Better Riding Techniques – Left Foot Down Only, Please!

[Flynt]

Re: stopping with the front brake...

... my bad.  Use the back brake folks!  I burn through 2 sets of organic rears for each set of HH fronts.  I use the organics to improve the feel through my boot, the HH pads were hard to modulate on the rear for me.

Frank

[Stainesy]

I remember one of our Aussie members who is a motorcycle cop, say they are trained to put their right foot down when stopping. There must be a reason why their trained that way, wether it harkers back to the days when lopsided british bikes ruled or not, I don't know, but honestly, left foot, right foot, both feet, does it really matter, I can use either way, but feel more comfortable using my left.

Most likely me, cop since 1986, bike cop since 1991, bike rider since 1971.  Can't remember what foot down I did before cop bike course but it's been right foot down since 1991.

[Bones]

G'day Stainesy, Yeah mate it was you I was referring to. Do the trainers give any particular reason why the right foot is used instead of the left.

[X-Ray]

Mmmmmmmm, I would hazard a guess and say that you leave your left foot on the pegs ready to snick into 1st for a quick take off if needed. Front brake used only, right foot on the ground, this is how I do it most of the time.

Stainesy, where have you been !! 

[ribbert]

That being said, I'm not a big fan of long-winded responses written in a condescending tone explaining on one hand how this topic has little-to-no bearing on motorcycle safety and then going into great lengths to counter each point. Again, I'm only pointing to one response in particular which oddly enough was not even a response to this thread, but the introduction.

Zwartie, take no notice of him, this is a great idea for a thread and one from which I'm sure we can all benefit.

As Frank said...... "and with flawed or no data to support the arguments.  This stuff is easily filtered out however, so don't let it kill the discussion.
Please continue the thread (everyone included, don't mind the attacks)"

I agree, don't be put off. there's a lot of interesting ground to cover.

Noel

[yamaha fj rider]

To start with I am proponent of left foot down. I think that in the past one of the reasons for left foot down was the kick starer. Most kick starters are on the right side, so it just made sense to have put your left foot down first. To be ready to start the bike.

Yesterday I went for a group ride and one of the newer riders asked if we would not stop on slopes. Because they had a hard time stopping and starting on hills. Being the first time meeting this this person and the group, I did not offer any advise. Somethings were said that told me it may have been received. I will in the future after getting to know them better.

Kurt

[Zwartie]

Yesterday I went for a group ride and one of the newer riders asked if we would not stop on slopes. Because they had a hard time stopping and starting on hills. Being the first time meeting this this person and the group, I did not offer any advise. Somethings were said that told me it may have been received. I will in the future after getting to know them better.

Kurt

Kurt,

Excellent point and one that I completely forgot about. Until a few years ago we had access to a bit of a hill between parking lots at the College and would use it for a "starting on a hill" exercise. It was a great way for new riders to practice clutch control and coordinate it with releasing the rear brake (curling up the toes, as we would describe it) while feeding in some more throttle and releasing the clutch (or wringing out the towel), all while ensuring that the bike doesn't roll back. It proved to be a great exercise, especially for those who needed some extra clutch work. I suppose you could try it with the right foot down or both feet down and use the front brake, but why?

Zwartie

[magge52]

Being 5'8" having both feet flat is generally not a choice for me. I typically stop with my left foot down, stay in gear with the rear brake if on a grade. That way I have one foot flat and firmly on the ground which is very stable (for me). If it's going to be a long lite I'll probably put it in neutral to give my left hand a break. Because of my "vertical stature" the crown in the road can have me put my right foot down as I like to have the flattest foot down for the best stability. Sometimes a dip in the pavement sets the bike just a bit lower and I can get both feet down. I'm with those that say experience is the best teacher and based on the situation and your experience you choose the best option. Debating left vs both vs right is a good exercise but in the end I think it's a bit of splitting hairs. Observing your surroundings, having an out and being ready to act I think is solid advice.

[fj johnnie]

 Each time someone issues forth an idea, others offer up contrary views. Or variations of the view presented. I much enjoy reading all the opinions and not one is "wrong" and another right. Each situation and rider calls for a different way to stop. Which foot to plant. How to start etc.
I never put my bike in neutral until the traffic behind me is stopped. I actually try putting only one foot down, usually the left, but sometimes can't stop without putting both down. Who cares? After 22 years of riding I am still learning and am still getting better. If nothing else Zwartie has started me to think about the process, one which has been second nature since the first time I rode a bike. The only reason I am thinking about it is this discussion and I will learn something. Not sure what yet... but I will. Thanks.

[aussiefj]

I remember bikes with kick starters, my first bike was a Royal Enfield 250, not long after I first got it I pulled up at a T junction and went to put my right foot down except some how the kick start had found its way up the inside of the leg of my jeans and my leg was pinned to the bike, I ended up on my side both feet still on the pegs and both hands still on the bars it would have made a classic video, and another reason for left foot down I guess.

John.

[ken65]

Went for a ride yesterday and it was that windy that a couple of times while stopped the wind felt almost strong enough to blow me over. I put both feet down to stabilize it a bit more.

[JPaganel]

I still want to know what "balance input" is and how one foot is more balanced than two.

[scarylarry]

always 2 feet down, in gear, front brake engaged (except on grade, then left foot down, right foot on brake)

[Burns]

 Not to pic, a nit, but . . .

This comment caught my eye:

"having the rear brake on, vs. the front brake" 

said in the context of a discussion re: motorcycle safety at intersections waiting for traffic signals -generally; and  keeping the brake light illuminated- specifically.

That sounds rather odd.

I remember some old (real old)  street bikes that did not have brake light switches on their front brakes, but I doubt that many here ride - or indeed, have ever ridden one.

Perhaps the phrase just falls oddly on my ear.

[JoBrCo]

I'll stop in first, and wait until a car or two pulls up behind me and stops, before putting her in neutral, and placing two feet on the ground as per the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's (MSF) class.  If the cars approaching from the rear seem to be approaching too fast, I modulate the brake thus flashing the brake light so as to call attention to the fact that I'm stopped. I watch the light for the cross traffic and when it turns yellow, I place her in first, anticipating my green light. Observing the cross traffic has stopped, I then come off the line very quickly.  The MSF course covered the danger from the rear problem, as far as I'm concerned it's the most important consideration, when stopping at an intersection, and like I was taught in high school drivers ed class, always maintain "The Big Picture;" that's front, rear, gauge's and periphery, which gives way to the darting eye syndrome.