Best Sitting Position at Stoplight for Motorcycle Safety | Motorcycle Tips

Best Sitting Position at Stoplight for Motorcycle Safety | Motorcycle Tips
Welcome to Nick's Friction Zone! In this video, we'll cover the best sitting position to adopt when you're stopped at a red light on your motorcycle. Ensuring your safety while riding is paramount, and mastering the correct posture can make a significant difference in preventing accidents and enhancing your overall riding experience. Learn how to keep one foot up with the rear brake engaged for optimal control and safety at stoplights.
When you stop at a traffic light, it's crucial to keep one foot up and the rear brake engaged. This technique ensures that if you're rear-ended by another vehicle, your motorcycle's rear wheel will slide you forward instead of causing a dangerous buckle and tip. By maintaining this position, you reduce the risk of losing balance and increase your chances of staying upright, protecting yourself from potential injuries.
Join us at Nick's Friction Zone as we dive into this essential motorcycle safety tip. We'll explain why this posture is superior to engaging the front brake, and provide practical advice to help you implement this technique every time you stop at a light. Don't forget to subscribe for more motorcycle safety tips, riding techniques, and gear reviews to enhance your riding experience. Stay safe and ride smart with Nick's Friction Zone!
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[@andrewparfrement8583]

I’ve just passed my motor bike test ( in England). If you Don’t keep your foot on the rear brake at lights and junctions you will fail the test. My instructor told me only a few weeks ago that he got rear ended at a set of lights ( she was on her mobile phone). Fortunately his rear wheel locked and skidded and he remained upright. Just goes to show it really works.

[@NicksFrictionZone]

I'm friends with the folks at the Bike Shed in London. They told me that getting a moto license in the UK is a whole lot harder. Much respect!! 💪

[@andrewparfrement8583]

@@NicksFrictionZone yes there is several stages, I’ve been riding bikes since the age of 12. But I’ve just passed my test ( first time). I turn 68 soon. My instructor told me I was the second oldest person he’s taught. Many thanks for your reply.

[@colindowd3892]

I've used that technique all my riding life and at 69 years old at a stop light got rear ended, the other vehicle hit me at 30mph. Nearly cost me my right leg. After surgery and 12 months in a leg brace I found myself restricted to three wheels. Just unlucky I guess??????

[@andrewparfrement8583]

@@colindowd3892 sorry to hear that!,yes you apparently have drawn the short straw that day!.

[@user-Terracer]

I never thought about keeping my right foot on the brake pedal at a stop light.. it makes sense - anything that can help the oncoming motorists see you is a good thing, so a glowing rear brake light is a a good thing. I have been riding for over fifty years - I love motorcycles - and I own a dealership. I advise all the new buyers to stop on the far right side of the lane when they are forced to stop at a traffic light, thus assuring them of an escape route should a threat materialize coming up behind them. Always watch the mirrors! Personally I like to snick the gearbox in neutral and use both feet to steady myself at a traffic light. Riding a motorcycle made me a better racecar driver too as I watch EVERYONE all around me - head on a swivel - mentally cataloging any potential threats...

[@NicksFrictionZone]

Brake lights!!! Awesome point 👏

[@TatangTon]

This is a good teaching video for a beginner like me. On MSF, instructor mentioned this and for the purpose of keeping my brake lights on when at a stop as well, but I always put both of my feet down as I feel more stable and turns out its becoming a bad habit. I got to practice keeping my right foot on rear brake more often.

[@NicksFrictionZone]

Hi 😂, you mentioned that you are a beginner. But you seem to be smart, committed and sound in judgement. Cheers mate !!!

[@shaspaz]

Thank u for this great explanation 🙏

[@NicksFrictionZone]

@shaspaz, , I appreciate the follow up 😄 I'm just so happy to connect with members of the motorcycle community 🙌

[@guutenberg5692]

ive been really curious on getting a motorcycle recently and ive been doing a bunch of research. They all kinda explain the very basics but no one explained how to just rest when stopped and i think you had a great explanation and explained why it was good

[@NicksFrictionZone]

I think it's very smart on your part to research before getting a motorcycle. Riding is not for everyone, but if it works for you? oh boy, the freedom, excitement, gratification, jolt of adrenaline, I can't explain it!!!

[@stevek4449]

Good tip sir. Also rear brake helps avoid rolling either way on an incline or slope when you relax with both feet down as rider may not be strong enough to prevent rolling into car in back or into busy intersection with just their feet so rear brake helps to resolve that risk as well.

[@NicksFrictionZone]

Excellent point on the incline ✊

[@Brou15O]

on a hill yeah. but without any hills or inclines i dont hold either brake.

[@RickMidds]

Good point 😉👍

[@NicksFrictionZone]

Ride safe brother 👋

[@AlbertK-eq5gd]

Stager at stops so you always have a way out if it starts to go south behind you. Both feet on the ground right hand on the front brake always in gear case you got to dump the clutch to get out of the way. I have been riding this way for 51 years I'm 66 . And last but not least head on a swivel use your mirrors and pay attention to your surroundings you don't have the comforts of being in a car or truck to protect you. Ride Happy ride safe ✌️

[@NicksFrictionZone]

Hi folks, just a quick note. I wanted to apologize for the terrible narration in this video. Most of my videos are recorded on a 1st take, and I don’t have a lot of time to edit ( I have a real day time job 😂). Also I welcome everyone in the motorcycle community, share your wisdom with additional tips and varying opinions. All are welcome, just please be courteous and mindful 😅😂

[@scsbo]

It was good enough, thank you

[@myconight]

Switching which foot I put down. This seems like such a simple thing that makes more sense, yet I have always put my left foot down, and ride the clutch and front brake on hills. I never had any instructions. Now I have decided to learn right, and although I had to skip my first riding class, I am rescheduling and paying for it agian (no refunds). Also my son just got his first bike, and I want him to learn correctly, so I am bettering myself to help him be safe. Thank you, new sub for sure!

[@MikeNoble]

I was taught that in my msc, thankfully. Something I’ve added lately is hitting the kill switch at long red lights. My car shuts off automatically when stopped and I thought why not do that on my bike. Kill it and rock the switch back to the on position. The bike is on, lights are on, brake light is on with my right foot on it. I can relax my clutch hand until the light changes and hit the ignition and off I go.

[@NicksFrictionZone]

@@MikeNoble thanks for sharing this tip. May I ask where u took ur msc? I’m gonna digest on this concept a bit.

[@MikeNoble]

@@NicksFrictionZone I took my msc last year in Tennessee. It was kind of a suggestion as he was introducing us to the bikes. Best things to do thing. Kill the motor was my own idea.

[@nja3224]

I get it and totally agree. However, my 62 y/o body and 700lb bike makes it more difficult to plant just one leg.

[@NicksFrictionZone]

Lots of folks in other videos r pointing out the difficulties of riding a heavy bike. I may post a follow up video on that topic for others to comment

[@Dellvmnyam]

And also keep looking in your mirrors if you're at a stop light, you'll have a chance to spot the vehicle that could rear end you and get out of the way.

[@dshw]

Thank you for this explanation. I'm currently learning to ride a bike. Another plus is that it is more comfortable to break with the foot compared to the hand 😅

[@NicksFrictionZone]

sounds exciting! please keep me posted on ur progress :)

[@ChrisVanMiddelkoop]

So I stop at the side of the lane in a lane filtering position so I dont get rear ended. And if someone would like to try they would just have to turn the wheel a teeny tiny bit to miss me completely. If I park on the left with a turn lane I normally have my right leg up so that the cars in that lane dont hit it. They speed down the lane with no regaurd to anyone elses. If I am on the right side of the lane will depend on if there is a curb or another lane. I wont stick my right leg out in an empty lane.

[@NicksFrictionZone]

hi @ChrisVanMIddlekoop, great take! I live in CA and also use the same lane position strategy. It's quite unfortunate that lane splitting and filtering is not allowed in other states. I will make a video about this very top soon. Thanks for watching 😀

[@LD777saed]

Also, that would cause your brake light to stay on, right? (Which would be a good thing.)

[@NicksFrictionZone]

@@LD777saed great point!!!

[@chrisrutledge9330]

This advice may work for people with lighter weight bikes, and long legs. Even then it seems dubious. I have a 630 pound BMW 1150RT - and there is no way I would give up the dual stability of both feet on the ground at a stop light. Apply the brakes, put both feet down solidly at the same time. (A benefit from linked brakes, wherein the rear wheel is braked by your right hand lever.) To me, the loss of assured both side both feet stability for the remote chance of being rear ended is foolish. Yes, the one leg down was OK on my Ninja 600 at 460 pounds, but I have switched to the 2 leg stance on that bike as well. A normal rider cannot, and should not, attempt to hold a heavy bike at a small lean to the left, which is required with the one foot system. And if you get rear ended at a speed where your bike is summersaulted over the front wheel, you and your bike are basically screwed - one foot or two. This single foot stance is one of the motorcycle questionable truths - like your $1000 helmet that for some mysterious reason "decays" after a few years and needs replacement....as if boat hulls with the same material need to be scrapped after a few months of pounding waves.

[@NicksFrictionZone]

@@chrisrutledge9330 I sincerely appreciate ur comment ( I can c that u took the time to write it) . One thing I learned in creating this channel, is that riders vary in opinion, based on: experience, environment and type of bike. I think u backed ur opinion w all 3.

[@steve00alt70]

But if your in 1st gear rear brake on and get rear ended, would you not stall the bike and the bike cannot go forward with it being in 1st gear stalled.

[@NicksFrictionZone]

Greetings @steve00alt70. Well, hmm if you are on 1st gear, then that means you got the clutch engaged preventing you from stalling right? Def not arguing, just trying to paint the scenario for us 😀

[@steve00alt70]

@@NicksFrictionZone I mean that if u get shunted the unexpected shock may release your clutch hand

[@user-mo5qc1hk3x]

the pip showed the left side of the bike.