Along the lines of the Deleleration thread, how soon do you get your feet up?

[Alien]

The Deceleration thread got me thinking about those little parts of riding that become automatic.

  I'm always annoyed at riders who go through an entire intersection (and sometimes even further) with their feet sticking straight out like training wheels an inch above the ground.  It looks like they're either amateurs or afraid of their bike.  What are they going to do, put their foot down at 20mph and "save" a full dress HD or the like from going down?  I don't think so.

But how soon do I get my feet up?  I couldn't say.  It's just automatic.  so, the next day I paid attention at every stop on the way to work.  My feet are on the boards around the time the clutch is halfway engaged.  I was surprised as this strikes me as a bit early, but it's become automatic at this point.

How about you?

Ride Safe,

Alien

[The emperor has no clothes]

I sometimes play around at stops and starts where I keep my feet up as long as I can. I agree it looks amateurish with your feet down. That said there are times when there is sand or rocks and I will keep them down longer.

[Garry 2r's]

With my Goodyear TT I can do a legal stop and not put my feet down at all.

Support Veterans

Garry

[Mr Whiskey]

My feet are on the ground the least amount of time possible.
I don't idle well

[mike72903]

With my Goodyear TT I can do a legal stop and not put my feet down at all.

Support Veterans

Garry

I was wondering about this just a couple of days ago.  I have a little vertigo problem and find balance at low speed a little difficult.  It's not a problem really unless my wife is on the back, then it can be a real problem.  Will a ds tire help with that?  As far as feet up for me, it's as soon as the bike starts to move.

[Patrick]

It all depends on conditions. Sometimes my feet don't come off the pegs if just stopping for a nano-second, but, may stay off the pegs under certain conditions.

[The emperor has no clothes]

My feet are on the ground the least amount of time possible.
I don't idle well

"I don't idle well"   

[Tx Bohemian]

Another question:

Do most put their feet down? or foot?


I'm usually at a stop with my left foot on the ground and the right foot on the brake. (or pumping the brake to oscillate the brake lite for the guy coming up behind me)

To me this makes it easier to place the left foot back on the floorboard, which happens as soon as the bike starts rolling. (to answer the initial question of this thread)

And yeah, I've seen the guys dragging both feet through, and beyond, an intersection after stopping.  I figured these are new riders.
We were all there once...

[Gryphon Rider]

If I'm rolling, my feet are on the pegs.  When I stop, my left foot goes down.  If the light is long and there are at least two cars stopped behind me, I'll switch feet and put it in neutral.

[..]

If I'm rolling, my feet are on the pegs.  When I stop, my left foot goes down.  If the light is long and there are at least two cars stopped behind me, I'll switch feet and put it in neutral.

Please make sure you always have an emergency route forward.

A panel truck at speed will easily push 2 cars into you.

[..]

A rider I know who will remian nameless gets his feet up onto his highway pegs immediately. No matter where he is riding.

I've seen him fall over at least 3 times at slow speed when he's had to make a quick manouver to miss another road user. Using the front brake whilst having the front wheel turned.

I'm a left foot down with flashing right foot on the brake to hopefully make the road users behind me take note. Whilst still in gear and ready to zip forward if someone approaching from behind forgets to slow down.

I don't want to be holding the front brake. That hand needs to be throttle ready.   

[Firefighter]

Unless conditions do not permit, my feet are up as so as I start to roll. When I first started riding my Interstate, I remember several times the heal of one foot rolling up under a saddlebag during launch and I felt I barely got my foot loose in time. Never hurt me but sent the pucker factor to about a 7.5! I am more learned now.

One thing that still causes me embarrassment now and then is when in traffic and slowing to a stop at a red light that suddenly turns green. Sometimes I feel that I look like a novice as the bike wallows a bit because I transition from almost putting my foot down to getting under way again.  Firefighter

[Woton]

One thing that still causes me embarrassment now and then is when in traffic and slowing to a stop at a red light that suddenly turns green. Sometimes I feel that I look like a novice as the bike wallows a bit because I transition from almost putting my foot down to getting under way again.  Firefighter

Yes, we've all been there...  It IS hard to look smooth in that situation.

[..]

Unless conditions do not permit, my feet are up as so as I start to roll. When I first started riding my Interstate, I remember several times the heal of one foot rolling up under a saddlebag during launch and I felt I barely got my foot loose in time. Never hurt me but sent the pucker factor to about a 7.5! I am more learned now.

One thing that still causes me embarrassment now and then is when in traffic and slowing to a stop at a red light that suddenly turns green. Sometimes I feel that I look like a novice as the bike wallows a bit because I transition from almost putting my foot down to getting under way again.  Firefighter

Can I suggest that if you start wallowing you relax on the handlebars and FORCE yourself to make smaller inputs to the steering. That might straighten you out.

Then a little bit of gas and feathering the clutch whilst dragging the rear brake will help you straighten as well. It's a wet clutch and will take some abuse.

[Valkpilot]

If I'm rolling, my feet are on the pegs.  When I stop, my left foot goes down.  If the light is long and there are at least two cars stopped behind me, I'll switch feet and put it in neutral.

+1

[Otus]

I'm about stopped when my feet go down and up when the bike starts moving.  Threw my lower back out at work on a day that I rode in. I figured sitting didn't hurt so I could ride. The only problem I had was that I could not lift both feet at the same time without getting a dagger in my lower back. So I'd put one up when I took off and bring the other one up after the first one was in place. I'm sure it looked stupid but it worked.

[..]

Sometimes on a long day ride I will let my legs hang when moving off from a red light or stop sign. Gives a little stretch to the back. Nice.

[Romeo]

My feet never go down at a stop sign when I am the only one at the intersection. Sometimes even if I'm not the only one.
As far as them coming up, pretty much happens the instant the bike starts moving, unless of course I decide to drag them on the pavement. Which I have been known to do.

[Eagle 1]

I have found when stopping at a light or stop sign if I drop my left foot just above the pavement a little before stopping I can bring the old girl to a smooth stop, which also allows for a quick retake if the light goes green. Usually I sit with both feet down and on take off I lift my right leg up first to the peg followed quickly by the left, maybe not conventional but works for me.

Manny

[Big Al of Tennessee]

Nose picking with your glove on will make your nostrils bigger.

Scientifically speaking, one foot is enough, after one foot forward progress is attained.

It is not needed after that.

You need not drag your shoe leather any longer

[Rams]

I've been riding for almost fifty years, so I'm not exactly a newbie.   Having said that, a close friend and I was riding a while back and I was informed that I keep my feet off the pegs too long when I start moving.    I'm not dragging my shoe leather on the ground, I just don't put my feet on the pegs in a hurry.    I didn't and don't see it as a big deal but, apparently, I'm a rookie.    Oh well, I can handle that.   I ride to enjoy the road and enjoy the ride.    I'm not out to be the coolest dude in the group.

[..]

I've been riding for almost fifty years, so I'm not exactly a newbie.   Having said that, a close friend and I was riding a while back and I was informed that I keep my feet off the pegs too long when I start moving.    I'm not dragging my shoe leather on the ground, I just don't put my feet on the pegs in a hurry.    I didn't and don't see it as a big deal but, apparently, I'm a rookie.    Oh well, I can handle that.   I ride to enjoy the road and enjoy the ride.    I'm not out to be the coolest dude in the group.

It has nothing to do with cool and everythning to do with balance and control.

HOWEVER if you can balance and control well enough to keep you safe that's all that matters. 

[Karen]

With the trike, the feet hardly ever go down, except to stretch. On the Majesty, each safe stop is used as practice to see how long I can maintain my equilibrium using brake, gas, and balance. Used to do the same thing on my mountain bikes, when I rode them. Is it spring yet? The snow is halfway up some of the windows, and I just can';t see...

[The emperor has no clothes]

With the trike, the feet hardly ever go down, except to stretch. On the Majesty, each safe stop is used as practice to see how long I can maintain my equilibrium using brake, gas, and balance. Used to do the same thing on my mountain bikes, when I rode them. Is it spring yet? The snow is halfway up some of the windows, and I just can';t see...

Hopefully you guys won't get too much more of it

[gordonv]

No one mentioned both feet down when riding two-up. I do this also when I have more time at the light and start to look around, just so I know I'm firmly planted and don't loose my balance. Same when there is a passenger. If she moves, I could be thrown off balance.

As for one-up, left foot down and right on the brake. Swap the feet and insure I'm in first gear, then back to the brake.

The brake light is there to tell the vehicle behind me what I'm doing.

[Willow]

On a cruiser when the bike is rolling the feet are up.  When it is stopped a foot is down.

Sometimes I will hang foot off the peg for a bit, but it is not on the ground with the bike moving.

[RDAbull]

I cheat, I never put my feet down.
Unless I'm getting off of course.

[Rams]

I've been riding for almost fifty years, so I'm not exactly a newbie.   Having said that, a close friend and I was riding a while back and I was informed that I keep my feet off the pegs too long when I start moving.    I'm not dragging my shoe leather on the ground, I just don't put my feet on the pegs in a hurry.    I didn't and don't see it as a big deal but, apparently, I'm a rookie.    Oh well, I can handle that.   I ride to enjoy the road and enjoy the ride.    I'm not out to be the coolest dude in the group.

It has nothing to do with cool and everythning to do with balance and control.

HOWEVER if you can balance and control well enough to keep you safe that's all that matters.  

After Thinking About This, I Find Myself Guilty Of Riding With My Feet Off The Pegs Quite A Bit.     I've Got Some Worn Out Knees And I'm Frequently Straightening Them Out.   Lack Of Movement Really Stiffens Them Up.   It Is, What It Is.

[Jess from VA]

However you do it, it is the guys who walk their bike (under power) all the way around and thru the gas station (or wherever) down to the apron who look like they wish they had training wheels.

I call it goofy-footing the bike.

[The emperor has no clothes]

However you do it, it is the guys who walk their bike (under power) all the way around and thru the gas station (or wherever) down to the apron who look like they wish they had training wheels.

I call it goofy-footing the bike.

I have a friend who does that. Maybe not to that extreme though. It does look goofy ,but it's what makes him comfortable. I noticed the other day when I was going to lunch that I kept my  feet out for a while negotiating the Snowbirds in the parking lot. So I guess I'm not as cool as I think I am.  ???

[Jess from VA]

I don't slow-roll around with my feet down/out.... but if I roll over some unseen manhole, pothole, yada that makes the bike suddenly wobble, I can really get my feet out like outriggers in a hurry.  

It's almost never really necessary, and a great way to break an ankle but it's what us shysters call..... an irresistible impulse.

[JimmyG]

I only put my feet down when I want to touch the ground! I only put them up when I don't want to touch the ground.  Jeez, it must be boring around here!!!

[Blaze]

Moving, up. Not moving, 1 down. Maybe 2.

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

I generally drop my left toe as I stop or just after I stop. Right foot is on the brake, sometimes flashing the light as I watch the mirrors. If I'm stopped for a train I'll frequently hit neutral and put both feet on the ground after a car is stopped behind me. May stop that after reading Britman's post. 

Foot comes back to the peg as soon as my intention to move forward is there, usually before or just as the bike starts to move. I hate making awkward stops but sometimes skim my left toe on the pavement when creeping forward with traffic. I'm not happy about it though.

To me, bikes always seem to handle better when your feet are on the pegs so I keep them there as much as possible. Worst stops are when you are turning right from a stop and suddenly have to stop again just as you start moving. I always feel awkward then and usually have to drop my right foot which makes me stop with the front brake while fork is turned. Any time you have to use strength instead of finesse when handling a motorcycle is bad. Having to "re-stop" under that circumstance usually involves that kind of awkwardness for me. The route to work at my old job involved a stop at a "T" where I always turned right after the stop. High speed traffic would appear over the hill to my left frequently causing me to "re-stop". It was made more awkward by both roads listing to the right and the road at my stop always having some sand and gravel at the intersection. Was another good reason to change jobs.