If only one day we could have some videos called "Ride Like a European"... I bet we could learn to turn an Electra Glide around on the perimeter of a frisbee. Then we could all watch them on YouTube and comment on how we do it in America. Still waiting on those videos of 9' turns...
Funny thing is U-turn, slow and high speed manoeuvers are essential parts of the motorcycle licence in Europe. If you fail at one of those three trials, you don't get the licence. It's always funny to watch such videos, whereas for me it's something I do everyday without dragging my feet or even laying a single foot on the ground. And don't get me wrong: I have a Suzuki GSX Inazuma and a Dyna Fat Bob! Nice video, anyway!
Braniach is correct, in EU you don't pass unless you know how to figure 8 in a pretty small box + U-turn from an incline. My course had a 6 ft drop at the end of the incline as well so there was literally no room for error.
On the other hand, we don't ride bikes as big as the one in this video while getting our license.
Footdragger or walking the dog is one of the worst habits I see in so many riders. I am not an instructor nor am I the best rider in the world, but everyone can use a lot of parking lot practice every year - all the time. Get some cones and good instruction and practice, practice, practice - we have enough to worry about on the roads, it's not the place to learn how to ride.
@cebarnold2 and you know you have to park your bike somewhere every time you ride, what a better time than when you first get on and right before you jump off?
@Brainiac83 the whole point I make during my show is to explain and demonstrate to the crowds exactly HOW BIG 24' really is if you pay attention, I demonstrate how to make the turn even tighter by leaning.
@motorman857 I will make a video how to uturn in 3 yards of space without putting a foot down. I europe we do things different. Even in bike school you have to make figure of 8 in a tiny box + 9 other excercises + street riding demonstration of 1 hour.wer thought to put our knee out for turning in slow speeds. One good thing would be to teach the people how to drag the rear brake in tight turns and shift weight to counter the natural fall of the bike.Those two are probably two most important
@Brainiac83 Evidently, you don't follow my program, I teach the three motor officer techniques here in the USA, head and eyes, friction zone and rear brake. Watch all my videos I have here on youtube and you'll see what I teach. Can't wait to see your video of a uturn in 3 yards, what are you riding, a moped? I understand in Europe everything is different, your streets are much smaller too.
@Brainiac83 Excellent! looking forward to seeing your video. I have many Europeans that are here in Florida, USA on Holiday that sign up to take my class and when they tell us about how the training is in Europe, I think it's a darn good thing, here, you don't have to do much more than take a beginner's class for a weekend, if you pass, voila, you get a motorcycle license. Many riders do no more training past that point, big mistake. Practice and training is the key.
Awesome course, I think that every motorcyclist should take this course. I did it on a 2008 H-D Rocker... I was dragging the primary doing a 1-handed full-lock 360's (low speed)!
Great video haha.. My father taught himself that when he worked For PD On the BMWs.. He finally got good enough to the point at stop signs he could make a full stop without putting his feet down, people needa also learn that not only do u have to use your front brake but you also can easly catch ur foot on somthing and run it over or crush it.. Can happen Very fast...
I got my Video in the mail over the weekend, and getting ready to watch it again.. its realy cold here in Woodlawn,Tn {23 deg} but I may have to take the RK out for a spin. I went riding yesterday and some of the Technique's I saw on the Video, I appliad , and they do make a bunch of difference. I have several friends that have ridden for years that highly recommended this video.. its a must have..
I have the videos and I practice before every ride. My wife is on the back when I make U turns and they are tighter than the people we ride with. Weight is not a problem and I can turn around in 24' pulling my Bushtec trailer. By the way I ride a GoldWing. The instruction from the videos is PRICELESS.
I'm with you, joedew2.I live in Australia and i just stumbled across motormans videos on the net. Wow...bloody awesome.I also ride a wing and love it, but with some of Jerrys tips under my belt, i can't believe how much easier it is to manage. God, I wish he was here. I would enroll in his classes so quick it would make your eyes water.unbelievable how easy they make it look.
@steiny47Watched your Ride like a Pro V last night,also the deals gap DVD, knowing i was heading out for a days ride with the guys today.Still can't believe how much i have improved, just from listening to your tips.a couple of times the corners started to get sharp all of a sudden and then i realized i wasn't looking far enough "through" the corner....gave myself an uppercut...remembered "head and Eyes" then i was back on track.The wing handles great for a big bike, I'm getting used to it now.
@Loader2k there's just some riders that think dragging their feet along the ground like a little girl that just took her training wheels off is safe. They don't understand how dangerous it is, they will when they break an ankle.
@Loader2k I don't even put my feet down when I stop! Haha, I just got my first bike a few weeks ago and I've almost completely overcome footdragger syndrome.
am doing seventy man, just to see how low I can get my right foot to the ground be fore I catch the tarmac,my foots not on the deck, man Dave bye the way I hope you have raised your speed now from 30 to seventy, or maybe 100, there is no need to brake so survire on bends at 30, this is why I over take and waIT FOR 5 MINS for you to catch up, you will cause an accident.
@o0jun0o your local dmv will or does offer motorcycle training classes throughout the whole summer. Get in early or take a chance of not getting in because they usually fill up fast. Good luck and have fun.
The most stable state is when both feet are on the pegs. that way you have the most contact with the bike & get the most feel/ feedback. Even a big bike, if you keep control will be stable down to a walking pace. Even if you have wide handlebars, taking your feet off the pegs will make it more difficult. Its only done by people who have doubts about their own abilities to handle a motorcycle. You need to get your confidance up.
I dont drag feet, even when I am on a 50 scooter with front and rear brakes on handlebars. Anyone who needs to counterweight are better off putting their knees out or at high speed on a scooter get off the seat towards the inside of the corner with knee out, scooter racers do that. heh I remember doing that manouveur catching the green light turning yellow at 70K and a group of custom riders were looking at me from the oncoming position :D
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
Some here are flat full of it. Went to the Hockenheim motor speedway several weekends ago to watch over 100 of the top motorcycle racers in the world compete and the two of us (wife & myself) saw over 80 incidents (stopped counting at that) of those riders putting a foot or feet down for various reasons (none involving a stopped position) during the two-day event. Given that, quite obviously a foot down does not equate to rider skill.
@stewartx5 Did you watch my video at all? I am not racing around a race track, I'm discussing SLOW SPEED maneuvers. Was I racing? Was I even talking about racing? What planet are some of you people from?
@stewartx5 i dont care if anyone knows how to fly 100 through the twists, what shows TRUE control of the bike is slow speed maneuvers. try that on a bagger and tell me if its easy
people that drag there feet and have to walk the bike to start off dont know how to ride one plain and simple, as soon as my clutch goes out my feet are on the pegs
there is a time for putting your feet down, gravel, chippings, (unsafe ground) i totally agree with. if your on unsure ground, safety first. on a u-turn? no, feet up unless ur bike about to go over
just remember, riders that actually know what they are doing will be pointing and laughing at you behind your back. Dragging your feet is NOT safe. Did you ever take a motorcycle safety class?
I guess i know what i'm doing after dragging my feet though a pebble road and keeping it under control but the 3 people behind who were riding like champs fell on their ass , go back to school and tell them that !
In response, I'll ask if you've read the previous comments? My comment was addressed to those claiming a skilled rider never (on dirt, sand, etc) puts a foot down unless stopped. That's pure nonsense (the rantings of likely amateurs), of course. I've ridden for decades (even on snow & ice) and can think of hundreds of times where I've needed to put a foot down to stabilize the bike. To do otherwise would have been utterly foolish.
@METH3454 DUDE...you and the word safety are not in the same sentence!!! My 10 year old doesn't put her feet down until a dead stop within the next 5 or so feet. She just told me to tell you to get your purse, hike up that skirt and get on a bike with a guy that knows how to ride.
Here here! Three chears for Motorman! Hahaha. I put my feet up almost instantly. In fact for fun (in the controlled environment of light traffic and stop signs not lights) near my home I will go one step further and see how well I can stop and then proceed without putting either foot down at all. Just a little exercise to remind me to be watchful of my balance and respectful of my two wheels I'm sitting atop.
I think it's hysterical! Motorman is one of the nicest people on the planet, are you kidding me misterpinky? With a name like that, I'm betting you're a footdragger. Lighten up.
It's called comedy. And the crowd loves it because we laugh loudest at ourselves. And I be willing to bet 90 percent of the crowd foot drag and duck walk their bikes. Until this moment, they didn't even know it was wrong
now i ride a 2001 kawasaki voyager 850 lbs of bike and making a u turn can be a bit of a challenge so im okay with putting my eet turn on those slow tight u turns
little girls can make u-turns on their 850 lb motorcycles and not put their feet down while making them. If you learn the proper techniques and practice those techniques, you too will be able to make any turn, regardless of what bike you ride. If it has two wheels, the techniques work. The weight of the motorcycle has nothing to do with not being able to make a simple u-turn.
Realistically if your 400+ lb bike is going to fall over then your foot being put out when the bike is going along isn't going to make any difference. However it's a natural, but irrational, instinct to put your foot out sometimes on those occasions
Here in England we ride on the CORRECT side of the road (the left). So making U's and putting your foot down to stabilise yourself involves leaning to the right and taking your right foot off the rear brake. I did this in the 2 days tuition before my test, grabbed the front brake and went down.
Now, I don't drag my feet.
I think it's good that they have that as part of the test.
I was joking about riding on the correct side of the road by the way.
why would you take your foot off the rear brake to stabilize yourself when making a turn? Makes no sense. Keep your feet UP on the pegs or boards where they belong, clutch, throttle, rear brake.
I don't. I did when I first tried a U turn under tuition.
I was saying that in England to make a U turn we go the other way to most everyone else in the world. We have to lean to the right and if you were going to drag your foot you wouldn't be able to cover the rear brake. I made the mistake once when I was learning, pulled the front brake (because the rear wasn't covered) and binned it. Lesson learned.
Some people feel the need to put their feet down, while others, who are more used to riding or have it come naturally to them, do not. I find that if a person puts his feet down when going slowly, it means that he/she does not have the confidence level to use the fairly simple skills. I find that once people have gotten past that fear, they are slightly safer and more able riders. But not magnitudes greater than other "feet-draggers."
i don't personally want somebody allowed on a motorcycle and on the same road as me, if they can't do a basic U turn without touching the ground. its not only confidence it shows how a rider can control a bike
I ride dirtbikes and you actually throw your foot infront of your bike near the tire for more traction around hard turns, you will know when someone is doing this that has no skills and whenever there is a time to take your feet off a bike.
I see this a lot too, but you have to be comfortable on the bike before you can let your feet up completely. When I learned we were to take 2-3 steps until up to speed. By the end of my class (Motorcycle Safety Foundation Course) I was up and running right after starting off, no stepping. However those were small bikes, not something larger like a Harley.
some times when the road is wet i like to put both feet down and have them slide across the pavement at 60... lol probably not a good idea but fun none the less
I think everyone tries that. I did the first time i rode. Its like when you are in a boat and you lean over and put your fingers in the water when its going fast.
Lov this, My Uncle Jhonny James was an Officer, My cousin Craig, and my Old friend now passed on, Officer Frank Foster from here in Saint Paul, my biggest bummer is that I finally got another big bike, but now Ol Frank is gone, really wanted to do some of these techniques with my friend! love the clips wish i could take the training with the SPPD Officers. too bad cause I work for the City, they should offer it to those of us who ride. Bigred ONe 4ever
The only way to make really tight turns is to lean the bike and counter weight the outside peg or floorboard. If you're dragging your feet, even with the bars locked to one side, you can only turn so tightly and you'll wind up hitting the curb or going off the road.
If you learn to counterweight the bike properly, you can turn in ever tighter circles. Look at the police competition for examples of extreme low-speed control.
It's not a matter of style, it's control. If you drag your feet, you are NOT in control of your bike and it's very likely you'll suffer a foot injury when the saddlebag guard runs it over. If you learn how to ride, you'll enjoy it much more and be safer.
kingkole02 > "It's not a matter of style, it's control."
Have you ever slid on sand, mud, or snow? Did you put your foot down to help control the bike? Of course you did - exactly because it did help to control your bike. Why then penalize (in a drivers test) or ridicule (here) another rider who puts a foot down whenever he/she feels it is necessary?
In a situation of a slid, I probably would put me foot down to help balance if need be. Actually slid this weekend 3-2-09 but didn't need to put my foot down, just let up on the brake and regained control through the dirt.
In a slide around a slow moving corner, basically you just adjust the bike with your hips to keep it straight. Its more of a reaction then anything.
Because putting your feet down is a sure sign that you DON'T have the skills you need. Footdraggers illustrate that what they don't have is the requisite skills to control the motorcycle properly.
Learn the proper skills, and you don't NEED to put your feet down. It's as simple as that.
Buddykitchen > "..proper skills, and you don't NEED to put your feet down.."
Again, as long as everybody gets there safely, it shouldn't matter how. However, was once penalized in a drivers test for this very thing. Rode a large bike, had to corner wider than smaller bikes testing that day, front tire slid on sand, and put foot down. Even though not doing so would have been less safe, I flunked that test. Been on a crusade since, with greatest opposition from "it's a skill" riders like you.
stewartx5 > "..as long as everybody gets there safely, it shouldn't matter how."
By the way, all those responding with "it's unsafe" or "it's a skill" should note the rider in this video did not crash or otherwise pose a threat to others while riding with his feet down. Narrator in the video described it as a "problem," but in what way was it a "problem" for the rider in this video? Once again, as long as everybody gets to their destination safely, it really shouldn't matter how.
Noone is arguing that you CAN'T, only that you SHOULDN'T.
I assume that you learned how to ride a bicycle as a child. I also assume that at some point, you took the training wheels off. If you were to ride a bicycle right now, would you put some oversized training wheels on it because "it doesn't matter how you get there"? My guess is no... you would probably just ride the bicycle with the skills you developed a long time ago.
So why would you WANT to plod around with your feet dragging, when you can learn the skills to NOT do it?
Ride whatever way you want, I really don't care. I find it humorous that someone tries to admonish people to be better riders than they are, and there's always someone like you who thinks that their manhood is being called into question.
If you're going to drag your feet, you might as well get some training wheels. You have your opinion, I have mine.
Well, I give up. Comparing training wheels to putting one's feet down when needed or desired, while also trying to drag my manhood into all this, is patently absurd, so it's quite obvious this discussion is going nowhere - a waste of time. I was hoping for more open minds and greater tolerance from those who take a different path than the norm down our highways, but that's obviously not to be. Take care everybody.
Don't be a footdragger? Why not? I've been riding for thirty years and don't remember a single incident of a person being penalized, in any way, for putting their feet down while uncertain of the situation. Given that, it only makes sense to put one's feet down if the rider feels a need to do so.
Sounds like your missing the whole point. If every time your bike drops below 20mph you have to drag your feet along and duck walk the bike, you have no idea how to control your motorcycle. I believe it's a good thing to be in control of the bike at all speeds.
Not trying to offend, friend, but seems you're commenting more about the "style" of controlling a bike than in actually doing so. If the turn gets done, does it really matter how? Regardless, I was commenting more about putting feet down in general and the notion testing centers deduct points or fail riders for doing so. Don't see the point. I can balance my bike at a dead stop for some time without feet down, but don't see how that makes me a better rider, prevents accidents, or whatever.
Keeping your feet up allows you to use both brakes effectively. If your dragging your feet, you can only use your front brake, as we all know, if you use the front brake in a low speed maneuver, your going down. If you have to get out of the way quick and your feet are down, you may not be able to shift if you need to shift in time either.
kingkole02 > ".. use both brakes .. not be able to shift .."
So, if we all start out with our feet down at a stoplight and a foot is never allowed down while riding (can't do the above), exactly how long does the rider have to lift his foot to avoid the ridicule here as a "footdragger?" Since I'm now teaching my wife to ride, and I don't want her laughed at by other riders, I really need to know that time limit.
Take two steps forward or so with the bike as you start to power it up and move forward until she has enough speed to keep the bike up under it's own balance from your speed.
If she is not comfortable with the balance yet, then keep practicing. No one laughs at a new rider, but people will laugh at a veteran who can't overcome a new riders techniques.
Take her to a parking lot and practice friction zone of the clutch a lot, starting and stopping, then some back roads.
If only one day we could have some videos called "Ride Like a European"... I bet we could learn to turn an Electra Glide around on the perimeter of a frisbee. Then we could all watch them on YouTube and comment on how we do it in America. Still waiting on those videos of 9' turns...
mky75 2 months ago
Very good!
TR5T 2 months ago
Funny thing is U-turn, slow and high speed manoeuvers are essential parts of the motorcycle licence in Europe. If you fail at one of those three trials, you don't get the licence. It's always funny to watch such videos, whereas for me it's something I do everyday without dragging my feet or even laying a single foot on the ground. And don't get me wrong: I have a Suzuki GSX Inazuma and a Dyna Fat Bob! Nice video, anyway!
StrelokTymochenko 6 months ago
Braniach is correct, in EU you don't pass unless you know how to figure 8 in a pretty small box + U-turn from an incline. My course had a 6 ft drop at the end of the incline as well so there was literally no room for error.
On the other hand, we don't ride bikes as big as the one in this video while getting our license.
nsignific 6 months ago
lookin like a fool with your feet on the ground
MrRemi528 6 months ago 2
"Members of the Footdraggers Club". Totally awesome. Who would 'dislike' this? Oh, maybe the.... Footdraggers. LOL 'Love ya, Motorman!
robbgorringe 7 months ago
I must admit that I'm a former footdragger
dred75 8 months ago 3
Footdragger or walking the dog is one of the worst habits I see in so many riders. I am not an instructor nor am I the best rider in the world, but everyone can use a lot of parking lot practice every year - all the time. Get some cones and good instruction and practice, practice, practice - we have enough to worry about on the roads, it's not the place to learn how to ride.
cebarnold2 9 months ago 8
@cebarnold2 Amen!
motorman857 9 months ago 4
@cebarnold2 and you know you have to park your bike somewhere every time you ride, what a better time than when you first get on and right before you jump off?
Jadervason 6 months ago
funny thing is , hes U turns were as big as 2 lanes.
Brainiac83 9 months ago
@Brainiac83 the whole point I make during my show is to explain and demonstrate to the crowds exactly HOW BIG 24' really is if you pay attention, I demonstrate how to make the turn even tighter by leaning.
motorman857 9 months ago
@motorman857 I will make a video how to uturn in 3 yards of space without putting a foot down. I europe we do things different. Even in bike school you have to make figure of 8 in a tiny box + 9 other excercises + street riding demonstration of 1 hour.wer thought to put our knee out for turning in slow speeds. One good thing would be to teach the people how to drag the rear brake in tight turns and shift weight to counter the natural fall of the bike.Those two are probably two most important
Brainiac83 9 months ago
@Brainiac83 Evidently, you don't follow my program, I teach the three motor officer techniques here in the USA, head and eyes, friction zone and rear brake. Watch all my videos I have here on youtube and you'll see what I teach. Can't wait to see your video of a uturn in 3 yards, what are you riding, a moped? I understand in Europe everything is different, your streets are much smaller too.
motorman857 9 months ago
@motorman857 I ride a 430 lbs (dry weight) 110 hp bike . Ill send you the link when its done in a day or two..
Brainiac83 9 months ago
@Brainiac83 Excellent! looking forward to seeing your video. I have many Europeans that are here in Florida, USA on Holiday that sign up to take my class and when they tell us about how the training is in Europe, I think it's a darn good thing, here, you don't have to do much more than take a beginner's class for a weekend, if you pass, voila, you get a motorcycle license. Many riders do no more training past that point, big mistake. Practice and training is the key.
motorman857 9 months ago
Shit ..I just discovered I'm a one-foot dragger.
Chavezoid 1 year ago
Awesome course, I think that every motorcyclist should take this course. I did it on a 2008 H-D Rocker... I was dragging the primary doing a 1-handed full-lock 360's (low speed)!
TheROCKERTODD 1 year ago
Great video haha.. My father taught himself that when he worked For PD On the BMWs.. He finally got good enough to the point at stop signs he could make a full stop without putting his feet down, people needa also learn that not only do u have to use your front brake but you also can easly catch ur foot on somthing and run it over or crush it.. Can happen Very fast...
RidingYamaha47 1 year ago
I got my Video in the mail over the weekend, and getting ready to watch it again.. its realy cold here in Woodlawn,Tn {23 deg} but I may have to take the RK out for a spin. I went riding yesterday and some of the Technique's I saw on the Video, I appliad , and they do make a bunch of difference. I have several friends that have ridden for years that highly recommended this video.. its a must have..
TomLumpkins 1 year ago
@TomLumpkins Thanks, enjoy my RLAP V and remember, practice is the key.
motorman857 1 year ago
You're very welcome, glad I could help.
motorman857 1 year ago
Thanks for the help, Jerry.
eltotoX 1 year ago
Great video
klined 1 year ago
I have the videos and I practice before every ride. My wife is on the back when I make U turns and they are tighter than the people we ride with. Weight is not a problem and I can turn around in 24' pulling my Bushtec trailer. By the way I ride a GoldWing. The instruction from the videos is PRICELESS.
joedew2 1 year ago
I'm with you, joedew2.I live in Australia and i just stumbled across motormans videos on the net. Wow...bloody awesome.I also ride a wing and love it, but with some of Jerrys tips under my belt, i can't believe how much easier it is to manage. God, I wish he was here. I would enroll in his classes so quick it would make your eyes water.unbelievable how easy they make it look.
All the best to you, Motorman. you are a legend.
steiny47 1 year ago
@steiny47 thanks, glad I could help you...The Gold Wing is one hell of a great machine.
motorman857 1 year ago
@steiny47Watched your Ride like a Pro V last night,also the deals gap DVD, knowing i was heading out for a days ride with the guys today.Still can't believe how much i have improved, just from listening to your tips.a couple of times the corners started to get sharp all of a sudden and then i realized i wasn't looking far enough "through" the corner....gave myself an uppercut...remembered "head and Eyes" then i was back on track.The wing handles great for a big bike, I'm getting used to it now.
steiny47 1 year ago
@joedew2 thanks!
motorman857 1 year ago
I have this argument so many times. I never ever put my feet down ever. No not even when racing, and i race a lot!
Loader2k 1 year ago
@Loader2k there's just some riders that think dragging their feet along the ground like a little girl that just took her training wheels off is safe. They don't understand how dangerous it is, they will when they break an ankle.
motorman857 1 year ago 2
@Loader2k I don't even put my feet down when I stop! Haha, I just got my first bike a few weeks ago and I've almost completely overcome footdragger syndrome.
jnagreen31 9 months ago
am doing seventy man, just to see how low I can get my right foot to the ground be fore I catch the tarmac,my foots not on the deck, man Dave bye the way I hope you have raised your speed now from 30 to seventy, or maybe 100, there is no need to brake so survire on bends at 30, this is why I over take and waIT FOR 5 MINS for you to catch up, you will cause an accident.
kopynd 1 year ago
lol very good
larrythelookout 1 year ago
i want a motorcycle license but i've never tried on motorcycle. do they teach you how to ride in the dmv or u have to learn yourself?
o0jun0o 1 year ago
@o0jun0o your local dmv will or does offer motorcycle training classes throughout the whole summer. Get in early or take a chance of not getting in because they usually fill up fast. Good luck and have fun.
dreamingofaharley 1 year ago
The most stable state is when both feet are on the pegs. that way you have the most contact with the bike & get the most feel/ feedback. Even a big bike, if you keep control will be stable down to a walking pace. Even if you have wide handlebars, taking your feet off the pegs will make it more difficult. Its only done by people who have doubts about their own abilities to handle a motorcycle. You need to get your confidance up.
Biggerbadwolf 1 year ago
I dont drag feet, even when I am on a 50 scooter with front and rear brakes on handlebars. Anyone who needs to counterweight are better off putting their knees out or at high speed on a scooter get off the seat towards the inside of the corner with knee out, scooter racers do that. heh I remember doing that manouveur catching the green light turning yellow at 70K and a group of custom riders were looking at me from the oncoming position :D
Cringle84 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Some here are flat full of it. Went to the Hockenheim motor speedway several weekends ago to watch over 100 of the top motorcycle racers in the world compete and the two of us (wife & myself) saw over 80 incidents (stopped counting at that) of those riders putting a foot or feet down for various reasons (none involving a stopped position) during the two-day event. Given that, quite obviously a foot down does not equate to rider skill.
stewartx5 1 year ago
@stewartx5 Did you watch my video at all? I am not racing around a race track, I'm discussing SLOW SPEED maneuvers. Was I racing? Was I even talking about racing? What planet are some of you people from?
motorman857 1 year ago 24
@stewartx5 i dont care if anyone knows how to fly 100 through the twists, what shows TRUE control of the bike is slow speed maneuvers. try that on a bagger and tell me if its easy
BlackLabel7345 1 year ago
people that drag there feet and have to walk the bike to start off dont know how to ride one plain and simple, as soon as my clutch goes out my feet are on the pegs
doghunter100 1 year ago 3
This is funny AND educational.
staphinfection 2 years ago 2
Put your foot down while doing a u-turn during your test in the UK = instant fail.
Glad I learnt the right way first time round. Easier to create the right habits than break the wrong ones I guess.
Love the vid.
tragicdave 2 years ago 2
there is a time for putting your feet down, gravel, chippings, (unsafe ground) i totally agree with. if your on unsure ground, safety first. on a u-turn? no, feet up unless ur bike about to go over
wriggly40 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
I will drag my feet anytime i feel the need to do it , Safety First !
METH3454 2 years ago
just remember, riders that actually know what they are doing will be pointing and laughing at you behind your back. Dragging your feet is NOT safe. Did you ever take a motorcycle safety class?
motorman857 2 years ago 18
I guess i know what i'm doing after dragging my feet though a pebble road and keeping it under control but the 3 people behind who were riding like champs fell on their ass , go back to school and tell them that !
METH3454 2 years ago
In response, I'll ask if you've read the previous comments? My comment was addressed to those claiming a skilled rider never (on dirt, sand, etc) puts a foot down unless stopped. That's pure nonsense (the rantings of likely amateurs), of course. I've ridden for decades (even on snow & ice) and can think of hundreds of times where I've needed to put a foot down to stabilize the bike. To do otherwise would have been utterly foolish.
stewartx5 1 year ago
@motorman857 A comment like "Safety First" from a user named Meth is not one that I'd take serioulsy.
hillca74 1 year ago
@motorman857 so true. i dont ride yet (getting my bike shortly) but damn, if i ever saw a foot dragger, id laugh so hard!
ElfinHilon10 6 months ago
@METH3454 DUDE...you and the word safety are not in the same sentence!!! My 10 year old doesn't put her feet down until a dead stop within the next 5 or so feet. She just told me to tell you to get your purse, hike up that skirt and get on a bike with a guy that knows how to ride.
ShootinSquid 1 year ago
Here here! Three chears for Motorman! Hahaha. I put my feet up almost instantly. In fact for fun (in the controlled environment of light traffic and stop signs not lights) near my home I will go one step further and see how well I can stop and then proceed without putting either foot down at all. Just a little exercise to remind me to be watchful of my balance and respectful of my two wheels I'm sitting atop.
Cheers, Motorman, cheers!
irishrider1337 2 years ago 9
thanks, keep riding safe, glad to see that you take riding as seriously as we do here at Ride Like a Pro.
motorman857 2 years ago
lighthearted, amusing, informative. Good crowd too
rrkr3298 2 years ago
i can do it like "a pro", but its still pretty uncomfortable, i need more PLP
flyingfree98 2 years ago
I think it's hysterical! Motorman is one of the nicest people on the planet, are you kidding me misterpinky? With a name like that, I'm betting you're a footdragger. Lighten up.
TheLadyrider1957 2 years ago 8
That was great!
drbackjack 2 years ago 2
god bless you for this vid
aboodian 2 years ago 4
easy to do or get use to if u dont ride a chopper
FingerLickinGravy67 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
i understand that he's trying to educate,but why is this guy insulting the crowd?i really hate the arrogance in his tone.
misterpinky87 2 years ago
It's called comedy. And the crowd loves it because we laugh loudest at ourselves. And I be willing to bet 90 percent of the crowd foot drag and duck walk their bikes. Until this moment, they didn't even know it was wrong
motorman857 2 years ago
Come on It's funny
mbsnyderc 2 years ago 3
now i ride a 2001 kawasaki voyager 850 lbs of bike and making a u turn can be a bit of a challenge so im okay with putting my eet turn on those slow tight u turns
Ladiesman2194 2 years ago
little girls can make u-turns on their 850 lb motorcycles and not put their feet down while making them. If you learn the proper techniques and practice those techniques, you too will be able to make any turn, regardless of what bike you ride. If it has two wheels, the techniques work. The weight of the motorcycle has nothing to do with not being able to make a simple u-turn.
motorman857 2 years ago
ur right i been praticing alot more and gotten very good and no longer drag my feet
Ladiesman2194 2 years ago 4
Realistically if your 400+ lb bike is going to fall over then your foot being put out when the bike is going along isn't going to make any difference. However it's a natural, but irrational, instinct to put your foot out sometimes on those occasions
Ponyman8 2 years ago
my friend is a footdragger...
it's such a shame -.-
flubbablubba123 2 years ago
foot dragger rider club lol!!!!!
Testingpointer1 2 years ago
Here in England we ride on the CORRECT side of the road (the left). So making U's and putting your foot down to stabilise yourself involves leaning to the right and taking your right foot off the rear brake. I did this in the 2 days tuition before my test, grabbed the front brake and went down.
Now, I don't drag my feet.
I think it's good that they have that as part of the test.
I was joking about riding on the correct side of the road by the way.
jonhunter1987 2 years ago
why would you take your foot off the rear brake to stabilize yourself when making a turn? Makes no sense. Keep your feet UP on the pegs or boards where they belong, clutch, throttle, rear brake.
motorman857 2 years ago
I don't. I did when I first tried a U turn under tuition.
I was saying that in England to make a U turn we go the other way to most everyone else in the world. We have to lean to the right and if you were going to drag your foot you wouldn't be able to cover the rear brake. I made the mistake once when I was learning, pulled the front brake (because the rear wasn't covered) and binned it. Lesson learned.
jonhunter1987 2 years ago 5
gotcha.
motorman857 2 years ago
Thanks for posting these vids by the way. Nice riding!
jonhunter1987 2 years ago 2
You're welcome. If my video clips helps just one rider, that's a good thing.
motorman857 2 years ago
yes, you are awesome.
PLdrummer 2 years ago
thankyou lol
erniethefart 2 years ago
Ok, guys, really? I can agree with both of you.
Some people feel the need to put their feet down, while others, who are more used to riding or have it come naturally to them, do not. I find that if a person puts his feet down when going slowly, it means that he/she does not have the confidence level to use the fairly simple skills. I find that once people have gotten past that fear, they are slightly safer and more able riders. But not magnitudes greater than other "feet-draggers."
omamder5 2 years ago
i don't personally want somebody allowed on a motorcycle and on the same road as me, if they can't do a basic U turn without touching the ground. its not only confidence it shows how a rider can control a bike
bobby544 2 years ago
Is stewartx5 still alive? I doubt it with the attitude. Where are your training vids bro? lighten up
flaskmunch 2 years ago
I ride dirtbikes and you actually throw your foot infront of your bike near the tire for more traction around hard turns, you will know when someone is doing this that has no skills and whenever there is a time to take your feet off a bike.
skatergmail 2 years ago
I see this a lot too, but you have to be comfortable on the bike before you can let your feet up completely. When I learned we were to take 2-3 steps until up to speed. By the end of my class (Motorcycle Safety Foundation Course) I was up and running right after starting off, no stepping. However those were small bikes, not something larger like a Harley.
kingkole02 3 years ago
is that a turbo?
boxerbart 3 years ago
some times when the road is wet i like to put both feet down and have them slide across the pavement at 60... lol probably not a good idea but fun none the less
rtscaptain 3 years ago
hahaha
peteblakemore 3 years ago
haha me too!
acraze21 3 years ago
I think everyone tries that. I did the first time i rode. Its like when you are in a boat and you lean over and put your fingers in the water when its going fast.
SpacedTime 3 years ago
Lov this, My Uncle Jhonny James was an Officer, My cousin Craig, and my Old friend now passed on, Officer Frank Foster from here in Saint Paul, my biggest bummer is that I finally got another big bike, but now Ol Frank is gone, really wanted to do some of these techniques with my friend! love the clips wish i could take the training with the SPPD Officers. too bad cause I work for the City, they should offer it to those of us who ride. Bigred ONe 4ever
BigRickSharpe 3 years ago
The only way to make really tight turns is to lean the bike and counter weight the outside peg or floorboard. If you're dragging your feet, even with the bars locked to one side, you can only turn so tightly and you'll wind up hitting the curb or going off the road.
If you learn to counterweight the bike properly, you can turn in ever tighter circles. Look at the police competition for examples of extreme low-speed control.
OTubeYourself 3 years ago
It's not a matter of style, it's control. If you drag your feet, you are NOT in control of your bike and it's very likely you'll suffer a foot injury when the saddlebag guard runs it over. If you learn how to ride, you'll enjoy it much more and be safer.
silvergmc 3 years ago
kingkole02 > "It's not a matter of style, it's control."
Have you ever slid on sand, mud, or snow? Did you put your foot down to help control the bike? Of course you did - exactly because it did help to control your bike. Why then penalize (in a drivers test) or ridicule (here) another rider who puts a foot down whenever he/she feels it is necessary?
stewartx5 3 years ago
In a situation of a slid, I probably would put me foot down to help balance if need be. Actually slid this weekend 3-2-09 but didn't need to put my foot down, just let up on the brake and regained control through the dirt.
In a slide around a slow moving corner, basically you just adjust the bike with your hips to keep it straight. Its more of a reaction then anything.
kingkole02 3 years ago
Because putting your feet down is a sure sign that you DON'T have the skills you need. Footdraggers illustrate that what they don't have is the requisite skills to control the motorcycle properly.
Learn the proper skills, and you don't NEED to put your feet down. It's as simple as that.
Buddykitchen 2 years ago 3
Buddykitchen > "..proper skills, and you don't NEED to put your feet down.."
Again, as long as everybody gets there safely, it shouldn't matter how. However, was once penalized in a drivers test for this very thing. Rode a large bike, had to corner wider than smaller bikes testing that day, front tire slid on sand, and put foot down. Even though not doing so would have been less safe, I flunked that test. Been on a crusade since, with greatest opposition from "it's a skill" riders like you.
stewartx5 2 years ago
stewartx5 > "..as long as everybody gets there safely, it shouldn't matter how."
By the way, all those responding with "it's unsafe" or "it's a skill" should note the rider in this video did not crash or otherwise pose a threat to others while riding with his feet down. Narrator in the video described it as a "problem," but in what way was it a "problem" for the rider in this video? Once again, as long as everybody gets to their destination safely, it really shouldn't matter how.
stewartx5 2 years ago
Noone is arguing that you CAN'T, only that you SHOULDN'T.
I assume that you learned how to ride a bicycle as a child. I also assume that at some point, you took the training wheels off. If you were to ride a bicycle right now, would you put some oversized training wheels on it because "it doesn't matter how you get there"? My guess is no... you would probably just ride the bicycle with the skills you developed a long time ago.
Buddykitchen 2 years ago
So why would you WANT to plod around with your feet dragging, when you can learn the skills to NOT do it?
Ride whatever way you want, I really don't care. I find it humorous that someone tries to admonish people to be better riders than they are, and there's always someone like you who thinks that their manhood is being called into question.
If you're going to drag your feet, you might as well get some training wheels. You have your opinion, I have mine.
Buddykitchen 2 years ago
Well, I give up. Comparing training wheels to putting one's feet down when needed or desired, while also trying to drag my manhood into all this, is patently absurd, so it's quite obvious this discussion is going nowhere - a waste of time. I was hoping for more open minds and greater tolerance from those who take a different path than the norm down our highways, but that's obviously not to be. Take care everybody.
stewartx5 2 years ago
Don't be a footdragger? Why not? I've been riding for thirty years and don't remember a single incident of a person being penalized, in any way, for putting their feet down while uncertain of the situation. Given that, it only makes sense to put one's feet down if the rider feels a need to do so.
stewartx5 3 years ago
Sounds like your missing the whole point. If every time your bike drops below 20mph you have to drag your feet along and duck walk the bike, you have no idea how to control your motorcycle. I believe it's a good thing to be in control of the bike at all speeds.
motorman857 3 years ago
Not trying to offend, friend, but seems you're commenting more about the "style" of controlling a bike than in actually doing so. If the turn gets done, does it really matter how? Regardless, I was commenting more about putting feet down in general and the notion testing centers deduct points or fail riders for doing so. Don't see the point. I can balance my bike at a dead stop for some time without feet down, but don't see how that makes me a better rider, prevents accidents, or whatever.
stewartx5 3 years ago
Keeping your feet up allows you to use both brakes effectively. If your dragging your feet, you can only use your front brake, as we all know, if you use the front brake in a low speed maneuver, your going down. If you have to get out of the way quick and your feet are down, you may not be able to shift if you need to shift in time either.
kingkole02 3 years ago
kingkole02 > ".. use both brakes .. not be able to shift .."
So, if we all start out with our feet down at a stoplight and a foot is never allowed down while riding (can't do the above), exactly how long does the rider have to lift his foot to avoid the ridicule here as a "footdragger?" Since I'm now teaching my wife to ride, and I don't want her laughed at by other riders, I really need to know that time limit.
stewartx5 3 years ago
Take two steps forward or so with the bike as you start to power it up and move forward until she has enough speed to keep the bike up under it's own balance from your speed.
If she is not comfortable with the balance yet, then keep practicing. No one laughs at a new rider, but people will laugh at a veteran who can't overcome a new riders techniques.
Take her to a parking lot and practice friction zone of the clutch a lot, starting and stopping, then some back roads.
She'll be good in time.
kingkole02 3 years ago
haha if you wear your shoes out before your tires your a footdragger. good call.
jbird123456 4 years ago