| Motorcycle
Riding Techniques Which foot to use to support the bike when stationary When we are stopped at traffic lights or are waiting for traffic to clear then we have to support the bike with either the left or right foot on the ground. The mechanically sympathetic biker will also have engaged neutral and released the clutch lever so as to reduce wear and tear on the clutch linkage. The poser may also wish to adjust the angle of his shades with his/her left hand! Ok, so which foot to use? Here in the UK, learner riders are instructed to use the left foot to support the bike while the right foot is covering/applying the rear brake. This is a mandatory technique in order to pass the UK Riding Test. Once he/she has passed the test, the skilled and thinking biker will use the RIGHT FOOT (assuming your bike's gears are on the left side of your bike!) Why? Well if you think about it, using the left foot to support the bike will cause you to start what we nickname in the UK as the "Hendon Shuffle" when you decide to change gear and continue your ride. To engage gear with your left foot you will need to change the support for the bike to the right foot. This causes a delay and looks decidedly uncool. Had you used your right foot to support the bike then your left is immediately available to change gear and make progress. "What if I am on a gradient? When I take my right foot off the foot brake the bike will start to roll backward/forward" I hear you ask. This is true and that is why we use the hand (front) brake to keep the bike stationary. See Be Prepared |