How To Conquer Uphill Starts On A Motorcycle: Tips And Tricks

[@Atrip111]

Use the rear brake in this case not front. Let out same as friction point and little added throttle.

[@armith]

for a newer rider.. both feet down on an incline may be better than 1 footing it while loading up. However, on real steep inclines I would agree rear brake to hold while loading clutch would be less dramatic. Always felt like the safety courses should emphasis this exercise alot more than merely glancing by it in the book and video.

[@9toenelson]

@Atrip111, I prefer the method I explained because you know that the rear is set and ready to go the moment you release the front brake, because of the reaction from the suspension. With your method, you won’t have that indicator, you could misjudge the amount of throttle and kill the engine, and as @armith stated, you’ll be less stable due to using your foot at the rear brake. But do what works for you! 👍🏼

[@Mickey_Bauer]

I also find rear brake to be the easiest for me.

[@9toenelson]

@@Mickey_Bauer Cool! What is it about the front brake method that you find difficult?

[@fuglbird]

@@9toenelson We find it easier to use the rear brake because it's the natural choice. The brake at the most heavily loaded wheel is the most effective.

[@Ep5ilion]

Nice video, no bullshit, straight to the point

[@9toenelson]

@@Ep5ilion I try my best. Thanks!

[@brianlindsay1386]

What you mentioned is fine if it is only 6 degrees but if it’s more or if you are struggling you should use your rear brake. Just go from 2 feet to leaning slightly on your left, now you can use your right foot to apply your rear brake and let go of your front hand brake all together. Now you can feather your clutch out and go!

[@9toenelson]

While I have done this at greater than 6°, I’m not arguing that my method is the only method, or the best method. But I do feel it is safer for beginners. The method you and Atrip111 suggest is certainly valid and will work in the same situations. Thanks for the input! 👍🏼

[@TheOmniscientAtheist]

I came from riding scooters and have always put my right foot down, I live in a very hilly area and have a heavy bike too. I'm training myself to put the left foot down but it's hard.

[@9toenelson]

@@TheOmniscientAtheist Any and all skills that will help you improve your abilities and safety when riding are worth learning and practicing. Our riding skills are perishable. If you don’t keep up the practice, you’ll lose them over time.

[@TheOmniscientAtheist]

@@9toenelson 4 sure true. I've been practicing clutchless upshifts as well, I want to do my full license next year and get a Suzuki GSX650f (currently on Varadero 125)

[@9toenelson]

@@TheOmniscientAtheist Good for you! I suggest checking out this Fortnine Short: kzbin.infoNRV20lLRMOA?si=vIMvvf8jVAb9Wutx I also suggest taking your time to practice before and after you get the GSX650f. Moving up from a 125 to a 650 is a big change. 👍

[@robyzf4829]

Front brake works good if you are short legged. Allows you to maintain balance.

[@9toenelson]

@@robyzf4829 And even if you have long legs but a heavier bike, taller bike, or a lighter bike on a windy day. It’s always a an option for any reason.

[@jayminasi6073]

i use the back brake to hold it.

[@9toenelson]

@@jayminasi6073 Have you ever tried this method?

[@scowlsmcjowls2626]

5 words.. you gotta ride that clutch..

[@9toenelson]

Well said! 👍🏼

[@fuglbird]

You should always use the rear brake when stopping or starting on an upward slope. The front brake alone may not be able to hold you on a steep slope. The front wheel may skid because the load on it is lower than usual. It's important to learn the right technique from the start. It becomes muscle memory. One day it may save you from dropping your motorcycle. Let's watch an example of applying the front brake only on an upward slope: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q37JmZehqLlnfLcsi=ZeCODogjLorUPnvD

[@9toenelson]

For what it’s worth, I was discussing starting from a stop. Not stopping alone. I agree that both brakes is the best method of stopping when on an incline. Both uphill and downhill. But when starting from a stop, you’re already stopped. If you feel traction fading when you transition to starting, then apply both brakes. The starting technique is variable. I never said mine is the best or only. But it is what has always worked for me and the bikes I’ve ridden. Kinga’s BMW F800GS (?) was definitely weighted heavily at the back, causing a lesser amount of traction at the front. But she was never stopped as it is. If I was in that scenario, I’m sure I would have relied on the rear. I don’t rely on this method alone. It’s just my preferred. Have you practiced BOTH techniques?

[@fuglbird]

​@@9toenelson Of course I don't practice using the front brake alone on an upward slope. It's not advisable to practice unsound techniques. Please stop giving bad advice to beginners. The motorcycle fatality rate in the USA is already almost 6 times higher than in the EU. Please don't make it worse.

[@9toenelson]

@@fuglbird I’ll do my best. Thanks for your input! Keep riding safely!

[@Bisonmsc]

"and that no VALID (safe fir conditions) method us wrong" I disagree that it is a safe method for all the reasons I posted, so IMHO it should not be considered in any circumstance, specially for the new riders you are directing this towards. My opinion and about $3 gets you a double double at Hortons ☕🍩

[@9toenelson]

Well, I guess we can agree to disagree. I know that I have practiced and applied both methods. I’ve been taught both methods at different levels of certified training (beyond the MSF) and I’m glad to be able to present what I have to those with an open mind. And please don’t forget, I also directed this to “those of you who are new to motorcycling and need a little beginner help, or those of you who’ve been out of practice for a while and might have forgotten how to do this.” I’m sorry if you felt I was directing this soley to beginners. It wasn’t. Anyone can benefit from it if they choose to put it into practice. But if it’s not for you, by all means, don’t do it. Again, I truly appreciate your comments. It helps give people the opportunity to make an informed choice. Keep riding safe 👍🏼 And if you let me know which province to visit, I’ll take you up on the double double. 😊

[@Bisonmsc]

9toes. You directed this at beginner riders and are saying they should use a method that most experienced riders have problems with. Ive been teaching new riders since 1994 and i always teach the safest and most effective methods. All stops and starts should be with the right foot on the rear brake and left foot on the ground. Hill starts are very difficult for riders who do not have great clutch control. You are saying to have both feet on the ground and to use your right hand to apply just the right amount of throttle with your palm and thumb, while moving your fingers in the opposite direction. This is counter intuitive at best and designed to fail at worst. New riders will get it wrong and stall the bike, which will start slipping backwords. They will grab the front brake on the unweighted front wheel, instead of the weighted rear wheel. The process is repeated with more fear and frustrations as they fail time after time and panic sets in. They are now mentally and physically unable to start. Do as I teach and when they get it wrong and stall, the bike stays put and under control as they try again. Remember Occams razor

[@9toenelson]

Please don’t forget, this is a method anyone can learn as an alternative method. It’s not meant to be considered the ONLY option. Neither option is “perfect”. I have actually found this easier than your method in most cases because there is stability through out the process since both feet are planted. If you’re beginning to slide due to lack of a sufficiently weighted front tire, then switch to using the rear. If you’re at a stop with both feet already planted, you already have the front brake applied. Why not move forward from there with this method? I think the main reason I appreciate this process is that you’ll know that the rear tire is planted and ready to go, with a reduced chance of rolling back since it’s already under power. You know because of the change in the suspension. The manipulation of the throttle and front brake is a very simple manipulation that can be done with the thumb and palm, or thumb and pinky and ring fingers. And as with ALL methods, no one knows how to do either process without learning and PRACTICING. Practice is the key. If you never take the time to practice a new method, you’ll never learn if it’s a viable/practical process that you might prefer. As someone who has instructor experience, you know that methods can change over time for many reasons, and that no VALID (safe for the conditions) method is wrong. And that being open to learning new skills and practicing regularly is important, since all of our skills are perishable. Thanks for your comment 👍🏼

[@Bisonmsc]

The method I described works on all the students i have taught so far. As a Senior Instructor on the Police MC course, we had students do hill starts on steep grassy hills on Road Kings and KZ1000s. They tried the version you described and in 8 years of teaching, not one Candidate was able to continue up the hill. We then switched to what I described and 100% got underway again. A hill start is part of many Road Tests out here in BC so all my students do it "my way" and all passed. My nearest Hortons is about a 5 min ride away...the Smile Cookie is on me😁

[@9toenelson]

Cool! I was never required to do a hill start on a steep grassy hill, so I can't (and never did) say that the method I presented would apply or work. I never even hinted at using it in that scenario. I also didn't suggest using my method if diesel was present all over the inclined pavement I was stopped on. Nor would I if the inclined road was covered in ice (unless I had studded tires). I presented a scenario on clear and clean pavement, as that is where I believe most riders (of street use motorcycles, not off-road applications) would benefit from it. I think you can see what I'm getting at here. Not every method applies to every scenario. In such cases, as in all aspects of life, it's always good to have options and know how to apply them if needed. The skills we learn as motorcyclist start at a very basic level. We then learn other skills that build on those basic skills. That's how we grow to become better at what we love to do. And when we have options to apply for different circumstances, and can readily recognize which is most appropriate for the given circumstance, we're better prepared. But if you don't at least get exposed to options and aren't able to broaden your "toolbox", you can find yourself in a tough spot. I'm certain that neither of us want to see that happen.

[@Bisonmsc]

Do NOT do what he says. Use the REAR brake to hold the bike. Trying to use your right hand to get just the right amount of throttle AND control the bike from sliding back, is stupid...and way more difficult. Not all info you get on you tube is correct

[@9toenelson]

@@Bisonmsc That’s correct. Not all information you get on KZbin is correct. But that doesn’t mean that an alternate method is wrong, either. Your opinion is valid, but it doesn’t invalidate mine or my method. Everyone is welcome to determine what works best for them.

[@valskorupko8714]

Seems like an easy thing but why use front. It’s a handful and more stressful. Rear brake is way easier.

[@9toenelson]

Balance and the added indicators that you’re in gear and the ready to pull away with less risk of stalling since the rear shell is technically free. I also feel that the front brake is easier to manipulate with better control than the rear. I’m also asking the rear of the bike to do just one thing, not two. It’s always worked for me.