When do you downshift to first at stop sign?
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 586
Likes: 48
From: Saint Augustine, FL
RE: When do you downshift to first at stop sign?
ORIGINAL: beemer737
Am I the only one going neutral once stopped? Yes, I'm in first right before I put a foot down, but then click to Neutral then both feet down. Clutch out, hold with front brake. Old school of not hanging on the clutch in 115 degree heat... Getting out of the way, of what and where to? I've usually got a car to my left right and front, I'm not going anywhere. First to the stop line? Sure, I'll hold first till the dude behind stops.
Am I the only one going neutral once stopped? Yes, I'm in first right before I put a foot down, but then click to Neutral then both feet down. Clutch out, hold with front brake. Old school of not hanging on the clutch in 115 degree heat... Getting out of the way, of what and where to? I've usually got a car to my left right and front, I'm not going anywhere. First to the stop line? Sure, I'll hold first till the dude behind stops.
Unless I'm stopped - as in a parking lot or at my destination - my bike is always in GO mode. Neutral is not an option - period.
As far as "where to go" - again - you'll find where to go if/when you start looking for that out when you come up to the stop. Sometimes you have to be creative - and calculate your odds: am I better darting off to my left across potential oncoming traffic? Shooting out into the intersection? Or is it better to just sit still, in neutral and watch someone come slam into me at 15- 20 miles an hour?
I'd rather have some choice in the matter and not simply leave it to hope & chance nothing will happen to me. I've seen & heard too many stories about people being rear-ended - and I've also seen & heard of many who've got the F outta the way as a car screeched & turned sideways towards them in their rear view mirrors...
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 219
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From:
RE: When do you downshift to first at stop sign?
Hmmmm? Based upon all you left-footers I must be doing it wrong. I down shift as I approach the light - scuffing off speed, shift into 1st just before I stop, grab a handful of clutch and a handful of front brake, right foot down. Sometimes if I think I'm going to be there awhile (long light), I'll shift into neutral (don't really trust it, hence the handful of brake). I seldom put my left leg down, I keep it on the floorboard just in-case I've miss calculated and still have the bike in 2nd gear and have to make a quick gear change- it happens every once in a while. If I'm tired I'll put both legs down, stand up and stretch.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,015
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From:
RE: When do you downshift to first at stop sign?
I don't think anyone does it the same each time as you can see your gonna get a different answer fromalmost everybody just remember on a bike you always have to beon idiot alert and do wat feels best
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
RE: When do you downshift to first at stop sign?
ORIGINAL: bigdaddy405
I am in first by the time my foot hits the pavement, ready to go fast when a kid on acell phone comes up fast & slams on his brakes because he wasn't paying attention.
I am in first by the time my foot hits the pavement, ready to go fast when a kid on acell phone comes up fast & slams on his brakes because he wasn't paying attention.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From: Manchester, NH
RE: When do you downshift to first at stop sign?
ORIGINAL: garcon
Do you downshift to first before or after you have made a stop at a light or stop sign.If you downshift to first after you have stopped, you have so called violated the Police riding school reccommendation of always keeping yourright foot on the floorboard and leaving your left foot down. If you shift into first after the stop you will have to raise you leftfoot to make the shift and put your right foot down.
Another question...have any of you every had togo back and hit the shift lever to after you thought you were in first? SometimesI think I have gotten into first, but am actually in 2nd and have tore push the shifter down again so I don't start out in second gear. Doesn't happen all the time, just occasionally.
02 RoadKingClassic
Do you downshift to first before or after you have made a stop at a light or stop sign.If you downshift to first after you have stopped, you have so called violated the Police riding school reccommendation of always keeping yourright foot on the floorboard and leaving your left foot down. If you shift into first after the stop you will have to raise you leftfoot to make the shift and put your right foot down.
Another question...have any of you every had togo back and hit the shift lever to after you thought you were in first? SometimesI think I have gotten into first, but am actually in 2nd and have tore push the shifter down again so I don't start out in second gear. Doesn't happen all the time, just occasionally.
02 RoadKingClassic
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45
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RE: When do you downshift to first at stop sign?
ORIGINAL: bezoar
Pffffttttttttt! Just downshift to first when you stop, hold in the clutch lever and be READY to move if you need to. What about a car coming up on you too fast and you have to get movin'. I'd rather be ready to move rather than f*****g around tryin to find first and getting clobbered in the process!
Pffffttttttttt! Just downshift to first when you stop, hold in the clutch lever and be READY to move if you need to. What about a car coming up on you too fast and you have to get movin'. I'd rather be ready to move rather than f*****g around tryin to find first and getting clobbered in the process!
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