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[RPR50]

I've ridden solo for last two years on my Springer. I've taken safety courses and bought videos to improve my riding skill and safety margin. One thing I learned was to keep my right foot on the brake and put only my left foot down at stop signs and traffic lights (I know the front brake is primary). Here's my question. Now that I've got my SESG, I'm taking a BSR with me from time to time. At stops, the one foot rule is hard to follow.  Advice?  Is this a form fault or a fact of life? 

[ice6900]

When stopped at a traffic light I have always kept both feet on the ground to steady the bike and if required held the bike still with the front brake, when starting on a hill I would quickly hold the bike in position with the foot brake before take off. Like you say with different bike you do need to adapt your riding styles for various reasons

[Chains]

Always two feet down at a traffic light.  Sort of a roll through on stop signs if 4 way.  As light changes foot on brake if on a hill. 

[ultrafxr]

MSF teaches to put the left foot down first as you come to a stop but I've not heard anything about keeping you right foot on the rear brake the entire time you are stopped.  My suggestion is to keep both feet on the ground when stopped and hold the bike with the front brake.  I use the left foot down first technique most all the time but just before the bike stops completely the right foot goes down also.  Only safe way to be sure you don't lose your balance / footing when riding two-up on a large bike.

[hdnik]

I had the exact same question. I got my liciense in 1983 when there was no need to take a motorcyle safety course. Last summer a friend of mine decided to buy a bike, so I took the couse with him. I asked one of the instructors the same thing... this is waht he said;

The general rule from a safety point of view is 1st gear, clutch in, left foot down and right foot on brake... why??? Well 1st gear so you can get out of the way quickly if need be and right foot on brake so that the brake light is always glowing regardless of what your right hand is doing. Watch yourself, I did, and found I tend to use my right hand do a lot of little things like scratch my leg or adjust my helmet while waiting at a stop.

Based on that theory, if you are riding 2 up or when the road is uneven and/or balance or stability is a concern,just be sure to use the front brake to keep the brake light lit... then you meet the safety concerns. You should be able to roll on throttle with palm, thumb and pinky finger while holding the brake with the other three, just as you do when you blip the throttle for downshifting, so starting on a hill with both feet down should be no probs without having to give up stabilty

[ragtop13]

MSF teaches you to get back into first gear before you stop and then put your foot down...they teach that for a good reason...it's tough to get going with a BSR when your not in first gear and you've lost track of what gear you were in when you stopped....at least that's my understanding....  

[1sharprdkg]

MSF teaches to put the left foot down first as you come to a stop but I've not heard anything about keeping you right foot on the rear brake the entire time you are stopped.  My suggestion is to keep both feet on the ground when stopped and hold the bike with the front brake.  I use the left foot down first technique most all the time but just before the bike stops completely the right foot goes down also.  Only safe way to be sure you don't lose your balance / footing when riding two-up on a large bike.

+AGREE what ultrafxr said...

[RPR50]

Appreciate the advice. Two-up on the SESG is a lot different than solo on my Springer. 

[Dan_Lockwood]

A side note on two foot stops.

In some rally towns, Sturgis as an example, if the cops get over zealous on looking for bikes to come to a complete stop at stop signs, they look for both feet down.  I know lots of people will do one foot down when in stop and go traffic like that, but just to be on the safe side, plant both feet if nothing else just for show.

[Bubba]

BUBBA says    two foots better than one foot and one foot better than NONE!!!!

my vote is the start the stop with your foot on the rear brake and put the left down first then at stop put both feet down.

[kraut]

funny - I got taught to change to neutral as long as bike is rolling and at stop put only the right foot down, the left staying ready to shift into first and hold the bike with the front brake only.

In overregulated Germany you have to pass a test for your Riders Licence and you will not pass if you put both feet down at a stop because this is regarded as a lack of control over the bike.

Different countries, different rules 

[Gecko]

Solo on the Fat Boy it was left foot down, but (can't believe one could say this about a 630 lb bike) it felt like a light-weight compared to the SERK.  Two-up it's both feet down.

[miker]

Practice with a rider is all...When the pizza oven I ride is at a light, I have clutch in, in 1st gear. Left foot (at least) down. 
I will use my right foot if needed as the jet-hot coated fat-cats with heat shields will still set my jeans on fire...

[spydglide]

Practice with a rider is all...When the pizza oven I ride is at a light, I have clutch in, in 1st gear. Left foot (at least) down. 
I will use my right foot if needed as the jet-hot coated fat-cats with heat shields will still set my jeans on fire...

.  It all depends on the situation....the main thing is what Bubba says: two better than one......one better than none.  har.  spyder

[KaseyKahnefan]

I've taken safety courses and bought videos to improve my riding skill and safety margin. One thing I learned was to keep my right foot on the brake and put only my left foot down at stop signs and traffic lights

Just Finished a Team Oregon Rider Safety Course this weekend, Here is what they said. "stop using both brakes, shifting into 1st gear and putting your left foot down "first" but put both feet on the ground during a stop holding with the front brake and the clutch depressed in first gear for a "quick escape" in case of trouble. I have not ridden two up but I've gotta say heavy bike + 2 peeps = two feet. Do whats comfortable and safest. Tip it over with her up there and she will be using two feet all right!

FWIW, The Team Oregon Course was fun and a great learning experience. I started with their basic course and now plan to take their intermediate course. Next year I want to take their Advanced course they have on a go cart race track! In this class I watched a couple lady's go from I've never ridden before to doing very well in 3 days! They make it clear they should practice a lot more to be ready to ride in the real world but this gives them the basic skills and confidence to practice and ride safe. I'd spend a bunch of time in parking lots two up to get comfortable and get her comfortable before heading out into the wild blue yonder.