Which Foot to Put Down When Stopping a Motorcycle? 

Indeed riding the motorbike is an art, but do you know that stopping the motorbike is also an art that can injure you? Now the question arises, which foot to put down when stopping a motorcycle? 

You should use the gear foot when stopping the motorbike and make your right foot the primary foot to apply a motorbike brake. If your motorbike gear lever is on the right side, you should lower your right foot to stop the motorbike. 

Let’s consider what it means and what you can do about it. 

While writing this post, I leave no stone unturned so you can know which foot you should go down when stopping a motorcycle. 

Which Foot to Put Down When Stopping a Motorcycle? 

Stopping the motorbike in the wrong manner can injure and harm the motorbike, and that’s why the question arises, which foot to put down when stopping a motorcycle? 

You should use the gear foot when stopping the motorbike and make your right foot the primary foot to apply a motorbike brake. If your motorbike gear lever is on the right side, you should lower your right foot to stop the motorbike. 

By lowering the feet of the motorbike gear side, you can stop the motorbike safely or stop the motorbike if something goes wrong when stopping the motorbike. 

What if You Don’t Lower Your Left Foot?

Indeed you shouldn’t lower your right foot while stopping the motorbike; now the question arises, what if you don’t lower your left foot?

Suppose you don’t lower your left foot and instead lower your right foot. In that case, you can’t stop the motorbike effectively as you won’t have your feet on the rear tire brake. You will have to apply the front brake to stop the motorbike, which might cause motorbike imbalance. 

To avoid motorbike unbalancing, you should lower the left foot. 

Can You Lower Both Your Foot to Stop a Motorcycle? 

So far, you understand what could happen if you don’t lower your left foot; now, can you lower both your feet to stop a motorcycle? 

Lowering both your feet is the worst advice that anyone can give to the beginner rider. If you’re stopping a high-speed motorbike, you shouldn’t lower your both feet because your one foot should be on the brake so that you can apply the brake effectively. 

Lowering both feet makes you unable to apply the front tire brake, which will increase braking distance; also, lowering both feet could make your motorbike unstable, which could cause a severe accident. 

Do Lower Left Feet for All Motorcycles? 

Indeed you shouldn’t lower both your feet when stopping the motorbike from avoiding unbalancing. Now the question arises, do lower left feet apply to all motorcycles?  

Lowering your left foot isn’t for all motorbikes; some European motorbikes come with right-side motorbike gear, so you’ll have to lower your right foot instead. The idea is to maintain the motorbike’s balance while applying the rear brake, regardless of its side. 

You should lower your right foot if your motorbike comes with a European style. 

Should You Put Down Feet in a High-Speed Motorcycle? 

So far, you understand that you shouldn’t lower your left foot if the gearbox is on the right side of the motorcycle; now, the question arises, should you put down your feet on a high-speed motorcycle? 

Lowering your feet when riding a motorbike is purely for stopping the motorbike. If you lower your feet when riding at high speed, you may lose motorbike balance or hurt your feet badly. And that’s why experts recommend lowering your feet if the motorbike is slow. 

Lowering the feet will also cause unnecessary friction between your boots and the surface, further tearing your motorbike boots apart, so it’s better to let your motorbike slow before lowering your feet. 

Should You Have Motorbike Boots for Lowering the Feet? 

So far, you understand that you shouldn’t lower your feet when riding at high speed as doing this will badly hurt your feet or may cause motorbike unbalancing. Now the question arises, should you have motorbike boots for lowering the feet? 

Suppose you lower your feet while riding the motorbike. In that case, you should have heel-less shoes to generate enough friction to stop your slow pace motorbike without hurting your lower back pain. Also, shoes with heels cannot generate enough friction and would transfer of force to your lower back pain. 

You can go with normal motorbike boots, and you should avoid modifying the motorbike boots from their heels. 

Why do Experts Recommend Having Motorbike Boots? 

Indeed you can have ordinary shoes if you frequently lower your feet too slowly on your motorbike. Now the question arises, why do experts recommend having motorbike boots? 

Suppose you frequently lower your feet when riding. In that case, you should have a good motorbike because lowering the feet to slow down the motorbike may cause an ankle fracture. Even in the worst case, the force will transfer to your thighs which could crack your thigh bone. 

In simpler words, you should wear shoes or boots that can absorb the shock while slowing your motorbike. 

Should Your Feet Touch the Ground on a Motorcycle? 

Indeed you should have motorbike boots or ordinary heel-less shoes if you frequently lower your feet when riding the motorbike. Now the question arises, should your feet touch the ground on a motorcycle? 

While slowing the motorbike, your feet should touch the ground to make appropriate friction to stop your motorbike.

But you should lean your motorbike a bit if your feet cannot reach the surface or you’re a short rider. 

Why Should You Avoid Steel Toes Motorcycle Boots When Stopping Motorcycle? 

Although it’s not a good idea to avoid motorcycle boots, it’s a good idea to avoid them when it’s about your safety. 

Generally, steel boots don’t come with a great ankle support system which leaves your ankle unprotected. Sometimes riders suffer significant toe cuts when steel gets folded inside and a car goes over it. In easier words, you can’t rely on motorbike boots for your safety. 

Ankle support is the most crucial component of your motorbike boots as it protects your ankle from a sprain. 

And the biggest flaw of steel motorbike boots is they don’t come with excellent ankle protection. Even many riders believe steel boots are the sole reason for their ankle injuries. 

The second reason most riders hate steel boots is that they experience significant toe cuts because of folded steel and when something like a car goes over it.  

You can choose boots with steel toes only to protect your toes from being crushed.

Are There Any Alternatives to Steel-toe Boots? 

So far, you understand why you should avoid boots with steel toes; now the question arises: What is the best alternative to steel-toe boots?

Some experts say the best alternative to steel boots is leather boots. As leather boots don’t come with steel and won’t cause any harm to your toes. Also, the leather boots offer you 360-degree feet protection, which you won’t get with steel-toe boots. 

Like other expert riders, I recommend you go with leather boots. 

It’s because, with leather boots, you’ll get 360-degree protection against any unfortunate situation, which you won’t get in steel-toe boots; the second reason is that leather boots don’t come with any steel, which may injure you.  

Also, read my previous post where I discussed how a female beginner can learn and ride the motorbike fast, CLICK HERE to read.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Final Verdict: 

Which Foot to Put Down When Stopping a motorcycle? You should use the gear foot when stopping the motorbike and make your right foot the primary foot to apply a motorbike brake. If your motorbike gear lever is on the right side, you should lower your right foot to stop the motorbike. 

I’ve also mentioned why you should have motorbike bots to protect yourself from ankle injuries and fractures.