Fingers on brake?

[RACER X]

Originally Posted by Archren

Yes, PLEASE try 4 fingers with my bike. I'd pay to see that shit.

name a date..........

[MikeSP1]

Go ahead and 4-finger the brakes when I get done with them. Damn thing already stops hard enough to have me singing the high note.

[Avatard]

Depends. If I'm casually slowing, I'll use 2 so I can blip throttle for downshift. If I'm finally stopping, usually 4. Same with the clutch. If I'm starting out, I use 4 for more control, if I'm shifting, 2 (if I don't just match Rs, and crashbox it...although I usually use the clutch while upshifting).

Also, if I'm slowing fast, I may not touch the front brake until after a couple of downshifts are done, which, if I'm in a hurry to scrub speed, will also be matched Rs, and crashboxed (I tend to not use the clutch more while downshifting), while I modulate the back brake between downshifts, to minimize rear tire upset. By initiating deceleration with the trans, you already get the weight forward onto the forks, which upsets the front less when you do get on the brake.

In a panic stop, it's all available fingers and toes on brakes and clutch.

I've driven manual cars all my life, so I'm used to using the trans for speed modulation far more than the brake. To me, the brake is mostly for coming to a final stop.

[azoomm]

Originally Posted by RACER X

name a date..........

Oh shuush Ed.

Two. ONLY two - pointer and middle, they have the best tactile feel. It is exactly what we teach at the track - but then we're dealing with bikes that are track appropriate. MSF is a good starting point, but there are a few things I wouldn't apply to the track that MSF preaches. IMHO, it isn't the end-all beat-all, but a good place to learn the basics.

Braking in the corners should be left to a control environment unless you know what you're doing. I used to do it on my ZX-11 to get it to upright faster on the exit of a corner. But, even with that tank I never needed more than two for braking. Now, I think if I had a brake light it would be on a lot of the time just from keeping tension on the rear brake - I like to know where it is, and use it when needed for pivot in corners.

Now, if you had something with less than modern... say, a 1973 Norton. You better be using all four or you won't stop for even a planned stop sign

It is best, in a panic situation - to not panic.

[Archren]

Originally Posted by xx CURVE xx

You can't control your fingers??

In a situation of emergency/panic.. the tendency is to grab with all your strength... as it is, doing that with just 2 fingers locks up my front wheel (you forget I only weigh 127.. unlike Ed's fat ass ).

[RACER X]

Originally Posted by azoomm

Oh shuush Ed.

Two. ONLY two - pointer and middle, they have the best tactile feel. :

i agree, but you also hinder movement in your primary fingers cuz the 2 are tucked up underneath.

also if you practice w/ 2, an emergancy arises and you bring in 4 w/ more power = overbraking.

Originally Posted by Archren

In a situation of emergency/panic.. the tendency is to grab with all your strength... as it is, doing that with just 2 fingers locks up my front wheel (you forget I only weigh 127.. unlike Ed's fat ass ).

so try emergancy braking w/ 4 and see what happens, i bet you get better results.

try it like hte MSF exercise, thrown a marker and the ground and use that as your stopping point. and try stopping as quickly and safely as you can.


my guess is that most people here and in general do alot more street miles then track.

and i tell my students practice practice practice, don't make the emergancy your practice.

[xx CURVE xx]

Originally Posted by Archren

In a situation of emergency/panic.. the tendency is to grab with all your strength... as it is, doing that with just 2 fingers locks up my front wheel (you forget I only weigh 127.. unlike Ed's fat ass ).

Ah yes..Ed is a fat ass

I know what you mean though...The Yam 450 we tarded out got has nasty brakes...one finger can put you up and over... I suggested going back to stock brake lines..

[Archren]

Originally Posted by xx CURVE xx

Ah yes..Ed is a fat ass

I know what you mean though...The Yam 450 we tarded out got has nasty brakes...one finger can put you up and over... I suggested going back to stock brake lines..

Problem is... my bike is bone stock. I'm almost afraid to upgrade anything on those brakes.

[Rider]

I use 2 fingers.

[MikeSP1]

Originally Posted by RACER X

i agree, but you also hinder movement in your primary fingers cuz the 2 are tucked up underneath.

The 2 remaining fingers aren't always tucked under the lever. You can easily rest the unused digits on the lever. Just because they're on the lever doesn't mean that they're being used.