Both feet?

[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

[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 ).

Keep passing the open windows!

[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 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!

[crashe]

Check this out:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.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.