Kriswithak
Senior Member
Here's a question along similar lines... does downshifting to first without releasing the clutch cause any internal problems? I've come to stops without downshifting... (diesel car habit) I find myself more often having to do the dreaded stationary downshift which usually involves rolling the bike back and forth a bit.. which is annoying and looks more like I have to pee as I dance on the bike at the light...
Its a good idea to get out of that habit, if you need to take off fast, ie you can hear brakes screeching behind you, you really don't want to be shifting down into the gear you need. Good rule to always be in the gear you need as sxty8goats said.
I don't know what method they taught for riding either, but we are taught when you come to a stop you have your left foot down, right foot on your rear brake (even if your in nuetral waiting for a light!)
It means you have to shift your weight and balance to swap feet to change a gear.
That being said if I know I'm in for a long light as I come to a stop I actually put it into nuetral before putting my foot down, probably not the safest thing unless you know no one will backend you, but saves time. (if anyone knows if this is risky for other reasons let me know so I can stop)
I used to have the same problem with not being able to change without moving the bike forward, so on my first bike I never put it into nuetral at lights and was ALWAYS in first as I came to a stop, was very embarrasing otherwise