Always ride with the insteps of both feet on the footrests and toes not pointing downwards or outwards too much. This allows adjustments to gear and rear brake levers to be made quickly without lifting off the footrests.

For general road-riding, having the balls of your feet on the footrests is bad news because it exaggerates knee-bend and requires greater foot movements to reach the controls. Like the knee-out technique, it originates from road-racing where obtaining maximum cornering clearance is an issue. Ditch it.

The boot debate
Opinion varies on which foot to use to hold your bike upright when stationary. The truth? Both feet have a role to play according to the circumstances. Practise using the options below because there are times when each has advantages.

Alternating foot down
1) Support the bike with your right foot, using your left to raise the side-stand... and while you start the engine and select first gear.
2) Put your left foot down for support, right foot on the footrest and apply the rear brake. Release the front brake so you have the most sensitive throttle control. Release the rear brake and ride off. Stopping: use both brakes, change down into first before stopping and put your left foot down. Once stopped, keep the front brake applied and put your right foot down for support. Use your left foot to select neutral if necessary, and to put down the side stand before dismounting.

The main issue with this option is putting your left foot down when stopping, especially where a lot of road camber or an uneven, slippery surface is making the ground more difficult to reach.

Right foot down
Apply 1) as above.
Stopping: lower your right foot to support the bike. Roadside, put your right foot onto the edge of the carriageway where the ground will be firm. Road camber means that the reach to the ground is normally less on the right side, avoiding a topple-over. One exception to this is stopping in your lane on a banked motorway right-hand bend, when the reach will be less on your left side and you should lower your left foot.

Keep your left foot on the footrest ready to select neutral or first gear when stationary. (Necessary when starting from neutral, and selecting first gear after stopping while still in gear.) Use your left foot to lower the side-stand before dismounting.

The main issue with this option is that when moving off, your right foot must be raised immediately onto the footrest so the rear brake can be applied should slow-speed manoeuvres or stopping while turning be required.

So that's the feet. Sometimes, lowering both is best - like when you're coming to a halt quickly and have no time to adjust your bike's lean bias. One good tip to ensure the bike banks to the foot you're lowering is to gently nudge the corresponding handlebar forward as you would when push-steering.

And whichever foot you use to hold your bike, the front brake must be depressed to keep it stationary while on it, mounting or dismounting.