What is better for the bike with reasonably short stops behind stoplights:
1. Holding a clutch with 1st gear in and then just go.
2. Stay on neutral gear and "klonk" the first gear in before start.

What wears the bike more, holding a clutch or the "klonk" when 1st gear goes in?

2 is better - 1 will quickly knacker the clutch thrust bearing.

kinda depends really. If I think there is only 10 secs or so to go before the change to green I'll leave in 1st. More than that and I'll find neutral

I alway hold the clutch in with the bike in gear. It's saved me a few times when idiots on their cell phones fail to stop at a light. I tend not to worry about parts wearing. I think its more about being able to get the f outta the way when something like that happens.

I have heard that it's the law in Cali, USA to have the trans in gear at a stop light for quick get a ways.

I try to be off on the right side off the cars so if I get hit from b- hind I will not get samwiched between the two.

A friend got read ended years ago at a stop sign. He was sitting on a new bike and the lady totaled his bike and his working days.

He now gets around on a Ural with side car.

But the quetion was about saving the motor, not the rider. Make sure your clutch has fresh fuilds and blead job, and you will get less of a klunk, and less drag when the clutch is pulled in.

I thoguht the correct answer was

It doesn't matter as long as you're blipping the throttle and scaring passers by

This is another one of those HD-owner mythos questions, like not using the front brakes because "they are dangerous". Seriously. In those circles, I learned its considered some kind of 'skill' to put the bike into neutral at the last point before you put your foot/feet down to stop. So, if you're gonna be one of the "cool kids" in those crowds, it's what you do.

I'll keep bike in gear with the clutch disengaged, to assure ability to pull away quickly should need arise. And need has arisen. Several times. Odd you ask this, as only last week someone at a light that I was stuck behind, decided they were just going to back up. Did they check back first - of course not. I have no clue as to why, except that they wanted to be in another lane. As soon as they started to move I laid on the horn, and they still didn't check back or stop. If I hadn't very quickly been able to pull the bike just a few feet away the lady would've flattened me.

I also usually keep my foot/hand on at least one of the brakes, and if no vehicles are immediately behind me, I keep an eye on my mirrors at intersections. People have this incredible habit of seeking their distractions as they approach a signaled intersection, and shockingly often stop looking forward as they complete their stopping. Problem is, they don't always stop completely when they should ... Had that happen more than once.

Only at the longest lights/RR crossing, when really blocked in, etc. do I put it in neutral. It's pretty rare.

http://www.teachmetoride.com/blogs/news (excerpted from the MSF). Here's the thing, what's good for newbs is usually good for the experienced as well. Personally, I will never put equipment longevity ahead of my own personal safety.

The pressure plate bearing I could care less about, nor should you: Not enough of a load to worry about for at least a couple of clutch friction plate changes (at the point of any clutch servicing that requires removal of the cover, one should inspect this bearing). Unlike some cheap-ass car-clutch throw-out bearing of yore, the bearing is also continuously lubricated with engine oil. Pretty beefy for the task to boot; nor difficult to change out.

Lessons learnt after years of Ducatis, Jotas and cable clutch British bikes.

British or modern, it stays in gear until the rear is blocked off.

Too many snapped clutch cables on '60s BSA and Triumphs, and twice on my Duke II, always at lights in gear.........arm pump from holding the heavy spring Jota clutch........50k miles on a 996S with OE clutches made of chocolate.........hence the habit of neutral at lights.

I'm always in gear and checkin my mirrors.
I tend to pump the brake when I'm stopped as a flashin light draws attention and is harder to look past.