Footing it at a stop.

**Motu** · 15th May 2004, 11:56

OK,we've had the front braking thread - now for the other end.

I learnt to ride on British bikes and rode them for 15yrs until the parts prices went sky high and the British bike scene became full of old farts talking about what colour stripes were on the wheels for the second week in august 1958.The old bikes had the foot brake on the left - I have always had Jap bikes through the years and seldom had any trouble remembering which foot,I only forget in emergencies so no problems there.At one stage my Norton,BSA and Guzzi all had right gearchange,up for first.Stopping at the lights was left foot on the brake and right foot on the ground,and that's the way it was taught at the riding schools too.

So now all bikes have right foot braking - no more coming into corners on a stolen bike braking with the gearlever.Trouble is I can't seem to change my habits at a stop - I put my right foot on the ground and hold the bike with my front brake...hill starts are only a problem if I wear thick gloves.

Why is this?.....I'm a lefty,maybe it's natural for me to lead with my right foot.Our roads are cambered and with my tall dirt bikes it's a longer drop on the left side.I learned that way and can't break the habit.

I don't know,I think it's because I'm left handed and it's just natural for me.So,how about everyone else - what foot do you put down when you stop,does it feel natural or not?

**White trash** · 15th May 2004, 12:02

i do exactly the same. i think so my left foot's ready for the change to second when I leave the lights quickly.

Or maybe not......

**erik** · 15th May 2004, 12:31

I generally put my left foot down and keep my right foot on the brake. It's not a problem as long as I remember to change down through the gears before I come to a stop. If I'm going to be sitting at the lights for ages, sometimes I'll put it in neutral so I can let go of the clutch for a bit.

When I got my learners, the instructor said we should put the left foot down, but I think I've read other people suggest to do it the other way. I dunno.
I haven't got any problems with reaching the ground, the Zeal isn't exactly a tall bike, and I'm 6'4" so have got long legs.

**riffer** · 15th May 2004, 16:03

Never ridden a Brit bike, but wanted to.

Always been right foot down and left on the peg, or both feet down.

**pete376403** · 15th May 2004, 16:17

The GS has a fairly low seat, so it's usually both feet down. Further to your Brit bike gearchange "up for first", weren't Triumph always the other way round. ie down for first?

**FROSTY:Me** · 15th May 2004, 16:23

I do the same thing exactly. Must be a habit from being a youth too I guess

**mangell6** · 15th May 2004, 17:52

Hmm, thinking about this I naturally have my right foot down. I'm a goofy foot as well so maybe ?? Ah who kows. Tend to swap feet afterwards if I am turning left, left foot on the ground, right on the brake.

Mike

**Two Smoker** · 15th May 2004, 17:56

I put down what foot i dont need for the take off, for instance on a hill i put my left foot down, but if i want a really fast takeoff i generally put my right foot down....... But i guess it is generally my left foot down, due to having my right foot on the brake.....

**pete376403** · 15th May 2004, 17:56

Riding an Indian with a foot clutch could make this interesting - especially if stopped on a hill, with the clutch on the uphill side

**jimbo600** · 15th May 2004, 18:30

Originally Posted by Motu

OK,we've had the front braking thread - now for the other end.

I learnt to ride on British bikes and rode them for 15yrs until the parts prices went sky high and the British bike scene became full of old farts talking about what colour stripes were on the wheels for the second week in august 1958.The old bikes had the foot brake on the left - I have always had Jap bikes through the years and seldom had any trouble remembering which foot,I only forget in emergencies so no problems there.At one stage my Norton,BSA and Guzzi all had right gearchange,up for first.Stopping at the lights was left foot on the brake and right foot on the ground,and that's the way it was taught at the riding schools too.

So now all bikes have right foot braking - no more coming into corners on a stolen bike braking with the gearlever.Trouble is I can't seem to change my habits at a stop - I put my right foot on the ground and hold the bike with my front brake...hill starts are only a problem if I wear thick gloves.

Why is this?.....I'm a lefty,maybe it's natural for me to lead with my right foot.Our roads are cambered and with my tall dirt bikes it's a longer drop on the left side.I learned that way and can't break the habit.

I don't know,I think it's because I'm left handed and it's just natural for me.So,how about everyone else - what foot do you put down when you stop,does it feel natural or not?

I put my left foot down and the right foot on the brake. I do this so I can free up my right hand to preen myself for da ladies.

**Jackrat** · 15th May 2004, 19:31

Left foot down most times.As far as I remember I have always done it that way.If I ever made a mistake with my Triumph Tiger and kicked it down it wouldn't go into forth gear, it would go into a false neutral.You learn real fast
not to do that again.

**What?** · 15th May 2004, 20:09

Originally Posted by pete376403

Further to your Brit bike gearchange "up for first", weren't Triumph always the other way round. ie down for first?

Yep. Quite amusing that the company that prided itself on having the fast bikes had an upside down shift pattern - converse to what is generally considered "race pattern".