Hanging on...

[Tank]

OK - my first stupid question..

When you guys are riding - do you keep fingers on the top of the brake handle or not? Personally I'm finding it difficult when going thru the gears and accelerating (small hands - dont go there).

Can the brake handle be adjusted to make this easier?

C

[MSTRS:Me]

Adjust your brake lever so that if you extend your fingers across the top of it, they and the back of your hand are inline with your wrist and forearm. Do the same with your clutch lever. Doing this will minimise the effort needed to use either lever. As for 'covering' the brake, some do and some don't. Use the search function for other threads on the subject. There are plenty.

[canarlee]

you only need the clutch lever for stopping and starting, so no real probs there, just ride like they are all tring to kill you and you would be surprised at how little you need the clutch!


same goes for brakes, you only need them to actually stop or while you are stopped (on a hill for example).


but as MSTRS says, get the levers adjusted to suit your hand span and you shouldnt have any probs. it is an easy 5 minute job!

[Hitcher]

Yes and Yes.

[sunhuntin]

i dont ride covering my hand brake, for the same reason: just a tad too far away to ride comfortably, but its ok when stopping. i have started covering the rear brake lately. [dunno why!!]

[shafty]

I often ride with 2 or 3 fingers atop of the front brake lever - actually, the right lever actuates both front and rear brakes on my ST1300. This practise has saved me in the past, ie a car pulling a U turn without looking, - if my hand was any slower, I'd still be in mid air.

I especially employ this habit when re entering a town/built up area or anywhere you feel danger.

A Lady friend on a GN250 asked about adjusting her levers. I had a look, and as expected, the bike was without the multi adjustment knob on the lever my ST and other more expensive bikes have.

[delusionz]

I'm starting to find no point in asking questions about how to ride, Some people will give one answer, other people will give another answer, Then other people will bad-rep you for being different. Just do whatever you need to do to keep yourself on the road.

[Jantar]

OK - my first stupid question..

When you guys are riding - do you keep fingers on the top of the brake handle or not? Personally I'm finding it difficult when going thru the gears and accelerating (small hands - dont go there).

Can the brake handle be adjusted to make this easier?

C

I always lightly cover my front brakes with two fingers on entering any town. I don't usually cover on open roads with light traffic, and that is where I do most of my riding. My right foot is always resting on or close to my rear brake lever on sealed roads.

Until you get more confidence, I would suggest that you keep at least one brake covered at all times. Remember that your front brake will give you much more stopping power than your rear brake, although gentle application of your rear brake until your front comes into play will help load your suspension more evenly under braking and help prevent any loss of traction.

[Virago]

OK - my first stupid question..

When you guys are riding - do you keep fingers on the top of the brake handle or not? Personally I'm finding it difficult when going thru the gears and accelerating (small hands - dont go there).

Can the brake handle be adjusted to make this easier?

C

Definately not a stupid question - good on ya for asking.

Some bikes don't have adjustable levers, or if they do, don't have enough adjustment. A competent bike mechanic can carefully heat and bend the levers to make them a more comfortable reach. We had both brake and clutch done on Mrs V's 250 Virago, as she has small hands too. It works a treat.

[Usarka]

i don't cover my brakes unless i've identified a likely hazard. better control with hands in natural position around bars. the control vs the 1/10th second it takes to get to the brakes is worth it in my bumbled opinion.

instructor told me not to in the old days never have since.

[BMW]

I often ride with 2 or 3 fingers atop of the front brake lever - actually, the right lever actuates both front and rear brakes on my ST1300. This practise has saved me in the past, ie a car pulling a U turn without looking, - if my hand was any slower, I'd still be in mid air.

I especially employ this habit when re entering a town/built up area or anywhere you feel danger.

The big BMW has good adjustment and like the ST1300 the front brings on the rear brake as well. My bad habbit is riding with at least one finger covering both clutch and brake.
yes this has saved me where people still put out infront of a large object moving fast towards them!

[rwh]

one finger covering both clutch and brake.

Tricky!

Richard

[Grahameeboy]

you only need the clutch lever for stopping and starting, so no real probs there, just ride like they are all tring to kill you and you would be surprised at how little you need the clutch!


same goes for brakes, you only need them to actually stop or while you are stopped (on a hill for example).


but as MSTRS says, get the levers adjusted to suit your hand span and you shouldnt have any probs. it is an easy 5 minute job!

What's a 5 min job

[BigRed2007]

Um yeah adjust ya handles so its easier to reach, also try to use your engine to brake for you by throttling down before you get to the stop... its safer and your less likely to stuff up if you brake hard at the very end.

I find that changing down and slowlying down 3-5 seconds before the stop helps you incase the ground is slippery or if they are idiots that wanna change into your lange, and also gives you time to assess your surroundings.

good luck