I took a LOT of heat on another Ducati Monster forum regarding this issue, including the pointed suggestion that I’m not safe, and that I should sell the bike and take up some other form of recreation.
I’ve been riding for over 50 years, the first 20 or so on Harleys and Indians with suicide clutch clutches (left foot clutch, just like a car). I learned to stop with my right foot down/left foot on the clutch, and have been comfortable with right foot down ever since.
My MO is to always brake with both my right foot and hand, and down shift into low. Just before coming to a stop, I squeeze a little harder on the hand brake, come off the right peg (brake) and stop with my right foot down, the hand brake and clutch both squeezed. If there is no problem (cars skidding to a stop behind me, etc. lol), I shift into neutral with the shifter and clutch covered (keeping an eye open for the unexpected).
Is this acceptable? Or do I need to completely relearn my stopping technique?
Thanks, Danny
I don't use my rear brake at all unless it's to hold a stop on a hill.
IMO...you're fine. Tell them to pound sand. ;D
I've been riding fo 17 years, so didn't learn on bikes with suicide shift. Nonetheless, I do pretty much do the exact same thing except I don't use the rear brake to stop. IIRC, MSF taught left foot down. But that never felt comfortable and I pretty much immediately went to right foot down. Even if I'm on a hill (I'm in San Francisco), I'll first put right foot down and then once I'm settled, I'll swing to left foot down so I can use the rear brake. Don't worry about it.
Let's see - you've been riding for 50 years. That makes you older than me, but younger than Ducpainter - I'm not sure the wheel was invented when he took his license. I'd say you're old enough to decide for yourself [cheeky]
My first choice is both feet down - second choice is one foot (either one), but I have a light wet clutch so I leave in first gear at stops.
Maybe the rear braking is more suitable/needed on a cruiser due to it's weight bias being different than on sport bikes, but if you don't overdo it (locking the wheel), it's not going to be a problem.
Enjoy [thumbsup] [moto]
I put my left foot down first, then switch to my right so I can hit neutral, then back to my left.
Sometimes I'll hit neutral while rolling, but not usually.
My GF puts both feet down at once.
Really, whatever you're comfortable with.
The 'unsafe' comment? WTF? [roll]
It's not like you're wheelieing one-handed through a pack of kids at the grade school.
Right foot down first!?! Crazy squids.
Thanks, guys
They had me worried.
I really didn't want to have to learn how to ride all over again. But I would have if you agreed with them. I'll do what it takes, as I'm committed to becoming a better rider. I'll be enrolling in the first instruction/track day that I can fit into my schedule.
Danny
Quote from: Speeddog on February 11, 2011, 11:12:50 AM
It's not like you're wheelieing one-handed through a pack of kids at the grade school.
Good point. Cuz then the proper technique is to stand up with your left foot on the peg with your right leg across your body and hung out over your left side. [thumbsup]
Another Ducati Monster Forum??? [bang] That's where you went wrong.
Feets is feets.
I often end up doing what Speeddog describes. I've wondered if I'm eventually going to drop the bike with all that foot-switching, especially since my Multi is scary tall compared to a Monster.
I'm pretty sure MSF's rationale has to do with keeping the right foot on the rear brake. I do that especially if I'm stopped on a hill since it's easier for me to use the throttle without having to use the front brake at the same time.
There are other situations when I think putting the right foot down makes more sense. I've got two legs. Might as well work them both out.
In my own uninformed opinion as someone who's been riding about 10% as long as the OP and was born roughly when he started, what would be really unsafe is to take a strategy that has worked safely for a half-century and change it because people on the internet say to.
And Scotzman's point may be the one that explains the issue the best.
Whatever you're comfortable with i say go for it,i do left foot down first.
I'm with Ducpainter....tell 'em to pound sand.
I haven't been riding as long as you...only 35 years for me....but my technique is similar. I approach a stop whilst dropping to first gear. As I approach the stop I shift to neutral (usually) and use the front brake to bring the bike to a stop whilst deploying my right foot. I leave the left on the peg so that I can shift back to first gear more quickly when the light changes. In this fashion I can take both hands off of the bars and relax a little whilst sitting at a light.
The exception to this is if I stop on a significant hill, where I follow the MSF suggested technique of keeping the rear brake covered with my right foot...though I still shift to neutral so I can avoid hand cramping from holding the clutch lever in for an extended period of time. I'm kind of a girly man when it comes to cramps....I avoid them whenever possible. ;D
I don't understand the assertion that right foot down is unsafe where left foot down is safe. What advantage is gained by covering the rear brake continuously whilst at a stop? I'm not kidding....I really don't get it.
Are these folks so far up MSF's rectum that they believe anything preached by that group is gospel? If so, I guess my single fingered front braking technique has to go, too, huh? I seem to remember they FORCED me to use my entire hand during their classes several years ago (under pain of flunking the class). I guess I need to start using that rear brake more, too, huh? And I guess the knee-down stuff is REALLY out the door! Fahgeddabahdit!!
MSF is an awesome program, but an interesting side effect is that it seems to produce obsessive fanatics.
my 5th year
if coming to a complete stop, down shift, double brake, mirror check, and pop it into neutral the last moment, both feet down. traffic lights are quite long here so i never stay in gear.
the only time i use the rear brake at a stop is if im on a hill.
there is no advantage to left foot down.
1) if u get rear ended the rear tire isnt allowed to turn since its stuck to the bumper, so why be on the brake?
2) if a sudden gust of wind blows you ( and this happens a lot to me) you can lose your balance because u need to put your foot down and re balance the bike if it wasnt neutrally balanced already.
3) if you are in neutral, you would have to put ur right foot down, left foot to shift, then put the right foot up again. extra move thats useless. and who knows maybe there is a pothole on the your right foot and while your shifting, your off balance again and blam your bike goes down.
i use to be left foot down and several of thoee things i mentioned above happened.
Quote from: He Man on February 15, 2011, 12:48:54 PM
.............
if a sudden gust of wind blows you ( and this happens a lot to me)............
.................... your off balance again and blam your bike goes down.
i use to be left foot down and several of thoee things i mentioned above happened.
That's just the old He Man talking ;)
Your curse has been lifted, remember?
I try and put neither foot down, and just balance there.
Quote from: Drunken Monkey on February 18, 2011, 03:44:39 PM
I try and put neither foot down, and just balance there.
I play that game at times. :D
But yeah... the people freaking out are just having a moment....
Quote from: Sad Panda on February 25, 2011, 09:40:31 AM
I play that game at times. :D
But yeah... the people freaking out are just having a moment....
Thats one of my favorite games now since I got a new speedo/tach that has a clock with the seconds. My record is 7 seconds.
i think the reasoning for the left foot down is they are figuring that as you slow down a lot, that a beginner using only the front brake if the front tire isn't perfectly stright and grabs a bunch at the end that the front wheel might wash out and skid and you fall.
they teach the rear brake at stop i think bc and i had it explained its so that at the last minute you have two optiosns , easy to get on the gas if you have to for unseen reason bc you are not on the front brake, and also at that low a speed again if you have the front wheel somewhat crossed up or whatever the front wheel wont' wash out or lock up if you jab the brake too hard which might happen with a front brake and pitch you over or something.
I saw your post on that other forum. The responses were really vicious. You will find it much friendlier over here. I say do whatever you are comfortable with.
Now I'll have to pay attention to which foot I use. I think I use either interchangeably. Maybe both. Pretty sure I use at least one. :o
Quote from: bikeguy57 on March 22, 2011, 03:21:24 PM
I saw your post on that other forum. The responses were really vicious. You will find it much friendlier over here. I say do whatever you are comfortable with.
Got a link? Curiosity has me, regarding what sort of whacky vitriol folks are spouting.
if you use ther igth foot first, zombies come and kill you until you die. youre just lucky because the red light doesnt give them enough time to get to you.
The reason why it's safer to put down the left foot is:
first, you can apply the brake even if your hands are off the handlebar. Making you more visible.
Second, if you put your right foot down and you keep your left foot on the peg, you could inadvertently engage first gear. If you are not holding the handle bar, you are obviously not applying any brake and could be launched into incoming traffic, pedestrian or car in front.
That's why they teach people to put left foot down!
Left only or both just depending, don't really think about it.
I practiced using either foot until I was comfortable with either, so now it doesn't matter and I use whichever makes the most sense depending on the circumstances. IMO it is stupid to only be comfortable with stopping with one of your feet down. I don't think either has an inherent advantage.
MSF is a great class, but not perfect. This is one of those instances IMO. They also teach only using a full four fingers on the brake lever...which is overkill given modern brake systems.
Quote from: Triple J on May 10, 2011, 11:44:00 AM
I practiced using either foot until I was comfortable with either, so now it doesn't matter and I use whichever makes the most sense depending on the circumstances. IMO it is stupid to only be comfortable with stopping with one of your feet down. I don't think either has an inherent advantage.
MSF is a great class, but not perfect. This is one of those instances IMO. They also teach only using a full four fingers on the brake lever...which is overkill given modern brake systems.
ditto........whichever foot makes sense given the situation.
i do the same thing. but i am trying to get off the habit of braking with the rear brake. Hopefully soon just use the front by habit
I cover the brake with my right foot so that my brake light is on. I only do this when there is not already someone behind me. Once someone is stopped behind me I feel a bit better and will put both feet down and relax a bit if the light just turned red. I always watch my mirrors for non-attentive drivers.
I thought this thread was going to be about this:
(http://2wheeltuesday.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Valentino-Rossi-Sepang-2009.jpg)
(http://www.motorcyclenews.com/upload/279057/images/marco-simoncelli-estoril.jpg)
Haha.
The MSF course taught us right foot braking, left foot down. To be honest though, they didn't really harp on us if we put the right foot down first.
I would say whichever way that you feel comfortable with. That way, you're not thinking about, just doing it. [thumbsup]
Same here, if it feels right to you is safe and comfortable then that's what you should do. Back after I took the MSF course I tried the right foot down and then the left foot down and I was never able to get comfortable with one or the other. So now for some time it's been both feet down at a stop with the bike in gear, this seems to work with for me.