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Incline riding tips/techniques

redruM

redruM

Peripheral Visionary
Joined
May 31, 2011
Location
in a hologram, wrapped in a chimera and inserted i
Moto(s)
Turismo Veloce 800 / Dorsoduro 1200
My apologies if i'm posting this in the wrong forum.

Anyone care to share what they've learned about riding uphill? I figured the SF riders in particular would have some solid tips & techniques. As a new rider, I'm in the unfortunate position of living at the top of a hill -- luckily no lights or stop signs, and it's not very steep - but.. intimidating enough for me to feel the need to, um, prepare for it.

:facepalm
 
Do you mean just riding uphill, or are you talking about something more specific, such as starting on a hill?
 
Foot on rear brake when stopped, or modulate the clutch to keep you in position. Make sure you know if there's a slope below your foot when you stop so you don't get caught off gaurd and drop the bike.

That's all I got. Hills never gave me any issues.
 
BTW, I also work the front brake and the throttle at the same time.

I can't recommend it to a beginner because there might be too much going on with trying to manipulate 3 hand controls at the same time, brake, clutch, and throttle. It does have one advantage of having both feet on the ground, which might be worth it if you bike is on a weird slant, like if you were heading right after the incline.

I can do it because I'm used to various hand positions from mountain biking, but I have been going back to the rear brake method.
 
We go lots of threads on hills around here.

As mentioned before when starting on a hill:
foot on brake = hand brake in a car.
Practice it a few times and you are golden, I think it is easier than the car equivalent.

We also got threads on:
- parking on hills (facing downhill is bad, in gear is good, down hill into a curb is especially bad since you can't push your bike out of that without help, rear wheel into the curb facing uphill recommended.)
- cornering on hills (going up is better/faster/easier than going down)
- and caching some air over a crest while braking (front end loses traction and down you go), so slow down on those, it ain't like a car unless you are a pro.

Not sure I remember any more at the moment.

I sure a prius is involved somewhere too.
 
flying_hun said:
Do you mean just riding uphill, or are you talking about something more specific, such as starting on a hill?
Click to expand...

pretty much straight-line riding uphill with some slight bends - although the possibility of having to stop (for a car, etc) then start again is what I'm trying to map-out in my head at the moment.

the good thing is that before my first attempt, I will have gotten a solid feeling for the friction zone and throttle of the bike.
 
Try to not stop on a hill perpendicular to the slope of the hill. In other words a steep hill, you stop, one foot is close to the ground, the other foot has a much farther reach to the ground. Once you realize the err of your ways, your bike is on the ground.
 
redruM said:
pretty much straight-line riding uphill with some slight bends - although the possibility of having to stop (for a car, etc) then start again is what I'm trying to map-out in my head at the moment.

the good thing is that before my first attempt, I will have gotten a solid feeling for the friction zone and throttle of the bike.
Click to expand...

Have you taken the MSF yet? That will give us some background info on skills you may already have.
 
flying_hun said:
Have you taken the MSF yet? That will give us some background info on skills you may already have.
Click to expand...

Yes - although the MSF is the extent of my on-bike experience.

I should note that we're talking about a more-or-less uneventful residential street.

And thanks, all, for sharing some tips. Good stuff here.
 
Ride as fast as you can because gravity is always assisting with braking!
 
If a Porsche is chasing you ... let it pass.

If uphill, try to time your ride in a fashion that you can stop at the flat spot of the crest. Try avoid starting in the middle of the hill. As said, it can be challenging to control 3-4 controls simultaneously.

If downhill, use 1st or 2nd gear, use both brakes very gingerly, keep 2-3 seconds from the vehicle ahead and ride within your limits.

Other than that, it's seat time. Oh, I don't know if I mentioned this, if the Porsche behind you is faster ... "slower traffic keep right". :)
 
redruM said:
Anyone care to share what they've learned about riding uphill?
Click to expand...

Use your Rear Brake to control the bike on uphill starts, keep your RPMs in the midrange to avoid stalling, so downshift if you have to to keep it in a moderate RPM range.

And .....

don't try to do U-Turns while traveling uphill, this seldom ends in a good outcome. If you are an expert rider, you could try it but since you're not, don't.
:)

Downhill: Use both brakes evenly. Eyes up and ahead for a smoother stop when necessary.
 
Find a hill with a small incline, practice.
Then find other hills with progressively larger incline, practice.
Very worthwhile skill here in San Francisco.

General experience in riding (mileage/seat time) will as make you more comfortable too.

Once you get it the throttle/clutch combo, you won't even need your rear brake.

Progressive practice! :ride
 
Sometimes if you are traveling at a reasonable city speed on a flat stretch, a 15 degree rise will cause the weight to shift from the front to the back in quick succession. You can slow down for it, but if you don't want to lose momentum and have to downshift, lift your ass off the seat and absorb the shock with your knees and elbows.
 
moto-rama said:
don't try to do U-Turns while traveling uphill, this seldom ends in a good outcome. If you are an expert rider, you could try it but since you're not, don't.
:)
Click to expand...

:laughing
So true. But if you have to make a U-turn in one of those steep narrow SF streets, here's the easy way. Find an open space on your right. Pass the open space and back into it. Now all you got left is a 90 deg left turn from a stop down a steep hill. :rofl Go slow and use your rear brake only.
 
SLu said:
:laughing
So true. But if you have to make a U-turn in one of those steep narrow SF streets, here's the easy way. Find an open space on your right. Pass the open space and back into it. Now all you got left is a 90 deg left turn from a stop down a steep hill. :rofl Go slow and use your rear brake only.
Click to expand...


That's a Y-turn, not a U-turn. :twofinger
 
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