Duck Walk
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 18,303
Likes: 26,540
From: Northwest of Los Angeles
RE: Duck Walk
ORIGINAL: Monstermile
Yeah but it doesn't look neat or professional. That's what counts apparently.
Yeah but it doesn't look neat or professional. That's what counts apparently.
Stagger on, friend, feet waggling in the air, and best of luck to you.
ORIGINAL: squintbo
Someday when you ride a big boys bike, you will see it's not always easy to one foot a start or stop.
Someday when you ride a big boys bike, you will see it's not always easy to one foot a start or stop.
And don't bother replying, because I won't be responding to either of you two geniuses.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,525
Likes: 4
From: Johnson City TN U.S.A.
RE: Duck Walk
...whaap, this is essentially "muda" but here are some of my own observations:
[ol][*]When going up and down stairs some, not all,people use the handrail.[*]While observing water fronts from docks some people lean on the guard rails, others stand straight.[*]Crossing walkways in large cities some people jump onto the street, others step carefully down.[/ol]
...Now that we've noticed these differences I'm wondering if it's possible that we are not all alike.
Someone wise once said it's a good thing Red isn't the favorite color for the entire world.
[ol][*]When going up and down stairs some, not all,people use the handrail.[*]While observing water fronts from docks some people lean on the guard rails, others stand straight.[*]Crossing walkways in large cities some people jump onto the street, others step carefully down.[/ol]
...Now that we've noticed these differences I'm wondering if it's possible that we are not all alike.
Someone wise once said it's a good thing Red isn't the favorite color for the entire world.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,336
Likes: 67
From: SW Minnesota
RE: Duck Walk
MSF would teach stopping this way. Check mirror and know what is behind you. Use both brakes, downshifting and using engine braking as well, ending up in first. As you come to a full stop, your left foot goes down, right foot stays on the rear brake, allowing you to take your right hand off the front brake and all four fingers back on the throttle. You are now ready to go as much as you possibly can be. Release clutch, roll on throttle, as you release rear brake, gain your balance immediately and left foot comes up, all in one fluid motion.
Even the split second it would take to release the front brake and roll on throttle may be critical if the yo-yo in the cage coming up behind you isn't stopping.
As far as "duck walking:" That also is taught in MSF. Everyone has different abilities to balance. Some riders immediately are able to balance, others take several feet or a few mph to get their balance. The one thing I cringe at seeing is riders dragging their feet. Just a crack in the pavement could cause a foot to catch androll under a footpeg and break an ankle.
As in any motorcycle riding, all of the above may need to be adapted to current situation. Sitting in a strong crosswind from the left, for instance, may require the right foot to go down, just to keep from blowing over. (Been there, down that!)
Even the split second it would take to release the front brake and roll on throttle may be critical if the yo-yo in the cage coming up behind you isn't stopping.
As far as "duck walking:" That also is taught in MSF. Everyone has different abilities to balance. Some riders immediately are able to balance, others take several feet or a few mph to get their balance. The one thing I cringe at seeing is riders dragging their feet. Just a crack in the pavement could cause a foot to catch androll under a footpeg and break an ankle.
As in any motorcycle riding, all of the above may need to be adapted to current situation. Sitting in a strong crosswind from the left, for instance, may require the right foot to go down, just to keep from blowing over. (Been there, down that!)
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,522
Likes: 1
From: Douglasville, GA
RE: Duck Walk
I'll "duck walk" if I feel the need to. Lets see..I wear $14.00 goggles from Wal-Mart, Fingerless gloves, sometimes I don't tuck my HD tee shirt into my $16.00 Wal-Mart jeans, from time to time I'll listen to my MP3 player, if I'm in a tight turn or taking off from a stop (with or without duck walking) I may forget to "wave", generally I wear steel toe lace up boots but I've also ridden with sneakers, I have a DOT 1/2 helmet that makes me look like a mushroom, on longer rides I wear a vest with 3 pins and my Navy rank insignia on it, I don't do wheelies or stoppies, I love my wife and would rather it be her on the back of my bike than anyone else, I have friends that ride metrics that I talk to and even ride with, I'm just about done putting chrome on my bike, it pi$$es me off to see someone disrespecting my country, flag, or our service members but I respect their rights to do it, I prefer the company of my dog over most people I know, I don't know what type of bike you should buy, the best place to buyparts for your HD is probably the dealer, yes, $3300.00 is to good to be true for a 06 Road King that has never been wrecked and only has 6 miles on it, I wear a helmet even when I don't have to, safe rice rider don't offend me, if you put that new chrome thingy on your bike and you like it then yes it looks good, the service manual is the FIRST place to look for answers, your avatar looks great, because the manual says to use premium gas that's why, Amsoil, Redline, Mobil-1, Dino...who cares if you change it regularly, cool people don't have to prove it, and on and on and on..........
Hopefully I've managed to pi$$ off just about everyone.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 757
Likes: 0
From: Godfrey, IL
RE: Duck Walk
I agree, its looks retarded. It looks as if your peddling themotorcycle instead of riding it. Maybe its a throwback to the flintstones. If so, then its old school and therefore deemed cool.
Thread Starter
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,317
Likes: 11
From: Tucson, Az
RE: Duck Walk
So my use of the word professional might not have been the right choice. I guess all I'm saying is if you want to look like you know what you're dong (and take a little pride in what you're dong) watch a trained LEO motor officer for awhile and you will see how a professional rider performs.
Of course a new rider is going to have to go thru the learning stages but that doesn't mean that they can't strive to improve their riding skills.
Of course a new rider is going to have to go thru the learning stages but that doesn't mean that they can't strive to improve their riding skills.
Thread Starter
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,317
Likes: 11
From: Tucson, Az
RE: Duck Walk
ORIGINAL: squintbo
Someday when you ride a big boys bike, you will see it's not always easy to one foot a start or stop.
ORIGINAL: whaap
I've got to mention what is probably my biggest pet peeve when it comes to riders. The Duck Walk. Nothing looks more "newbie" than to see someone take off from a stop flailing their legs all about and/or dragging their feet like a pair of outriggers. I think nothing looks neater than to see someone take off from a stop and instantly put both their feet up on their pegs/boards at the same time. Likewise, when coming to a stop, put the left foot down and stop at the same time without having to move the foot once it's been planted.
I guess I have a thing about performing different functions in at least aprofessional looking manner.
I've got to mention what is probably my biggest pet peeve when it comes to riders. The Duck Walk. Nothing looks more "newbie" than to see someone take off from a stop flailing their legs all about and/or dragging their feet like a pair of outriggers. I think nothing looks neater than to see someone take off from a stop and instantly put both their feet up on their pegs/boards at the same time. Likewise, when coming to a stop, put the left foot down and stop at the same time without having to move the foot once it's been planted.
I guess I have a thing about performing different functions in at least aprofessional looking manner.
Someday when you ride a big boys bike, you will see it's not always easy to one foot a start or stop.
GL 1500 in 1994 (that's a Goldwing)
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 18,303
Likes: 26,540
From: Northwest of Los Angeles
RE: Duck Walk
ORIGINAL: Navychief
I'll "duck walk" if I feel the need to. Lets see..I wear $14.00 goggles from Wal-Mart, Fingerless gloves, sometimes I don't tuck my HD tee shirt into my $16.00 Wal-Mart jeans, from time to time I'll listen to my MP3 player, if I'm in a tight turn or taking off from a stop (with or without duck walking) I may forget to "wave", generally I wear steel toe lace up boots but I've also ridden with sneakers, I have a DOT 1/2 helmet that makes me look like a mushroom, on longer rides I wear a vest with 3 pins and my Navy rank insignia on it, I don't do wheelies or stoppies, I love my wife and would rather it be her on the back of my bike than anyone else, I have friends that ride metrics that I talk to and even ride with, I'm just about done putting chrome on my bike, it pi$$es me off to see someone disrespecting my country, flag, or our service members but I respect their rights to do it, I prefer the company of my dog over most people I know, I don't know what type of bike you should buy, the best place to buy parts for your HD is probably the dealer, yes, $3300.00 is to good to be true for a 06 Road King that has never been wrecked and only has 6 miles on it, I wear a helmet even when I don't have to, safe rice rider don't offend me, if you put that new chrome thingy on your bike and you like it then yes it looks good, the service manual is the FIRST place to look for answers, your avatar looks great, because the manual says to use premium gas that's why, Amsoil, Redline, Mobil-1, Dino...who cares if you change it regularly, cool people don't have to prove it, and on and on and on..........
Hopefully I've managed to pi$$ off just about everyone.
I'll "duck walk" if I feel the need to. Lets see..I wear $14.00 goggles from Wal-Mart, Fingerless gloves, sometimes I don't tuck my HD tee shirt into my $16.00 Wal-Mart jeans, from time to time I'll listen to my MP3 player, if I'm in a tight turn or taking off from a stop (with or without duck walking) I may forget to "wave", generally I wear steel toe lace up boots but I've also ridden with sneakers, I have a DOT 1/2 helmet that makes me look like a mushroom, on longer rides I wear a vest with 3 pins and my Navy rank insignia on it, I don't do wheelies or stoppies, I love my wife and would rather it be her on the back of my bike than anyone else, I have friends that ride metrics that I talk to and even ride with, I'm just about done putting chrome on my bike, it pi$$es me off to see someone disrespecting my country, flag, or our service members but I respect their rights to do it, I prefer the company of my dog over most people I know, I don't know what type of bike you should buy, the best place to buy parts for your HD is probably the dealer, yes, $3300.00 is to good to be true for a 06 Road King that has never been wrecked and only has 6 miles on it, I wear a helmet even when I don't have to, safe rice rider don't offend me, if you put that new chrome thingy on your bike and you like it then yes it looks good, the service manual is the FIRST place to look for answers, your avatar looks great, because the manual says to use premium gas that's why, Amsoil, Redline, Mobil-1, Dino...who cares if you change it regularly, cool people don't have to prove it, and on and on and on..........
Hopefully I've managed to pi$$ off just about everyone.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Duck Walk
Not a newbie here. I try to have some fun when riding. If traffic is light I try to time coming to a red light so I do not have to stop. I’ll slow while anticipating the light turning green (abuddy of mine and I used tosee who could keep the bike balanced the longest before having to put the feet down). If I’m off the mark and I have to come to a full stop from a very slow speed then it probably looks a little awkward at times. The trick to coming to a full stop while planting both feet firmly at the same time is to stop from some momentum instead of a crawl while you’re already trying to balance the bike. Kind of like “sticking” it. Same goes for take offs. Get it moving off the line and it’ll look clean every time. Wow... now see what you did... you made me put way too much thought into this
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 247
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Duck Walk
ORIGINAL: OldBoldPilot
There will always be people who scoff at proper technique and who believe that the only criterion in life is getting the job done, with no regard whatsoever for how sloppily they do it. It starts with an evident lack of personal pride and ends with what you've repeatedly demonstrated in this thread: contempt for those who are more skilled than themselves and who strive to set and maintain high standards.
Stagger on, friend, feet waggling in the air, and best of luck to you.
There's the contempt I'm talking about. You just move right along through life whining about how "it's not always easy...blah blah blah." Very impressive sentence, all in all -- and quite revealing.
And don't bother replying, because I won't be responding to either of you two geniuses.
ORIGINAL: Monstermile
Yeah but it doesn't look neat or professional. That's what counts apparently.
Yeah but it doesn't look neat or professional. That's what counts apparently.
Stagger on, friend, feet waggling in the air, and best of luck to you.
ORIGINAL: squintbo
Someday when you ride a big boys bike, you will see it's not always easy to one foot a start or stop.
Someday when you ride a big boys bike, you will see it's not always easy to one foot a start or stop.
And don't bother replying, because I won't be responding to either of you two geniuses.