Hill starts.....

milleplod · Post by **milleplod** » Thu Nov 17, 2016 1:50 pm

How do you 'do' your hill starts? And which foot do you put down when you're at, for example, a junction?

It occurred to me the other day that the majority of riders I've seen put their left foot down (or both!) - I use my right one.

Pete

Herb · Post by **Herb** » Thu Nov 17, 2016 2:05 pm

I normally put my left foot down and cover the rear brake.

This often results in me doing a half Hendon shuffle if I have the bike in Neutral. This is the way I was taught by a Police instructor nearly 30 years ago so its pretty engrained now.

I have had so many discussions about this over the years as I always thought it was a black or white issue, and that there was a right and a wrong way. It seems now advanced examiners are not that bothered as long as you have the bike under proper control, although some apparently still prefer to see you cover the back brake.

milleplod · Post by **milleplod** » Thu Nov 17, 2016 2:51 pm

Mine's how I was taught on my advanced police course, many moons ago - come to a halt... just as the bike stops, right foot down...bike then held on the front brake. When its time to set off, roll the throttle/let clutch out/release front brake/right foot up...all at once.

I did try the 'left foot down' method a few times, but it doesn't compute!

Pete

Al · Post by Al » Thu Nov 17, 2016 2:57 pm

Left foot on floor, (bike in gear) to avoid the "shuffle", right foot on brake holding bike in place, and away, I find this easier and smoother than co-ordinating front brake/throttle, especially two up.

Al.

milleplod · Post by **milleplod** » Thu Nov 17, 2016 3:03 pm

When we used to do VIP escorts, we'd all ride in pairs, line astern, to the venue to collect whoever it was. Whenever we had to come to a halt, our boss was absolutely insistent that everybody's right foot went down at exactly the same time....and lifted up the same. Anybody who messed up had to put a fiver in the tea fund.

Pete

Blackal · Post by **Blackal** » Thu Nov 17, 2016 3:04 pm

Reminds me of:

"With all the sadness and trauma going on in the world at the moment, it is worth reflecting on the life and death of a very important person, which almost went unnoticed last week.

Larry LaPrise, the man that wrote "The Hokey Cokey" died peacefully at the age of 93. The most traumatic part, for his family, was getting him into the coffin.

They put his left leg in. And then the trouble started."

milleplod · Post by **milleplod** » Thu Nov 17, 2016 3:05 pm

f90x · Post by **f90x** » Thu Nov 17, 2016 3:05 pm

milleplod wrote:Mine's how I was taught on my advanced police course, many moons ago - come to a halt... just as the bike stops, right foot down...bike then held on the front brake. When its time to set off, roll the throttle/let clutch out/release front brake/right foot up...all at once.

I did try the 'left foot down' method a few times, but it doesn't compute!

Pete

.

I do this, and have done for 35 yrs. (37 including the illegal ones. Sorry officer, it 'was' the 70's for some of it) It has always felt the most natural to me.

Herb · Post by **Herb** » Thu Nov 17, 2016 4:39 pm

Advantage of left foot down, I suppose, is that you can cover the rear brake, but then have to do half Hendon shuffle to get back in gear if in neutral, or the full Hendon shuffle if you want to move off while releasing the rear brake.

Right foot down, advantage is probably elegance and smoothness, when observed by a third party.

I was taught to ride by Police instructors who ran an 8 week course for new riders. 4 hours every Sunday. Part of the test at the end of the course was to stop on a hill, apply rear brake, raise left hand to show you were in neutral, then a full Hendon shuffle to put bike in gear and re-cover rear brake. Then move away. Quite messy when you think about it.

I wonder what they police teach now?

milleplod · Post by **milleplod** » Thu Nov 17, 2016 4:49 pm

AFAIK, Derbyshire still teach the method I was taught - when there's somebody to be taught, that is! Most of the bikes are mothballed these days, I believe.

Pete

Herb · Post by **Herb** » Thu Nov 17, 2016 4:58 pm

I think this was the first discussion Daimler had when he showed off his new motorcycle. Debate has been raging ever since!

GerryB · Post by **GerryB** » Thu Nov 17, 2016 6:17 pm

The right foot down was fine when the old bikes had a right side gear change , left foot was on rear brake ....

Now with left change pretty universal , left foot down is the sensible way .

fontana · Post by **fontana** » Thu Nov 17, 2016 6:52 pm

The latest addition to the armoury of BMW pay through the nose gimmicks, ER SORRY, "rider aids" is something called hill start control.
Apparently when stopped, you apply the front brake until you see an icon representing the function on the dash, meaning the front brake is locked on(similar to a car hand brake).
So you don't have to cover either of the brakes.
I can't remember how it disengages, although I believe with the magic of electronic jiggery pokery, it senses when you want to pull away and releases brake pressure accordingly.
Hmmmm
All fine I suppose, till it breaks down and your stuck with a locked front wheel.
However did we manage without all this guff

andy griff · Post by **andy griff** » Thu Nov 17, 2016 8:31 pm

fontana wrote:The latest addition to the armoury of BMW pay through the nose gimmicks, ER SORRY, "rider aids" is something called hill start control.
Apparently when stopped, you apply the front brake until you see an icon representing the function on the dash, meaning the front brake is locked on(similar to a car hand brake).
So you don't have to cover either of the brakes.
I can't remember how it disengages, although I believe with the magic of electronic jiggery pokery, it senses when you want to pull away and releases brake pressure accordingly.
Hmmmm
All fine I suppose, till it breaks down and your stuck with a locked front wheel.
However did we manage without all this guff

Its called progress and might even end the left foot/right foot debate ....

slparry · Post by **slparry** » Thu Nov 17, 2016 8:32 pm

it operates the rear brake although it's "activated" by a firm press of the front brake while stationary. It senses when the bikes pulling away and releases the rear brake