Total Motorcycle Community Forums

I decided on the Yamaha after one squeeze of the clutch - they are different animals.

I wasn't even talking about getting the fastest bike out there, if I was i'd get a hayabusa. I was talking about looks... a sexy, sleek, looking bike (just like me hahha ) I look way better on a sports bike then a cruiser or harley. and I mean when it does come down to it..... it's all about the look, isn't it??[/quote]

please dont post any pictures of yourself as i swoon easily.

i dont mind holding the front brake at all doesnt bother my hand or keeping on the gas and working the clutch to keep from drifting back, id much rather have both feet on the ground when at a stop. ive had some seriously hard gusts of wind that would knock anyone over with one foot on the ground. or have one foot slip due to oil on the road, if it was my only foot on the ground id dropped the bike for sure.

again its all riders prefernce but might be worth thinking about the alternative.

varenka wrote:You put your foot on the brake so that the bike doesn't roll and you keep it there because it is easier than keeping your hand clenched.

And I don't mind sharing my silly mistakes because I want to remember them and not repeat them. If it keeps someone else from doing the same thing, all the better.

In our city, you often need to creep with the foot brake feathered and the clutch in the friction zone. That's why I do it, but i put my right foot down at a light, if the surface requires it, too. Flexibility is the key.

Do you keep your bike in gear whill waiting for the light to change???
I always put it in nutral so i dont wear out the clutch assy. The only time i keep it in gear is when i know the light would change very fast.
Do you keep the bike in gear just in case you need to get out fast?? or is it for another reason??


space_man

i always keep mine in gear at a light, unless im fairly alone at the light and it will be a while before a change ill give my hand a rest.

i dont think ive ever used my back brake at a light though always use the clutch or front brake if needed.

space_man wrote:Do you keep your bike in gear whill waiting for the light to change???
I always put it in nutral so i dont wear out the clutch assy. The only time i keep it in gear is when i know the light would change very fast.
Do you keep the bike in gear just in case you need to get out fast?? or is it for another reason??


space_man

The reason we were given back in the MSF class so long ago is that when you are at a stoplight, for example, you should leave your bike in gear. Some drivers fail to see you as they come up behind, so being in gear, and paying attention to the rear-view mirror, enables you to scoot away if said driver doesn't look like he's gonna stop. This can prevent a Lexus enema, which you will enjoy far less than the Lexus driver.
Additionally, whilst sitting stopped at the light, with your right foot up and on the brake, keeping you from rolling forward or back, if your clutch cable, unlubed in the 5 years you've owned the bike, lets go, you will be less apt to rocket across the intersection, intersecting with a garbage truck or city bus.
I guess right foot down will work, I've seen a few riders do it, but you sacrifice some control over the bike doing it. Can't properly control the throttle and brake at the same time gripping both. Try it. On a hill. Then try to take off. You will have to be very dextrous of hand and agile of foot.

With a set of properly fitting gloves and some practice, it's not too hard to handle the front brake and throttle like that. I don't do that 99% of the time because I'm a lazy guy, though.

oldnslo wrote:Try it. On a hill. Then try to take off. You will have to be very dextrous of hand and agile of foot.

Actually you can do it easily, just like in a car. You just pull the clutch out to the grabbing point and when you let go of the brake the bike won't move forward or backward, then you can hit gas.

But, I do agree with you John, and I personally use my rear in the situation, but it's definitely capable of being done with front brake and clutch only. I actually use my rear brake a lot period compared to most people. Especially at slow speeds when I try to just stay balanced without ever setting a foot down. It's fun to see how well you can stay up going 1 mph.

At traffic lights, I sometimes leave it in gear and sometimes not. Sometimes, there really wouldn't be anywhere to go if a car was about to rear end you so I don't usually leave it in gear in those situations.

I put both feet down a lot even when I leave the bike in gear, and with what you were saying about the poor clutch cable and such makes me think twice about it now. I never even put that into consideration, having the clutch release when you never did it yourself. I would hope the bike would stall, otherwise it'd be pretty ugly.