How many fingers!

**Squiggles** · 1st November 2010, 15:38

I try to be all or none...

**Magua** · 1st November 2010, 15:48

Originally Posted by Squiggles

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

Originally Posted by p.dath

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

Originally Posted by jasonzc

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

Originally Posted by p.dath

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

Originally Posted by motorbyclist

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