning the throttle side that I can think of. I use both hands and not just the left hand. Never thought of doing that.

 

[oneup]

if your in serious twisty territory i would say one handed steering is by far more dangerous. if your going hard in the twisties your one arm doing the work is going to get tired, and any potholes or uneven surface can jerk the trike quite fiercely, with one tired arm your chances of crashing increase dramatically. its ok to cruise with one arm, but i say 2 hands steering is safer.

 

[Pegasus1300]

Being new to triking, I have been steering with two hands - pull with one hand and simultaneously push with the other. Recently a friend who has been riding a trike for 3 years told me that when he picked up his trike from the dealer who converted it, he was told to only steer with his left hand. He was told that the right hand should not be used to push or pull as that could inadvertently change the throttle setting leading to a potentially dangerous situation while cornering.

I would be curious to know how many of you experienced riders out there steer with only your left hand and what your opinions of this are. I will tally the score and post it after I get some replies.

Ride safe.....

When I was newer to triking I did have trouble steering and controlling the throttle at the same time with the right hand.Since I was also learning to steer with a stiff elbow to transfer the pressure to my shoulders it took some practice but in time I got a lot better at it.I think you will find if you steer the way your dealer told you to your left arm will get tired and you wont be able to do the twisties as fast as you might like. You will enjoy your trike a lot more as you practice steering and throttle control both. Now having said all that you also need to find what works best for you.Good luck and have fun.

 

[msocko3]

Do you mean like just pointing at them and giving them a dirty look?! That is all I ever do... ( yeah right )

Something like that.

 

[Geezzer Glide]

"Recently a friend who has been riding a trike for 3 years told me that when he picked up his trike from the dealer who converted it, he was told to only steer with his left hand. He was told that the right hand should not be used to push or pull as that could inadvertently change the throttle setting leading to a potentially dangerous situation while cornering."

WHAT? I've been riding motorcycles for over 40 years and a trike for 3 years and have never heard of that.
Just my opinion but if one can't steer his trike or bike using either or both hands with out inadvertently changing the throttle position they shouldn't be riding.
Sounds to me like that dealer needs to take a trike riding class. That is not what they teach in the classes. I seriously doubt that the dealer would know more about it than those that give the classes.

Dan

 

[tom w]

I use both knees while eating a cheese burger and texting my bff. If I can every get enough money to buy my ez steer kit I may be able to only use one knee.:laugh:

 

[Calgary]

Some very funny responses - great senses of humor!

I found there to be a natural evolution. When I first started riding the trike I used both hands/arms exclusively in the push/pull methods recommended.

As I became more familiar and less tense, steering came with much less effort and soon I found that I would change off with the left or right hand, all dependent on road, weather and wind conditions of course.

After I changed out my OEM front tire for a BT45 I found steering to be even easier, so I spend a lot of time with the cruise on and steering with either hand; whichever feels the most comfortable at the time.

The 6 degree rake does make steering very easy!

 

[Veritas44]

I use both knees while eating a cheese burger and texting my bff. If I can every get enough money to buy my ez steer kit I may be able to only use one knee.:laugh:

Better Idea,,,,

Give the BFF the Keyz
Both Kneez in the Breeze,
Better enjoy the Dbl Beef & Cheeze,
Keep your Cash as you Pleaze
and to Hell with the the Steer of Eaze

 

[msocko3]

I use both knees while eating a cheese burger and texting my bff. If I can every get enough money to buy my ez steer kit I may be able to only use one knee.:laugh:

That reminds me of a friend I would ride to school with years ago. He'd stop at McDonalds and pick up the big breakfast, he would then proceed to eat it while driving with his knees at 100+ mph to get back on schedule to be at school on time.

 

[rwhgme]

My butler steers when I kick the shoulder that I want him to steer in the direction of...trikes are EXPENSIVE doncha know!:laugh:

 

[tom w]

I had a 50mile ride to work for a while down a major interstate. some of the things I saw out there were really crazy! saw a guy reading the news paper draped over his steering wheel at 80mph. a woman passed me putting on her make up in her rear view. This was way before texting was popular.

I can eat my cheezburger and still watch the road. I don't think I have the talent to do the same while reading the paper.

be carful out there. be safe and use both hands.ThumbUp

 

[Firea100]

When I was still working, I'd come upon a lady in a stick shift Mercedes. She had a phone, cigarette, coffee and the car all going at once. Every time I'd be behind her at a light, she'd be so interested in what she was doing (other than driving). I'd "assist" her with my horn every time the light would turn green!!! Stuff would fly everywhere in the car!! I'd bet I did that two or three times that I remember! Can't beat that for entertainment!! IDIOTS!!!!!