Sitting at light......neutral or 1st gear?

[towerworker]

A question, not a big deal but curious.

A good friend rides a GS. When we ride together I've noticed that he sits at lights with his gearbox in neutral. When light changes he then drops it into gear with the resounding clunk. I always sit at lights in gear. My reason is if I have to move quickly I am more able to do so if I'm already in gear.

What do you guys do and why?

[echo42kp]

I sit in gear as well...that is what is taught in the MSF course. Exactly for the reason you explained.

[Willfreely]

You are correct, sir. In gear, left foot on ground, right foot on back brake, ready to evacuate in the event of overt knuckleheadedness to the rear.

[CycleRob]

Always downshift to 1st and use engine for braking. When the car behind me actually stops I then go to neutral. Many of our traffic lights are 1--2 minute waits. As soon as the vehicle out front starts to move I fast tap into 1st and get ready to go.

[Buckster]

98% of the time I leave it in gear.

[angellr]

Rarely do I take it out of gear ... want to be ready to maneuver if/when it looks necessary. Same reason I don't put a car in Neutral at a stop light ... just keep clutch in and foot on the brake.

[R100CS]

Always downshift to 1st and use engine for braking. When the car behind me actually stops I then go to neutral. Many of our traffic lights are 1--2 minute waits. As soon as the vehicle out front starts to move I fast tap into 1st and get ready to go.

since my accident I've trouble holding the clutch for a long time, so +1 for CycleRob

[sstein]

Always downshift to 1st and use engine for braking.

I thought I remember reading somewhere that engine braking is not recommended. I used to stop that way but now I pull in the clutch and brake while down shifting to 1st. I then keep it in first gear at the light. Luckily I have not had to escape quickly. I have also begun to pull either to the right of left of the car stopped in front of me - just a bit - so I won't get crushed by the texting teenager (or drunk, or octogenerian, or soccer mom) coming up behind me. Lane splitting should be legal nationwide IMO.

[towerworker]

Always downshift to 1st and use engine for braking.

I thought I remember reading somewhere that engine braking is not recommended. I used to stop that way but now I pull in the clutch and brake while down shifting to 1st. I then keep it in first gear at the light. Luckily I have not had to escape quickly. I have also begun to pull either to the right of left of the car stopped in front of me - just a bit - so I won't get crushed by the texting teenager (or drunk, or octogenerian, or soccer mom) coming up behind me. Lane splitting should be legal nationwide IMO.

That brings up another question concerning using engine braking or simply the brakes. I use the engine for braking to a point but not overtly. I figure brakes are less expensive than replacing a clutch prematurely. I also pull to the side a bit when stopped behind someone at a light. As well when riding in traffic. I figure if I can see the driver's side mirror in front of me then he (or she) can see me as well. The only time I sit square in the center of the lane at a light is if I'm first in line. If I'm to the side (left or right) more often than not the light triggering sensors embedded in the pavement will not detect my bike.

[wncbmw]

I leave it in gear with an escape route (i.e. not too close to the rear bumper) until I have at least a two car cushion behind me of stopped cars.

Saved my bacon once when I saw a car behind me not noticing the red light, then locking up the brakes. The passenger in the car in front thought I was nuts when I pulled between his car and the curb, until the squeal of brakes. The car stopped with about 6 inches to spare hitting the car in front of me. Not quite enough for me and the bike!

Edited to add: I use engine braking all the time, although not so much in stop and go traffic by down shifting. More on curvy roads by winding up the straights, then using the high revs to slow down as I back off. Part of the fun it to ride as much as possible without brakes or shifting! Downshifting constantly for traffic stopping does seem sort of pointless.

[R100CS]

You can shift down and let the clutch come up, using the clutch to do the braking.
On the other hand, you could shift down, rev up, release the clutch, than release the throttle.
The second way seems to me the way to do engine braking (or just close the throttle).

[curtis]

I typically keep it in gear, clutch engaged. However occasionally at extended lights I will go to neutral so I can stretch my left hand a little, especially if I've been on the bike awhile.

*Good speaking with you last night Wayne. Sorry I had to rush off the phone. I might head towards Deals Gap on Saturday morning the 14th for an overnighter if you are interested in meeting up. Or maybe even Friday the 13th

[riceburner]

Depends on the situation.

FWIW I tend to knock it out of first as soon as possible. I HAVE been hit up the arse a few times at lights or while waiting to turn right (by both strangers AND friends... maybe I have a camouflaged arse?). If you leave the bike in first then if you do get donked you tend to let go of the bars...... and the bike can take off across the road! (taking you with it if you have a top box).

[gregor]

As Riceburner unless the lights are going to change in a few seconds. Doubt if I'd see someone approaching from the rear out of control in the convex mirrors or have enough room to get out of the way, even if there was not oncoming traffic, on our cramped wee roads.

[towerworker]

I reckon there is no guaranteed right way. You do the best you can given ever changing circumstances. I like lots of lights and lights that garner attention. I have the BRAKE! led tail light on my R. I think they're no longer in business. But the flashing strobe effect really seems to help. And often I will pull and release the brake lever several times while just sitting there as I see rear traffic approaching. The bright flashing gets their attention. I plan to affix more lights on the rear as well as bright running lights to the front. I also have DOT red/white reflective tape on the back of my cases. They make a very big difference as well.

[sstein]

Seriously, don't y'all think lane splitting is a safer way to go? A few years back I was visiting CA and rented a bike and had a great time. With lane splitting I never had to worry about who was coming up behind me. Does anyone know if there have been attempts to get this legalized in other states?

[riceburner]

I reckon there is no guaranteed right way. You do the best you can given ever changing circumstances. I like lots of lights and lights that garner attention. I have the BRAKE! led tail light on my R. I think they're no longer in business. But the flashing strobe effect really seems to help. And often I will pull and release the brake lever several times while just sitting there as I see rear traffic approaching. The bright flashing gets their attention. I plan to affix more lights on the rear as well as bright running lights to the front. I also have DOT red/white reflective tape on the back of my cases. They make a very big difference as well.

Just remember that all the lights, of any hues you like, in the world, will make a dumbass driver actually look where he's going.

[curtis]

I was rear ended yesterday at the top of an exit ramp off I-75, in my car. I can't stop thinking about how things would have been had I been on my bike....

[gregor]

Lane splitting or filtering, as I'd have to call it in the UK, is the norm here if there is space to get through. My bike is ~1m wide with the hard luggage but I checked that the 'bars were the widest bit.
If there is stationary traffic on the motorway (freeway?) then a bike is great. Some people may pull over deliberately to obstruct as motorcyclists are not universally loved and adored.
But being mostly a car driver I tend to forget that I can filter until my biker mind slips into gear.

[gregor]

Double post due to inaction from Microsoft.