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When and how do you put your foot down at a stoplight?
Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2014 6:31 pm
by yak
I am still adjusting to the seating position of the PCX. I took a 40 mile ride today .... doing errands around town with endless stoplights. I noticed that i sometimes put my left foot down too soon (even tho i am going very slow) and my foot kicks back up after it touches the ground.
Do you touch first with the base of your foot? Do you wait until the bike is fully stopped before touching the ground? Do you touch with one foot or both? Any tips would be appreciated. I had my Honda Metropolitan for 1 year and never thought once about how i put my foot down.
Re: When and how do you put your foot down at a stoplight?
Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2014 6:46 pm
by nahtanoj
my foot hits the ground pretty much at the same time the bike comes to a complete stop. i might put them out just above the ground like landing gear as i approach a stop at a slow speed.
i either put just my left down, or both depending on my mood. i don't really put much thought into it. it's become a habit over the years.
Re: When and how do you put your foot down at a stoplight?
Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2014 7:33 pm
by stryder123
I can balance the bike for several seconds after a stop. Most times at a stop sign, if there are no other cars, I stop then take off and never have to put my foot down. If I do it is always after a complete stop.
Re: When and how do you put your foot down at a stoplight?
Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2014 8:48 pm
by gn2
Usually left foot unless the road slopes away to the left.
When the road is wet and slippy, both feet.
Re: When and how do you put your foot down at a stoplight?
Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2014 10:24 pm
by Steph
I put both feet down after a complete stop. And, up they go right when I take off.
Re: When and how do you put your foot down at a stoplight?
Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2014 10:35 pm
by SECoda
Re: When and how do you put your foot down at a stoplight?
Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2014 1:34 am
by JohnL
Left foot down on tippy toes (short legs), both feet down if the wind is strong and buffets the scoot, or the road is wet. Also both feet down if i'm sitting on a high spot on the road and my foot goes down in the valley (usually caused by heavy trucks on hot bitumen). I found that one out the hard way when I almost dropped it.
Re: When and how do you put your foot down at a stoplight?
Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2014 5:02 am
by danieljw
the UK motorcycle test states, left foot down, right foot to cover the rear brake, although on a pcx thats not needed, but your still to use your left foot.. using your right foot on a uk motorcycle test can either make you earn minors or a serious/fail depending on the circumstances.
Re: When and how do you put your foot down at a stoplight?
Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2014 6:59 am
by crawfcj
Whichever feels comfortable at the moment - situational footing!
Re: When and how do you put your foot down at a stoplight?
Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2014 12:57 pm
by yak
Thanks to all of you for the tips. I was driving thru a congested area. Advance 10 feet.... then stop. Advance 10 feet...stop. It made me realize that i was doing something wrong.
Re: When and how do you put your foot down at a stoplight?
Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2014 2:15 pm
by iceman
Often you can learn to balance at a few miles per hour and then accelerate when the traffic starts again.
Re: When and how do you put your foot down at a stoplight?
Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2014 4:46 pm
by gn2
yak wrote:Thanks to all of you for the tips. I was driving thru a congested area. Advance 10 feet.... then stop. Advance 10 feet...stop. It made me realize that i was doing something wrong.
Yep, you should get up the middle of the traffic.
Re: When and how do you put your foot down at a stoplight?
Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2014 5:04 pm
by you you
gn2 wrote:yak wrote:Thanks to all of you for the tips. I was driving thru a congested area. Advance 10 feet.... then stop. Advance 10 feet...stop. It made me realize that i was doing something wrong.
Yep, you should get up the middle of the traffic.
And go for it
What traffic....?
Seriously, stop pouncing on
Re: When and how do you put your foot down at a stoplight?
Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2014 5:19 pm
by DAB
danieljw wrote:the UK motorcycle test states, left foot down, right foot to cover the rear brake, although on a pcx thats not needed, but your still to use your left foot.. using your right foot on a uk motorcycle test can either make you earn minors or a serious/fail depending on the circumstances.
Good job I passed my test in 1975, would not pass now. On the bike always right foot down first, need left to change into neutral.
Re: When and how do you put your foot down at a stoplight?
Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2014 11:21 pm
by iceman
Info from advanced motorcycle schools and riders varies so much - some suggest the 'hendon shuffle' going from foot to foot (what a faff). Others suggest left foot down is best due to natural camber of many city roads (they should tilt slightly too the left for drainage reasons). In the end, once you pass your test, whatever feels right and allows you proper control of the bike in busy conditions - must be right for you.
Re: When and how do you put your foot down at a stoplight?
Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2014 8:38 am
by Steph
There was no concern as to which foot to put down during my test.
Re: When and how do you put your foot down at a stoplight?
Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2014 11:09 pm
by WhiteNoise
On a shifty, right foot is on brake then left foot goes down at a stop (as taught MSF)
On a auto, I slow down to a roll trying to avoid a full stop. Doesn't always work, but it's challenging and fun > When it works, I grin inside my hat
If not successful, I put both feet down (as taught MSF)
At takeoff, both feet go up.
No dangling feet.