Stop and Go Conditions

[lerxstqueen]

Hey, I have a question for you ladies. When you're chugging along in slow moving traffic, do you just have to drop to 1st gear, keep the clutch engaged, and just use the brakes to move along and stop? Or do I not use the brakes much and mostly "brake" by disengaging the clutch? Sorry if this is a silly question. Today was my second day on a motorcycle ever and I've never used stick shift in a car before... :)

[lecruz]

Hey, I have a question for you ladies. When you're chugging along in slow moving traffic, do you just have to drop to 1st gear, keep the clutch engaged, and just use the brakes to move along and stop? Or do I not use the brakes much and mostly "brake" by disengaging the clutch? Sorry if this is a silly question. Today was my second day on a motorcycle ever and I've never used stick shift in a car before... :)

That's a great question! It's something I've been struggling with myself. I can do the start from 1st gear thing to coming to a complete stop and starting again, but the slow and go is confusing to me. Thanks for posting and I'm looking forward to the responses!

[kari-star]

I use stop and go traffic as a chance to work on my friction zone. when I'm already almost-mostly stopped I'll use my rear brakes to really control my speed, and will use the clutch and throttle controls to just jump ahead a little. I do disengage the clutch to slow down. my bike will stall if I go too slow with the clutch still in sometimes. it's something that you almost have to figure out what is best for your motorcycle.

[sweptwingnut]

Friction zone and rear brake in those really slow conditions. Great video http://www.twowheelfemales.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5294

I made the thread a sticky for future use.

[Calif Girl]

That is what lane splitting is for. No stop and go in traffic.

[Luna Tique]

That is what lane splitting is for. No stop and go in traffic.


Not legal in New York

[ImaSoftT]

Thanks for posting the link Nut I have been trying to remember Jerry Motorman Palladino's name for weeks. He has some really good videos on the net for not only the new rider but for reinforcing the skills you learned years ago. lerxstqueen I hope you are going to take the MSF class or one like it. You will not be sorry that you did.

[ridingAK]

lerxstqueen I hope you are going to take the MSF class or one like it. You will not be sorry that you did.

:iagree: Even if you know how to ride, and are riding with experienced riders, the MSF class breaks things down in such a way that you come away with better skills.

[sweptwingnut]

That is what lane splitting is for. No stop and go in traffic.

Not legal in Washington.

[ridingAK]

This site (http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/PrintLaws.html) has an interesting breakdown on motorcycle laws by state.

[ImaSoftT]

Can we sticky the breakdown somewhere for future reference http://content.funsmileys.com/pretty_please.gif

[Lion_Lady]

Re: Lane splitting: I believe that California is the only state that lane splitting is "legal" ie not specifically prohibited by law. In MD it is UN-lawful for anybody except a motor officer in the performance of his/her duties to use the shoulder or space between cars for travel.

In stop and go traffic, I'll use either the clutch or friction zone and brake depending on the terrain, or how long the slow spell is. Where I live/commute, it isn't that rare to end up stuck in traffic that is not moving for periods of time. In that case, I'll go ahead and shift to neutral as possible to give my left hand a break... but keep an eye in my mirrors and ahead so I can shift and get moving quickly.

On the DC Beltway, I have pulled off to the shoulder for a more substantial break when it became obvious that there was a BIG problem causing the back up (I can cheat and listen to traffic updates on my XM Radio). . . I try to avoid riding the shoulder around a back-up except in extreme conditions, like high temperatures, where I was worried about my health or the bike's. Folks in cars can get really nasty if they think you're taking unfair advantage.

P

[ridingAK]

Can we sticky the breakdown somewhere for future reference http://content.funsmileys.com/pretty_please.gif

I copied the link to the Road Resources Sticky (http://www.twowheelfemales.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1091&highlight=resources).

[Gitana]

I really wish lane splitting was allowed in all 50 states. It's a much more efficient way of dealing with heavy traffic. Oh, well.

[ImaSoftT]

I copied the link to the Road Resources Sticky (http://www.twowheelfemales.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1091&highlight=resources).
Thanks

[Astir]

That is what lane splitting is for. No stop and go in traffic.

What a tease! :lol:

[Calif Girl]

What a tease! :lol:

Sorry..:o:

I guess I am so used to lane splitting I forget it is not legal in other states.

It is great at work, when the traffic light is red, I split on one side and my partner goes on the other and we meet at the intersection.

[Murray211]

Not legal in most states...cheater :)

[lerxstqueen]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I guess traffic is going to strengthen my left hand, lol.

[ridingAK]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I guess traffic is going to strengthen my left hand, lol.

Since you mention that, In Alaska my hand would get very painful my first few long riding days after taking several months off for winter. Now that we are in Spokane and I can ride close to year around I don't notice it, but you will discover new muscles for sure.

[lerxstqueen]

Is "riding the clutch" on a motorcycle just as bad for the vehicle as it is in a standard car?

[Sooki]

Thats a good question...:chin:

I asked my hubby and he said Not "as" bad because motorcycles have a wet clutch. Meaning the clutch on a MC is lubricated and one on a vechile is not.

[Calif Girl]

Thats a good question...:chin:

I asked my hubby and he said Not "as" bad because motorcycles have a wet clutch. Meaning the clutch on a MC is lubricated and one on a vechile is not.


Not all morotcycles have a wet clutch. It is possible to burn out the clutch on a bike. Slow riding for a long period of time can present different problems for different bikes. My Kawasaki P1000 would blow the main fuse when I rode really slow for an extended period of time, usally in a funeral procession or parade. Air cooled bikes can overheat since there is no airflow at slow speed.

[asymons412]

Most bikes are wet, and the first thing they tell you in MSF is not to be afraid of riding your clutch!

That being said, when I'm in stop-and-go traffic (read: every day :gaah:), I purely use different levels of my friction zone and always have a little throttle going on. This ensures that I'll keep moving forward in a straight line (eg. I can crawl along without wobbling left and right) and that my bike won't stall. Never let your clutch too far out when you're going slow-- that's just asking for an abrupt stop. :lol:

[Calif Girl]

BMW, Ducati, Moto Guzzi, and some Harleys are dry clutch bikes.

[Chench53]

Hey, I have a question for you ladies. When you're chugging along in slow moving traffic, do you just have to drop to 1st gear, keep the clutch engaged, and just use the brakes to move along and stop? Or do I not use the brakes much and mostly "brake" by disengaging the clutch? Sorry if this is a silly question. Today was my second day on a motorcycle ever and I've never used stick shift in a car before... :)It sounds like you still need to learn the basics, including how to brake. If you have not taken a course yet, I suggest it as a great way to learn so you'll know how to handle the bike in basic situations.

Learning the basic stuff like braking, riding slo-mo in traffic, turning while moving or from stopped position seems so easy but takes practice to become skilled at it and ongoing practice to stay skilled.

Good luck, enjoy the ride and be safe!

Gerry