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[iski]

My wife (who's just starting to ride again) and I had a long discussion today about stopping at stop signs. We've been riding together quite a bit over the past 6 weeks since she took the 2 1/2 day riders course and find ourselves approaching stop signs with the intent of keeping our feet on the pegs, looking both ways and keep moving. I have stopped a few times and put my feet down only to cause her to brake hard to stop. She says if she see me move into the intersection, she assumes it is safe for her and keeps rolling.

Our discussion today was on the discipline of stopping at EVERY sign and putting our feet down, then looking for oncoming traffic. I find if I am approaching an intersection with the intent of keeping my feet up, I'm looking both ways but my mind is actively trying to keep the bike balanced and I am distracted. I usually look right, then left, then right again to confirm but if I am trying to keep from putting a foot down, I may not look right a second time. If I am riding alone, I am more confident of pulling off a feet-up near stop but if I am riding with my wife I am thinking about whether or not there is room for two bikes to safely make the turn. All this overloads my tiny little mind.

My wife said in the training school they did not require that you put feet down at stop signs. Not sure if it is the law but I am wondering what you experienced riders do. Do you do the same thing at each stop sign? Do you do the same thing when leading another rider? following another rider?

Looking for some experienced counsel.

Thanks in advance for your views!

Best advice in this thread is never assume just because another rider does something - proceeding into an intersection in front of you especially - that it is safe for other riders to proceed as well.  Traffic conditions change second to second & each rider is responsible for their own decisions.

[sadunbar]

My wife (who's just starting to ride again) and I had a long discussion today about stopping at stop signs. We've been riding together quite a bit over the past 6 weeks since she took the 2 1/2 day riders course and find ourselves approaching stop signs with the intent of keeping our feet on the pegs, looking both ways and keep moving. I have stopped a few times and put my feet down only to cause her to brake hard to stop. She says if she see me move into the intersection, she assumes it is safe for her and keeps rolling.
Our discussion today was on the discipline of stopping at EVERY sign and putting our feet down, then looking for oncoming traffic. I find if I am approaching an intersection with the intent of keeping my feet up, I'm looking both ways but my mind is actively trying to keep the bike balanced and I am distracted. I usually look right, then left, then right again to confirm but if I am trying to keep from putting a foot down, I may not look right a second time. If I am riding alone, I am more confident of pulling off a feet-up near stop but if I am riding with my wife I am thinking about whether or not there is room for two bikes to safely make the turn. All this overloads my tiny little mind.

My wife said in the training school they did not require that you put feet down at stop signs. Not sure if it is the law but I am wondering what you experienced riders do. Do you do the same thing at each stop sign? Do you do the same thing when leading another rider? following another rider?

Looking for some experienced counsel.

Thanks in advance for your views!

That is scary.  One of the most important lessons of riding is to understand that you are responsible for your own safety - no one else....

[rlavigna]

I see a lot of close calls at stop signs from riders that have been riding both a long time and a few years.  The habit of following the 1st rider blindly through a stop sign is plain stupid.  Many riders take the view that if the 1st rider starts through the intersection then all cars should yield and let all riders through.  Then it gets me when these same riders get mad when a car starts toward them when they are in the intersection. 

I stop with my feet up then move cautiously. 

[hunter]

I see a lot of close calls at stop signs from riders that have been riding both a long time and a few years.  The habit of following the 1st rider blindly through a stop sign is plain stupid.  Many riders take the view that if the 1st rider starts through the intersection then all cars should yield and let all riders through.  Then it gets me when these same riders get mad when a car starts toward them when they are in the intersection. 

I stop with my feet up then move cautiously. 

Wow, I wish I could do that.   

[Dan_Lockwood]

Even though we arrived in Sturgis mid week this year, there were several of our friends there that did in fact get ticketed for rolling stops.  They said that the police were watching VERY closely this year.  It was two feet down or a ticket.

I try sometimes to do the balancing act too, but I have to agree, it is distracting.  The concentration it takes takes to do this takes your mind off the intended purpose of the stop, that is to look for oncoming traffic.

One thing I have noticed when going from my old '76 FLH to the new SERK, the rear passenger pegs/boards, tend to be in the way on the new bike.  When I place my feet down to the pavement just before I stop rolling, if my foot sticks to the pavement just a bit it smashes back into the passenger foot or peg or board and gets me right in the calf.

When taking off I have to remember to not drag my feet as they again will get my legs smashed.  I now try to just lift straight up and take off.

Another thing I compare between the two bikes, and I still on occasion ride the FLH two up, the low gear on the old bike lets you take off a bit more smoothly with the lower gear ratio.  With the new SERK I still have to slip the clutch a lot to get a good smooth take off.  You have to be rolling faster to finally let the clutch all the way out, but the old bike is really great for the very slow speed parking lot rolls without having to slip the clutch.

Sorry for the rambling on about a change of topic.

The bottom line is to be safe and having your full attention at any traffic intersection, whether it's a green light while you're going through or some other cross traffic intersection, observation is key.  Always drive defensively.  Assume the worst that could happen.

Back in my younger days, I drove seasonally for UPS around the holidays.  While driving for UPS if ANYTHING happens to the truck, you're at fault.  I'm sorry, a broken windshield was not a chargeable accident, but any moving accident was charged against you as a driver.  Their thinking is that if you're aware of your surroundings, you can avoid anything that might happen.  That did teach me a lot about driving more defensively.

Again I digress, sorry.

[rlavigna]

Wow, I wish I could do that.   

Like most, I have some habits (good and bad) that have been with me for 30 plus years of riding.  Feet up, balanced, stopped for a second, cautious yet agressive an defensive.  Not perfect but they are my bad habits.  I do not follow others without verifying the road ahead for myself. 

[Hoist!]

Not even sure what this is about. Stop means stop! Law says complete stop. Anything less is ticketable. Do I stop completely at every stop sign? Hell no! But it's my responsibility to do so, and must make sure that I can if someone's coming! Putting your feet down has nothing to do with how you stop. Don't forget to do that if you're at a complete stop though!

And follow blindly the guy in front of me? Only if I had a death wish!!!

Hoist!

[hunter]

Like most, I have some habits (good and bad) that have been with me for 30 plus years of riding.  Feet up, balanced, stopped for a second, cautious yet agressive an defensive.  Not perfect but they are my bad habits.  I do not follow others without verifying the road ahead for myself. 

I was just reffering to your stopping with your feet up , I thought that was a miss type .  You mean pause with feet up and go.

[iski]

Not even sure what this is about. Stop means stop! Law says complete stop. Anything less is ticketable. Do I stop completely at every stop sign? Hell no! But it's my responsibility to do so, and must make sure that I can if someone's coming! Putting your feet down has nothing to do with how you stop. Don't forget to do that if you're at a complete stop though!

And follow blindly the guy in front of me? Only if I had a death wish!!!

Hoist!

Howie, at Howie-speed, figure you stop as fast as you ride.   


Last year, after a ride, somebody (no, not me) forgot to put their jiffy stand down after they stopped in the parking lot & tried to get off the bike as it fell over.   

[miker]

I find using the brakes seems to be the best way to stop....I 'm just saying...

[FLYNDYNA]

I always come to a complete stop with both feet down and look both ways. Even if it were not an enforced law, I don't want to push the envelope into an inevitable disaster. I just took the Virginia BSR course, and highly recommend it to even the most seasoned of riders. After riding motorcycles for 24 years, I have gained additional tools and insight into proper operation and safety. I will now be planning to take the advanced course early next year. Ride Safe!

Flyndyna

[BIGDOG]

At a true stop sign or light ,We always come to a compleat stop then resume travel. One word of caution have her watch traffic , do not rely on just watching you . The other issue is how close she followes, if you have to panic stop she will rear end you for sure. My wife and I have ridden separate bikes for a little over 10 years.  Early on in our riding together I was pulling out of a gas station onto a 50 mph road ,Realizing we couldn't,t both be safe I hit the brakes and she tagged me big time. My fault for not thinking through the situation completely before going but also she was way to close. Just a word from experience.
Enjoy riding together it has been great for us.

[rlavigna]

I was just reffering to your stopping with your feet up , I thought that was a miss type .  You mean pause with feet up and go.

Not back peddling here but I pause (stop) with my feet up if the intersection is clear and no one is in the opposing lanes.  If opposing traffic is there then my pause (stop) is not an option.  At busy or occupied intersection a foot does touch the ground.  I pause...I mean I will Stop this and start working.

[iski]

I find using the brakes seems to be the best way to stop....I 'm just saying...

Shoe soles worn out? 

[FLYNDYNA]

Shoe soles worn out? 

BA HA!!!!