How to stop and go?

[xRider]

I recently bough my first bike and have been riding it for about a week now but there is one thing I haven't figured out yet. How to stop and go without the bike dying.

When I get to a stop street and have to stop, how do I do it? Do I go back down to first gear? Do I put it in neutral? Do I keep the clutch in?

Thanks

[sapaul]

Howzit man, go to www.thinkbike.co.za there is a whole manual of stuff on there for South Africans

[xRider]

Thanks, ill check it out. Now back to the question...

[jstark47]

As you approach the stop and slow down through braking, successively tap down through the gears. When you're almost stopped, tap down into first, but keep the clutch in.

This is very basic stuff, and in all respect, you should not be out on the road if you're still asking these kinds of questions. In the United States where I am, we have a beginner course from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. I don't know if you have something equivalent in South Africa, but you have motorcycle schools that offer beginner courses. Please seriously consider taking such a course before you go out on the streets again.

[xRider]

Thanks, got it!

I will look if there is something like a beginner course somewhere.

I practiced the stop and go a bit today on a gravel road and I now can do it without the bike dying.

Btw it has 99.9km on the clock at the moment

[sunshine229]

Please seriously consider taking such a course before you go out on the streets again.

+1

[totalmotorcycle]

Hi Marc,

As mentioned, a MSF course is worth it's price many, many times over. You'll now only pick up new skills and confidence, but also meet some new riders to ride with as well. Great times.

As for the stopping/starting thing, it's common to have "issues" with it when you start out for the first bit (like you are), but you do get the hang of it. I had problems as well.

Mike

[NorthernPete]

Deserted parking lot and a lot of patience. Just sit in first gear with the clutch pulled in and slowly let it out feeling for the sweet spot. (That's where the bike will want to start moving on its own before it stalls) then pull the clutch back in. When you find the sweet spot and have gotten the hang of where it is and the way the bike feels when you hit just start giving the bike a little bit of throttle once you feel it start to move. Just keep it up. Takes a lot of practice. And I would also recommend the motorcycle course as mentioned. I didn't take one, and regret it. Would have definitely saved me a lot of aggravation and definitely would have made me a better rider I'm sure.

[Katharine]

Have you ever driven a car with a manual transmission? I'm sure it won't be quite the same, but some of the same principles might transfer (at least, so I'm hoping ).