Hill Starts ?

shellshock · Spanner Monkey Joined: 25 Jul 2004 Karma :

Took the other half pillion again today, went from Newcastle to the good old Cat n Fiddle, and I thought my days of stalling on hills were far behind me ...... not so Embarassed

I managed to stall numerous times on a very slight incline, and eventually JP had to swap and get the bike onto flat ground, Oh dear Rolling Eyes

Thinking about it afterwards, I was using the old DAS way of getting up a hill, no front brake, use the rear brake as a handbrake method, this does not work for me. After this I stopped thinking about it and used my normal way, which is front brake (rear covered in case I stuff up) and then quickly onto revs and away (if that makes sense), I don't use my handbrake in the car, preferring to keep the car at a standstill by means of clutch control and biting point, and think I have transferred this method into a bike way of doing it.

Anyway, I think this makes sense, does anyone else use my method ? Do you think its safe enough ? or do you think I should go out and practice the rear brake way until I get it right ?

Ian (GPX) · Brolly Dolly Joined: 05 Aug 2003 Karma :

Go out and practice the rear brake method my dear....... don't rely on the front brake as you need that hand free to operate the throttle. Just apply a little more revs to get it rolling with the clutch on the biting point.

ash t · World Chat Champion Joined: 16 Dec 2004 Karma :

Hmmm...i use the rear brake!! wait til the clutch starts to bite and ease off the rear brake, and more revs!

o yeah...i was up the fiddle 2day, about 3 ish
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map · Mr Calendar Joined: 14 Jun 2004 Karma :

Had a little problem with a hill start with pillion at the weekend.
With the pillion had to use a lot more revs than usual (solo) to get the bike moving at the clutch bite point.

I was a little lazy and didn't adjust the suspension so maybe that didn't help. It was also at the end of a long ride (2 hours).
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cqueen · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Karma :

now you know that when you see an advert saying 'one female owner' it actually means 'premature clutch wear'!!

mr jamez · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Aug 2003 Karma :

Well in the car I always use the handbrake unless it is only going to be a few seconds, quite a lot of wear on the clutch plus there is nothing to stop you if somebody drives up yer bum. Will do the same on the bike, it is the easiest and safest way to do it in my opinion!

Just wait till you can feel the bike/car trying to pull forward. Then let off the rear brake/handbrake and you will never stall (well er Shifty

)

RealNinja · World Chat Champion Joined: 18 Mar 2004 Karma :

We have a little hump backed bridge not far from where we live, and you can only get one car through it at a time, so 50% of the time you have to stop for the traffic.

Problem with this is that the run up to the bridge is an incline too, so you have to be able to do hill starts!

I spent the entire afternoon with my missus practising on a nearby industrial estate till she got it right every time Laughing

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bazza · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Aug 2004 Karma :

Interesting take on the situation: https://www.peterharris.org.uk/roadsafety/leftfoot.htm

If it's just me on the bike, I tend to go for the front brake and throttle on hill starts; when two-up, I prefer the rear brake as I generally need more revs to get moving so the right hand needs more movement available.
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westendboy7 · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Karma :

Nice to see you got the new Suzuke Bazza. Hope all is well with it. Thumbs Up

Annabella · Like a person, only smaller Joined: 03 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hill starts with the extra weight are a lot more difficult as you need so much more throttle (depending on the size of the pillion of course).

I couldn't imagine trying to keep the bike steady using just the front brake and cluth I just don't feel balanced enough. I'd go and practice using the rear brake a bit if I were you - it's much easier in the long run (only problem I find is if said pillion decides to fidget when you're at a stand still with the rear brake and only one foot to the floor... Embarassed

)
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bazza · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Aug 2004 Karma :

shellshock · Spanner Monkey Joined: 25 Jul 2004 Karma :

Oh well, it looks like its back to basics then Sad

- its been awhile since this has happened, I'd got to the point of just not thinking about it, guess the extra weight is the problem.

Cheers Bazza, nice to know its not only me thats strange Wink

On the plus side, I wasn't doing the penguin paddle today approaching a stop, and feel quite comfy now balancing on one foot. So much improvement there (someones got to big me up !)

Also my little fella (7) went pillion today for the first time, said he was shaking 1st time round the block, ended up going round 4 times, and still wanted more Thumbs Up

..... · Quote Me Happy Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Karma :

Don't see the problem - just use more revs and let the clutch out slowly and smoothly. Don't let it out quickly - if you are stalling then you are doing it too quick. Count to five as you let it out - 1 as you start to release it, and have it fully released on five.

ash t · World Chat Champion Joined: 16 Dec 2004 Karma :

10 years time and he will be on an RS!!!! Thumbs Up

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westendboy7 · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Karma :

Will87 · Trackday Trickster Joined: 20 Jan 2005 Karma :

Try hill starts two up with a bike that you can't use first in and only has 26ish bhp. Thats fun Smile

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shellshock · Spanner Monkey Joined: 25 Jul 2004 Karma :

- no thanks. I'd be there all day !!!!

You all make it sound so simple, it isn't, I know Embarassed

I've had to call a friend before to come and help me turn the bike around so I could carry on my jolly - downhill.

I plan routes that avoid traffic lights on hills.

I've used up my entire swearing repertoire on my cbt with a kickstart CG, on a hill.

Only good thing is that I don't live in the Lake District anymore, or Buxton, places that contain many many hills.

I don't like hills/banks/mountains/inclines/upward gradients much.

Annabella · Like a person, only smaller Joined: 03 Feb 2002 Karma :

Frost · World Chat Champion Joined: 26 May 2004 Karma :

Power isnt so much of an issue, gearing is!

I could hillstart up the side of a mountain on my 125 with a pillion, as it would pull away on the level without any throttle.
The VFR is a real bitch to hillstart with a pillion thanks to the 65mph 1st gear.

I normally overcompensate and end up revving the balls off it and slipping te clutch for miles Embarassed

Dom_ · Points Mean Prizes Joined: 02 Aug 2004 Karma :

I'd cover the rear brake and release the clutch slowly until you feel it starting to bite, then give it more revs and a bit less clutch.

Once your used to it though, like i am on my bike, when pulling away up hills i just let off the rear and go straight away, the only problem i had with carrying a pillion was wheelying. Due to the fact my bike has a short wheelbase, a lot of revs means the front end will come up.

Practise makes perfect. Thumbs Up