I'm starting to lose hope...

[Hitcher]

You only need 1 foot on the ground. Having 2 down means you don't have the same amount of control because you have divorced yourself from the bike, ie you're balanced and stable but you're no longer an integral part of the bike. May sound counterintuitive, but look at how many really good riders have 2 feet down at any time - you won't find many at all. Even tall riders don't put 2 feet down most of the time.

It's definitely possible. It's just a matter of confidence. If you don't have the confidence to ride a bike where you can plant 1 foot firmly on the ground, then you won't have the confidence to ride the bike properly either.

Simplistic nonsense. Having two feet on the ground gives inordinately more "control" than just one. We're talking about a bike at rest. Stationary. Motionless. In this state the rider cannot be "an integral part of the bike" as they are when the bike is moving. A good gusty Wellington intersection; manouevering on gravel; turning around on a non-level surface; etc. I'd like to see how many of your "good" riders fanny around with only one foot down in those circumstances.

[jrandom]

yeah, I call bolocks to the 'two feet on ground means yer ghey' crap. what, the cool police are gonna come and get you for it, or summat?

for that matter, what about all those ning-nongs who sit at intersections with just their RIGHT foot on the ground?

like, wtf?

does your clutch not work, so that you have to laboriusly click in and out of neutral every time you want to cease forward progress?

*normal* human beans put their LEFT foot down so that they can hold the bike with the back brake, thus leaving their right hand free for nose-picking and crotch-scratching.

now *there's* an offense for LTNZ to add to the books.

Moronically Using Right Foot To Balance Bike While Faffing With Gearshift At A Standstill: $150.

[magicfairy]

Totally agree with Honda ST1300.
I had no problems when I was moving, but because I was a newbie, and tippy toeing, I had problems at windy Wellington intersections and more so when I found I had to put foot down unexpectedly in places where the ground fell away. (gas station exits, driveways)
I'd go to put my foot down, find nothing under it, bike would start to lean and by the time I had my foot down I was past the point of no return and had to let bike fall.
Very confidence destroying.
I have met other midgets who managed tippy toeing just fine, but didn't work for me. Only Juliet can judge if tippy toeing will work for her or not.

[heavenly.talker]

I often ponder how many motorcycles could be sold in New Zealand if dealers actually showed some enthusiasm, got off their arses, and made an effort...

So true!!!!

Dealers often fawn all over hubbie and tell him his Sh*te don't stink but...

Only execption I have found yet is Mike at Mount Eden Motorcycles...hes great!
Talks like a proud papa about the bikes and will talk to me and the man instead of just him!

[Beemer]

It's all very well for people to say "once you've been riding for a few years, not being able to get both feet down won't be a factor" - but we're not talking about people who have been riding for years, we're talking about new riders who are often totally lacking in confidence. I know I was when I got my RG, and Steve Dundon's comment that there are some people who really shouldn't be riding did nothing for my confidence. (It did mean I will never buy another bike from him though!) If it weren't for helpful people like Alan Kirk and his mate Ray, Andrew and Lynne Templeton, and Brendan Keogh from Sawyers, I'd probably still be lacking in confidence. They persuaded me to have the bike lowered (instant rise in confidence) and spent vast amounts of their own time helping me learn to ride. Not to mention many of the women in WIMA Wellington in 1998-99 who took me out for runs to build up my confidence - and a total stranger (at the time), Stuart Woodman, who volunteered to ride over the Rimutakas with me for the first time.

Next time someone says "you'll be okay once you get used to it", I give all newbies permission to beat the crap out of them!

[heavenly.talker]

I agree with you to a certain extent Ixion, but the difference between short male riders and short female riders tends to be strength

The other thing that seems to be different is arm length. A short man still seems to be able to grip the bars in comfort while the short female counterpart ends up leaning all over the tank (well that is what has been happening to me anyhow).

With all the short saddles in the cruisers I got all excited thinking that my new bike would be easy to find...but alas...most of the bars are too far away for my arms and most cruisers do not have removable bars these days :-(

Totally believe that the female market has got great potential. After all woman successfully accessorise everything else they buy so it is astounding that no one has thought to give her the tools to do this to her bike and bike gear!!!!


As for the american market...woman are starting to make a big impact overthere. There are heaps of groups and sites dedicated to woman. Interesting thing is that many woman are riding harelys...and they are huge (the bikes...not the woman). They seem to learn on massive bikes too!

Maybe it's because the roads are so straight in the middle.

[Ixion]

Simplistic nonsense. Having two feet on the ground gives inordinately more "control" than just one. We're talking about a bike at rest. Stationary. Motionless. In this state the rider cannot be "an integral part of the bike" as they are when the bike is moving. A good gusty Wellington intersection; manouevering on gravel; turning around on a non-level surface; etc. I'd like to see how many of your "good" riders fanny around with only one foot down in those circumstances.

Well, manoeuvering on gravel, I'd suggest no feet down. Gravel is best dealt with feet up. I almost never have both feet down. But that's just becasue I can only reach the ground with one foot at a time (shimmy sideways and lean a bit).

Thing is , as someone pointed out, it's not really what is best for control, it's what makes a nervous beginner FEEL comfortable. The "come to a stop with both legs stuck out sideways" technique may be technically wrong. but if it makes a new rider confident , then go for it.

Remember new riders may not be too sure which way they bike will lean when they stop. So if they can only get one foot down, they are scared it will be the wrong foot - left foot down, but bike leans right - oops.

Surely we, and manufacturers, can cut the newbie a bit of slack?

(One time when ability to use two feet really is nice, is backing up the bike. )

[Ixion]

..

for that matter, what about all those ning-nongs who sit at intersections with just their RIGHT foot on the ground?

like, wtf?

does your clutch not work, so that you have to laboriusly click in and out of neutral every time you want to cease forward progress?

*normal* human beans put their LEFT foot down so that they can hold the bike with the back brake, thus leaving their right hand free for nose-picking and crotch-scratching.

..

Remaining stopped for any prolonged period with the bike in gear and clutch disengaged is a bad idea. A wet clutch will always drag somewhat, the heat thus generated can burn cork plates. A dry clutch, like BMW, you will prematurely wear the throw out bearing. And some bikes, the oil pump will not work with the bike in gear and clutch disengaged. Which is a Very Bad Thing.

If the stop is likely to be of any duration, best to engage neutral. That is what it is for.

The right foot downers might also be riders accustomed to bikes that have the gear change on the correct (right) side.

Personally, I prefer to hold with the front brake. Much simpler.

[Lou Girardin]

yeah, I call bolocks to the 'two feet on ground means yer ghey' crap. what, the cool police are gonna come and get you for it, or summat?

for that matter, what about all those ning-nongs who sit at intersections with just their RIGHT foot on the ground?

like, wtf?

does your clutch not work, so that you have to laboriusly click in and out of neutral every time you want to cease forward progress?

*normal* human beans put their LEFT foot down so that they can hold the bike with the back brake, thus leaving their right hand free for nose-picking and crotch-scratching.

now *there's* an offense for LTNZ to add to the books.

Moronically Using Right Foot To Balance Bike While Faffing With Gearshift At A Standstill: $150.

But, due to road camber, the left side is a longer stretch.
And don't call me a ning nong, you undersize little throw-back.

[Wolf]

for that matter, what about all those ning-nongs who sit at intersections with just their RIGHT foot on the ground?

I generally put down whichever foot is not going to end up in a pothole or on grease. I tend to swap legs depending on whether I feel the need to hold the bike on the foot brake (left down) or put my foot on the high side of the bike (right down)

*normal* human beans put their LEFT foot down so that they can hold the bike with the back brake, thus leaving their right hand free for nose-picking and crotch-scratching.

Normal hummus beings can't get gloved fingers up their nostrils and find that trying to scratch through thick leggings with fingernails sheathed in leather, Goretex and Thinsulate is not very satisfying - best to save the crotch scratching for later...

[Waylander]

Use variation, sometimes I put one foot down, bike in first clutch pulled in and ready to accelerate off, others I kick it in neutral both feet down and no hands on the bars. Depends on weather I know how long the light is, and who is next to me.

[crashe]

Interesting reading from all you gals and guys.

Being the shortarse that I am...
When stationery, I will sometimes use the three options: both feet, right foot only and sometimes the left foot. Now it does all depend on the type of road.
Plus it also really depends on the weather conditions.

Gravel road - I find for me, it is easier to walk the bike... or with both feet skimming just above the ground... Thats what makes me comfortable on gravel roads. Maybe its cos my bike is a cruiser... or maybe its just me.
But then I dont personally like gravel roads.

But we all develop our own riding skills and abilities at a different rate to everyone else.

To be honest, since I have been back on a bike.
The first five years were all city/urban riding... I can handle that no sweat.
But country riding, I still have a long way to improve my riding skills as I have only been riding out in the country the past 9 months.... Its the real tight twisties that tend to get me... but then Im not into speed either.... and very happy to let all the sportbikes hoon on past me.

[Wolf]

Use variation, sometimes I put one foot down, bike in first clutch pulled in and ready to accelerate off, others I kick it in neutral both feet down and no hands on the bars. Depends on weather I know how long the light is, and who is next to me.

If the queue is especially long and I don't have to use the brakes to hold the bike, I'll pop the bike into neutral and wait with both feet on the road, hands resting on my knees or drumming impatiently on the petrol tank.

On the LS400 I used to but both feet down a lot - mainly so I could stand up and look over the cars in front of me to see who it is that's sitting at the line staring vacantly at the pretty green light...

[inlinefour]

Wolf and I went to Hamilton Motorcycles on Saturday because Wolf wanted to take the new BMW F650GS Dakar for a test ride. While we were there we looked at a Suzuki GX125 as a good small bike for me to learn on. Well, looking at it, I thought I would be able to sit on it with no problem. However I climbed onto this mountain (it seemed like it) of a bike only to find that I'm standing on tip-toe like a ballerina. I am now starting to lose hope of ever finding a bike that I can sit with my feet flat on the ground and feel comfortable. my height is approx: 5'2"
Does anyone else have the same problem? If so, how did you overcome it?

Your more than welcome to take my z50 for a spin and they can also be made road legal

[Hitcher]

When stationery, I will sometimes use the three options:

Pad, pencil and rubber?