Stopping and starting on inclines

Hi All,

I'm scheduled to take my BRC in September. In the mean time I'm tooling around in my driveway. I've been getting acquainted with the clutch engagement, the touchy throttle, practicing turns, figure 8's etc... I have a long driveway

While everything is challenging on my Pearl White '06 ( I'm so proud arty2: )with this first time rider, starting while on an incline is especially difficult.

Is there a preferred method? Engage clutch while backing off the front brake or a similar approach while using the rear brake to prevent me from rolling backwards?

Thanks,

Gunzer

 

On Sunday I saw a pair of cruisers riding two-up trying to get started on a small incline when the light had turned green for them. They kept stalling out. In fact, they never made it through the light during their turn. And the incline was not very steep. It is definitely a challenge and a good skill to be able to start on a hill, and especially to start on a hill and turn right into a hill.

You should learn how to put just your left foot down and leave your right foot on the brake. Then just like starting a car with a manual transmission on a hill, ease out on the clutch while giving it gas until you feel the bike pull, and then release the brake and continue to ease out on the clutch. The last part is critical becasue unlike most cars, the bike will really take off on you. It takes more practice than you might imagine to sit with only your left foot down, but it is a good skill even if you are pretty good at finding the friction zone fast enough to prevent any real backwards roll.

 

Well, I'd start by reving the engine to about 9,000, then just drop the clutch.:vtr2:
Just kidding. The key is to practice, practice then practice some more. A 6gen VFR is not the perfect bike to learn on. The throttle is a little touchy and it has tons of power. I hold the front brake, give a LITTLE throttle then ease out the clutch. When you feel the bike begin to pull, release the brake, and pull away. After a while, you'll be doing it without even thinking about it.

 

I am of the 'left foot down-right foot brake-ease on throttle/ease off clutch' crew.
I live on the high side of town. Getting TO work was easy. Getting FROM work drove me nuts for a few days until I got it. Stalled at the light a bunch, even rolled back one time. The traffic behind you can be a good motivator to learn, or drive you to screw up.

 

exactly what i was going to say. the rear brake seems to be the best to use while engaging the clutch, just watch the throttle control, it could be easy to pull the front wheel if its a decent incline.

 

To practice, find a hill where there is no, or very little traffic.

Start off as everyone advised. But as you get better, keep your foot off the brake and utilize the clutch to rock frontward and backward. This will get you used to the clutch point and exactly how much gas it takes to get moving up an inline from a stop.

Don't do this too much as it's hard on the clutch.

 

Eddie:

You set me up brother! I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. Its a slow day at the "Government Center" and I read THAT:biggrin:

BZ

 

I usually do inclines by holding the front brake and easing out the clutch. That way I can have both feet on the ground just for more feeling of stability. Mabye the rear brake is the preferred way to do it though. Of course with the linked brakes either brake is giving some front and rear. On most inclines I have encountered so far even at idle the clutch can be let out enough to at least prevent rolling back with the brakes released, then give a little throttle to start moving.

 

I don't do inclines.

 

Kidding...

Time the light...
set the bike in first.
give it gas and slowly start to release the clutch. release front brake.
By the time the light goes green, I'm not using the brake at all.
Waving at kids is not recommended at this moment.
At this time, rev up and release clutch.

 

definitely use your right foot on the brake and learn your clutch control. after you know the technique, it's all practice, practice, practice...

 

If you don't have a hill to practice on, try a curb. Put the front wheel and let the clutch in and out to feel where it grabs.

 

I've ridden in B'ham and the situation where I almost dropped it was a normal road intersection with a 4-way stop on a significant incline. I had to make a right hand turn that was about 125 degrees. I was sweatin' on that one.

 

Try This. On any grade of surface, sit at a stop, left foot down, right on the rear brake. Bike in first gear. Slowly disengage the clutch, ever so slowly. You will feel the pull. Then re-engage. Practice this. You will get to know the spot where the bike engages. Knowing this , at a stop on a hill, do the same, then as you ease on the throttle, you can let go of the rear brake. Once stopped, you don't need the front brake at all. You are already at a controlled stop. This will become very second nature to you far faster than you might think. This is how I was taught on my course and it has served me extremely well.

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