Starting On Hills, It Doesn’t Have to be an Uphill Battle Published June 21, 2012 GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Depending on which way you're facing on a hill, the technique for starting out will differ. However, regardless of whether you're facing uphill or downhill, for stop signs you'll generally want to be in first gear by the time you come to a complete stop, because your stop will be brief. For stop lights, it's your choice whether to be in first gear or neutral. Starting off while facing downhill is easier than starting off uphill or on a level surface. Because gravity will be assisting you, your bike will start rolling as soon as you release the brake (use whichever brake you're comfortable with), and clutch release and throttle application will be easier to coordinate and modulate. On a steep downhill slope, you'll need very little throttle. Facing uphill is a different story. In addition to needing more power (i.e., higher engine speed) applied to the input side of the clutch to overcome the slope, your actions need to be quick, yet smooth, and nearly simultaneous as you release the brake(s), feed the clutch lever into the friction zone to start the power transfer, and apply throttle as you further release the clutch lever to move you forward before you have a chance to roll back. Some riders maintain brake application while moving the clutch into the friction zone to reduce the chance of rolling back. It's up to you whether to hold your position using the front brake (allowing you to have both feet on the ground) or the rear (allowing your right hand to focus on the throttle). You may want to practice your uphill start-offs when there's very little traffic around, to avoid dealing with the added stress of seeing a line of cars in your rear-view mirrors. And remember to pay attention to the gap you'll need to enter traffic safely. (Courtesy story)
