View Poll Results: One foot down or two?
One foot down
65
26.86%
Two feet down
177
73.14%
Voters: 242. You may not vote on this poll
When you stop at a stop light
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,459
Likes: 2,896
From: Oklahoma
Why is this important, are you writing a book? It is a rare day in Oklahoma when the wind isn't blowing and gusty, so both feet are mandatory,as the wind shifts the bike from one leg to the other. Rumor has it that the police in Sturgis expect to see both feet down or you can be ticketed for an incomplete stop. Doesn't agree with the MSF, but whatcha gonna do? If you follow the MSF recommendation, will they come and pick up your bike if it blows over on the other side?
Last edited by btsom; Jun 20, 2018 at 09:16 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,185
Likes: 248
From: Sterling IL.
Really never paid attention to what foot/feet or when or how long. All stops and conditions are different so im sure its not a constant for me. As long as I stop and dont tip over, its all irrelevant.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 46
Likes: 2
From: Dfw
It depends, like many have said, road conditions etc. I took an advanced ridding course from a motorcycle cop and went through their training exercises they do in an 80 hr program with a very high failure rate. He is a rodeo winner. He told us that many of the drop outs are early in the program from injuries where the bike fell on an ankle. For stops, They train to have in gear, aligned behind a tail light left or right, right foot on rear break, and left foot down. (Well thats my paraphrase) He showed us once simple thing to build a habit of: Angle your left foot down with toe pointing out at an angle (say 45degrees. 90 would be hard). Because if the bike goes over you can step out and the knee naturally bends outward over your toes and your leg doesnt get trapped under the bike and not roll your ankle and onto the side of your shin. When the bike goes over and hits your knee and foot at an angle not designed to bend, it just knocks you over sideways and your foot stays planted and under the bike. Same thing for if the bike goes down in a slow speed maximum turn, your habit of putting your foot down with the toe forward traps your leg. Habit of toe outward, you step out and off the bike. Ive been practicing my muscle memory. Glad you posted this though. I need to get better at my smooth controled stops which got worse before better. Focusing on this has highlighted that fact making me get better at overall control of the bike in many other areas. Those slow speed things that i dont do as often or find a cheat for arent used much but makes my skills improve all over by learning the techniques.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,133
Likes: 504
From: Lake County, IL
It depends, like many have said, road conditions etc. I took an advanced ridding course from a motorcycle cop and went through their training exercises they do in an 80 hr program with a very high failure rate. He is a rodeo winner. He told us that many of the drop outs are early in the program from injuries where the bike fell on an ankle. For stops, They train to have in gear, aligned behind a tail light left or right, right foot on rear break, and left foot down. (Well thats my paraphrase) He showed us once simple thing to build a habit of: Angle your left foot down with toe pointing out at an angle (say 45degrees. 90 would be hard).
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 455
Likes: 35
From: SW Ohio
While I'm still getting my biking faculties back after many decades away, I put both feet down and usually hold the front brake even if on level surface. I figure the brake lights make me visible-er!
Don't know if this is the best way but I most always sit in neutral with left hand off the lever. As the time to start rolling nears, I clunk into first and away I go
Don't know if this is the best way but I most always sit in neutral with left hand off the lever. As the time to start rolling nears, I clunk into first and away I go
Last edited by GittinThere; Jun 21, 2018 at 02:42 PM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,599
Likes: 5,175
From: SWMO
I usually start by putting my left foot in, then I put my left foot out, then I put my left foot in, then I shake it all about.
Then sometimes I do the right foot in a similar fashion. I've heard that's what it's all about.
Then sometimes I do the right foot in a similar fashion. I've heard that's what it's all about.
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
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 455
Likes: 35
From: SW Ohio
Originally Posted by Tired
I usually start by putting my left foot in, then I put my left foot out, then I put my left foot in, then I shake it all about.
Then sometimes I do the right foot in a similar fashion. I've heard that's what it's all about.
Then sometimes I do the right foot in a similar fashion. I've heard that's what it's all about.
😂