Yeah, I used to have a GL1200 Goldwing with a hydraulic clutch which was REAL stiff, but I still held it at lights, too. I somehow feel 'safer' knowing that I CAN get out of the way, IF I need to. Just that I know some people who either can't or don't want to hold that stiff clutch in, so they shift into neutral, and most that I've noticed doing that are riding HD bikes. Dare I say, YMMV? :biggrin:
Stoplight Safety: First Gear or Neutral?
I've read in training manuals that it is a good idea to shift the motorcyle into first gear at a stoplight so that if an emergency were to occure you would be able to hit the throttle and move out of the way.
I've read in these forums about people who have had the clutch cable suddenly snap while sitting at a light in gear and the bike jerked unexpectedly creating a risky situation.
I have been shifting into first gear at stop lights, but I see most people shift into neutral, and then get into gear when the light goes green.
Which is more safe?
I've read in these forums about people who have had the clutch cable suddenly snap while sitting at a light in gear and the bike jerked unexpectedly creating a risky situation.
I have been shifting into first gear at stop lights, but I see most people shift into neutral, and then get into gear when the light goes green.
Which is more safe?
101 - 115 of 115 Posts
By and large we are not a physically active society. Texting, keyboards and game controllers don't build up grip muscles. It's now very common to encounter limp handshakes and those folks are the ones that won't be holding the clutch in at stop lights. If you use your hands and have some grip, you don't even notice it. 
:icon_cool:Who you calling limp wristed?:icon_cool::icon_cool::biggrin:
I hadn't thought about it but you are right doc, there are many more whimpy hand shakers now. Yet another way to tell a RUB. Every now and then we get a new person that shows up for a funeral and some have a good strong hand shake and some have the whimpy one. Guess which ones usually stay with these missions? I just never thought about it though. Amazing what a hand shake says.
Are we really getting that soft as a society that holding in a clutch for a couple of minutes is more than people can handle?
That's sad..
I'm not saying that I never put it in neutral if I'm in a safe spot, but that's usually so I can use my left hand for something else, adjusting a visor, digging in my pocket, scratching my nose, etc. But I'm sure I could hold a clutch in for a half hour if needed..maybe that's the result of 35 years of turning wrenchs and 10years of paddling kayaks, I do use my hands from time to time
That's sad..
I'm not saying that I never put it in neutral if I'm in a safe spot, but that's usually so I can use my left hand for something else, adjusting a visor, digging in my pocket, scratching my nose, etc. But I'm sure I could hold a clutch in for a half hour if needed..maybe that's the result of 35 years of turning wrenchs and 10years of paddling kayaks, I do use my hands from time to time
My next bike will activate the clutch on full stop automatically, and engage again with a turn on the throttle. Honda NC750...
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Sent by Motorola Moto G 4G
I was going to say something very similar,so what he said ^^^If cars are stopped behind me and the sequence still has a ways to go before I need to take off, neutral. Also take into account hand cramps, jacket adjustments, etc., sometimes need to be in neutral to take care of those tasks.
If cars not stopped behind me, or I am going to take off relatively soon after stopping, 1st.
Wow so many votes for 1st gear?
The only reason why I would stay on 1st gear at a stoplight would be to be in a crappy neighbourhood where I could be hijacked. Also it forces me to engage the 1st gear when it's green, which save me from my bad natural habit to consider stoplights turning green as a race start...
In order to prevent a car to crush me from the rear if I'm alone at the stoplight, I use to place myself at the edge of my line, not in the middle.
The only reason why I would stay on 1st gear at a stoplight would be to be in a crappy neighbourhood where I could be hijacked. Also it forces me to engage the 1st gear when it's green, which save me from my bad natural habit to consider stoplights turning green as a race start...
In order to prevent a car to crush me from the rear if I'm alone at the stoplight, I use to place myself at the edge of my line, not in the middle.
1st gear in case it have to escape
[ QUOTE=Aca.fr;2036450]Wow so many votes for 1st gear?
The only reason why I would stay on 1st gear at a stoplight would be to be in a crappy neighbourhood where I could be hijacked. Also it forces me to engage the 1st gear when it's green, which save me from my bad natural habit to consider stoplights turning green as a race start...
In order to prevent a car to crush me from the rear if I'm alone at the stoplight, I use to place myself at the edge of my line, not in the middle.
[/QUOTE]
Well, Aca.fr, considering that the beginner courses teach us to leave the bike in first gear at a stop light, it's really not all that surprising. For exactly the reason Billo stated above.
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The only reason why I would stay on 1st gear at a stoplight would be to be in a crappy neighbourhood where I could be hijacked. Also it forces me to engage the 1st gear when it's green, which save me from my bad natural habit to consider stoplights turning green as a race start...
In order to prevent a car to crush me from the rear if I'm alone at the stoplight, I use to place myself at the edge of my line, not in the middle.
[/QUOTE]
Well, Aca.fr, considering that the beginner courses teach us to leave the bike in first gear at a stop light, it's really not all that surprising. For exactly the reason Billo stated above.
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Ok that's interesting, because I was taught especially not to. I used to did it anyway when I was a beginner while riding bikes and manual gear cars because staying in 1st gear allowed me to find the clutch biting point easily by anticipating the stop light to turn green. With this little "trick" I was saving myself from my worst beginner fear: to stall :biggrin:
I really don't get the reason that you need to rest your clutch hand, why is it so tired? Maybe you need to work on your hand strength. It is usually my throttle hand if anything that needs the rest, you are using the throttle all the time, you are only using the clutch when taking off and shifting gears . I am impatient waiting at a light, when it turns green I want to go not wait for some rider to lazily bring his big old boot off the ground and stomp that thing down into gear before going. Light is green - GO!
Old thread, but always a good topic.
I personally don't think it's wise to just launch into an intersection the instant the light turns green. That's a great way to be flattened by an impatient red light runner. That three second delay might save your life.
Of course, you should ride your own ride. I just want to be sure that naive newbies reading these forums don't misinterpret your approach as wisdom.
I personally don't think it's wise to just launch into an intersection the instant the light turns green. That's a great way to be flattened by an impatient red light runner. That three second delay might save your life.
Of course, you should ride your own ride. I just want to be sure that naive newbies reading these forums don't misinterpret your approach as wisdom.
Good advice Roger, I agree and appreciate your concern for misinterpretation. You should always clear (make sure it is safe) and intersection weather it is from a stop or when preceding through a green light.Old thread, but always a good topic.
I personally don't think it's wise to just launch into an intersection the instant the light turns green. That's a great way to be flattened by an impatient red light runner. That three second delay might save your life.
Of course, you should ride your own ride. I just want to be sure that naive newbies reading these forums don't misinterpret your approach as wisdom.
Ride safe friend.
90% of the time I sit in first gear.
Sone times I want to scratch my nose or stand up stretch and scratch my nutz.
It almost universal accepted. Stay in first in case you have to get going to avoid being rear ended.
If I am stopped in traffic. When my six is covered by a stopped car. Do I have to worry?
Fortunately I’ve never been rear ended on my bike,
I find a lot of drivers leave me a little more room.
I’ve been rear ended a few times in my car. A couple of times just after I’ve stopped I heard the brakes lock up behind.
Or more often when I was turning right. And for some reason I can’.t pedestrian ect.
But I get bumped.
Apparently a fire engine red Jeep is not easy to see.
So it seams to me.
The times I might be hit from behind.
Just after I stop. Until my six is covered.
or
If for some reason I am delayed taking off and the car behind me is impatient and anticipates my movement
So in between if I want to stand up, stretch, scratch my butt, ect. Why not.
I don’t want to be going into first as the light goes green. I want to be back in first as the last of the cross traffic is stopping turning ect. So I can go when clear JIK the bugger behind me is getting anxious.
I’ve seen UK trained Police Officers. Are trained to go to N at the lights. There opinion an in gear bike hit from the rear. Is a greater danger to the public.
My opinion leaving it in gear is just easier and might be bit safer.
Decades back. In the UK, I used to filter to the front. If you are moving up who can hit you from behind. Another bike?
As for my hand. It’s mostly strong enough, old age, cramping ect notwithstanding. Fortunately rheumatoid arthritis ect is not a problem yet.
Sone times I want to scratch my nose or stand up stretch and scratch my nutz.
It almost universal accepted. Stay in first in case you have to get going to avoid being rear ended.
If I am stopped in traffic. When my six is covered by a stopped car. Do I have to worry?
Fortunately I’ve never been rear ended on my bike,
I find a lot of drivers leave me a little more room.
I’ve been rear ended a few times in my car. A couple of times just after I’ve stopped I heard the brakes lock up behind.
Or more often when I was turning right. And for some reason I can’.t pedestrian ect.
But I get bumped.
Apparently a fire engine red Jeep is not easy to see.
So it seams to me.
The times I might be hit from behind.
Just after I stop. Until my six is covered.
or
If for some reason I am delayed taking off and the car behind me is impatient and anticipates my movement
So in between if I want to stand up, stretch, scratch my butt, ect. Why not.
I don’t want to be going into first as the light goes green. I want to be back in first as the last of the cross traffic is stopping turning ect. So I can go when clear JIK the bugger behind me is getting anxious.
I’ve seen UK trained Police Officers. Are trained to go to N at the lights. There opinion an in gear bike hit from the rear. Is a greater danger to the public.
My opinion leaving it in gear is just easier and might be bit safer.
Decades back. In the UK, I used to filter to the front. If you are moving up who can hit you from behind. Another bike?
As for my hand. It’s mostly strong enough, old age, cramping ect notwithstanding. Fortunately rheumatoid arthritis ect is not a problem yet.
101 - 115 of 115 Posts
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