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Stalling at a traffic light or stop

by Stacy
(New York, ny)

My biggest concern is stalling at a traffic light or stop with traffic behind me. I am a new rider and this has happened to me a couple times. I was stopped at a light, cars behind me, I let the clutch out slowly and it moves, then stall. I know I have to give it throttle as I let go of the clutch but any tricks or advice on how to better coordinate it? Once the bike begins to roll , start giving it gas right? I hate stalling because I feel I am such a hazard on the road doing it and someone will just come into me one day.

Comments for Stalling at a traffic light or stop

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Aug 11, 2012

Glad to hear it is not just me.
by: Anita, Clermont Florida.

I have been having the same issue, and I am so glad to hear that is not just me. I know what you mean, you practice in a parking lot and all is well. You then venture out to the mean streets, and as soon as you see a car in your mirror (anxiety sets in, and it makes you panic)you pull away and before you know it you stall. I am determined to get control, and tame this beast.

May 19, 2012

Practise Uphill starts with heper
by: Diane

My husband has been a biker since he was about 14, I only started learning last year - I·m 56 - had a couple of stalls when riding out, mainly on slight uphill starts, that made me tense when coming up to that type of situation, so hubby gave me some good tuition on uphill starts- that means you really have to use the revs and feel the biting point on the clutch and co-ordinate it with the front brake we did it on a steep uphill driveway, worse than anything I have ever come across on the road, and if I didn·t really give it some throttle it would stall. First few tries he held the back of the bike so i knew it couldn·t roll back, but once I got the hang of it, it has helped me no end - haven·t had one stall on the road since. Don·t be afraid to ask for actual help with problems like this, every biker on this earth had to learn how to ride at the beginning. I found that the confidence it gave me to tackle a manouvre that felt so daunting to begin with and be able to do it, made road starts fell like child·s play.

Mar 23, 2012

Practice makes perfect!
by: Anonymous

Best is to repeatedly practice taking off on a quiet road. Just ride a very short distance (a few meters max), stop, start again. I'm a new rider too (only 6 months!) and can't remember the last time I stalled after practicing for less than half an hour. Once you get the feel of how far to let the clutch out and how much to throttle on your bike to get it going smoothly, it'll rarely happen again (but it will happen, even to the best of 'em!).

Mar 23, 2012

Stalling the bike
by: Deeann

I see people stalling their cars from time to time. If a vehicle has a clutch, it's gonna happen once in awhile. Keep practicing in a parking lot or where there isn't as much traffic.

Mar 23, 2012

Stalking
by: Anonymous

At first I would get all embarrassed which of course
didn't help. I learned to use it as information.
Was I getting tired or was I just not paying attention.
Now I just laugh at myself first, evaluate what's going on and then either take a break or giggle and move on.

Mar 23, 2012

Stalling
by: Anonymous

I stalled the first couple times I got out on the streets. The best thing for me was to sit in my driveway and get used to the friction zone in your clutch. Just like they do in the class, where you feel where the bike will move with the clutch out a little. I would just sit there and get to the friction zone and then pull in the clutch to start over. That helped me know my bike tremendously! But stalling happens...just laugh it off and teach those cagers patience :)

Mar 23, 2012

Ease forward
by: Betty AceDog

Because my hands were smaller my clutch wasn't adjusted properly for me and I was stalling quite a bit. My husband made some adjustments and it helped. I try to anticipate the light turning and start to gradually ease the clutch out so I can feel when the motorcycle starts to move forward. Usually when I stall is when I am trying to rush it and panic.

Mar 23, 2012

Also in re: stalling
by: Stacy

I felt the MSF class is a good class but once you get out in traffic its a whole different game. I stalled in the class and I was ok about it because I fixed the problem and was calm about it. In the streets with cars/ trucks honking at you is a little more intimidating. While MSF was good I felt it didnt really teach you how to react and handle traffic....this is still a learning process for me.

Mar 23, 2012

Stalling
by: Stacy

Yes i have taken an MSF riding course and I did receive my license. Im still a new rider and only been out a couple times since getting my license end of last season. I have stalled a handful of times. I would say each time I go out I stall at least once. Which isnt horrible but it causes me to panic thinking I might get hit from behind. I just dont want to give it too much gas as Im letting off the clutch either. Thats my fear too as then I would just take off way too quick then I intended to.

Mar 23, 2012

Practice
by: Ruth

Just get some more practice, you'll get it. Concentrate without stressing and it will come. I still do it on a rare occasion and I consider myself a pretty good rider. I just laugh it off and restart. My hubby has been riding forever and I catch him doing it once in a while....that always reassures me....it just happens...to us all. Have fun and be safe.

Mar 23, 2012

Rider's course
by: Lynda

You seem unsure of yourself. Have you taken a MSF riding course?

Lynda

Mar 23, 2012

stalling
by: Yvonne - NC

I've done this a lot. It will ease up as you get more experienced, but, still occassionally happen. Try not to be nervous and not panic. Good luck.

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