Two fingers draped over the front brake - or not?

[Tunahunter]

I've been riding for 16 mths now - done a lot of reading and a lot of talking.

One issue which confuses me is whether or not it is more effective to ride with two fingers of the right hand draped over the brake lever - or to hold the accelerator with all the fingers and move the fingers when its time to brake. Both feel pretty OK to me but I haven't experienced a hard out emergency situation yet - so I wonder about it.

I have consulted two sources, both of whom I respect - and their views are the opposite.

Anyone got a view?

[OnCam]

usually my first finger is not tucked nicely on the grip but also not over the brake directly either feels natural to me, but they are there almost ready.. not 100% commited to the throttle.. have tried all fingers on the throttle its just not for me, guess whatever you feel comfortable with..

everyone has their style and habbits etc

[crazyhorse]

Whatever you are comfortable doing.

I do abit of both - but depends on the roads you are riding

[ManDownUnder]

It reduces reaction time but each to their own but I'd encourage you to put it in context.

If you're riding on the edge or at higher risk then it's more important than if you are not.

Likewise helmets in my personal opinion. What's the point in spending $1,500 on the best helmet money can buy if you only ever do 70kph? Similar logic used for both scenarios

Also if it's comfortable - do it. It does put you at an advantage in respect of braking times

[CookMySock]

I'll cover the brake where an abstacle may force me to stop or reduce my speed dramatically, otherwise I will swap to a proper bar grip in case I need it. Usually you can steer around something a lot better than you can stop before it, and that is the mode I usually operate in. There is always some space down the side of something, unless you are really unlucky. Slowing down helps too.

I don't think I could ever corner effectively with fingers over the brake lever.

Steve

[Tunahunter]

Thanks for all the comments - they all make sense to me - very helpful

Cheers

[marine0089]

What about your rear break? Do you ride with your foot just about resting on the pedal or hanging back/below/wherever it feels most comfortable. Same would apply.

[Katman]

Around town and in amongst traffic it is a good idea to have a couple of fingers covering the brake lever.

[p.dath]

With regard to holding the steering grip, I tend to vary it. If on the open road and cruising I have all the fingers the throttle.
If doing twisties I tend to have all my fingers on the throttle.
When lane splitting I have one finger around the throttle, and the rest on the brake lever.
When in 50km/h zones I tend to have one or two fingers on the throttle, and the rest on the brake.

So as said previsouly, whatever works best in the situation you are currently in - for you.

With regard to breaking.
If I'm cruising and doing 100km/h on easy roads, I rest the middle of my foot on the peg away from the brake.
If I'm going through twisties I'll put the front of my foot on each peg, and not near the brake per-see.
If I'm travelling around on 50km/h roads I'll put the middle of my foot on the pegs, and near the rear break peddle.

To be honest, I don't normally use the brakes that much unless I'm approaching an intersection or wanting to stop.

[phred]

The instructor I used said Do not cover either the brake or clutch. Both hands on the bar!

[Filterer]

When lane splitting I have one finger around the throttle, and the rest on the brake level.

That's exactly my thoughts - in any situtation where you have the ability to steer around a car go for that as a first option - but when splitting between slow moving vehicles there is often 0 room to go around them so I cover the breaks super-aggressively when there is over 20km of speed differential - otherwise it's pretty much hands on the bars

[sAsLEX]

What about your rear break? Do you ride with your foot just about resting on the pedal or hanging back/below/wherever it feels most comfortable. Same would apply.

Balls of feet on the end of the pegs during any spirited riding.

Rear brake gets touched maybe once a ride resting at the lights when I can't reach the front.

I cover the front with one finger, and tend to only use that one to brake.

The instructor I used said Do not cover either the brake or clutch. Both hands on the bar!

Wonder if he has ever ridden a two stroke?

And even when covering the brake/clutch your hands are still on the bars?!

[FJRider]

Around town and in amongst traffic it is a good idea to have a couple of fingers covering the brake lever.

I agree ... and if alarm bells are ringing in your head about the traffic/area you are in.... Then too ....

[Ronin]

I agree ... and if alarm bells are ringing in your head about the traffic/area you are in.... Then too ....

I ride gripping with all fingers on throttle, brake with two fingers and cover when the situation calls for it.

All about what feels right for you.

[Ducface]

to cover the brake or not to cover the brake...

I've being working throught the same issue.

seems to make sense when filtering, I filter the southern M everyday, you've got reduced options there so if it helps, cool, but you have to be comfortable or more importantly fully aware of what's going on around you, so DONT PRACTICE ANYTHING while filtering, do it on the sunday ride.

Hope it helps -ride safe -ATGATT [dosn't include a blaze]