How to not stall on a hill

Written By Ashley .

The key to not stalling on a hill is having clutch control and knowing exactly where the engagement point is. To really gain confidence on a hill, we have to get comfortable with the friction zone and how it can help us control the motorcycle.

Before we go into some steps to gain better clutch control, it’s good to have a solid understanding of the friction zone and how it works in relation to the throttle.

What is the Friction Zone?

The friction zone is a range between the clutch being fully engaged (clutch lever out all the way) and fully disengaged (clutch pulled all the way in), and is typically used for maneuvering at low speeds or initiating motion from a standstill.

In other words, when you start to slowly release the clutch and then hold it at the moment the bike starts crawling forward - that’s the friction zone

Illustration of Friction Zone

5: Fully Engaged | 3 - 4: Friction Zone | 1 - 2: Fully Disengaged

Clutch Engagement and Friction Zone

In the graphic (Number 3 or start of red line), we can identify the engagement point or the start of the friction zone.

When we gradually release the clutch without releasing it all the way. We can feel the grab when the power initially transfers to the rear wheel - right before the rear tire begins moving forward. This is the engagement point

The friction zone, as shown in the graphic from numbers 3 to 4, is the range in which the clutch modulation occurs.

When we adjust the clutch by modulating it in or out, we are controlling how much power is being transferred to the rear wheel, affecting the speed of the motorcycle. By partially engaging the clutch, we reduce power to the rear wheel, resulting in decreased speed; whereas releasing the clutch further sends more power through, consequently accelerating the bike.

Remember: when using the friction zone, the clutch is never fully engaged or disengaged.

Common Mistakes & Misconceptions with the Friction Zone

  • Releasing the clutch too quickly

  • Not holding the clutch in the friction zone until you can put your feet up without feeling unstable

  • Applying too little throttle as the clutch is released

  • Rolling on and then off the throttle as the clutch is released

  • Not applying throttle until clutch is released

If you tend to do any of the above, no worries! They are common issues to have and easy to fix.

I’ve outlined some steps to help isolate clutch use so that you can practice finding that engagement point to stall less and gain confidence to get you up those hills!

Practice Drills

The goal for the following exercise is to find and know exactly where the friction zone starts and ends. Gaining the muscle memory to use it quickly and easily without thinking making it easier to utilize the engagement point to hold us steady on inclines or help us react quicker if the need arises.

Finding the Friction Zone Part 1

Since the motorcycle doesn’t move for the first part of the exercise I usually practice it a couple of minutes each day before riding off.

How to do it:

Mount the bike and stand it upright.

Flick the kickstand up!

Start the bike, put it in first gear, and then put both feet down - if you feel comfortable enough to leave your right foot on the foot peg, that’s great too!

Keep the clutch held in - No throttle use for this exercise

Slowly release the clutch until you feel the engagement point: the rear tire should not be moving or lurching forward. If it is, pull the clutch in about a millimeter or so.

Once you’ve found that engagement point, hold it there for a second or two, then pull the clutch in and repeat.

Part 2

Once you feel confident releasing the clutch right to the engagement point, we can focus on modulating the clutch past that point within the friction zone where the bike starts moving forward - without stalling.

Part 3

If that’s a piece of cake for you, try getting the clutch at the engagement point then taking off from there. You will need to apply some throttle this time. If you stall or over-rev the engine, try keeping the throttle constant at just a little above idle RPM. Getting good at this will be important for those hills.

Check out our recent instagram post - Our Co-founder Amanda demonstrates taking off on a hill

Ashley .