downshift or shift into neutral
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 5,816
Likes: 7,847
From: SE Louisiana
Most say they don't go to neutral cause they can't find it anyway. 
I'm usually in neutral before the bike stops, if I know the light is going to be awhile,
if your watching your mirror, by the time you decide the car coming is actually not going to stop, it's too damn late anyway, if the vehicle or two behind you is stopped and they get rear ended, you still gettin it.
I'm usually in neutral before the bike stops, if I know the light is going to be awhile,
if your watching your mirror, by the time you decide the car coming is actually not going to stop, it's too damn late anyway, if the vehicle or two behind you is stopped and they get rear ended, you still gettin it.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 68,021
Likes: 3,276
From:
I leave it in gear when coming to a stop and it's in 1st gear when stopped.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 138
Likes: 12
From: Milwaukee
OP, if you want to coast, pull the clutch in!
But keep downshifting to match gear to speed (you don't have to let the clutch out and ruin your coasting) in case you need to get out quick.
Coasting in neutral is just asking for trouble...too much time to get it back in gear if you have to make any quick maneuver.
But keep downshifting to match gear to speed (you don't have to let the clutch out and ruin your coasting) in case you need to get out quick.
Coasting in neutral is just asking for trouble...too much time to get it back in gear if you have to make any quick maneuver.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,601
Likes: 189
From: east texas
Most say they don't go to neutral cause they can't find it anyway.
I'm usually in neutral before the bike stops, if I know the light is going to be awhile,
if your watching your mirror, by the time you decide the car coming is actually not going to stop, it's too damn late anyway, if the vehicle or two behind you is stopped and they get rear ended, you still gettin it.
I'm usually in neutral before the bike stops, if I know the light is going to be awhile,
if your watching your mirror, by the time you decide the car coming is actually not going to stop, it's too damn late anyway, if the vehicle or two behind you is stopped and they get rear ended, you still gettin it.
I will ride with you , the others maybe not .
If they are so paranoid about getting run over from behind and fry their
clutch, staying "in gear by golly "ready to evade"..
Not to mention backshifting and putting their drive train in a bind.
(brakes are cheap)..
Maybe they are too involved in overthinking that they may not be watching where they are going..
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 840
Likes: 20
From: Lafayette LA.
Yep, what he said.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,132
Likes: 228
From: Garland, TX
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Novice
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Horsham PA
In a car you were told to put it in neutral and the reason is leaving it in gear with the clutch depressed wears the throwout bearing fast. In order to do the throwout bearing you have to drop the tranny and pull the clutch. So now your on a Harley and don't have that issue. I downshift and stop with my headlight in someone's side mirror which puts me on either side of the car in gear ready to exit if need be. I had a truck go in reverse and floor it and almost run me over one day because he didn't see me in the mirror. Be safe and strengthen your left forearm!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 32,934
Likes: 36,032
From: Carlsbad, CA
As it is taught in MSF courses.