Leaving a stop - both feet up.

kevin_stevens · 12-25-2012, 05:38 PM

So you're sitting on your bike, engine running in neutral while you fiddle with helmet/gloves/passenger, left foot down, right foot up. How many people are comfortable pushing the bike up to balance with their left foot, picking it up and putting it on the peg, downshifting to first, and pulling away cleanly?

I've never been comfortable doing this - there's something about the up and down motion that unbalances me. Instead I flip the bike over to left up/right down, downshift, and leave from there. But it seems that it should be unnecessary and I'd like to be comfortable just picking up and going.

KeS

Tripped1 · 12-25-2012, 05:47 PM

That is exactly what I do.

Half of the time I stop with thebike in neutral and place it with the rear brake, so I have to shift feet.

I do normally use GP shift, so its just a matter of stomp, gas and clutch out.

R1100S-Rider · 12-25-2012, 05:49 PM

I put my right foot down and keep my left up.

kevin_stevens · 12-25-2012, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tripped1

That is exactly what I do.

Half of the time I stop with thebike in neutral and place it with the rear brake, so I have to shift feet.

I do normally use GP shift, so its just a matter of stomp, gas and clutch out.

With GP shift, first gear is up - so how do you stomp? :confused

KeS

Tripped1 · 12-25-2012, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevin_stevens

With GP shift, first gear is up - so how do you stomp? :confused

KeS

Yeah it is isn't it? I need more beer.

Either way, that is how I stop, I can even do it on a hill (which means my right foot is definitely up).

Either that or I just take off in second a lot, which I doubt with an 80,000 mile clutch in the speedy.

arcticamt6 · 12-25-2012, 06:08 PM

I don't put the engine in neutral at a stop. Basically, the only time I'm in neutral is if I'm moving the bike around in a parking space.

F4sSprintST · 12-25-2012, 06:17 PM

I will generally switch feet, but i dont ti tip the cycle at all and Always just lift immediately. I think it came from bicycling where we pride ourselves on balance

If I'm moving at all my feet are up

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harleyxlc · 12-25-2012, 06:24 PM

Never thought about doing that, I am almost always in gear when stopped anyway.

Can I blame you when I try it and fall over? :-)

Elgix6 · 12-25-2012, 06:53 PM

I normally stop in gear.

Süsser Tod · 12-25-2012, 07:37 PM

I do it sometimes, whenever I put the left foot down, but I usually put the right foot down...

I really don't understand the MSF "left foot down" thing. The whole purpose is to keep the bike in gear, left hand on the clutch and right foot on the brake, the bike is in gear so you are prepared to take off... But your right hand is not on the throttle? When I get to a stop, both my hands will remain on the controls, bike will remain in gear and my left foot will be down. If it's a long red light, I'll only shift to neutral once everyone behind me has come to a stop, then if it is not a slope, I won't bother with the brakes.

Razzy · 12-25-2012, 08:58 PM

I'm usually always on the controls. Bike stays in gear for short stops. I usually have my right foot down. Left foot on the shift lever. As I take off I drag my left foot a bit than raise it up on the bars.

acalliste · 12-25-2012, 11:04 PM

If I want my left foot down while I'm in neutral, I'll just put my right foot down long enough to shift into first when the time comes. But my right foot comes up at the same time I start letting the clutch out. Both feet are up the instant I start moving, or before.

I can't recall ever seeing anyone pick up both feet before they've shifted out of neutral.

binx_19 · 12-25-2012, 11:27 PM

I dont put the bike in neutral except when I park in my garage. It is always in 1st when stopped.

maverick0716 · 12-25-2012, 11:27 PM

I always try and gear down when coming to a stop. When I'm stopped, the bike is in first gear with my left foot down and right foot on the rear brake. Both hands on the bars, with left hand depressing clutch lever (obviously), and right hand resting on the throttle. When I take off I lift my foot as soon as the bike moves, no need to drag it as the bike will easily balance once you start moving.

kevin_stevens · 12-25-2012, 11:47 PM

A lot of you clearly don't spend as much time sitting at 3+ minute lights as I do.

Just to clarify - not talking about dragging feet. I have one foot down at most stops. If it's the left, AND I'm in neutral (leaving from a point of origin or having sat in a line of traffic), there are two ways to depart: switching feet so your right is down, left on the peg, downshift and go; or leave the right on the peg, balance neatly while your left foot comes up, onto the peg, and downshifts, and then smoothly take off. I'm asking about the latter.

KeS