As it is taught in MSF courses.
downshift or shift into neutral
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 11,469
Likes: 3,572
From: Idaho
Didn't we have this discussion over a year ago...
In gear, in neutral, are you going to get rear ended, will you be able to get out of the way quick enough.
If I know the light is going to be long, nuetral, if I am not sure, in gear.
Let your left hand be your guide.
In gear, in neutral, are you going to get rear ended, will you be able to get out of the way quick enough.
If I know the light is going to be long, nuetral, if I am not sure, in gear.
Let your left hand be your guide.
You have six controls on a motorcycle that can change only two things; speed and direction. Riding a motorcycle in neutral for any period of time is giving away one of those two things. Doing that seems counter productive, especially in an area where other vehicles may or may not stop behind you (intersections).
Riding in neutral for any distance is akin to opening the cylinder of a revolver just before a shoot out. That said, I'm only a fanatic about my safety; somebody has to post the "I got ran over by a car approaching a red light" thread.
Riding in neutral for any distance is akin to opening the cylinder of a revolver just before a shoot out. That said, I'm only a fanatic about my safety; somebody has to post the "I got ran over by a car approaching a red light" thread.
I never coast in neutral, that's an accident waiting to happen. A quick application of heavy throttle has saved my a** many times at slower speeds, with cars changing lanes unexpectedly.
Having said that, if I've been on the bike in a ton of stop and go, or on a really long run, and I come to a stop, and the traffic behind me is all stopped, I'll flick it in neutral to give my clutch hand a rest. But that's the exception not the rule for sure.
Having said that, if I've been on the bike in a ton of stop and go, or on a really long run, and I come to a stop, and the traffic behind me is all stopped, I'll flick it in neutral to give my clutch hand a rest. But that's the exception not the rule for sure.
Brake pads are cheap... engines are expensive 
I come from the rev match downshifting school of thought and use the brakes to stop the bike. I do the same with my Turbo 6 speed manual automobile, too...
As to the OP, my bikes are only in neutral when first started and when I turn the ignition back off, I'm unwilling to sacrifice control. There's times you need the brakes for accident avoidance, there are other times you need the throttle to save your butt
I come from the rev match downshifting school of thought and use the brakes to stop the bike. I do the same with my Turbo 6 speed manual automobile, too...As to the OP, my bikes are only in neutral when first started and when I turn the ignition back off, I'm unwilling to sacrifice control. There's times you need the brakes for accident avoidance, there are other times you need the throttle to save your butt
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.
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!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,555
Likes: 119
From: Brockport, NY
Downshift until complete stop in first gear and wait for the light to turn green. Left hand always holding the clutch just in case something happens.
Only time I put my bike in neutral is in my garage.
Thorey
Only time I put my bike in neutral is in my garage.
Thorey
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 113
Likes: 2
From: Chippewa, PA
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.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 12,653
Likes: 18
From: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
The only time I put the bike in neutral when out on the street is if it is being a long traffic light and I already have several cars stopped behind me so I don't have to worry about being rear ended. Otherwise, I downshift to stop and keep it in first until the light turns green, constantly checking my mirrors for zombies.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 460
Likes: 20
From: Manitoba, Canada
I have been driving standards my whole life and never use neutral until/unless I am shutting down. When I did my driver's test (1964) they'd fail you for going into neutral on the road!
The only exception might be if I was sitting at a LONG red light. If all the traffic behind me is stopped, I will sometimes switch to neutral to give my hand a rest.
The only exception might be if I was sitting at a LONG red light. If all the traffic behind me is stopped, I will sometimes switch to neutral to give my hand a rest.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,990
Likes: 23
From: NC
LOL hell, I wouldn't trust the floorboards to hold me up, even at just 200 lbs.but that's funny visualizing someone pulling an azz clown stunt like that.
