Both feet?

[Vetran]

I have been reading some threads about advice for sitting the restricted licence lately as I am planning on going for mine soon and have noticed everyone saying put both feet firmly on the ground when you stop. I am riding a road legel dr-z250 and I am to short to put both feet on the ground firmly so usually just put one down. Would I fail for doing this in the test?

[Magua]

I only put one foot down and passed my test. Perhaps hesitate a little longer at a stop sign so there's no confusion between you and the instructor. _b

[far queue]

I have no idea what the licensing process is these days ... but welcome to KB, the others are bound to have plenty of answers for you ... and they'll probably disagree ... then it'll turn into a big shit slinging match ... but, hey just sit back and enjoy the show ... :corn:

[Toast]

With my incredible spiderman-like balance I put no feet down, looked both ways, twice, and still the dumb shit who couldn't even ride a bike scolded me. We had a chat about it though, and I used one foot for the rest of the test, and it was sweet.

[Toast]

I have no idea what the licensing process is these days ... but welcome to KB, the others are bound to have plenty of answers for you ... and they'll probably disagree ... then it'll turn into a big shit slinging match ... but, hey just sit back and enjoy the show ... :corn:

What the #$%^ would you know mate?!! @#%^ it's on next time I'm down in Chch.

[terbang]

The theory is that you are supposed to put both feet on the ground. However a lot of us don't and I tend to put just my right one down only. This allows me to use the front brake and gear lever as req..Probably a bad habit (putting on my flak jacket) but it works for me..

[Drum]

The idea is that if the guy is following you around in a car, he may be on the wrong side of the bike and not see you putting a single foot down (indicating that you have come to a complete stop). By putting both feet down, he can clearly see that you have stopped.

You wont fail for only putting one foot down, but you might fail if he thinks you didnt stop completely (we are talking about stop signs here). So if you put just one foot down, then just stay stationary for a couple of seconds so he can see you are stopped.

And dont speed. And exaggerate head checks. And dont bin it.

[SlashWylde]

As with most things, the answer depends on what the examiner wants to see you do, as opposed to what is the best thing to do in the real world.

When I sat my restricted test through the MCBTA scheme, we were firmly instructed to place the left foot on the ground when stopped and keep the right foot on the rear brake lever.

This is the way I still ride and it's a good habit to get into so that when you find your self stopped pointing up a hill you can move off easily by opening the throttle and easing off on the rear brake and clutch.

On the other hand, if there are strong cross winds, or if the footing is unsure due to a slippery surface, it might be prudent to put both feet down.

It might pay to simply ask the testing officer before hand whether he expects to see you put both feet down or just the left foot.

[inlinefour]

I have been reading some threads about advice for sitting the restricted licence lately as I am planning on going for mine soon and have noticed everyone saying put both feet firmly on the ground when you stop. I am riding a road legel dr-z250 and I am to short to put both feet on the ground firmly so usually just put one down. Would I fail for doing this in the test?

I often are riding my DRZ400, which is also road legal. I tend to stop at a red light or stop sign and put both my feet on the ground. I then tend to put my left back up in anticipation of changing gear. However when I'm on the CBR, I do tend to only put one foot down, leaving my left at the gear lever. However in saying that, its a compitence test and if thats what they are looking for then its in your best interests to give them what they are looking for. At the end of the day we all do competence tests in different areas to proove that we can do the task safely and correctly. Once the task is completed, you can then decide what sort of stop your going t make...

[bobsmith]

One foot should be fine. When I sat my restricted, because of the fear of a U turn I sat mine on my girlfriend's lifan 125cc scooter. (shit loads easier to do a U turn when the handle bar turns a lot more and you don't have a clutch to worry about)

the scooter is so high and wide (I'm a short ass....) that I physically can't put both feet down on the scooter, so I only put one foot down when I needed to and no problems passing the test.

Good luck!

[_Gina_]

When I sat my restricted test through the MCBTA scheme, we were firmly instructed to place the left foot on the ground when stopped and keep the right foot on the rear brake lever....

This is the way I still ride and it's a good habit to get into so that when you find your self stopped pointing up a hill you can move off easily by opening the throttle and easing off on the rear brake and clutch.

I did the CBTA scheme too, and when I questioned the left foot down only requirement, I was told it was taught so that should you be unfortunate enough to be hit from behind whilst stationary, having both brakes applied would aid in keeping control of the bike. And with the upside of helping with hill starts. I had a injured left knee when I sat my test and I was allowed to place both feet on the ground, so I gather that having a discussion with your assesor before you ride would provide some clarity.


Gg

[Wasp]

beats me, i only used one feet, almost ditched my instructor at one point and probably shoulda stopped at a crossing. still passed

good luck

[pritch]

should you be unfortunate enough to be hit from behind whilst stationary, having both brakes applied would aid in keeping control of the bike.
Gg

Using both brakes would mean you got hit harder. That's like leaning into a punch instead of "rolling with the punch".

I sit at lights about a car length back from the car in front with the bike in gear.
If you are right behind the car in front and you hear squealing tyres it's a bit late to start frantic backpedalling while desperately fishing for a gear....

[stevedee]

Um I can only touch the ground on one side. I think you should be fine as long as you demonstrate you are in control.

spd:-)

[Kyle]

As posted above, id say the main thing is make sure you exagerate your moves so the tester (who will no doubt be following you in a cage) can see you have stoped/looked both ways etc.

personally id disagree with left foot down and right foot on the brake. If you get hit from behind while stoped the first thing to happen will be that foot comes off the brake anyway. Happened a mate of mine and he ended up on the bonnet of the car while his bike shot across the intersection riderless. No doubt some cage driver made that rule. personally i put my right foot down and keep my left up to select neutral/first as required, always have and had no trouble getting restricted and full.

However asking the tester what they expect is a good idea as they will problery have their own personal ideas on what is correct. Best thing to do is try to ride confident and smooth, show them your ready to progress to the next step.

[Leong]

When I sat my restricted test through the MCBTA scheme, we were firmly instructed to place the left foot on the ground when stopped and keep the right foot on the rear brake lever.

This is the way I still ride and it's a good habit to get into so that when you find your self stopped pointing up a hill you can move off easily by opening the throttle and easing off on the rear brake and clutch.

Yep, I did the same course and this was emphasised well for us by the guy on the Harley. Didn't really think much about it prior to this but it is a good habit to get into. Really "tidies up" your riding if you do the same thing each time, when circumstances permit

[The Pastor]

Make sure your reversing light is working, and walk around the bike before reversing!

[far queue]

If you are right behind the car in front and you hear squealing tyres it's a bit late to start frantic backpedalling while desperately fishing for a gear....


If you get hit from behind while stoped the first thing to happen will be that foot comes off the brake anyway. Happened a mate of mine and he ended up on the bonnet of the car while his bike shot across the intersection riderless.

I recall getting hit from behind while stopped at a set of lights. I'd been stationary for a while and there were 2 or 3 cars also stationary behind me, when bang, I got hit and wondered what the hell was going on. The driver behind me was very apologetic and said he'd been in gear while waiting and his foot had slipped off the clutch. No squeeling tyres to warn of that one. It wasn't a hard hit, just enough to startle :eek:

[9cents]

I usually leave the bike in 1st, with left foot down, right foot on brake, ready to take off in an emergency.
If it's a set of lights that I know takes ages I'll sometimes put it in neutral, both feet down, have a bit of a stretch :)

[gijoe1313]

Good info on this thread! I've just been in the WC (I know, TMI) reading my copy of the Road Code for Motorcyclists. I was scoping out the restricted and full requirements (figgers, I've only had my learners for 4 weeks and I'm thinking about the next step!). Good thing I'm an old git so at least I get to reduce my waiting time appropos! But damn, noob cagers can do 100 on the moronway but I can only do 70? (Yeah, I know this has been kicked to death but I gotta get it off my chest :innocent:).

Keep passing the open windows! :done:

[Drum]

.......... I've just been in the WC (I know, TMI) reading my copy of the Road Code for Motorcyclists.........

Careful there buddy. Those pages are pretty glossy!

[Squiggles]

put both down and make sure he sees it! i failed my R first time round from not putting them both down... only put one down for a second and he said i didnt even stop :angry: second time i put them both down and sat there at the stop sign for a few.. look right, look left, look right, look left, look right then go... prick didnt fail me that time! :yes:

[crashe]

Check this out:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=30570

But can I say that if you are too short to reach both feet on the ground...
then do as the others have said... but wait 5 seconds that way they can really see you aint moving... or chat to the instructor before you take off.

Maybe point out to the instructor you will place your LEFT foot down when stopping at the stop sign so that he/she is aware of it ahead of time due to your shortness.

Once you have your license then go to your one foot down...

It is really aimed at the instructor as they dont think we have stopped as they can only see one foot down.

Good luck in passing.

[SlashWylde]

personally id disagree with left foot down and right foot on the brake. If you get hit from behind while stoped the first thing to happen will be that foot comes off the brake anyway. Happened a mate of mine and he ended up on the bonnet of the car while his bike shot across the intersection riderless. No doubt some cage driver made that rule.

Depends how hard you get hit. Sure, a full on impact by a car travelling at 50kph will send you flying forwards, but at lower speeds having both brakes on will reduce the distance travelled which is what we were taught by the motorcycle instructors at the MCBTA course. I think its good practice so I always have both brakes on at an intersection and always watch my rear vision mirrors for cars pulling up behind me.


personally i put my right foot down and keep my left up to select neutral/first as required,

Why? Surely it's simpler to select first as you are about to stop, and gently apply the front and rear brakes whilst holding in the clutch. That way you are in complete control of the bike and first gear is already selected for when you are ready to move away, or if you need to take evasive action.

This also eliminates the problem of having to to a tap dance to select gear and then get on the brake pedal, particularly when on a hill.

[Bing]

I keep my right foot on the back brake when stopped, and did so for my restricted and full tests and passed with no problems. I think as long as you stop for at least three seconds and exaggerate looking both ways you'll be fine.