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 ...

[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 ...

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.