Rinty
New member
i don't even start the bike until i am sitting on it...andyvh
+1.
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i don't even start the bike until i am sitting on it...andyvh
It's a pretty basic topic, but it does give me a chance to tell this story: A few weeks ago, I was sitting at a stoplight, in traffic, next to a police car. I heard the sickening squeal of tires behind me and caught a glimpse of something rushing up behind me in my mirrors. I popped the clutch and lurched forward about six feet, but there was nowhere to go. Stupid! I didn't leave an escape route. I braced for impact. There was a final shriek of rubber on pavement and... nothing. I turned around to see the front bumper of a black BMW 7 series (ironic, I know) ALMOST kissing my back wheel. The driver was clutching the steering wheel with that wide eyed deer-in-the-headlights look. (Never mind what my eyes looked like, I was wearing sunglasses.) As I glared at her, she fumbled on the seat next to her, picked up her cell phone and RESUMED HER CALL! Son-of-a...! I threw down my sidestand, killing the engine (without using the kill switch, sue me) and started to get off the bike when the cop next to me activated his lights. He waived me on with an "I got this" look, although I'm sure it was more to protect the other driver or keep me from doing something stupid. As I pulled away, I saw him motioning the car to the shoulder. There is SOME justice in the world.
A "major safety issue" yet the thread remains buried in "Oilheads."
IMHO ranks right there with "always stop your motor with the kill switch."
It's a pretty basic topic, but it does give me a chance to tell this story: A few weeks ago, I was sitting at a stoplight, in traffic, next to a police car. I heard the sickening squeal of tires behind me and caught a glimpse of something rushing up behind me in my mirrors. I popped the clutch and lurched forward about six feet, but there was nowhere to go. Stupid! I didn't leave an escape route. I braced for impact. There was a final shriek of rubber on pavement and... nothing. I turned around to see the front bumper of a black BMW 7 series (ironic, I know) ALMOST kissing my back wheel. The driver was clutching the steering wheel with that wide eyed deer-in-the-headlights look. (Never mind what my eyes looked like, I was wearing sunglasses.) As I glared at her, she fumbled on the seat next to her, picked up her cell phone and RESUMED HER CALL! Son-of-a...! I threw down my sidestand, killing the engine (without using the kill switch, sue me) and started to get off the bike when the cop next to me activated his lights. He waived me on with an "I got this" look, although I'm sure it was more to protect the other driver or keep me from doing something stupid. As I pulled away, I saw him motioning the car to the shoulder. There is SOME justice in the world.
Over a million views and 35,000+ replies on word association??? Sure, why not a three page thread on 1st or neutral.
Yes to both. I always try to leave room and watch my rear until the car behind me comes to a stop. I put it in neutral to start but leave it in first when I park it.
OK, but what about the guy sitting first at the light, in first gear with the clutch in. The clutch cable snaps and he jumps into the intersection in front of a big truck blasting thru the intersection? Won't happen if it's in neutral.
I usually put it in neutral unless it's obviously gonna be just a short stop but keep the clutch covered & left foot on the shifter.
Some of these stories are pretty scary. Makes me wonder if I shouldn't just hang up the helmet & sell the bike...
OK, but what about the guy sitting first at the light, in first gear with the clutch in. The clutch cable snaps and he jumps into the intersection in front of a big truck blasting thru the intersection?
OK, but what about the guy sitting first at the light, in first gear with the clutch in. The clutch cable snaps and he jumps into the intersection in front of a big truck blasting thru the intersection? Won't happen if it's in neutral.
I usually put it in neutral unless it's obviously gonna be just a short stop but keep the clutch covered & left foot on the shifter.
Some of these stories are pretty scary. Makes me wonder if I shouldn't just hang up the helmet & sell the bike...
OK, but what about the guy sitting first at the light, in first gear with the clutch in. The clutch cable snaps and he jumps into the intersection in front of a big truck blasting thru the intersection? Won't happen if it's in neutral.
OK, but what about the guy sitting first at the light, in first gear with the clutch in. The clutch cable snaps and he jumps into the intersection in front of a big truck blasting thru the intersection? Won't happen if it's in neutral.
I usually put it in neutral unless it's obviously gonna be just a short stop but keep the clutch covered & left foot on the shifter.
Some of these stories are pretty scary. Makes me wonder if I shouldn't just hang up the helmet & sell the bike...
On a modern motorcycle, your clutch cable catastorphically "snapping" is unlikely.
Getting rear ended by a distracted driver (that's politically correct language - old version was "idiot") - much more likely.
Stay in gear, keep one bike length back from vehicle in front of you, angle your bike to an escape path on either side of what's in front of you and watch your rearview mirror.
Live longer that way.