Stoplights - Neutral or Clutch?
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 931
Likes: 11
From: Orlando, FL
That's me, too.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 197
Likes: 1
From: Grey Duck
I love the variety of replies from the neutrals. This is a fun topic OP.
Years ago I was riding down a major street in a large city. 2 lanes East, 2 lanes West double lines down the middle, uncontrolled intersections every 3 out of 4 blocks. I was at one of those intersections making a left, waiting for the traffic going the other way to clear.
I saw a car coming from behind, it looked to me like I was invisible to him. Or that was what I saw in that slit second in my mirror. This is where I must say my eye is in the mirror but I'm also watching everything else around me, they call that "situational awareness" I practice it, I live it. Back to the story.
I couldn't cross because of traffic, I was stopped ready to turn, what did I do? The safest place to be between 2 moving cars is between 2 moving cars, I didn't have to move very far to be right in the center of Lake Street, right on the paint. I still remember the drivers face of that blue Chevy. He never saw me, the drivers going the other way probably never even knew I made an evasive maneuver. I just kept my cool and my practice was like instinct.
As far as intersections with cross traffic goes....
The next time you're at a left turn signal waiting for the light. There's a division between the 2 opposite lanes. sometimes its a median sometimes paint, whatever. Watch the cross traffic, where they drive. look at that piece of real estate on your left, right in front of the traffic sign that faces the other way. Now look at the size of your bike and where it will fit right there. Close to traffic? Yes. In harms way? Close, but not as likely. Those signs get wiped out but not from the car that is barreling down on you from behind but rather from traffic from the other side not yielding to the cross traffic. Nothings perfect but It's the safest place to go if the **** hits the fan in an intersection.
1st gear every time!
Years ago I was riding down a major street in a large city. 2 lanes East, 2 lanes West double lines down the middle, uncontrolled intersections every 3 out of 4 blocks. I was at one of those intersections making a left, waiting for the traffic going the other way to clear.
I saw a car coming from behind, it looked to me like I was invisible to him. Or that was what I saw in that slit second in my mirror. This is where I must say my eye is in the mirror but I'm also watching everything else around me, they call that "situational awareness" I practice it, I live it. Back to the story.
I couldn't cross because of traffic, I was stopped ready to turn, what did I do? The safest place to be between 2 moving cars is between 2 moving cars, I didn't have to move very far to be right in the center of Lake Street, right on the paint. I still remember the drivers face of that blue Chevy. He never saw me, the drivers going the other way probably never even knew I made an evasive maneuver. I just kept my cool and my practice was like instinct.
As far as intersections with cross traffic goes....
The next time you're at a left turn signal waiting for the light. There's a division between the 2 opposite lanes. sometimes its a median sometimes paint, whatever. Watch the cross traffic, where they drive. look at that piece of real estate on your left, right in front of the traffic sign that faces the other way. Now look at the size of your bike and where it will fit right there. Close to traffic? Yes. In harms way? Close, but not as likely. Those signs get wiped out but not from the car that is barreling down on you from behind but rather from traffic from the other side not yielding to the cross traffic. Nothings perfect but It's the safest place to go if the **** hits the fan in an intersection.
1st gear every time!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,583
From: Wisconsin, USA
I don't see any. This technique is only necessary if you gave no front brake. Am I missing something?
Otherwise it is a "Do it the way we always did it, although nobody understands why we still do it that way anymore" thing.
Last edited by Ron750; May 3, 2013 at 04:19 AM.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,814
Likes: 5,120
From: SW Ohio
What is the advantage of holding with foot brake instead of hand brake, while stopped?
I don't see any. This technique is only necessary if you gave no front brake. Am I missing something?
Otherwise it is a "Do it the way we always did it, although nobody understands why we still do it that way anymore" thing.
I don't see any. This technique is only necessary if you gave no front brake. Am I missing something?
Otherwise it is a "Do it the way we always did it, although nobody understands why we still do it that way anymore" thing.
Better throttle control. Fine motor skill throttle modulation is better because you are only doing one task. Sometimes traffic doesn't start and move quickly, so you may have to travel along at a crawl. The front brake isn't really the best tool for the job at low speed, especially if you turn the front wheel left or right in an attempt to balance the bike and then stop suddenly.
Better low speed control. The rear brake is superior to the front for slow traffic riding. For people who have difficulty with managing clutch and throttle it can also serve are an indicator of when the friction zone of the clutch becomes apparent; it can help make starts smoother.
Better balance. Balance is best when both feet are on the boards or foot pegs. With one foot already up you essentially have half your balance from the start.
Now all that said, there are times where holding the bike from rolling at a light or a stop with the front brake is best. One of those times I can think of would be when you have a squirmy passenger; you need both feet on the ground because who knows which way she's gonna lean to get her lipstick. Sitting at a stop riding solo with a strong side wind would also be one of those times where I would two finger the front brake to hold it with both feet on the ground.