Better Riding Techniques – Left Foot Down Only, Please!

[Zwartie]

I'm sure you've seen this scene before: a group of motorcycles (often, but not limited to cruisers) pulls up to an intersection. Maybe they're part of a rally or just going out for a Sunday afternoon ride. I've often been on my bike or in my vehicle waiting behind that group and notice that as they slow down and come to a stop, every single rider in the group sits there with both feet on the ground, looking as cool as ever, if only to themselves.  They certainly don't look cool to me. The light turns green and there they are, popping the bikes back into first gear (did I mention they were all in neutral?) and I'm wondering if I'll be able to make it through the intersection before the light turns yellow.  So, what's wrong with this scenario?

As an instructor I've had the pleasure of dealing with a number of student riders of all ages, sizes and shapes. When we begin a typical weekend course at the College we are often asked by the vertically challenged students if we can find a bike for them on which they can put both feet on the ground. In most cases we try to accommodate them as best as possible and we're fortunate to offer a variety of bikes with different seat heights. We recently picked up a few Honda Groms which have to be a notch up from a mini-bike. In talking to new or soon-to-be riders they will tell me about a particular bike that they just purchased or sat on at the dealership and will point out that one of the reasons they chose that particular model is that they can put both feet on the ground when stopped. I'll admit that it is a comforting feeling to be able to put both feet down, especially when you're new, but is it necessary or right?

Myth vs. Reality: So what do I tell these folks that insist they must be able to have both feet on the ground? Using something we CSC instructors call TED (Tact, Encouragement and Diplomacy), I kindly explain to them that having to put both feet down is a load of crap. If that were the case, I (and anyone else under 6') wouldn't be able to ride any large touring, adventure-touring or large off-road motorcycle. So if you don't have to put both feet down, then what?

Ready equals Steady: In the CSC basic motorcycle course we use a term called "The Ready Position" which we continually reference whenever the students come to a stop and every time they are about to start moving off from a stop. Simply put, the Ready Position includes having the left foot down, right foot on the rear brake and both hands on the grips. Of course, this also means that the clutch is pulled in and the bike is in first gear. You are ready to move. It usually only takes a few rides up and down the parking lot for the students (especially the shorter ones) to realize that this method works best. Imagine not being able to touch flat footed with both feet while trying to balance the bike at a stop. The bike (and you) will be precariously on either side of being balanced, shifting weight from one tippy toe to the other - not exactly confidence inspiring. Take that same bike and rider and have them shift over slightly to the left and support themselves with their left foot, using the strength of their upper thigh muscle and the motorcycle (and rider) is way, way more stable.

Added Benefits:  Other than being able to balance the bike more securely, there are a few other key benefits to stopping in the ready position. They include (but are not limited to):

1.  Now that your right foot is on the peg and not on the ground, you can use it to apply the rear brake. This lets traffic behind you know that you are intending to stop or remain stopped. It also leads into the next point.

2.  Since you have the rear brake applied, you can keep your right hand on the throttle. This means that once that light turns green, you can roll on the throttle and you're ready to go!

3.  Once you do get moving, you just have to put that left foot back on the peg and you're off. Once you have both feet on the pegs you are lowering the overall center of gravity of you and the bike vs. having both legs dangle like a pendulum as you ride through the intersection. The bike will roll through the intersection without weaving side to side.

4.  Ever roll off when the light turns green and then you suddenly have to come to a quick stop because someone pulled in front of you or the car/bike in front suddenly came to a stop? If you started with both feet on the ground and didn't get them up on the pegs yet, guess what – you only have one brake to apply. In slow speed maneuvers the front brake is often exactly the wrong brake to apply, especially if you are in the middle of a left or right turn.

The last point above can (and likely will) lead into a whole other discussion regarding slow speed maneuvers. I stop my FJ in the ready position every time, and that includes the bike fully loaded (tank bag, full Givi side bags and a top case) and with my wife on the back.The right technique to anything always starts at the beginning, with the setup. Try hitting a golf ball with your feet in the wrong position and unless your name is Bubba Watson you're going to have a hard time hitting a good shot. The same is true on a motorcycle except that instead of ending up with a triple bogey you may end up with more than just your feet on the asphalt.

Zwartie

[Country Joe]

Good luck with trying to convince cruiser riders that being able to flat foot a motorcycle isn't the most important criteria in either purchasing or modifying a motorcycle. I have a nephew with a Sportster that is the epitome of this type of rider. Trying to discuss motorcycles with him is difficult at best.
Joe

[andyb]

Counterarguments just because:

What if you reach down with one foot and the ground isn't where you thought it was?  Pothole, puddle of more depth than you thought, etc?  Or road is slick from spilled diesel/oil/etc?  Over you go, kersplat.  Two is more stable because you put them down together, keeping the bike as balanced as you can instead of favoring one side.

Can most riders not grip the brake (front) while controlling the throttle still?  It's the same skill you use for blipping on downshifts under braking, yes?



I think I agree to a point.  I agree that you should be comfortable with one foot down, but you should be paying attention enough to use either foot, whichever is more appropriate (and the left will generally be the one to use for the reasons you list, the right sometimes for the reasons I list above).  It seems to me that it depends on the audience you're working with, and their comfort level with control of the machine that they're astride.


Joe's statement seems to reinforce that the audience is important for this discussion.  Advanced riders vs timid beginners vs cruisers vs dualsport riders and so on.
I'll admit sometimes when I'm feeling "on", I'll come to a stop, let the bike rock back on the suspension, and carry on... without ever taking my feet from the pegs.  Just because it's fun to practice balancing.

Like I said, mostly arguing to argue.  I mean, opening conversation avenues.  Really.  

[The General]

My brother is of the two flat feet genre. Older and new to motorcycling he lacks confidence on a higher bike as (like most beginners) he always puts too much weight on the one foot and has slipped and lost it. (a number of times).

Yeah sure, it takes awhile to minimise the weighted foot when learning, but I found the lower bike much better for learners to progress with their training, safely. He`s one of those naturally awkward blokes, but like most of my trainees, a day in the bush on a small bike is best, initially. (imho)

[FJ_Hooligan]

I would probably fail your course.  I typically kick the trans into neutral when rolling to a stop.  If I have to stop in gear I immediately find neutral.  If there is no slope, I'll typically have both feet on the ground.  If I need to hold the bike in place, I'll do it with a foot on the rear brake.

BUT.  I'm paying attention to what's going on around me at all times.  I watch for people behind me to make sure they are not going to run over me.  I watch on coming and cross traffic and I'm watching the light.  When I see that the light is about to cycle, I assume your ready position with bike in gear and foot on rear brake.

Like Andy, I do the feet-up stop at stop signs where there is good visibility and I can tell the traffic is clear well before getting to the stop sign. 

I can believe that new riders need something simple and repeatable until they gain more advanced skills.

[Fj.itis]

I pull up with the bike in gear and one foot down, ready to launch if someone does't stop from behind. This is the only reason i do it, due to not being able to trust other people on the road. Once a few people have stopped behind me though, ill click it into neutral and have a rest if the traffic lights are particularly slow to change.

[yamaha fj rider]

I normally only put one foot down, my left. Modern dirt bikes are so tall that with both feet down I can just barely touch. I slide off to one side of the seat and now I'am able put one foot down solidly. Been riding this way for over thirty years.

Kurt

[Hersey289]

I'm with Ben on this one and the left foot down technique is what I've learned to use in my 40 years of riding. I learned to ride on dirt bikes and raced motocross (for fun) so two feet down was never an option. Heck, I still stick out my foot into a slow turn sometimes out of habit. That's how I learned. Kudos to Ben and fellow instructors for trying to teach new riders a solid technique. Whether the student accepts that or feels the two foot down technique is more comfortable is of course their decision. I try to continually upgrade my riding because it's challenging and fun. Hopefully those who don't use the left foot down technique will consider it and try it out.

Rob

[airheadPete]

Left foot down unless I have multiple cars behind me for a long light. Then it's both down with the bike in neutral, unless I'm the first in line.
Acceptable???

[The General]

When I first picked up my DR650 and went for a ride, one of the first intersections near my place has a steep hill running from my high right to low left....Ya know where I`m going with this don`t ya!...
...As soon as I pulled up and put my trusty left foot down, I knew I was in trouble.
Yep, couldn`t hold her, and down she went scratching her left flank with a hell of a thud!
Hard to lift up from that angle too! Amazing how embarrassment can bring on super human strength! (glad it wasn`t the FJ!) 

[movenon]

Ever owned an old BMW with the shift on the right and brake on the left ?    I strongly agree with keeping it in gear and ready to "relocate" as required.  Sitting still at a stop light just makes us an easier target...
George

[Burns]

My habits go back to when cables were prone to unexpected failure and neutral was not to be found on any motorcycle not in motion.

I always shift into neutral while still moving as I come to a stop.

At red-lights I'm hyper-vigilant. I watch  the cross-traffic signal and keep track of the flow of that traffic stream for alerts for pending changes.  I try to be in gear and ready when the other guy gets his yellow or there is a change in the flow that alerts me to a likely signal change,

I also keep an eye on what's coming up behind me.

Usually, and always when my hands are off the bars, both my feet are are down.  I stand up and stretch and twists around to look behind me.

There is no substitute for situational awareness.  

All due respect for your teaching credentials, but IMHO it is generally safer to be in neutral while you are waiting and you are more stable with two feet on the tarmac than one.

[simi_ed]

Old habits die hard.  Neutral is no longer elusive, clutch cables no longer fail; both my FJ and KTM have hydraulic clutches. I feel better being ready to move, which is difficult if you're literally caught flat-footed.  Drivers using cell phones, texting and high on drugs are all a danger.  We just had a 30+ year LAPD officer killed a few months ago when he was rear-ended at a traffic light, caught flat footed.  The driver was high as a kite an either meth or crack.  The LAPD Harley was pinned under the offender's SUV.

Feel free to sit at a light as you see fit, the latest safety ideas are way beyond flat footed!  Or retro-fit your FJ with drum brakes (as was recently suggested!).

Ed

[simi_ed]

Old habits die hard.  Neutral is no longer elusive, clutch cables no longer fail; both my FJ and KTM have hydraulic clutches. I feel better being ready to move, which is difficult if you're literally caught flat-footed.  Drivers using cell phones, texting and high on drugs are all a danger.  We just had a 30+ year LAPD officer killed a few months ago when he was rear-ended at a traffic light, caught flat footed.  The driver was high as a kite an either meth or crack.  The LAPD Harley was pinned under the offender's SUV.

http://ktla.com/2014/04/09/lapd-motorcycle-officer-hit-by-alleged-dui-driver-has-died-police/
Feel free to sit at a light as you see fit, the latest safety ideas are way beyond flat footed!  Or retro-fit your FJ with drum brakes (as was recently suggested!).

Ed

[FJmonkey]

Ouch! A harsh reality, but real none the less... Kind of makes filtering a minimum requirement in my book.