Finger over clutch/brake levers
Discussion
I was watching a couple of onboard camera shots and realised that all the riders were hanging on to the handgrip only.
I instinctively always have an index finger over the brake lever and often the clutch lever, in case of needing to stop suddenly.
Anyone else do this out of interest or is it just me?
I instinctively always have an index finger over the brake lever and often the clutch lever, in case of needing to stop suddenly.
Anyone else do this out of interest or is it just me?
Driller said:
I was watching a couple of onboard camera shots and realised that all the riders were hanging on to the handgrip only.
I instinctively always have an index finger over the brake lever and often the clutch lever, in case of needing to stop suddenly.
Anyone else do this out of interest or is it just me?
I do itI instinctively always have an index finger over the brake lever and often the clutch lever, in case of needing to stop suddenly.
Anyone else do this out of interest or is it just me?
This made me think. I know I don't cover the levers when riding "normally" for the most part. However, I commute by bike and so ride in traffic a lot and I think I cover the brake lever in certain scenarios (filtering, in heavy traffic with lots of side roads and junctions etc). I say I think I do as I'm not really sure. If I do it has become such second nature that I don't even think about it or acknowledge it. I think I do!!
Note: there is a risk that if you only cover the lever with one or two fingers, then
a) you might not get full braking effort, because
1) you only have the use of one or two fingers
2) movement of the lever may be limited by your outer fingers still wrapped around the grip
b) you may apply force by trap and squash those outer fingers!
These require practising to see how it works on your bike. How hard you can emergency brake, and if you still have sufficient throttle control. Plus it depends whether you can cover the horn button as well, depending on where that button is.
a) you might not get full braking effort, because
1) you only have the use of one or two fingers
2) movement of the lever may be limited by your outer fingers still wrapped around the grip
b) you may apply force by trap and squash those outer fingers!
These require practising to see how it works on your bike. How hard you can emergency brake, and if you still have sufficient throttle control. Plus it depends whether you can cover the horn button as well, depending on where that button is.
Pica-Pica said:
Note: there is a risk that if you only cover the lever with one or two fingers, then
a) you might not get full braking effort, because
1) you only have the use of one or two fingers
2) movement of the lever may be limited by your outer fingers still wrapped around the grip
b) you may apply force by trap and squash those outer fingers!
These require practising to see how it works on your bike. How hard you can emergency brake, and if you still have sufficient throttle control. Plus it depends whether you can cover the horn button as well, depending on where that button is.
Been there on a borrowed bike!a) you might not get full braking effort, because
1) you only have the use of one or two fingers
2) movement of the lever may be limited by your outer fingers still wrapped around the grip
b) you may apply force by trap and squash those outer fingers!
These require practising to see how it works on your bike. How hard you can emergency brake, and if you still have sufficient throttle control. Plus it depends whether you can cover the horn button as well, depending on where that button is.
single disc brake, OE brake hose, mid size Jap twin.
Steep hill!
My bike, twin 4 pot Brembo brakes, Goodridge hoses, two fingers is plenty.
Gixer968CS said:
This made me think. I know I don't cover the levers when riding "normally" for the most part. However, I commute by bike and so ride in traffic a lot and I think I cover the brake lever in certain scenarios (filtering, in heavy traffic with lots of side roads and junctions etc). I say I think I do as I'm not really sure. If I do it has become such second nature that I don't even think about it or acknowledge it. I think I do!!
similar here, I think I cover the clutch 'much' of the time, but it's programmed in now.Levers, and in particular the brake lever, should be all fingers or no fingers.
With just one finger you risk starting to brake then realising you need to brake a whole lot harder. At that point, you will have difficulty getting the rest of your fingers out from behind the lever without letting go of the brakes, and letting go of the brakes is the last thing you want to do at that specific moment.
By all means have your right foot covering the rear brake if you feel you need a part of you "hovvering" just in case.
With just one finger you risk starting to brake then realising you need to brake a whole lot harder. At that point, you will have difficulty getting the rest of your fingers out from behind the lever without letting go of the brakes, and letting go of the brakes is the last thing you want to do at that specific moment.
By all means have your right foot covering the rear brake if you feel you need a part of you "hovvering" just in case.
black-k1 said:
Levers, and in particular the brake lever, should be all fingers or no fingers.
surley its thumb and index around the throttle for blipping other three over the brakewhat's a rear brake - ohh that thing that stops you rolling backwards on a hill and tighten the radius when you're a bit hot into a bend
black-k1 said:
Levers, and in particular the brake lever, should be all fingers or no fingers.
With just one finger you risk starting to brake then realising you need to brake a whole lot harder. At that point, you will have difficulty getting the rest of your fingers out from behind the lever without letting go of the brakes, and letting go of the brakes is the last thing you want to do at that specific moment.
By all means have your right foot covering the rear brake if you feel you need a part of you "hovvering" just in case.
Exactly what I do.With just one finger you risk starting to brake then realising you need to brake a whole lot harder. At that point, you will have difficulty getting the rest of your fingers out from behind the lever without letting go of the brakes, and letting go of the brakes is the last thing you want to do at that specific moment.
By all means have your right foot covering the rear brake if you feel you need a part of you "hovvering" just in case.
I do definitely cover the rear brake though, allows me to trim my speed a bit if necessary if I'm entering a corner a bit too quickly.
wa16 said:
black-k1 said:
Levers, and in particular the brake lever, should be all fingers or no fingers.
surley its thumb and index around the throttle for blipping other three over the brakewhat's a rear brake - ohh that thing that stops you rolling backwards on a hill and tighten the radius when you're a bit hot into a bend
I only ever use 2 fingers on the brake lever, clutch I use all as the clutch goes all the way to the bar. If your brake lever is coming that far back that you can't only use 2 fingers you either need to bleed the brake or adjust your lever.
Also only ever cover the rear brake if im dicking about doing wheelies, other than that i don't use it with the rare exception of stopping on a hill.
Also only ever cover the rear brake if im dicking about doing wheelies, other than that i don't use it with the rare exception of stopping on a hill.
Cakey_ said:
I only ever use 2 fingers on the brake lever, clutch I use all as the clutch goes all the way to the bar. If your brake lever is coming that far back that you can't only use 2 fingers you either need to bleed the brake or adjust your lever.
Also only ever cover the rear brake if im dicking about doing wheelies, other than that i don't use it with the rare exception of stopping on a hill.
Lots of people do lots of things when driving, It doesn't mean they're the right thing to do. Also only ever cover the rear brake if im dicking about doing wheelies, other than that i don't use it with the rare exception of stopping on a hill.
ETA In case you are actually interested in the science behind use of the rear brake on road bikes, here's a link to a scientific paper by Aprilia entitled
On Optimal Motorcycle Braking
Some interesting details in section 3. The paragraph of interest says:
This section is concluded by observing that in the long 300-80 km/h braking maneuver, the difference of performance is very large, about 300 ms. This difference is largely due to the fact that the ‘‘traction’’ torque has been replaced by a ‘‘braking’’ torque at the rear wheel Although the braking torque at the rear wheel is rather small compared to the front-wheel one, on a strong braking maneuver the effect of the rear brake can be clearly appreciated. This is true, in particular, if the front-brake controller is able to maintain a small but non-zero load on the rear tire.
https://kipdf.com/on-optimal-motorcycle-braking_5a...
The measurements are made on a MY05 Aprilia RSV1000 Factory so not a long wheelbase tourer.
With ABS (as on all modern bikes) where the risk of a rear lock up is non-existant, the rear brake becomes even more important.
Edited by black-k1 on Monday 11th April 15:51
Some interesting comments here and I guess everyone is subjective to what they feel is right but as someone who has raced 2 strokes, 4 strokes Mx and tarmac I always ride 2 fingers front brake. This includes my 500cc drum brake maico twin shock at least until the front brake fades to the bar and I need 4 fingers
I always pull away 2 fingers on the clutch and typically have 1 finger over the clutch to stop a stall. 2 fingers again on the old big bike stuff just because the clutch is so stiff
I don't have much road pics for obvious reasons but the 125 freetech racing no slipper clutch so 2 fingers going down the box and 2 fingers on the brake
My Tuono on a track day blipper so no need to be on clutch but again 2 fingers on the lever
Everyone is entitled to what they prefer but if you're asking what I think is the safest, fastest and best way to ride a bike its how I do it. 4 fingers on a lever is never a good way and gives minimal support on the bar plus less feedback when trying to get a lick on
I always pull away 2 fingers on the clutch and typically have 1 finger over the clutch to stop a stall. 2 fingers again on the old big bike stuff just because the clutch is so stiff
I don't have much road pics for obvious reasons but the 125 freetech racing no slipper clutch so 2 fingers going down the box and 2 fingers on the brake
My Tuono on a track day blipper so no need to be on clutch but again 2 fingers on the lever
Everyone is entitled to what they prefer but if you're asking what I think is the safest, fastest and best way to ride a bike its how I do it. 4 fingers on a lever is never a good way and gives minimal support on the bar plus less feedback when trying to get a lick on
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