So there is something which I recently learned is called the ‘Hendon Shuffle’…
This is when you come to a stop on your bike, right foot down, left foot into neutral, left foot down, right foot up onto the rear brake. You then wait like this and then repeat the procedure as the lights change or whatever…
The other alternatives would be like, holding the front brake with the bike in gear, both feet down…
…or rear brake, left foot down but still in gear etc…
I think the ‘Hendon Shuffle’ idea means that if someone rear ends you at a junction, you just get shunted forward a bit. Whereas if you were in gear, or holding the front brake, you could go flying over the top or the bike could shoot off by itself, as you drop the clutch.
What is your thought on this? This is just a discussion, nothing more really… Thanks!
According to the advanced training that I have had, it’s whatever suits the circumstances best, however a smoother stop is achieved by using the rear brake, therefore most circumstances would favour left foot down with the possibility of a shuffle depending on how long you think you are going to wait and whether it’s worth popping into neutral. (or if you are particularly awake, pop into neutral at the last second before the left goes down, without coasting of course! and having checked your mirrors that it is safe to do so)
If turning I will usually put down the foot that leads into the turn as it seems to set the bike in a more stable position for the off. If on an incline then left foot and hold the bike on the rear brake to save from riding the clutch.
whatever feels right at the time, no fast rules. I’ll try and be as mechanically sympathetic to the bike as I can, however I’m not a slave to it.
I still teach the Hendon Shuffle on CBT and on day 1 of DAS/A2 training. It’s very good at getting a student into a systematic routine when learning. It takes care of the “Precautions” element (section 10 on the DL25 MC A Riding Test Report) and ensuring gear selection with a brake applied.
Once we’ve been on the road a while, I offer the suggestion of putting the right foot down at traffic lights so the left can select gear swiftly.
Personally, I use a mix of both depending on the situation at the time.
Interesting… Yeah that’s the challenge, tryin to beer put your feet down! Not always possible though with some of the two minute traffic lights etc…
I like the idea of keeping in neutral and holding the rear brake at a junction - if you get a bump from behind then you’re prepared for it… BUT… On the other hand, if you keep it in first, clutch in and rear brake, or 1 finger on the front, you can anticipate someone coming up from behind and be ready to move off in a hurry if you have to.
When I took my CBT I was taught the shuffle, it made sense for me at the time with hill starts, getting used to findin neutral etc…
But these days I end up doing a bit of everything… I’ll often come to a stop and keep in first with a finger on the front brake to hold the bike… Or when filtering I’m always in the rear brake anyway, so when I have to stop I’ll slap on the rear brake, either in first ready to move again, or occasionally dropping into neutral I give my clutch hand a rest.
Interesting responses though… I love hearing other people’s opinions on stuff like this!
I also use a bit of both since it makes sense, especially if you’re travelling through a familiar route. There is no reason to be holding the clutch for 2mins at the lights if you can pop in the neutral and relax. Same way if you know the green’s coming, going through the trouble of switching legs back and forth just seems like a lot of work for nothing. And yes, I am a lazy guy.
In Holland we were told to shift down to first before we stopped, pull the clutch and put our left foot down with the right foot resting on the rear brake to keep the brake light on. That’s pretty much what everyone does there.
hahahahah, yes it is from the very place. Most hate it at first as old habits die hard, but it does become second nature after a while.
However the idea is to approach a red ats and slowly click down the gears until either the lights change and you should in theory be in
the right gear or stop in neutral and apply rear brake. This is so if you get rear ended you get shunted forwards and not over the handle bars.
Mmmm interesting, I do most of it except the neutral bit. 80% of time.
Reason being I learnt to ride on an 2 stroke that hated 1st gear from neutral! So what with being a Learner, I felt best to stay In gear so not fumbling at the lights.
But now on a 4 stroke, if I know is a few minute wait, pop it in neutral.
But did think I failed my test when the examiner pulled up beside me and I hear him drop the bike it to first as we move off from the lights Opps the one thing I forgot!
Just a thought on which brake to use when stationary…
I’ve been rear ended while stationary and can say it really doesn’t matter which brake you have on, as once you’re hit, the bike moves from under you and you let go of everything anyway…
I now put more emphasis on leaving a bigger gap when stopping in traffic rather than using a particular brake… One, so I’ve got more space in front if I get shunted and Two, I can ride away from the rear of the vehicle and down the side of it, letting them take the shunt up the arse…
Thats good advice Iggy. Control the space around you. Sometimes I dab the brakes if I see something coming up behind me, just to light up my brakes lights in the hope it’ll draw their attention. Depends if you’re stationary or have stopped quickly though I guess.
The thinking is that if you have the front brake on that will act as the pivot if you are really unlucky. With the rear brake on it should just compressed the rear shock.
