Starting and stopping on a hill
- jonnythan
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I usually just sit on the rear brake, but will occasionally switch off to the front brake if I'm sitting at a light for a while. Then, depending on the hill and how close cars are behind me, I'll either let the clutch out and roll the throttle while letting out the front brake, or switch back to the rear brake and start to roll the throttle and let the clutch out.ofblong wrote:I jsut find it more strenuous to keep only 1 foot on the ground. its easier to hold the front brake and then roll on the throttle (fully letting go of front brake).
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- ofblong
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hehe I should also mention I just had a tumor removed from my left hip so putting to much weight on my left hip actually hurts hehe.jonnythan wrote:I usually just sit on the rear brake, but will occasionally switch off to the front brake if I'm sitting at a light for a while. Then, depending on the hill and how close cars are behind me, I'll either let the clutch out and roll the throttle while letting out the front brake, or switch back to the rear brake and start to roll the throttle and let the clutch out.ofblong wrote:I jsut find it more strenuous to keep only 1 foot on the ground. its easier to hold the front brake and then roll on the throttle (fully letting go of front brake).
96' Honda Shadow Deluxe VLX
Dream bike: Ducati Multistrada 1100S
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Dream bike: Ducati Multistrada 1100S
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This morning I had my first hill start. We came up to a light I was hoping we'd make, but nothing to do except do it - too late now lol
I used the rear brake and one foot down. Surprisingly it felt comfortable and steady. When I took off, I stayed on the brake (I didn't dare give it chance to roll back) I got my rpms up to the right note and let the clutch out to the friction zone (I didn't feel like bike move too much but rather by the muscle memory feel of where it is). Then I let off the rear brake and the bike pulled out nicely. When it did I was sure to give it enough juice to squirt out of the intersection and get up to speed quickly (we were first in line).
I used the rear brake and one foot down. Surprisingly it felt comfortable and steady. When I took off, I stayed on the brake (I didn't dare give it chance to roll back) I got my rpms up to the right note and let the clutch out to the friction zone (I didn't feel like bike move too much but rather by the muscle memory feel of where it is). Then I let off the rear brake and the bike pulled out nicely. When it did I was sure to give it enough juice to squirt out of the intersection and get up to speed quickly (we were first in line).
Definitely. Hopefully all our future hill starts will go just as smoothlyspin wrote:i did my first hill today too.
the key is friction zone. it is silly to think you are going to roll back now that i have done it. rear brake and friction zone and more throttle than on a normal flat.
with that i was able to zip around town for the first time today

When I have to stop on the hill I just hold the bike on the front brake.Both feet on the ground or only right one.
Once light turn (or you ready to go anyways
I just clutch it ,put on gear and start on going the same way as if i was on a flat.
Important here to feel when your clutch start on 'grabbing',Just release the clutch when bike starts on moving,give it some gas and let it go already.
A little practice and you won't even think about it- just do it on autopilot- just as natural as breathing
Ride safe
Mitty
Once light turn (or you ready to go anyways

Important here to feel when your clutch start on 'grabbing',Just release the clutch when bike starts on moving,give it some gas and let it go already.
A little practice and you won't even think about it- just do it on autopilot- just as natural as breathing

Ride safe
Mitty
it's better break the ground and head in to the wind then break the wind and head in to the ground
Ian522 wrote:If im stopped on a hill, I put my left foot down while holding the rear brake with my right foot. When its safe to go, give it some gas and EASE the clutch out. Just keep it in the friction zone and the bike will start moving. Dont let the clutch out too quickly and make sure you give enough gas or else the bike might stall. Once you start going...let off the rear brake, and off you go.
That's how it's done.

2004 Yamaha Midnight Silverado
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- drrhythm39
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As far as starts from a dead stop on hills, I do the same thing that I do in my 9 speed truck for work. I keep the clutch in the friction zone with just a little throttle to hold the bike (both feet on the ground I have very strong legs) then when it's safe more throttle while easing out the clutch and off i go. They didn't go over this senario at the MsF course I took but I figured if it works on a 60,000 pound truck, why not on a 400 pound bike?
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- RocketGirl
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Starting from a Hill
Great thread!
Where I live it's fairly flat. There's really one incline in our neighborhood I got to practice with starting from a stop. I really appreciated getting comfortable with that before heading out of the neighborhood. I do the one-foot-down technique and holding my bike with the rear brake.
Where I live it's fairly flat. There's really one incline in our neighborhood I got to practice with starting from a stop. I really appreciated getting comfortable with that before heading out of the neighborhood. I do the one-foot-down technique and holding my bike with the rear brake.