i take a peek at the light on the intersecting street to judge if the light on my side is going to stay red for long or turn green soon.
if it's green soon, just clutch in and wait on gear 1.
if it's going to stay red, neutral.
er as for technique, apply brakes, clutch in, kick all the way down and up from gear 1. i'm riding a cagiva, if i don't find neutral when the bike is free-wheeling as it's slowing down, i'm never going to find it when stationary. weird lar.. typical quirk for the brand.
it's so damn hard getting neutral with the engine on and the bike not moving. once i tap the off switch, there it is...

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rock hard... ride free...