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Dare
30th October 2010, 09:57
Was reading an article and wondering about this, I started with four fingers but went to two on each side as it felt like I had better control that way.

Heres the article if anyones interested
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/howto/122_0506_savvy_biker_tips/index.html

motorbyclist
30th October 2010, 14:35
I use index and middle covering the brake, but cover the clutch with middle,ring and little fingers... If I stop I have to use all four on the clutch, but for changing gear/slipping I find using the outer three and gripping the bar with the index works best. Weird? Probably, but my finger fits in the crook of the lever and the gearbox changes smoothly even without clutch so go figure.

Either way my bike is light/nimble enough that having full grip isn't necessary. On the dirtbike, however, it's a case of death grip or lose grip :laugh:

Slyer
30th October 2010, 16:13
All four fingers.
I'm guessing this is the wrong answer...

Laxi
30th October 2010, 17:06
Go the fist!!!

Danae
30th October 2010, 18:17
sometimes two on the clutch, sometimes none until I have to change gear.

Real_Wolf
30th October 2010, 22:02
when in doubt, power out?

why brake when you can speed up

macros87
30th October 2010, 22:12
mmmmm i dont really know... i suppose it depends? i duno on what exactly it depends but in know the only time i use all fingers in when stationary... a couple of fingers when braking very lightly? 3 al other times maybe? im not sure, ill pay some attention to this later.

yod
30th October 2010, 23:10
three left, one right, don't ask me why, it just worked out that way

GOONR
30th October 2010, 23:27
I answered two and two but I guess it depends on where I am and what's around me.

Urban riding.. two left two right
Straight empty motorway.. None.
Straight busy motorway.. two left three right.

etc etc..

willytheekid
30th October 2010, 23:27
two for the brake (Brembos ;))
and a fist full of Terminator like grip for the clutch (Guzzi cable clutch! :laugh:)

EJK
31st October 2010, 00:53
I use both thumbs.

LBD
31st October 2010, 01:04
3/4 left, 2 right...with short Synto levers....and I can do 2 finger stoppies

Suntoucher
31st October 2010, 12:13
Oh, heh, maybe I shouldn't have voted before reading the thread.

motorbyclist
1st November 2010, 13:52
All four fingers.
I'm guessing this is the wrong answer...

well if that's what it takes to stop the bike with your brakes, then that's what it takes. (might want to look into the brakes btw ;))

four fingers is going to be better than no fingers

Slyer
1st November 2010, 14:16
My brakes stop the bike well enough, just a bit too squishy for my liking.

Squiggles
1st November 2010, 15:38
I try to be all or none...

Magua
1st November 2010, 15:48
I try to be all or none...

Likewise .

p.dath
1st November 2010, 15:51
Index and middle finger of right hand over brake.

Fisting on clutch.

If you have disc breaks then two fingers can exert enough force to lock the front wheel. You don't need to lock the front wheel, so using more than two fingers does not seem worthwhile. The other argument is fisting, because it is much hard to accidentally brake AND still be applying power with the throttle.

If you have drum brakes, then you'll need every bit of energy your hand can muster.

jasonzc
2nd November 2010, 08:42
Index and middle finger of right hand over brake.

Fisting on clutch.

If you have disc breaks then two fingers can exert enough force to lock the front wheel. You don't need to lock the front wheel, so using more than two fingers does not seem worthwhile. The other argument is fisting, because it is much hard to accidentally brake AND still be applying power with the throttle.

If you have drum brakes, then you'll need every bit of energy your hand can muster.

lol not on some cruisers liek mine. I have a habbit of using two fingers to cover the break and even in emergency situations, have to give it all i have to lock. I should really use three fingers, but its such a hard habbit to break. Instinctive reaction is to use two fingers, any ideas how to change that reaction?

p.dath
2nd November 2010, 08:52
lol not on some cruisers liek mine. I have a habbit of using two fingers to cover the break and even in emergency situations, have to give it all i have to lock. I should really use three fingers, but its such a hard habbit to break. Instinctive reaction is to use two fingers, any ideas how to change that reaction?

Does your cruiser have disc brakes? Must be more variation than I am aware of (or have naively assumed). Disc brakes have always given me the experience of being able to apply considerable braking force. But I guess different bikes have different size pads.

Only way to re-program the brain and form a new instinctive reaction if to repeat the action a lot - aka lots of practice. Unfortunately.

motorbyclist
3rd November 2010, 01:45
But I guess different bikes have different size pads.

there are countless other factors at work here....

but yeah - make it a new habit to use all three by doing it, but consider that two fingers on the brakes still leaves two fingers for grip of the bars and throttle control.
Maybe give the brakes a service; glazed pads, contaminants, old stretchy lines, old buggered seals or old contaminated brake fluid could all harm braking performance.

most modern disc brake bikes in good form should be able to get max performance (ie stoppie or locked wheels) from 2 fingers applied correctly, and the rear brake should be toe operation, not stomping with the whole foot/heel (may vary for heavy bikes with pillions, but usually bigger bikes mean bigger brakes)


all of this is useless without proper technique and appropriate tyres of course ;)

ital916
3rd November 2010, 14:29
there are countless other factors at work here....

but yeah - make it a new habit to use all three by doing it, but consider that two fingers on the brakes still leaves two fingers for grip of the bars and throttle control.
Maybe give the brakes a service; glazed pads, contaminants, old stretchy lines, old buggered seals or old contaminated brake fluid could all harm braking performance.

most modern disc brake bikes in good form should be able to get max performance (ie stoppie or locked wheels) from 2 fingers applied correctly, and the rear brake should be toe operation, not stomping with the whole foot/heel (may vary for heavy bikes with pillions, but usually bigger bikes mean bigger brakes)


all of this is useless without proper technique and appropriate tyres of course ;)

I stomp the rear brake with my whole foot on my supermoto sometimes :shifty:

avgas
3rd November 2010, 15:01
Where is the "Jandal" answer?

The Pastor
4th November 2010, 10:55
brakes and clutches are for FOOLS!

Dare
4th November 2010, 12:38
brakes and clutches are for FOOLS!

Or for people with working brakes and clutches.

The Pastor
4th November 2010, 12:39
Or for people with working brakes and clutches.

nah just slow pokes

Juzz976
4th November 2010, 12:45
Well ignoring my first thoughts, I was expecting this to about how many fingers you have left from bike accidents lol.

Dare
4th November 2010, 14:00
Well ignoring my first thoughts, I was expecting this to about how many fingers you have left from bike accidents lol.

I'll be fine after I get my custom kevlar gloves.
I'm modelling them after these
<img src="http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/knight-5.jpg" />

Smifffy
4th November 2010, 17:34
http://img.listal.com/image/737899/600full-johnny-cash.jpg

:Punk: :Punk: