How do you get moving on your bike? [Archive]

rwh

10th July 2007, 23:20

This is in the NEWBEE forum dude--as in its for LEARNER riders. Jeez boy get with the program :dodge:

I got the hill start technique from the road code, plus a bit of common sense. The only lessons I had were the 2 hours before my BHS, and hill starts were not touched on. They didn't come up in either of my practical tests, either.

In my lessons, I was (initially) told to start with both feet down, and pick them up as I started to move. I don't remember being told any more than that later. Now, I often still do the same thing, or sometimes put my right foot up (especially if I need it on the brake, of course). I almost never start with my left foot up - which means I'm almost always sitting at the lights with the bike in gear, which I've heard isn't so good for it. I think most of my reason is that that is how I always started on a pushbike - push down on the pedal with the right foot, while pushing off with the left.

Richard
(riding about 1 year now - with a 3 month gap with no bike (almost the whole of my 6R))

justsomeguy

10th July 2007, 23:30

From what I remember from Brian Parker from Passrite. He has been riding for centuries and is the most senior instructor there.

When stopping use both brakes, more of the front, practice, practice.
Put the bike into neutral after you've stopped.
Put your left foot down first and cover the bike with the back and front brake while stopped, reason being if shunted you don't roll into the traffic ahead as easily.
While taking off always cover the back brake as you leave, regardless of whether or not you're on a hill. Conduct the appropriate over the shoulder/under the skirt head checks, etc. Newbies if deciding to take riding courses, I'd highly recommend him. He also trains car drivers and does advanced driving courses for professional drivers.....feck wish I was on commission.:shutup:

Hope this helps Frosty.

Take care bud :niceone:

Mystery

10th July 2007, 23:35

After an "interesting" experience this weekend I'd like to ask what your riding instructors are teaching you re getting moving on your bike.
What are your hands and feet doing?. What are they soposed to be doing??
This question is for newbees or recently newbees

Hi Frosty
Clutch in, put into 1st, then with both feet on the ground, get rev's up, slowly release clutch and when bike starts pulling increase throttle, both feet straight onto pegs and slowly release clutch fully, and I'm off :scooter:
This does not work when I panic at intersections. :angry:

FROSTY

10th July 2007, 23:35

so who in hell was the fuckwit that taught Jorja that ya DON'T need to cover the back brake when starting??

FROSTY

10th July 2007, 23:37

breakaway

10th July 2007, 23:38

Using good clutch control, and strong legs with a sprinkling of technique developed over time?

QFT. Never was a fan of using the rear brake for hill starts, and still don't use it unless the hill is very steep.

so who in hell was the fuckwit that taught Jorja that ya DON'T need to cover the back brake when starting??

Why do you have to cover the rear brake when you start off?

justsomeguy

10th July 2007, 23:38

so who in hell was the fuckwit that taught Jorja that ya DON'T need to cover the back brake when starting??

Don't tell me it's this Brian Parker fella?? Tut, tut.......:shit:

rwh

10th July 2007, 23:41

When stopping use both brakes, more of the front, practice, practice.
Put the bike into neutral after you've stopped.
Put your left foot down first and cover the bike with the back and front brake while stopped, reason being if shunted you don't roll into the traffic ahead as easily.
While taking off always cover the back brake as you leave, regardless of whether or not you're on a hill. Conduct the appropriate over the shoulder/under the skirt head checks, etc.

At what point do you put it back in gear? That would generally require a break in the covering of the back brake, right? Unless you're good at balancing ...

Richard

rwh

10th July 2007, 23:45

so who in hell was the fuckwit that taught Jorja that ya DON'T need to cover the back brake when starting??

You'd recommend that every time? I don't usually bother - I usually have the front brake on until I'm ready to go, and often don't bother with the rear on a downhill start either - just let it roll away as I engage the clutch. The only time I definitely use the back is for an uphill start.
Oh, and if I want a stretch, I put it in neutral and put my foot on the back brake, so I can take both hands off the bars and sit up straight. Would probably do that with both feet down on the flat.

Richard

Mystery

10th July 2007, 23:49

What about a hill start or even a slight slope??

Right foot on back brake, clutch in, rev's up (more than for a level start) slowly release clutch and as soon as bike is pulling, release back brake/increase throttle/smoothly release clutch (it kinda all happens at the same time) as soon as Im moving, put left foot up and Im away:scooter:

FROSTY

10th July 2007, 23:50

For a new rider yep I'd recomend foot on rear brake.

Holy Roller

10th July 2007, 23:51

well you put your feet behind your pegs, and let the weight of the bike rest on your shins of course ... geez doesn't everyone know that?
:dodge:

Try doing that on any sort of incline with a 340kg machine:shit:

justsomeguy

11th July 2007, 00:04

At what point do you put it back in gear? That would generally require a break in the covering of the back brake, right? Unless you're good at balancing ...

Richard

The front brake is always on until you decide to move on. So it's just a matter of putting your right foot down, changing into 1st, then cover your back brake and take off. With practice this becomes a subconcious action.

Most confident riders will be able to start off without covering the back brake and only modulating the throttle and clutch and quickly catching the bike before it rolls back no matter how steep the slope.

Lucy

11th July 2007, 00:16

Hill starts weren't covered in my BHS course. I read about using the back brake for them in the roadcode. But I like to think that I would have worked it out, having driven a car for many years. Having said that, with old cars in the 80s handbrakes were a luxury that usually didnt work so riding the clutch and front brake is often easier for me to start on a hill, as when I use the back brake I often get the revs wrong and over rev it for fear of stalling.

delusionz

11th July 2007, 03:59

The BHS course I attended had scooters. Anyways, Hill start - index and middle finger on front brake, right foot down, left foot on gear & select 1, roll throttle with palm and thumb wrapped around, release clutch until catch then release front brake, start rolling forward, right foot on peg, clutch fully out & go.

PuppetMaster

11th July 2007, 15:41

Put your left foot down first and cover the bike with the back and front brake while stopped, reason being if shunted you don't roll into the traffic ahead as easily.
While taking off always cover the back brake as you leave, regardless of whether or not you're on a hill. Conduct the appropriate over the shoulder/under the skirt head checks, etc.

I dont agree with these.
firstly, how can you cover the rear brake if you also have your left foot down ? thats pretty good balance.
Having the rear brake engaged aint gonna help jack shit if you get shunted. Your better off watching the mirrors and getting ready to get out of the way if it looks like some mutha aint stoppin. (seems like a good reason to lane split)
I take my foot off the back break and put it on the ground, that way I can flip it into neutral and stop at the same time-ish. Usually I will only have my right foot down, unless it is windy, or im facing downhill, I will use the rear break to stop rolling and take both hands off the bars most of the time until ready to move, then i swap back to right foot on ground, left changes gear etc.

Why would I want to cover the rear brake when taking off ? I dont want any break, Im leaving, and If im going to brake its gonna be 90% front anyway. Too much emphasis is put on the rear brake.

Squiggles

11th July 2007, 16:39

isnt front brake on while sitting on a slope a bad idea? warped disks and all... (have noticed mention of its use in a couple of posts)

discotex

11th July 2007, 17:01

isnt front brake on while sitting on a slope a bad idea? warped disks and all... (have noticed mention of its use in a couple of posts)

I'd heard that too. Probably only applicable when riding hard rather than pottering around town though.

It's just habit to sit in first with the clutch in and my foot on the brake. I like being able to make a quick getaway if someone looks like they're going to hit me while I'm at the lights or whatever.

The only exception is when stopped side on to a hill or when it's windy. Then I'll sit on the front brake.

Not risking warping my rotors is just a bonus really.

carver

11th July 2007, 17:03

I'm more worried about what ride instructors are telling new riders.

teaching n00bs

the big part is to tell them to look up as they take off, and ride the throttle and clutch by feel...
il take credit for teaching sidewinder how to ride!

scumdog

11th July 2007, 17:05

I got the hill start technique from the road code, plus a bit of common sense. The only lessons I had were the 2 hours before my BHS, and hill starts were not touched on. They didn't come up in either of my practical tests, either.

In my lessons, I was (initially) told to start with both feet down, and pick them up as I started to move. I don't remember being told any more than that later. Now, I often still do the same thing, or sometimes put my right foot up (especially if I need it on the brake, of course). I almost never start with my left foot up - which means I'm almost always sitting at the lights with the bike in gear, which I've heard isn't so good for it. I think most of my reason is that that is how I always started on a pushbike - push down on the pedal with the right foot, while pushing off with the left.

Richard
(riding about 1 year now - with a 3 month gap with no bike (almost the whole of my 6R))

Sheesh, 21 posts before this thread even STARTED being on topic - is this the 'new' KB way of doing things??:wait:

slowpoke

11th July 2007, 17:39

At the risk of straying back on topic, why would you use your right hand to control both throttle and brake when your right foot is sitting there doing nothing?
I've never ridden with anyone who slips their bike into neutral when they pull up to a set of traffic lights, I certainly don't. This means the bike is already in gear if you want to get out of some arse bandits way, which leaves you free to have your left foot on ground and right foot on brake.
If nothing else, this both feet on the ground then both feet onto the pegs manouveur looks fuggin' naff when you're following someone.....unless you are a chick in which case I don't care what you do so long as I am allowed to follow you....
As for the clutch actoion it goes something like this: sliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiip' cos my poor old slapper of an R1 had all the mid range of a an RGV250.......but that is all about to change BUAHAHAHA BUAHAHAHA (evil laugh)

breakaway

11th July 2007, 17:45

I always throw it in neutral when I've stopped at the lights. Can't be bothered holding the clutch in, and I like to get a bit of a stretch when I stop as I'm hunched over when riding.

There's usually stationary cars in front, behind, to my lef and to my right, so there is never a need to take off quickly. If I am at the front of the queue, the guy behind me can wait till I throw it in gear and ride off.

sunhuntin

11th July 2007, 20:33

i get on the bike, start her up and flip the stand up. put into first, and let the clutch out slowly at the same time as rolling the throttle. i do it all at once, pretty much. usually, i start off with both feet on the ground.

lights/intersections, i stay in first with the clutch in. either foot or both down. im trying to learn to stop with one foot on the ground. getting ok with it, but often i end up with both down, specially in the wind. if the lights are going to take ages, ill flick into neutral and have a rest.

havent really had many down hill starts, or up hill either!
down hill, i hold the back brake and then just let the clutch out slowly as i start moving, and move the revs up to meet. fun moment going down a gravel hill with the clutch in, wondering how the hell to get moving on my own speed without fucking up big time! [that was at a camping ground near paeroa last year.]
up hill, i do a mix of holding the front brake, my legs behind the pegs or holding the tank, and the clutch slipped just a tad. dont have to slip it much now, cos my legs are strong enough to hold the bike forwards. with that, both my feet are on the ground. when i move off, i lift my right foot to take over the braking so i can operate the throttle. once it grabs and i know itll move, then i lift my other foot and move off.

kinda hard to type it out, cos i do it all by instinct now!

delusionz

11th July 2007, 20:41

I don't agree with rear brake from a stop either. Your right foot has to be down when you're ready to hit 1st, and when you're ready to go it's faster and easier starting off with only 1 foot on the ground than 2. Theres really no point in swapping feet when you're about to go thats just stupid.

Try using the front brake when the front wheel is an inch off the ground

Theres something wrong with your bike if your front wheel is off the ground before you're about to get moving unless you mean pulling a wheelie in which case you're in the wrong thread, or maybe you are in the right thread depends how you look at it. :scooter:

scumdog

11th July 2007, 21:22

If nothing else, this both feet on the ground then both feet onto the pegs manouveur looks fuggin' naff when you're following someone.....unless you are a chick in which case I don't care what you do so long as I am allowed to follow you....

Hmmm, well that's how I take off.
Let out clutch until the 'slack' is taken up.
Then lift feet, open throttle and ride off.
You can do that sort of thing on a Harley:yes:

babyblade250rr

11th July 2007, 21:27

hmm i taught myself to ride i jumped on the bike stuck it in first gear and roll down a hill with the clutch in to gain momentum first, May sound silly but had a chance to get a good feel for the clutch squeezing in and out in first gear down a hill, Still have the momentum of going downwards so did'nt fall over and did'nt have to worry about a stall.

FROSTY

11th July 2007, 21:30

I don't agree with rear brake from a stop either. Your right foot has to be down when you're ready to hit 1st, and when you're ready to go it's faster and easier starting off with only 1 foot on the ground than 2. Theres really no point in swapping feet when you're about to go thats just stupid.
Dude Im no expert but I almost always rest my right foot on the back brake when stopped at intersections. 99 times out of a 100 yep totally a waste of time --But tell ya what when the 100th time comes along its a bitch

Rhino

11th July 2007, 21:59

I think that this comes down to horses for courses. Some people (me included) find it more comfortable to use the front brake and release it while rolling on the throttle, while others (like Frosty) prefer to use the rear brake.

From my own point of view, I find it easier, because I normally stop with only my right foot down, ready to select first gear and go, although I can use the rear brake when necessary (ie stopped uphill on a road that is also sloping down to the right, left foot on the ground.)

In short, a learner rider should use the method that is easiest for them normally, but must be able to use either.

delusionz

11th July 2007, 22:00

Dude Im no expert but I almost always rest my right foot on the back brake when stopped at intersections. 99 times out of a 100 yep totally a waste of time --But tell ya what when the 100th time comes along its a bitch

I don't know how your bike is setup, but when I had a cruiser it had a fat rear brake pedal which was elevated higher than the right peg, when I was learning on this I used to use the rear brake. However on my Ninja I have to force my foot down hard onto the brake to lock the back which feels awkward when waiting for the lights, as does holding the clutch in for the whole cycle.

Anyways, on hills (come to think of it on any start really) I hold my front brake with 2 feet down, when the cross-light goes orange my left foot comes up and my clutch goes in.

FROSTY

11th July 2007, 22:10

However on my Ninja I have to force my foot down hard onto the brake to lock the back which feels awkward when waiting for the lights, as does holding the clutch in for the whole cycle.

Mate Given your earlier thread I REALLY wanna have a look at your bike.
The brake pedal is adjustable for height but more an issue is the question of whats goin on with your brakes --NO sarcasm here genuine concern

McJim

11th July 2007, 22:36

I've only been riding just over a year so I'm a noobie compared to most.

I hold the bike on the front brake on the flat before moving off (coz I can release the brake without rolling while I apply throttle) and I use the back brake when moving off on hills.

Pretty much the same technique I use in a car except it's car foot brake = bike hand brake and car hand brake = bike foot brake.

Lucy

11th July 2007, 22:51

i get on the bike, start her up and flip the stand up. !

So many times I start off and then hear a scraping sound - often forget to flip up the stand - doh! GN manual says this is not possible, that the bike will stop or not go if the stand is down, but I guess they left that feature off when production moved to China.

jrandom

12th July 2007, 10:23

Personally, I like to slow down a long way before the intersection and wobble along at 1-2kph, madly waggling the bars from side to side in an effort to stay upright without having to flop both feet down before the lights change. When I do get a green, I most often panic and dump the clutch, either stalling or taking off in a cloud of smoke at a funny angle to the lane I'm in.

This tends to require over-correction and much flailing about of the knees.

Following my elite drag-racing start, I usually have to brake hard almost immediately. Another set of traffic lights is often coming up fast, requiring me to repeat the performance.

limbimtimwim

12th July 2007, 11:36

Put your left hand on the nearest car.

Easy.

gixermike

12th July 2007, 12:02

which foot stays on the floor and wether I use the front or rear brake for a hill start generally depends on the angle of the road, and the comparitive length of my legs (built like a frodo...). I can only just get the balls of both feet down on the flat, and usually just use one as it's comfier.

if the road is sloping right to left it the right one thats on the floor and the front brake just gets rolled off on pull away. if it slopes left to right i'll have the left foot down and use the back brake...

now riding a drz400 was a whole different ball game..involving keeping it and starting it in gear the entire time.......pulling away was more like getting on a horse

sunhuntin

12th July 2007, 13:26

So many times I start off and then hear a scraping sound - often forget to flip up the stand - doh! GN manual says this is not possible, that the bike will stop or not go if the stand is down, but I guess they left that feature off when production moved to China.

ive had 2 gns... an 86 and an 06... neither of them had the shut off built in when the side stand was down... and neither do any of gns ive seen and watched take off with the stand down.
the virago does... first time dad rode it, he went into first, and the engine died. he was so worried! LOL.

NotaGoth

12th July 2007, 19:17

When I was first practicing hill starts I tried using both front and back brake, kept misjudging, stalling, and falling over (bike landing on top of me)

I practiced and practiced using just my front brake and both feet down on hillstarts... Got that working out okay..

Then CBobR tricked me into a few hillstarts.. Eventually I was able to do hill starts using back brakes..

If I come to a stop on evenish ground I just use my front brake.. Really it just depends on what the slope/hill is like.. And whats comfortable for me at the time so that I am able to get going again..

Lissa

12th July 2007, 20:56

When stopped at intersections I usually have both feet on the ground, in first, clutch in.. and just go from there. (use to put just one foot on the ground but got told to have both).

For hill starts.. shit, Ive tried everything, took me a while to get use to it.

I usually put the bike into first, front brake, put both feet on the ground, put right foot on back brake, releasing front brake, then give a little throttle releasing the back brake. God I hope I am doing it right? Maybe a little convoluted, but it seems to work.

Balding Eagle

12th July 2007, 23:16

Jorja

12th July 2007, 23:53

Some of the riding courses are NOT!! teaching hill starts and are teaching you to take off with BOTH feet on the ground. There is no use of the rear brake except for stopping. Both feet on the ground just doesn't work when you are on a hill and trying to pull out into traffic. As I discovered.

I was trying to use front brake and revs as a few people on here have described. But my hands are too small. Was in first with the clutch in. Was using front break and trying to get revs up to pull forwards across a reasonably big main road. (first time I had left the street I live in) Would have been fine if there hadn't have been a centre island. Bike rolled back a slight way trapping my right foot against the island where I couldn't remove it. I started to panic and lost my balance. Bike then proceeded to fall to the right ontop of me. Was more embarrasing and figured out later what i had done wrong and how to correct it.

Was a bit sore but carried on riding for the rest of the afternoon and finishing coming down state highway 16 with lots of traffic. Wasn't brilliant but did ok for my first proper ride.

Had never had to do a hill start so had never thought about how to.
Yes it is in the road code, but I was doing what I was taught to do at a ride school.

For me riding doesn't come easy but i love it. Even spending several days on crutches hasn't put me off lol Frosty might be having second thoughts though.:scooter:

delusionz

13th July 2007, 00:20

I'm going to wait and see what RRRS is teaching, but until then I am adamant that there is no right way to do it, Aslong as you do it without rolling back or falling over or stalling, then fine. I do it with the front brake every day at the top of queen st for example, never rolled back.

And opposite to a car but same applies, who says you need the handbrake if you're good enough with your feet?

Actually, hell, fuck the brakes, I could keep myself stationary on a hill with nothin' but clutch slip if I wanted to.

Sorry frosty.

breakaway

13th July 2007, 01:10

Clutch slip to keep stationary for the hill is bad for the clutch.

However, what I do on steep hills is just wait with the front brake in, and when its time, revs up, clutch out to friction point (done simultantaneously). Never rolled back or stalled. With a bit of practice this will become second nature.

Had never had to do a hill start so had never thought about how to. Yes it is in the road code, but I was doing what I was taught to do at a ride school.

Perhaps you should go and practice it before you are forced to do it in a real world situation.

FROSTY

13th July 2007, 10:05

Actually, hell, fuck the brakes, I could keep myself stationary on a hill with nothin' but clutch slip if I wanted to.
Awaiting thread from Delussions--
How do you fix a slipping clutch?? or
Rip off bike shop sold me a dud ---clutch buggered after 5000km:innocent:
PT

Stickchick

13th July 2007, 10:17

Ok now I'm a little confused. If on flat road and you are the lights or an intersection should you have your right foot on the brake or have your left foot on the peg. Being a complete newbie I'm getting confused and for me its more confortable to have my left foot on the pegs and my right on the ground before I'm about to go than the right. If this is wrong then I will change.

jrandom

13th July 2007, 10:30

Gah! Jesus motherfucking Christ. This is ridiculous. I know I had to do a hill start for my restricted licence test. Has testing become even more of a farce than it used to be?

Brake to a stop. Leave the bike in first gear and pull the clutch in.

Balance with your left foot on the ground.

Hold the bike in place with the rear brake. This words just fine on any bike, on any slope.

Let the clutch out and take your foot off the brake when you need to proceed. If you have trouble with stalling, practice until you don't.

slowpoke

13th July 2007, 10:44

If nothing else, this both feet on the ground then both feet onto the pegs manouveur looks fuggin' naff when you're following someone.....unless you are a chick in which case I don't care what you do so long as I am allowed to follow you....:

Hmmm, well that's how I take off.
Let out clutch until the 'slack' is taken up.
Then lift feet, open throttle and ride off.
You can do that sort of thing on a Harley:yes:

The Harley makes all the difference. You guys look cool no matter what, whereas the rest of us have to work at it.

discotex

13th July 2007, 10:57

And opposite to a car but same applies, who says you need the handbrake if you're good enough with your feet?

Try doing a hillstart in a cage (manual not auto) on a 20 degree hill without using the handbrake and without crushing a matchbox a foot behind your rear tyre. Unless you heal-toe it you'll never do it.

In an ideal world slipping back a foot wouldn't matter but with other drivers stopping right behind you...... It's the one occasion where the car in front will be claiming on their insurance. :shutup:

On a bike though you can control all three controls with both hands so if you find that easier go for it. Personally I find controlling three controls with three appendages gives maximum finesse and control.

Biff

13th July 2007, 13:08

yeah and my accepting of the challenge!!! who's been moderating this thread???

Me. It's what I do around here. Especially after receiving receiving several complaints about the 'guff'' 'shit', 'crap' etc being posted in response to a serious thread (as stated by said complainants). Twas off topic IMO, so it was PDd. No infractions given this time though, because I'm too soft. But my infraction stick has now been sharpened.

Oooo the power - I'm sure I'm corrupt ya know. Gimme $10 for each of your posts and I'll turn a blind eye.

ON TOPIC PLEASE FOLKS

breakaway

13th July 2007, 13:26

avgas

13th July 2007, 13:29

I pull every leaver and push every button, If im not moving at the end of it - something is wrong.

Balding Eagle

13th July 2007, 17:40

If you are starting off on level ground you don't need a brake on. Might sound obvious, but sometimes you just don't know. Put your right foot on the ground and select 1st gear. Put your left foot on the ground and your right foot on the peg, give it some revs and let the clutch out. Look well ahead and as you start to move put your left foot on the peg.

Hill start eg at lights or an intersection. Select 1st gear as you approach the intersection. Come to a stop using both front and rear brake but primarily front brake. As the bike comes to a halt, put your left foot on the ground to maintain balance and keep the rear brake applied with your right foot. When you want to move off, it is just a matter of applying throttle, release clutch and as the clutch starts to take and you can hear the revs drop, release the rear brake, look in the direction that you are going to go (not right in front of you) and put your left foot on the peg as you move off. If you are going straight ahead, look into the distance. The biggest mistake learners have is looking at the ground too close to the bike. One of the big principles in bike riding is "the bike will go where you are looking" which is why a lot of bikes hit lamp posts. You start getting a bit out of control and you look at the obstacles instead of the clear road. Look at where you want to go and that is where the bike goes.

The best thing to do is practice, practice, practice. Start out on the flat with this technique and then go out and find a very gentle slope and try it there many times until you are comfortable with it and then find a slightly greater gradient until it becomes second nature.

Best of luck and enjoy.:yes:

cowpoos

13th July 2007, 23:21

Me. It's what I do around here. Especially after receiving receiving several complaints about the 'guff'' 'shit', 'crap' etc being posted in response to a serious thread (as stated by said complainants). Twas off topic IMO, so it was PDd. No infractions given this time though, because I'm too soft. But my infraction stick has now been sharpened.

Oooo the power - I'm sure I'm corrupt ya know. Gimme $10 for each of your posts and I'll turn a blind eye.

ON TOPIC PLEASE FOLKS
fair enuff....my first post was serious....and as many KBers can confirm...I loose shitloads of places on the grid with race starts....and with only 7-ish race meetings under my belt...I'm def a newbie at it...race starts are my achilies...and are very very important for sprint races that we race,during the vic winter series.

and Jorja...hill starts are in the road code....if you have a licence?? you would be familiar with the road code...???

EnzoYug

14th July 2007, 11:02

I did the CBTA course at Passrite. They taught us to use the back brake on hill starts. There is quite a bit of logic to this. Because the bike is trying to roll backwards, the back brake is more effective just as the front brake is more effective going forward. Secondly it only requires each hand to do one action so that everything is simplified. When you want to start off (assuming you have already selected 1st gear) you add revs with the right hand, release clutch slowly with the left hand, and when the clutch starts to bight and pull the bike forward, release the rear brake and lift the left foot. Takes the complexity out of the manoeuvre and the physics are right as well....

This is probably the best explanation of the two-foot-shuffle I have read on this thread so far. I use and and, whilst it might sound clumsy with a bit of practice it becomes second nature and very fluid not to mention effective.

Me personally
1 Pulling up to lights-> Both Brakes (70% front) in, gear down, Clutch, neutral.
2 Stopped at lights-> Neutral, Left foot down, right foot on brake, hands free to stretch / smoke (true badass :stoogie:)/ wave to the ladies.
3 Leaving the lights-> Front brake in, right foot down, clutch in, gear down to first, left foot down, right foot on brake, right hand free to twist the throttle and bang! I'm gone.

Step three might sound a over complicated and it seems lots of people like to keep both feet down. I try to always keep on one foot for two reason, 1. it makes your legs stronger. 2. Improves your balance on the bike and then if things ever do get hairy and you need both feet down you can do and you know you'll be rock solid.

That's just my 2c. If any of the other old-skoolers want to comment I'd be keen to hear.

FROSTY

14th July 2007, 18:29

1 Pulling up to lights-> Working down through the gearbox Both Brakes ,Stop in FIRST GEAR. In right wheeltrack of left lane or left wheeltrack of right lane. Watching mirror for cage behind to stop -once he has ------->
2 Stopped at lights-> Neutral, Left foot down, right foot on brake, hands free to stretch .
3 Leaving the lights-> Front brake in, right foot down, clutch in, gear down to first, left foot down, right foot on brake, right hand free to twist the throttle and bang! I'm gone.

Thats the way I do things most of the time. The reason step 1 is so complicated is so always in the correct gear and ready for cagers to change lanes or forge to stop behind me

Pancakes

14th July 2007, 20:02

Hi Frosty
Clutch in, put into 1st, then with both feet on the ground, get rev's up, slowly release clutch and when bike starts pulling increase throttle, both feet straight onto pegs and slowly release clutch fully, and I'm off :scooter:
This does not work when I panic at intersections. :angry:

The writing makes sense but no matter what your method is if it doesn't work for you all the time start practising a new one. When you realise a truck is locked up and gonna take you up the poo'er and you have to run a red through traffic to get safe (like I had to one time when cycle couriering, stopped and looked back, glad I'd gapped it!) your gonna use what you've practiced most. Not picking on you Mystery but if it's not working critique yourself and find a new way.

Pancakes

14th July 2007, 20:10

And if your gonna cover a brake I do the rear, then if your bike pop's into gear (some do, some types more than others) it will stall not push you into traffic.

Agree w/ Enzo and Frost-o

Dave-

15th July 2007, 12:38

front brake full on, clutch full in, first gear.

let the clutch out untill you hear/feel the bike's revs change, let out brake and clutch, ready for the upshift to 2nd, right foot on the ground.

doing the above you're not breaking on a driven wheel, so you're not gonna stuff your engine...

Pancakes

15th July 2007, 22:34

What about me and all the other people with short fingers who are safer using the foot brake?

Your worried about stressing the engine with the minimal amount of rear brake used to steady the bike as you take off? Sounds like your riding your clutch Dave-. If you think that puts load on your motor I hope you don't accellerate up hills!

Have to add also that using a rear brake on launches is a technique used in high powered rear wheel drive cars to control power getting to the ground.

edit. Sounds like your getting ready for a burnout bro!

lanci

16th July 2007, 22:10

lanci

16th July 2007, 22:12

I pull every leaver and push every button, If im not moving at the end of it - something is wrong.

Another!!! So so good.

In all seriousness though, I practiced on my inclined driveway for 1 and a half hours and still only partially got it. What it comes down is simple riding experience (I don't have much) but eventually you stop stalling and are able to do hill starts ok, kind of like me.

crshbndct

20th July 2007, 15:15

well i ride a 400, (thanks to the letter i wrote them about being to big for a 250) and so for me its just 1500 rpm, and clutch out till the bike starts to pull against the brake then easy off the front brake till i am moving and feet straight up.

all my starts since a started riding have been on an uphill.

never used the rear brake for hill starts etc.

Pancakes

21st July 2007, 21:23

I thought this was about teaching newbies how to hill start? Of course you can hand off brake, bitta gas and off once your used to your bike/experienced etc, BUT, how was you very first hill start? Not so smooth I'll bet.

Bullitt

21st July 2007, 22:14

I wouldnt recommend the way I learnt to hill start when i lived in Dunedin.

I just rode everywhere and hoped I never had to do a hill start. Even if your only taking off on the flat all the time you still subconsciously learning better control of the bike and the clutch. So eventually after something like a year I had to do a hill start and even though id never done one I knew the technique so could do it second nature.

At the time I lived on a hill and had one intersection where I would have had to stop if there was someone on the pedestrian crossing or someone was coming towards me and turning right. Luckily this never happened until I was ready to handle it.

Like I said it was a poor idea however it worked perfectly and avoided the perception I had of unintentionally rolling backwards.

Roj

23rd July 2007, 12:06

Back in my younger days when I did not have a car, I used to roll up to a set of lights and balance for about 5 seconds before needing to put my feet down, then I would put my left down. it was always good if I could time it so I didn't need to put my feet down at all, the things that were down in the name of looking cool, instead of common sense and safety...:dodge: