How many fingers?

[inspiron]

Okay, it's probably a religion question, but here goes anyhow:

My riding instructors (I've had several over the years) have always taught me that I *must* use all 4 fingers for braking and clutching the bike. I made the mistake of covering the brake with just 2 fingers (index and middle fingers), and my instructor gave me an ear full of reasons why that's wrong (less strength in just 2 fingers, chance of getting the other two caught between the grip and the brake lever, blah blah blah...).

But ... when I look at the pictures of riders in most magazines, they are covering the brake and clutch with ... two fingers.

Moto Sport Schweiz, a Swiss motorcycle magazine, has a picture of a rider on the new Harley XR 1200, and he obviously has just 2 fingers covering the brake lever. (Sorry, I can't find the picture on-line, and don't have the time to scan it in right now).

What have the rest of your learned in your MSF course (or other rider safety courses)?

[baltimorebayside]

Hmmm? Let me think about this....went riding last night......I think two fingers are enough for me.....using all four fingers leaves less control for your right arm.....

Meaning......only your thumb and palm are on the throttle, the rest is on the caliper. No need to have that much pressure on the lever.....

If you get your finders caught between the lever and handle bar, then it need adjusting.

I use all four fingers for the clutch.

dan

[Tab B.]

Hmmm, well, I guess I'll jump in. Sooo many instructors get a little too anal about things at times. I had to teach four fingers too. Usually I emphasized the importance of learning the feel of four fingers. More nerve endings on the lever {better feel!}, less fatigue with braking chores being spread across more muscle. I have heard of people getting into trouble in emergency situations, when they are used to using two or three fingers, they overbrake using four. Simply because they weren't used to the extra force available with the extra digit{s}. When I'm on the track playing, I'll start off with two, and go to four as I get tuckered out. I think it is important to be able to use all four for the reasons I stated, but is it a mortal sin not to? I don't think so. Especially considering how good todays brakes are in general. The clutch?? If you have enough finger strength to use two or three on the clutch consistently, good on ya. I have heavier springs on my clutch, so you can guess how many I have to use.

Oh, and to answer baltimorebayside, I use four fingers when I'm doing a burn out, and have no problem rolling the throttle with my thumb and part of my palm

[drgibson]

Two fingers on both brake and clutch.

[themeatmanlandry]

Where's this instructor come from, Europe? See, that's your problem right there.



Bandit: 4 fingers

GSXR: 2 fingers

Jerks: Get the middle finger.

I've actually gotten the free fingers pinned behind the lever before, so there is some truth to what the man says!

[inspiron]

Tab ... my 1400 has a hydrolic clutch, so it doesn't require much strength...

[diamond_jim]

Tab, I think I read somewhere on here that holding on to the handlebar is kind of important too.





Just messin' with ya! I think I usually use two fingers while riding but all four if I'm stopped and on any kind of slope.

[tricker]

clutch 4 fingers
front brake normally 2 fingers but in quick stopping situations 4
asshats... one finger

[diamond_jim]

[diamond_jim]

I couldn't type anything on that last comment cause I was eating an 8-napkin kind of lunch.

[Clint]

I've converted to using two on the brake, mostly by instinct. I much prefer to have some grip on the throttle as well.

I can't, however, seem to do the same for the clutch. My brain wants me to pull the lever all the way to the bar, so I end up crunching my fingers.

Frankly, I have never heard a compelling reason for using four.

[intimid8er]

My buddy just took a racing school at Jennings last week. They taught him two on the brake. I didn't ask him why, but I've always been told the contrary. I'll ask him when I see him.

[KD57]

1 on the clutch, 1 on the brake. The only time my finger leaves the levers is when I am parked and off the bike.

[Canadarider]

I always use 2 fingers on both clutch and brake just because it is more comfortable. In our MSF course the instructor said 4 fingers were reccomended but it was more important to be comfortable so whatever works for you personally is the way to go.

[diamond_jim]

Just curious... how many fingers do dirtbike riders use? They do a good bit more breaking, shifting and holding on than most street riders.

[KD57]

Originally Posted by diamond_jim

Just curious... how many fingers do dirtbike riders use? They do a good bit more breaking, shifting and holding on than most street riders.

1 on the clutch, 1 on the brake.

[KD57]

Like this.

[eb77k]

Do what you want. Don't sweat the little stuff. What makes you comfortable usually makes you safe. Keep your focus way, way out in front of you. Don't be concentrating too much on stuff like that. The use of the controls should be instinctive by the time you are actually out on the road. Right when you are being all unsure about your fingers an incident will crop up that you should have been looking out for.

[Tab B.]

Originally Posted by eb77k

Do what you want. Don't sweat the little stuff. What makes you comfortable usually makes you safe. Keep your focus way, way out in front of you. The use of the controls should be instinctive by the time you are actually out on the road.

Defineately what he said!

[Apertureguy]

LOL...I use 3 fingers on the brake and clutch.