Neutral or First Gear at a Traffic Light ???

I have seen some people stopped at a traffic light with their motorcycles in NEUTRAL, while others keep the bike in low gear, with the clutch lever pulled into the handlebars.

I imagine there are considerations such as wear of certain clutch ot transmission parts. Holding the clutch disengaged might wear the part that pushes on the pressure plate. But having the bike in neutral, and then engaging the gears might be hard on the gear dogs when engaging.

Another angle might be the safety aspect of being ready to react or start off immediately by being in gear.

Does anybody have any recommendations for which method is better? Thanks.

Pros & cons. In gear you're ready to go (if your reflexes are good enough) if someone comes up from behind and doesn't look like he's going to stop, but if you leave it in first don't be revving that thing up like a Harley type because if the clutch cable breaks you'll be launched into traffic. I generally put it in neutral. Ed

whatever you choose...I do both but i leave ten feet between the car ahead and me and watch the car/cars behind come to complete stop and even check the driver in the mirror for idiot....i have moved away and had a car smash into where i would have been ...

Neutral if no one is behind me or approaching from the rear & nothing else of consequence from the other directions. Otherwise, 1st gear & ready to do a hole shot. Keep the clutch cable adjusted & lubricated, especially the clutch lever end. I don't worry about wear n tear on anything, but I do think about getting rear ended. I saw a guy get tagged in the rain while he was stopped & attempting to make a left turn.

All depends on how long the light is.

after I'm sure the vehicle behind me is stopped, I'll put it in neutral, & when the opposite light turns yellow, I'll put in gear & be ready for a holeshot when my lite turns green

I do both....no reason

baldy110 wrote: All depends on how long the light is.

+ 1
Normally I'm in gear though

JD

I had my clutch cable break at a traffic light as i was popping into neutral.

First gear untill the car behind comes to a full stop, then neutral. I've been hit from behind, the driver skidded over 90 feet before she hit me. Lots of back problems and a broken right hand. If everything is adjusted and lubed correctly there will be no ware on the trans or clutch.

actually I usually like to avoid traffi.c hours and slow down alot before the light in neutral then coast until the light turns green

my cable slowly gave out this fall , it gave some warning though ,i had to do a bit of a panic goofy hand key off/brakes while i was lurching out into traffic 3-5 feet...i was first in line at the light...