How many fingers do you brake with?

**inlinefour** · 21st April 2005, 03:13

Originally Posted by gav

And what ones do you use? I generally use either one or two (fore finger and long one next to it), but was interested to see the on bike shots of Shinya Nakano and he was using his 3 outside fingers and holding onto throttle with his fore finger and thumb. Go on, just try flexing them like that, feel weird to you? Or more natural? Looked abit ungainly I thought, almost like he had to stretch his fingers around the brake lever to get it in position to brake. So what do other people use?

I think it something to do with having ridden motorcross/enduro in the past. Generally leave a finger or two on the lever as it can make a big difference in a serious situation.

**750Y** · 21st April 2005, 06:47

the guy who runs training courses at blue wing honda advocates using all 4 at all times.
when i am riding i noticed that my whole hand doesn't grasp the grip & in fact only the inside half of the palm seems to have good contact leaving my 3rd & little fingers basically coming along for the ride. for me to get my hands fully on the grips & have my fingers wrapping round, i have to bring my elbows in really close together(past parallel) which is basically ridiculous. it seems to me that the clip-ons are angled too far back.

**Rainbow Wizard** · 21st April 2005, 07:26

When I'm sliding downhill

**White trash** · 21st April 2005, 07:36

I use digits 2 and 3 as well. I find it gives me a good grip on the throttle for down shifts.

Edit: Anyone who needs more than two fingers on modern sprotsbike stoppers, doesnt realise you can only put so much power through a front brake.

**James Deuce** · 21st April 2005, 07:44

Originally Posted by White trash

Edit: Anyone who needs more than two fingers on modern sprotsbike stoppers, doesnt realise you can only put so much power through a front brake.

They're the same people who make you cover your clutch when you do your license tests. They have a bit of influence on how legislation is drafted too. Doesn't help that the last time they actually rode, a BSA Bantam, or James was the ideal learners bike.

**betti** · 21st April 2005, 08:05

the motorcycle handbook sez 4 at all times, not due to the amount of power required, but to prevent the other fingers becoming trapped by the lever and preventing the application of full braking potential!!!

I use 2 as well

**Pwalo** · 21st April 2005, 08:08

I thought about this one after riding in this morning. I usually only use finger 1 for braking and the others stay on the throttle for blipping during downshifts. Used to use the first two fingers but my little pinky is still a bit dodgy so must have altered my style.

Try to avoid emergency stops, but probably grab everything when that happens.

**Lou Girardin** · 21st April 2005, 08:14

I cover the lever with index and middle fingers 95% of the time, wave with the middle finger, left hand.
Never brake with all four, but I see that Rossi does.

**FROSTY:Me** · 21st April 2005, 08:29

actually come to think of it --on the xj I use 2 fingers on the front brake whilst the third is pawwing the boat anchour ejector unit. That way i stop from 100km/h in 2 km not the normal 5
shows how things have changed--back in 83 it was touted as one of the best braked bikes on the road -the cb1100 r was the only thing with better brakes.

**pritch** · 21st April 2005, 08:47

With modern brakes 1&2 should be enough to make the tyre squeel and you can simultaneously work the throttle to downchange while hard on the brakes.

Apparently pictures show the Moto GP riders using four fingers (very carefully?) but they have slipper clutches. They also have a system that automatically adjusts the revs for downshifts so they don't need to blip the throttle like us mere mortals.

**Paul in NZ** · 21st April 2005, 09:29

I use everything I can find because old Guzzis have flywheels that are as heavy as death and have bugger all engine braking.... Actually the brake braking ain't too flash either so it's a bunch a hand haulin', foot stompin' (linked brakes) lever bendin' foearm popin' eye buldgin throw out every thing sort of affair...

One thing about having an old Guzzi... You are never bored...

**Ixion** · 21st April 2005, 09:38

Originally Posted by Paul in NZ

I use everything I can find because old Guzzis have flywheels that are as heavy as death and have bugger all engine braking.... Actually the brake braking ain't too flash either so it's a bunch a hand haulin', foot stompin' (linked brakes) lever bendin' foearm popin' eye buldgin throw out every thing sort of affair...

One thing about having an old Guzzi... You are never bored...

heh heh. Sounds just like a BSA. Until I got wise and realised that all the levering and stomping wasn't going to do anything anyway. So I stopped bothering to brake. Just ride around whatever it is. And wave my arms and shriek "Ged oudda my way, you *&^^* " .Still use that philosophy actually.

I did actually bend a couple of the old steel levers. And twist the splined shaft on the rear brake actuating arm.

**TwoSeven** · 21st April 2005, 10:13

I dont cover the levers unless I am actually using them. So the number of fingers I use depends on how hard I need to brake.

**Coyote** · 21st April 2005, 10:19

Brakes?

**sAsLEX** · 21st April 2005, 11:22

Originally Posted by betti

but to prevent the other fingers becoming trapped by the lever and preventing the application of full braking potential!!!

I use 2 as well

even with my poo non braided brakes if I ever got to the point of squashing my outside finger with the brake lever I would be sailing over the handlebars in a cloud of front lock up tyre smoke!!!

So I use 1 & 2 and they sit on the brake lever even not braking, which I have set out quite far, for 98% of the time. Have to ocassionally take them off to avoid numbness.