stopping, right foot down

[dan miller]

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

[ducpainter]

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.

[Spidey]

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.

[stopintime]

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

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  [moto]

[Speeddog]

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? 
It's not like you're wheelieing one-handed through a pack of kids at the grade school.

[Cider]

Right foot down first!?!  Crazy squids.

[dan miller]

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

[Spidey]

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.   

[Scotzman]

Another Ducati Monster Forum???  That's where you went wrong.

[mstevens]

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.

[duc996]

Whatever you're comfortable with i say go for it,i do left foot down first.

[Cloner]

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.   

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!!

[Cider]

MSF is an awesome program, but an interesting side effect is that it seems to produce obsessive fanatics.

[He Man]

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.

[stopintime]

.............

 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?