+1
They were being ********* but I think like farns does.
Ride safe.

 

what if you have a bike with suicide shift and foot clutch? how do you put both feet down? finding neutral every stop is just annoying.

 

YOURavitar is killer dude !!

 

Just came across this thread and wanted to comment on crawl to a stop. I have been riding for well that does not matter as I have seen 40+ year veterans do it as I have seen beginners do it.

When approaching a red light you slow down way before the cage ahead of you and proceed just fast enough to maintain balance until the light turns green. This allows you the privilege of not having to stop or put any feet on the ground. But could tick off people behind you.

One foot on the ground at a stop does not sound safe for the side of your bike. When coming to a use both the front and back break and shift into first gear. When the bike comes to a complete stop place one foot on the ground (I use my left most of the time) then place the other foot down to stabilize yourself. Watch out for sand, water and other things that may not provide a secure footing at the stop. ALWAYS watch your mirror to make sure the others behind you are stopping as well and leave room to escape if they are not.

I also don't understand the learn to fall. Personally if my bike goes down I will call it OJT and do my best to cover what's not covered.

I would say learn to pick up your bike if it falls at a stop or when parked. With a big bike that is to heavy to just pick up you want to learn the proper way to pick it up with out hurting yourself or the bike. You can find the right procedure by googling it. I also googled biker etiquette and learned a lot about riding alone and in groups. You may also read about biker etiquette for 1%s and other MCs. If you are going to be in the same location as these clubs. If you don't know proper etiquette you may find yourself learning the hard way. Best bet just don't frequent those spots unless asked to join.

I ride in groups to raise money (Hawgs for Dogs) and with MCs and in both cases no one likes riders to just join in. I have had people ask at stop lights and thats fine. (BTW never pull beside someone at a stop if you don't know them without asking) If your going to just drop in behind and pace them, to me that's the same thing as joining especially at 3 or 4 car lengths. The bird was bad form IMHO they should have just rode off and left you behind if you were bothering them or gave you a back off sign. Not the bird.

Also as others have said take MSF I have been riding for sometime now and I did learn. Do not look at the ground when stopping and when making a U turn look over your shoulder to where you are going and you will stay up very true.

Most of all be safe the only one really watching out for you is you. Second have fun.

 

[QUOTE=
Since talking with him a couple weeks ago I keep wondering what else I need to know about riding properly.

Can you guys fill me in?

Don't listen to old timers....

+1 Ride like a Pro

 

IMHO I thought the same thing (having ridden for 37yrs) then one year I took the "Wheels in Motion" (CDN version of Riders' Edge) course and they actually teach you that you should NOT put both feet down at a stop. Your right foot should always remain on the rear brake. Makes perfect sense; especially when sitting at a stop on a steep incline. Just shows that you can teach an old dog new tricks....

 

i put both down just in case,i live in the mountains mostly two lane and the best thing that learned is road signs,not just curves but if theres a side road off the main road then im ready if a car in front of me might turn off or someone might pull out in front of me.most cars will do the stupidest things.

 

I've heard some questionable 'advise' before, but to tell someone to never do something you would normally do by instinct, is pretty weird. Putting 2 feet down at a stop would be more instictive than putting down just 1. Whether you choose either 1 or 2 is strickly up to you and the moment you're in. Which ever makes you feel more secure. YOU choose.

Again ... even pulling up to a stop is something you would do much the same in a car. You should cautiously slow to a point where you feel you can put your feet down .. keeping in mind the condition of the roadway (it may be a slippery surface for you to plant your foot).. only you can make that judgment call. You don't want to go up to skidding stop, nor do you want to stop too far behind and duck walk up to your stop. Getting to know your own abilities and your bike's braking power is only a matter of time before you do it without even thinking.

How exactly does one "learn" how to fall? Without practicing it .. you can only get pointers on what to do ... Most often instinct will take over. In most cases, if you go down, you don't have much time to react, not to mention depend on your memory recollection and the step by step instruction on how exactly to do it. Pffttt .. I just never works out that way.

Each of us ride with a different level of knowledge, capability, confidence and agility. All can be directly related to our body type, state of mental awareness and life experiences. What works for one may not neccessarily work for another. There are some simple common rules to follow when it comes to safety. Any motorcycle course would be a good source of information and opportunity to practice how to do it right (without being influenced by someone else's bad habits).

The best advise I can give to a new rider is ... "Don't be afraid to use a little common sense".

 

Proficient Motorcycling is a great book for learning and reviewing skills.

I've also taken the basic and advanced MSF courses, been riding for 20 years, owned a bunch of bikes, and I'm still learning.

I practice at least a couple of tight, slow speed figure 8's on my Road King before every ride now. I used to think I could ride a figure 8, but the weight of this bike can still get to me.

Some days I can spin the bike around like a top, and other days my confidence just goes and I'm afraid to get on the gas to bring her around.

Practice, practice, practice.

 

40+ years of riding wrong is still wrong. If I can put both feet down comfortably and not on a tiptoe then I will. I like to keep full balance and your not going to do that easily on one foot. I have done both but if I'm just coming up to a stop I will put both feet down and sometimes even stand just to give myself a butt break. I don't think crashing is too smart but laying the bike down in the grass and then learning how to pick it up is a smart thing to do so that you don't look stupid when it (and it probably will) happens. Also, a lot of people think it's good to ride down the center of the lane but remember, when the radiators or other liquid dispensers from the cars decide to drop their load, it's usually in the middle of the lane. I remember making a left hand turn at a light and hit a batch of radiator fluid and just kept on sliding. I had my boot down to keep me up and it was sliding along as well. Made it through the light but aged about 10 years on that one. Last thing I can think of is look where your wanting to go in a turn and that is especially on a right turn as you tend to go where your looking. Looking down is not where you want to go so always look ahead. There is my 40 riding years experience.