i have a question about motorcycle riding technique pls..?

Question

Have a new bike but havent ridden in a few years and notice that when i stop at lights i just sit there in first gear with the clutch pulled in and i think that i should put it into neutral. which is better for the bike? Neutral or first at a stop? And if its quicker to use first cos you gotta move extra quick is that ok?

Answer 1

i always keep the bike in gear, and the clutch just a hair breath away from engaging while watching my mirrors at the car coming up from behind....especially if i'm in the 'pole position' at the light. i wont pull the clutch in full until he's at a dead stop.
i also leave a exit to haul azz out if i think i'm about to become the middle filling of a cage sandwich. is easier to bail than it is to be in the hospital.

Answer 2

Most people have their own opinion on this subject and usually have reasons to back it up. I always left the bike in first gear and the clutch pulled in. Because any time the bike in in neutral you are not in complete control. One time I was at a red light and put the bike in neutral so I could warm my hands off the engine, looked in the mirror and seen the car coming behind me wasn't slowing down...could of avoided the hit but by the time I got the bike in gear it was too late, I spent a long time in the hospital wishing I could have changed things...But that's my answer and reason for it.

Answer 3

As far as the bike is concerned, it will not make any difference in the life of anything on the bike (provided that you are sure you keep the clutch fully pulled). For safety reasons I would keep it in first gear and ready to pull away at a moments notice. Never know when the car coming up behind you doesn't see you stopped and tries to run the light (or stop sign).

Answer 4

We're long time riders, of Harley's, but that doesn't really matter. Absolutely stay in gear for the exact reason mentioned by most other commenters. If you need to get out of the way quick to avoid some idiot in a "cage" you can.

One thing I didn't see mentioned that will help you avoid being rear ended at a light or anytime your stopped and traffic is coming up behind you is to continously watch your mirrors. Anytime you see someone approaching from the rear apply one of your brakes in an intermittent manner. Drivers aren't trained to look for bikes, who ever ask their passenger, "any bikes coming",..They always ask "any cars coming". Anyway, the on and off flashing of your brake light might be what gets their attention and keeps you from becoming a speed bump. 20 plus years of riding here and I use this method religously.

Good luck!

Answer 5

Sit with the clutch pulled in and in 1st gear and watch your mirrors. You never know when the person pulling up behind you might not see you. I've had cars not stop until they would have hit me, being in gear let me pull up between cars, then they rear-ended the car I was behind.
Normally, I put it neutral after the light has been red for a bit and the cars have for sure stopped and see me. (little rev on the throttle)

Answer 6

That's up to your clutch hand, really. It doesn't hurt the bike to be in gear, but some lights can be really long.

There is the idea that you need to be in first gear to move out of the way quickly if someone is about to rear-end you, but I usually try to stop near the centerline between lanes and keep an eye on my mirrors before putting it in neutral.

Answer 7

Naturally putting the bike into neutral is best just like a manual car. I tent to do a bit of both depending what situation I am in. At lights i prefer to hold the clutch in especially if the traffic is heavy.

Answer 8

Myself, I put it in neutral, because it saves stress/wear on the cable and especially the throw-out bearing.
I figure if I'm setting at a light, where am I going to go if something happens.
HOWEVER, I watch my mirrors, in case I DO have to drop it into gear (which takes less than a second) and move, because of something that happens behind me.
Finally, I watch the light for the cross traffic, so I know when the light is getting ready to change for me, so I'm in gear and ready when it goes green.

Answer 9

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation's beginners course actually teaches a four point stop. Left hand clutch in, left foot shift down to first and both brakes applied simultaniously to a smooth stop. drop the left foot to the road and immediately check your rear view mirror for traffic and plan an escape route in case you need it. ALWAYS assume the cars around you can't see you! I'd been away from riding for almost 10 years and found the two day course reminded me about a lot of things I'd forgotten!

Answer 10

i always hold the engine on the clutch.
It doesnt do any harm to the engine as long as you hold the clutch fully off, not drag it like in a car to hold your position on a hill.
Advanced courses and motorcycle exams will expect you to put the bike into neutral if your waiting at the lights for a long time.... i think longer than a minute.... but im not riding to impress others with trademark proceedures that serve no real point to me.