Holding clutch in or put in neutral
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 830
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Holding clutch in or put in neutral
Allow me to tell my story......
A few years ago, I was stopped at a red light. The bike was in gear, and there was a car in front of me. I happen to glance at one of my mirrors, and I see a car approaching at a steady rate of speed. HE DID NOT APPEAR TO BE SLOWING DOWN. Thinking fast, I moved my *** over and around the car in front of me. As soon as I passed the car (that was still standing still), the approaching car smacked right into the car that was in front of me. 1 second sooner, I'm a scooter sandwich.
Keep it in gear.
A few years ago, I was stopped at a red light. The bike was in gear, and there was a car in front of me. I happen to glance at one of my mirrors, and I see a car approaching at a steady rate of speed. HE DID NOT APPEAR TO BE SLOWING DOWN. Thinking fast, I moved my *** over and around the car in front of me. As soon as I passed the car (that was still standing still), the approaching car smacked right into the car that was in front of me. 1 second sooner, I'm a scooter sandwich.
Keep it in gear.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 503
Likes: 107
From: South Korea
RE: Holding clutch in or put in neutral
ORIGINAL: Anthony8858
Allow me to tell my story......
A few years ago, I was stopped at a red light. The bike was in gear, and there was a car in front of me. I happen to glance at one of my mirrors, and I see a car approaching at a steady rate of speed. HE DID NOT APPEAR TO BE SLOWING DOWN. Thinking fast, I moved my *** over and around the car in front of me. As soon as I passed the car (that was still standing still), the approaching car smacked right into the car that was in front of me. 1 second sooner, I'm a scooter sandwich.
Keep it in gear.
Allow me to tell my story......
A few years ago, I was stopped at a red light. The bike was in gear, and there was a car in front of me. I happen to glance at one of my mirrors, and I see a car approaching at a steady rate of speed. HE DID NOT APPEAR TO BE SLOWING DOWN. Thinking fast, I moved my *** over and around the car in front of me. As soon as I passed the car (that was still standing still), the approaching car smacked right into the car that was in front of me. 1 second sooner, I'm a scooter sandwich.
Keep it in gear.
I love to hear stories like that one! Usually all we hear is how a rider got whacked. Nice to hear one where you rode clear of the impending smackdown.
RE: Holding clutch in or put in neutral
jmacdonald5LMAO!!!! Exactly.
I will only use neutral if there are cars STOPPED around me.
And for the bozo that hit the guy at the stop light, nothing would have prevented it. The bozo car driver was an idiot.
As for 2 fingers on the brake. I always use 2 fingers unless I am tired. I have yet to miss a panic stop and I have never locked the fronts with only two fingers. Needless to say with all 4 fingers I spent time on the ground.
I will agree that my beemer had much better braking 30 years ago than my 03 RK. But2 fingers gives me control of the bike and plenty of braking power.
The MSF is correct, mount form the kickstand side. If you stumble you have 3 points of contact to hold the bike and you up.
I disagree with having your foot on the brake at a stop. With a 800lb bike stopped having both feet on the ground is safest and if you can't start quickly from that position, practice more.
Always having an escape route has saved my butt several times. And having been down hard 3 times in my life I always have an escape. You should not even have to think about it, it just how you ride.
I took a police riding course a very long time ago, but I am going to take the MSF one when offered this spring. A very good riding friend of mine with 30+ years riding experience takes it every 5 years and has convinced me. We won't mension that he is much more skilled than me
.
Riding is about having fun, being one with a machine, and feeling alive. It does not hurt to be safe as well.
...gene
I will only use neutral if there are cars STOPPED around me.
And for the bozo that hit the guy at the stop light, nothing would have prevented it. The bozo car driver was an idiot.
As for 2 fingers on the brake. I always use 2 fingers unless I am tired. I have yet to miss a panic stop and I have never locked the fronts with only two fingers. Needless to say with all 4 fingers I spent time on the ground.
I will agree that my beemer had much better braking 30 years ago than my 03 RK. But2 fingers gives me control of the bike and plenty of braking power.
The MSF is correct, mount form the kickstand side. If you stumble you have 3 points of contact to hold the bike and you up.
I disagree with having your foot on the brake at a stop. With a 800lb bike stopped having both feet on the ground is safest and if you can't start quickly from that position, practice more.
Always having an escape route has saved my butt several times. And having been down hard 3 times in my life I always have an escape. You should not even have to think about it, it just how you ride.
I took a police riding course a very long time ago, but I am going to take the MSF one when offered this spring. A very good riding friend of mine with 30+ years riding experience takes it every 5 years and has convinced me. We won't mension that he is much more skilled than me
.Riding is about having fun, being one with a machine, and feeling alive. It does not hurt to be safe as well.
...gene
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 241
Likes: 3
From:
RE: Holding clutch in or put in neutral
ORIGINAL: Chicago Spike
If you don't know why you keep it in gear, do yourself and your family a BIG favor and take a Motorcycle Safety Foundation class ASAP!!
You keep it in 1st at stops so if an idiot in a car that is on his/her cell phone doesn't register the fact that they must stop and will run you right over. If you're in Neutral, your up Crap Creek without a paddle.
Take the MSF class fast
http://www.msf-usa.org/
If you don't know why you keep it in gear, do yourself and your family a BIG favor and take a Motorcycle Safety Foundation class ASAP!!
You keep it in 1st at stops so if an idiot in a car that is on his/her cell phone doesn't register the fact that they must stop and will run you right over. If you're in Neutral, your up Crap Creek without a paddle.
Take the MSF class fast
http://www.msf-usa.org/
Even so it takes less than a second to grab the clutch and pop it into gear from both feet on the ground if I need to move quick for some reason; I've timed it. That's a sacrifice I'm willing to make for a little comfort and convenience.
The MSF exists to think of these things. If they didn't, no one would take their courses. The decision to ride a motorcycle in the first place is many times more dangerous than these minutiae, so in that sense it's ridiculous to obsess over these things if they detract from your riding experience.
And on the plus side I nearly always wear a 3/4 or full helmet, boots, and a jacket.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,542
Likes: 2
From: Cocoa Beach, Florida
RE: Holding clutch in or put in neutral
I don't know how many of y'all have had a clutch cable break, but just in case... here's a oldrider's caution:
Periodically lookfor galling of the clutch cable right up next toyour clutch lever and replace the cable ASAP if you ever notice any. Naturally, keep the cable lubed.
BTW - learned this lesson back in '71 on a '69 Norton Commando that I had bought new. Of course the old Britt bikes were somewhat notorious for lots of bottom end torque and a rather flimsy clutch cable, but you sure don't want to do a launch into cross-traffic on a HD either.
Steve
Periodically lookfor galling of the clutch cable right up next toyour clutch lever and replace the cable ASAP if you ever notice any. Naturally, keep the cable lubed.
BTW - learned this lesson back in '71 on a '69 Norton Commando that I had bought new. Of course the old Britt bikes were somewhat notorious for lots of bottom end torque and a rather flimsy clutch cable, but you sure don't want to do a launch into cross-traffic on a HD either.
Steve
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,738
Likes: 7
From: St. Charles, IL
RE: Holding clutch in or put in neutral
ORIGINAL: dircha
Yeah but if I'm sitting at a light long enough to shift into neutral it's because I'm sitting in traffic and I have cars on one or both sides of me, in front of and behind me. I'm not going much of anywhere even if I wanted to.
Even so it takes less than a second to grab the clutch and pop it into gear from both feet on the ground if I need to move quick for some reason; I've timed it. That's a sacrifice I'm willing to make for a little comfort and convenience.
The MSF exists to think of these things. If they didn't, no one would take their courses. The decision to ride a motorcycle in the first place is many times more dangerous than these minutiae, so in that sense it's ridiculous to obsess over these things if they detract from your riding experience.
And on the plus side I nearly always wear a 3/4 or full helmet, boots, and a jacket.
ORIGINAL: Chicago Spike
If you don't know why you keep it in gear, do yourself and your family a BIG favor and take a Motorcycle Safety Foundation class ASAP!!
You keep it in 1st at stops so if an idiot in a car that is on his/her cell phone doesn't register the fact that they must stop and will run you right over. If you're in Neutral, your up Crap Creek without a paddle.
Take the MSF class fast
http://www.msf-usa.org/
If you don't know why you keep it in gear, do yourself and your family a BIG favor and take a Motorcycle Safety Foundation class ASAP!!
You keep it in 1st at stops so if an idiot in a car that is on his/her cell phone doesn't register the fact that they must stop and will run you right over. If you're in Neutral, your up Crap Creek without a paddle.
Take the MSF class fast
http://www.msf-usa.org/
Even so it takes less than a second to grab the clutch and pop it into gear from both feet on the ground if I need to move quick for some reason; I've timed it. That's a sacrifice I'm willing to make for a little comfort and convenience.
The MSF exists to think of these things. If they didn't, no one would take their courses. The decision to ride a motorcycle in the first place is many times more dangerous than these minutiae, so in that sense it's ridiculous to obsess over these things if they detract from your riding experience.
And on the plus side I nearly always wear a 3/4 or full helmet, boots, and a jacket.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,558
Likes: 280
From: Russellville, Arkansas
RE: Holding clutch in or put in neutral
For one.....I don't follow too close.
When I notice traffic is slowing or stopping or when I must apply brakes....I flash my brakes. A flashing light will probably get someones attention sooner than a steady light in my opinion. I might even turn the flasers on if the dumba$$ is on their cell phone.
When stopped....the bike stays in gear ready to escape. While there, I may continue flashing my brake light. Once again, the flashers may come on if I feel uncomfortable.
After awhile and I am surrounded by traffic.....I may shift into neutral. There must be TWO cars behind me though.
I mount and dismount from either side of the bike. Never know when one may have to mount/dismount from a side that you are not familiar with. I feel comfortable with either side.....but I usually dismount from the right.
When I notice traffic is slowing or stopping or when I must apply brakes....I flash my brakes. A flashing light will probably get someones attention sooner than a steady light in my opinion. I might even turn the flasers on if the dumba$$ is on their cell phone.
When stopped....the bike stays in gear ready to escape. While there, I may continue flashing my brake light. Once again, the flashers may come on if I feel uncomfortable.
After awhile and I am surrounded by traffic.....I may shift into neutral. There must be TWO cars behind me though.
I mount and dismount from either side of the bike. Never know when one may have to mount/dismount from a side that you are not familiar with. I feel comfortable with either side.....but I usually dismount from the right.
6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 14
Likes: 2
From: Gulf Coast
In gear
while on the road I do not use neutral. The only time I will use it is when I am warming it up or it is parked on flat ground. Most of the time it's parked in low gear.
