Stoplights - Neutral or Clutch?

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May 3, 2013 | 07:21 AM

#71

Harleypingman

Extreme HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2006

Posts: 10,449

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From: Roswell, GA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron750

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.

Left hand controls the clutch; left foot supports the bike; right foot keeps the bike stopped; and right hand controls the throttle--why would you do it otherwise?

Carl

May 4, 2013 | 04:09 PM

#72

Florida Swamp Yankee

Road Captain

Joined: Jun 2011

Posts: 594

Likes: 10

From: Seminole County, FL

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeBel

+1
Exactly. Taught us this in MSF course many years ago. At a light, an eye on your mirror, be prepared to escape.

Where are you riding? I'm in metro Orlando area; there is no escape! Three or four travel lanes in each direction plus two left turn lanes for each side of an intersection. I sit in neutral and wait for the yellow light rushers to pass before dropping into gear.

May 4, 2013 | 04:22 PM

#73

Yellotang

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Joined: Apr 2006

Posts: 5,230

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From: Amherst, VA

My opinion, and that is all it is but I can not believe anyone that says they sit there clutch in with both eyes on their mirrors for emergency escape. Where are you going to escape too? Into cross traffic! So you escape one accident straight into another.

Hmmmm. Doesn't make sense to me.

May 4, 2013 | 05:39 PM

#74

Frogprince

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Joined: May 2011

Posts: 637

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From: Ketchikan Alaska

The idea behind the escape is if you need to you can pull up along side the cars in front, use the shoulder, turn lane and or anything that will allow you out of the way. I wouldn't recommend pulling out into oncoming traffic.

Sometimes you can't avoid the accident but I am not going to sit there and pray a car wont run into me from behind. Just saying....

May 4, 2013 | 05:50 PM

#75

Harleypingman

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Joined: Apr 2006

Posts: 10,449

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From: Roswell, GA

Not every situation presents the same opportunities for escape that others do. I ride in heavy North Metro Atlanta traffic and there are occasions when escape is limited. Still, having developed the habit of anticipating an escape allow me the opportunity to use one if I need to.

The converse of the escape approach is cigarette smoking. Not all smokers die at a younger age than.non-smokers, but that does not mean that cigarette smoking is a sensible activity.

Same thing with preparing to escape with bike in gear while stopped. It is not perfect but seems a sensible precaution when I ride.

Carl

Last edited by Harleypingman; May 4, 2013 at 05:52 PM.

May 4, 2013 | 05:59 PM

#76

shorelasHD

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Joined: Oct 2010

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From: SW FL-Jersey Shore Emigre

Quote:

Originally Posted by redrub

Take an MSF course.

1st gear, left hand clutch, left foot down, right hand brake and/or gas, right foot on brake eyes on the mirrors.

What he said. Back in the 60's my father was in his car at a red light, with a motorcycle headed in the opposite direction also waiting for the light. The bike got rear-ended, the rider flew diagonally across the intersection and onto my father's windshield, which caved in and broke the riders flight enough so he slid off the hood, and was able to get up and walk away.

I MIGHT keep in in neutral at a long light with no cagers around-still, I keep my eyes on the rearview....

"A prudent man learns from other people's mistakes".

May 4, 2013 | 06:11 PM

#77

2012SuperGlider

Road Captain

Joined: Mar 2013

Posts: 625

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From: Greeley, CO

I usually like to leave my bike in gear with the clutch pulled in. Sometimes though I end up sitting at a really long light with a few cars stopped behind me. In that instance I put it in neutral. I will also sit in neutral if there is absolutely no one coming behind me. Yes I know this varies from what they teach in MSF so there is no need for someone to point it out to me.