Motorcycle Forums

Left foot on the floor

right foot covering the back brake.

As for neutral / first, it'll depend how long you're stopping for; if its a pedestrian crossing (ie normally on green, only going to red when someone crosses), it probably isn't worth waiting in neutral. If on the other hand its traffic lights at a junction with a long red cycle, you can leave it in neutral and anticipate the green light so you're ready for it. (IIRC, I think I mostly stayed in first with the clutch not quite biting when I did my test).

Your other option of course (and what I often do), is if the lights are on red, is to roll up to them gently and try as far as possible to keep the bike moving (if you get your speed / gears down enough) so that you don't have to stop and wait for ages (ie, try and time your arrival at the lights so they turn green as you arrive, or at least so any waiting is minimised).

Foot on the floor

Takes me back to the Hendon Shuffle

gear/foot

I always keep it in gear with the clutch in. I like to have the back brake on when I'm stopped.

Don't know if thats true but it kinda makes sense. Don't plan on testing it though.

Hendon Shuffle

Googled this up and this opened a  new gate of debates and discussion. Thanks

If the opportunity presents itself

Select Neutral. Whitechapel's wrong (or at least the person who gave the info is!) you cannot fail for selecting neutral. You could however, fail for Not selecting neutral when you should. Would you normally sit at a level crossing waiting for a train holding first gear? This would make you hand/forearm V tired in a short space of time, add the stress of a test to the equation and not only will it tire quicker than usual but will contribute to jerky use of the clutch!

Relax when you get the chance, it takes a second to select first so use the time you're in neutral to ease the tension in your hands & arms (keep you hands on the handlebars whilst doing this mind!) couple of long deep breaths can also help.

Several reasons to cover the rear brake whilst in neutral, keeps you in control, means you have a brake instantly available should you either get nudged or if someone changes their mind at the moment they set off which means they jam their brakes on, the 3 or 4 mph you've just got to can be stopped slightly quicker by the rear brake than opening your hand to get on the front.

Attempting to set off in neutral will only get you a minor at most and you're only likely to do it once if at all!

Best of luck with the test mate, let us know how you get on