Test Help Needed! Traffic Lights

[Dave321]

Originally Posted by druidsam

what i was told was to keep the bike in 1st gear,left foot down and right foot on the rear brake.



........................Sam

That would be how i was taught On a few occasions i nearly had my foot run over by a lorry crossing into my lane because he never had the room and that's with my left foot down. Even though this is how they teach you you just have to be vigilant.

[leighcurtis9]

Hi guys, thanks for your advice, Ive just called a few training centres and they say it is ok to keep the bike in 1st gear, put left foot down and apply rear brake at all times.

Cheers again guy's.

[AndyR]

I'm so glad I passed the test 20+ years ago.

Anyway, personally when I'm at the lights my bike is in neutral and I even turn the engine off, (something I learned when I was in Sweden where it's law you must turn your engine off at traffic lights).

I usually put both feet down and sit with the front brake on if I'm on a hill, if I'm on the flat there's no need to brake.

Then when the lights start to change, as soon as amber comes up I start the bike, into gear and I'm moving off by the time the lights change to green.

I doubt this technique would equal a test pass but it works for me.

[Spinaltapper]

Had a lesson Wednesday and at the start I was putting my right foot down, changing into 1st then switching feet.

My instructor said the best thing is to do a quick double tap down the gears, (until it goes solid, that way you know you're in 1st) just before you stop, then left foot down. Then you're ready to go straightaway. He called the left foot down, right covering the brake, the control position.

[grotbag]

Originally Posted by leighcurtis9

Hi guys, thanks for your advice, Ive just called a few training centres and they say it is ok to keep the bike in 1st gear, put left foot down and apply rear brake at all times.

Cheers again guy's.

Glad you got sorted leigh, remember to come back and let us know how you got on eh!

[gasman]

I *thought* the idea of the "control position" was in case some arsehole is coming up behind you and clearly will not be able to stop without shunting you off the bike, that you have the ability to move off instantly and avoid the car.?

[Spinaltapper]

Good luck tomorrow mate. You probably won't see this until you've done it but anyway. Look forward to hearing how it went.

I'll be a nervous wreck the night before my test, which is Nov 26th. Not only because I don't want to fail but at £80 a pop it's bloody expensive.