fingers on the front brake lever

[spklbuk]

How many fingers do you use to pull the front brake lever?

 

[Scab]

One or two.

 

[madmike2]

One or two.

Or 3 or 4....depending on the situation. I almost always have the brake lever covered but only use as much force (number of fingers) as necessary.

 

[JRO]

2 to 8, except when I use 6.

 

[FJRBluesman]

2 to 8, except when I use 6.

I lost two fingers when I tried to retrieve food from a sharks mouth. So only 11. :lol:

It really depends on the mood. If I'm in the mood for one or two that works. Some times four. I some times ride with two fingers always on the brake and clutch....... different hands of course.....

 

[noob]

Take it for what you consider it worth, of course.

But msf says always use 4... they say make it a habit, no thought, an instinct, cuz if you need

all your braking power (from the front), it's right there, just squeeze harder.

So if yer scrubbing some speed in some twisty some where, maybe you do it differently. But

we never know when we need all of our brakes, any delay can cost us.

 

[cougar8000]

You all four unless you can't reach it.

 

[Grumpy]

How many fingers do you use to pull the front brake lever?

2 on the brake, 2 on the throttle so you can roll the throttle right back on as soon as the braking is done.

Now Ashe has modified his right handgrip so that it only takes one finger to select either full braking, or full throttle.

jim

 

[spklbuk]

How many fingers do you use to pull the front brake lever?

2 on the brake, 2 on the throttle so you can roll the throttle right back on as soon as the braking is done.

jim

That's how I've always gone about it, even on dirt years ago. I'm glad to know I'm not alone.

Good to hear from you.

 

[wfooshee]

My MSF instructor actually slapped my hand when he saw me with two fingers. I've actually gone to all four, and two just doesn't feel right any more. I have no trouble with the downhift blip or rolling back on, either, because the thumb is still on the grip.

I've hear people talk about 1 or 2 fingers on the clutch, too, but that makes even less sense to me. You'd smash the other fingers with the clutch lever!

 

[Tenchi]

I use all 4. How are you going to remember to only use 1 or 2 in an emergency situation?

 

[Bustanut joker]

Well ****! I use all the fingers I have on the brake "2" due to an unfortunate instance with a married girl! an only 1 on the clutch as it's all the left side has.

Was it worth it?

Yep!

run what ya brung comes ta mind. Plus two fingers is more than enough pressure if ya know how to ride these fat heaters.

:jester:

 

[Knifemaker]

99% of the time..I use just one. I always used two on most of my other bikes, but the FJR brakes are just so freaking good that when I used two I was stopping harder than I wanted. so I switched to one.

But when something "comes up" that requires severe braking all four fingers are on the lever...this is seemingly already conditioned response with me, using just the one finger most of the time has not trained me out of this , so don't care what MSF says, it works for ME. (I have other issues with some of their teachings, but you should do what works well for you)

KM

 

[Bustanut joker]

you should do what works well for you


KM

Fuzzy Balls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:jester:

 

[James Burleigh]

Two fingers covering the brake in traffic at moderate speeds. No covering but ready with four fingers at freeway speeds. That's what works for me!

 

[HaulinAshe]

Thumb and index finger loop around the throttle. Middle and next finger catch the brake. Pinkie finger goes along for the ride, but I don't consider it really functional.

For a panic stop I jam the thumb under the throttle and cover the brake lever with all four, squeezing hard until I feel the ABS just begin to trigger, then slip the index finger off and loop the throttle again as I relax some braking. It's an old habit that seems to work for me. Brake as hard as possible, as quickly as possible, then relax braking to a level that meets the need.

Sorry, that was TMI.

Two fingers.

I miss Grumpy too. I would spend a lot less time typing useless crap on this forum if he could ride.

 

[Silver Penguin]

After intense programming from the MSF, I will continue to use four on the clutch and four on the front brake for street riding. I'm buying their reasons about building a habit that will serve you well in a panic situation. With small hands and a relatively weak grip, I need all the strength I can get.

My Ninja would be OK with two fingers but my FJR needs at least four of my fingers on each side. I'd use more, if I had them. Riding off road is a different story. I'm finding it difficult to modify my technique to one that is more appropriate for dirt riding. Working on it!

Jill

 

[RiderCoach Lar]

All four, all the time.

Any less is a really bad habit to develop. For all you one, two or three finger brakers, consider what you'd do in a panic situation. Would less than four fingers be enough? Maybe; maybe not. What about a panic situation that occurs WHILE you're braking with one or two fingers. Will you have time to think or reach with the other two or three fingers? Would you not agree there is a difference in the amount of force you apply to the lever depending on how many fingers you have on it? Sometimes you don't have time to THINK about how many fingers and you'll do what you're in the habit of doing. Develop a good habit of using all four.

Gotta step off my soapbox now and give someone else a chance

 

[Jetmaker737]

Two fingers on at all times. I personally don't see any need for four and two gives better throttle control using the pinky and that other finger next to it. I can heave the brake as hard as required with only two.