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I use a range of techniques actually, first of all I try to avoid having to put my feet down, so I time it to catch the green, hold the clutch in for a short light, try not to stop directly behind the vehicle in front so I don't end up the meat in a sandwich and turn the motor off for a long light, it also varies depending on what bike I'm riding. Luckily I don't have to negotiate busy traffic on a daiiy basis or l would probably give up riding. It's a good discussion, good to air different points of view.

Well my englisss and strange sayings,, If they see you, you become a target. Meaning I'm better of if they don't see me ( invisible) Have to say I usually go between cars in traffic jam to, hate wasting my clutch and just beeing a sitting duck. Been on the road since 1971, so have had plenty of time to obtain all kinds of, some good and for sure some not so good habbits. Use your eyes and enjoy riding, that makes me smile. Cheers tom.

https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/810834 Its a long read but may interest some

So, I can confirm that staying in gear with the clutch disengaged is what is taught by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. I instructed their curricula for five years and was a site administrator. In any other manual transmission, I have always slipped out of gear at stops. The apparent wear and issues with my Sport's gearbox input hub, and seeing how tiny the "throw-out bearing" actually is (!), has the Sport slipped into neutral at stops now. Whether bike or cage, it is advisable to "leave yourself an out" by not pulling up too closely to the vehicle ahead. Whether you can use that space depends on many factors, but largely our awareness to incoming threats (including those from behind). "Keep your head on a swivel. Don't lock your knees."

Not good for any part of the clutch mechanism from the thrust bearing to the input hub. Yes the 'Safety' crew in training courses suggest it, that's because their main concern is 'Safety'! From a mechanical and component longevity point of view though sitting with the clutch pulled in at lights, or anywhere else, is murder. Especially if whoever has tuned the bike is one of those mouth-breathers who sets the idle speed as low as they can because it 'Sounds cool'!

Yep, had them for years. They're awesome.. strong men weep when I fire up the Mighty Scura.

Kevin, my clutch isn’t dragging. It feels great. Thanks for the advice on the cush drive. My initial post was about the effect of staying in gear with the clutch lever pulled on the health of the clutch. I know much more know about what happens with the clutch than I did before! Thanks to all!

Heard tires squealing behind me in a line of traffic at a light. Was in gear, made a quick move towards the curb and watched the car behind me smash into the one in front of me. I usually sit in gear unless it's a really long light.

I've been riding on public roads since 1979. Although I have a couple friends who've been seriously injured by rear ending at lights, not once has it happened to me; I'll chalk that up to good fortune. I have, a couple times, been threatened by squealing tires as someone slid up behind me. Very bad feeling. One friend says he always kept his bike in gear, so we'll assume it didn't do him any good. Most significantly here, is that *NONE* of those times would I have had any time to think about where I'd go if I dumped the clutch. I may have jumped out into a far worse situation, and for no reason at all since none of these events ended in contact. I pop neutral and roll to the stop at low speed.

So Kane, just how many miles do you have on your bike? I don't think having a clutch that drags is a normal condition. I mean it didn't do that when the bike was new did it? I just bought this Lemans so I don't have a lot of miles on it, but the condition you describe was a signal to replace the transmission input hub on my Elderado. In the 100k plus miles I put on that bike I think I replaced 3 of them. The Elderado didn't have a cush drive so 35k was about all they were good for. If you have less then 50k you might want to make sure the cush drive in the rear hub is lubed and well serviced.

If it is that dangerous riding, stay home. Stay invisible in traffic, when I see a fellow rider with a green safety vest, no thank you. The day the government says green safety vest,,, it's over for me. And I would never buy a cage without a switch to shut off the auto start-stop stupiditynes. 5$ savings in fuel , but 3000$ in repairs, new starter, out with tranny and new flex plate . That said, stay safe, enjoy riding everybody. Oops it's friday, IPA time. Cheers tom.

+1: be kind to your input hub and slip into N at stops with the clutch released. Learned this the hard way . . .

V11 runner

California dreaming...

Today, I was reminded how difficult it can be to Re-install a Deformed Fuel Tank. So, addendum: Or, 2):