Bad Habits?

[vifferman]

No, not nuns with bad clerical fashion sense - this is summat else.
The thread about scraping toes got me thinking about this. Years ago, when I was riding with Zed (remember him?) he asked me why I rode with the balls of my feet on the 'pegs, so I told him it was better for good bike control. Of course, being Zed, and knowing everything yet never having read about this, he mocked me for it. He was one of those people whose justification was basically "I do it, therefore it's right!" This can be an attitude that sees us hold onto bad habits even though they may be potentially very dangerous.

So I got to thinking about this. Doubtless I have countless bad habits, but from a cursory examination, the only ones I can think of are these: since moving to D'Auckland, I follow too closely on the motorway, and I use only one or two fingers when gesturing braking. The latter works fine, but is arguably a potential weakness in an emergency.

What about you?

[Big Dave]

[sondela]

From my experience doing emergency braking practice, I think two fingers on the brake lever will still get you stopped ok? The only thing that might go wrong is not throttling off if you still hang on to the throttle with the others..

I neglect the 2 second rule sometimes as well...sigh

[Paulo]

Saw a barefooted harley rider on the Wgtn motorway today, Must have loved the feel of the wind between his toes, Forgetting to wear boots could be called a bad habit.

[Okey Dokey]

That is an interesting example of a bad habit, vifferman. When I took up riding I found I naturally rode with the balls of my feet on the pegs. Then, when I did an advanced rider course, the instructors told me it was bad and to place the peg in the arch of my foot. I think they were arguing that it gave you instant access to the rear brake and gear shift.

So what do others do? I changed my habit after that course, but did I go from good to bad or bad to good?

[crazyv]

When doing the Basic handling course/test with John Wright (Auckland) - he taught us using four fingers for the brake and to wedge thumb finger and palm on throttle when riding. Giving maximum effectiveness in case one of the fingers slip, also for smoothness.

I know from a few vids seen on the racing circuit that almost all racer types use the two finger approach as its faster to do at high speeds. Even the California school of riding uses the two finger method of braking.

I have been riding for approx a year so will keep using four fingers - perhaps until I try a track day.

As for the foot, I place it on the Arch. Find this the easiest to control brake & clutch also I can move around the bike in this position.

[James Deuce]

When I took up riding I found I naturally rode with the balls of my feet on the pegs. Then, when I did an advanced rider course, the instructors told me it was bad and to place the peg in the arch of my foot. I think they were arguing that it gave you instant access to the rear brake and gear shift.

So what do others do? I changed my habit after that course, but did I go from good to bad or bad to good?

When you're riding around town, commuting, doing the shopping, just generally getting from a to b you're in a high threat zone (generally speaking) where you're more likely to be involved in a two vehicle accident. In this situation being able to use all the controls effectively with the delay of moving stuff around is generally a good thing.

Out in the country where you are practicing the precursor activity to your single vehicle cornering accident, you may want to move your feet back to your preferred position. I know if I didn't I'd be buying a new pair of boots once a month. Size 14 feet, country roads and approved riding techniques can be expensive. I've had instructors go all red in the face when I've tried to explain that particular point, as well as pointing out that they aren't the ones who will coughing up for the new boots on a more regular schedule than than I normally organise my crashing on.

The point is that there is an element of art in learning to ride bikes the way it suits you. There's plenty of people willing to say you're doing it wrong, masses of information to go through to glean different techniques and the reality is only you can figure out what suits you. That means practicing stuff and discarding things that don't work though. Critical theory in practice.

[James Deuce]

I know from a few vids seen on the racing circuit that almost all racer types use the two finger approach as its faster to do at high speeds. Even the California school of riding uses the two finger method of braking.

I have been riding for approx a year so will keep using four fingers - perhaps until I try a track day.

This is where track riding and road riding send mixed messages. Racers aren't using the brakes to stop. They are using it to control negative acceleration. There are racers that use the two outside fingers to brake, the two inside fingers, the index finger, three fingers or, indeed all four, but they aren't using them to stop. They are setting corner entry speed.

Another point to bear in mind is that modern braking systems, radial caliper mounts, radial master cylinders, minimal line expansion under pressure, pad and disc materials can mean that four finger stopping is simply too much leverage for general usage. That tends to apply to the very focused sportsbikes out there, not your average streetbike or tourer for instance, or especially a cruiser where weight distribution often means that the rear brake is just as effective as the front in many cases.

Four fingers will give you better feel and control on the road for stopping, though some people have far more practice with two fingers and so tend to use it all the time. That's fine though. Whatever works for the individual, so long as they can generate consistent braking force and control in all situations. There isn't one technique though. Practice stuff in a relatively isolated environment until you find what works for you.

[LBD]

I am a ball of my feet guy on the winding twisties mainly for clearance when cornering and I feel more in control like that. But then on straighter roads or where the action is not so intense, I sit with my arch on the peg, comfort and less strain on aging knees.

Brakes, definately two fingers, I even fitted a shorty synto brake lever to encourage this in myself after an unexpected stoppie in a panic situation that almost went to far over....рпфашт ыони car drivers. (Serious twin brembos)

[zzzbang]

been doing one/two finger braking since i was on my yz80.. works just fine for me.

[zzzbang]

рпфашт ыони

hah, enlighten us on the meaning?

[Trudes]

Having my arse firmly planted on my seat. While this is good for riding about in normal situations, I'm finding it hard to unstick my bum and move it off the seat while bucket racing. Trying to focus on my weight on my legs and on the pegs, but I find it hard to remember to shift my bum as well. I guess I'll get there eventually.

[Blackshear]

I dunno if it's a bad habit, as much as OCD or something..
But I blip the throttle 3 times whenever I clutch in at the lights/moving really slow.
I don't know why, but I suspect it must be me keeping the carbs on their toes. No sluggish throttle when I go to clutch in. Must check next time.

And the bad one...
Whenever in the 'mode' and going into a decline corner, I use the back brake whilst downshifting and decelerating a little with the engine braking. It's kinda fun to do it and hear the squeal, but I don't do it on purpose.
When i'm not going as hard, I don't clutch at all. It's weird.

[Hitcher]

Pegs on the balls of the feet FTW.

[AllanB]

Arches of feet on the pegs thanks - as in where the shifter and brake are instantly handy. I keep my balls in my pants.


I have a habit of keeping my bikes immaculate - fucked if I can understand why people spend that much on a new ride and then let it turn into a visual piece of shit.