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View Poll Results: How do you grip the brake lever? | |||
Thumb, forefinger and middle finger (or forefinger only) | 62 | 75.61% | |
Thumb, middle, ring, pinky | 8 | 9.76% | |
Thumb and all four fingers | 8 | 9.76% | |
Brake lever? What brake lever? | 4 | 4.88% | |
Voters: 82. You may not vote on this poll |
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October 2nd, 2013, 05:26 AM | #1 |
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Which fingers do you use on the brake?
Here's one of those "there is no right answer" questions, but I'm just curious.
Conventional wisdom seems to be to use fore and middle fingers on the brake lever, and grip the throttle with thumb, ring and pinky. For whatever reason, this feels awkward to me. I find myself automatically gripping the throttle with thumb and forefinger, and braking with the other three. Try this: Pick up a full bottle of your favorite beverage (full so you need to grip tightly) by wrapping your thumb and forefinger around the neck. Now try it with thumb, ring and pinky. I find the latter to be awkward and I can feel stress in my tendons. Picking it up with thumb and forefinger feels natural. So what do you do?
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October 2nd, 2013, 05:32 AM | #2 |
The Corner Whisperer
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I have been a 2 finger (index & middle) guy for a long time now. Although I am finding myself going to 1 finger (index) more often as of late.
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October 2nd, 2013, 06:05 AM | #3 |
Private Joker
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I have been a index/middle two finger guy since the very first time I rode a dirtbike. I find two finger braking to fit better with shorty levers (more natural/comfortable to me) in addition to allowing me to easily blip the throttle for downshifts while braking so I can set myself up for the next corner.
what I do oddly is clutchwork, I use my middle and ring fingers for my clutch and it just doesn't make sense to me (for wheelies I use only the middle) and I always seem to have the index wrapped around the grip for whatever reason. as with the braking it just feels most natural to me except I don't understand why I do it. |
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October 2nd, 2013, 07:04 AM | #4 |
Certified looney toon
Name: Teri
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@Sirref you aren't the only one.
Brake I use index/middle while thumb, ring, and pinky are on the throttle. Clutch I've notice varies from either all four fingers to just middle and ring. A few pics frim the track, I'm flipping off the camera with my clutch hand.
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October 2nd, 2013, 08:22 AM | #5 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Fox
Location: Boston
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four fingers, both sides. always.
downshifting and blipping the throttle while on the front brake, I get plenty of grip from just my thumb and palm of my hand. you can get a bit more strength out of using your middle and ring finger rather than index and middle. Ask any experienced rock climber. Since it's odd to use just those fingers, I four-finger it. |
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October 2nd, 2013, 08:35 AM | #6 |
RIP Alex
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Index and middle finger mostly.
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October 2nd, 2013, 09:05 AM | #7 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
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Index, any more and I do a stoppie. I'm one strong modecker.
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October 2nd, 2013, 09:42 AM | #8 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
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my grip is too strong to use more than 1-2 fingers.
but whats a modecker?
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October 2nd, 2013, 09:50 AM | #9 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Fox
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lol at too strong of a grip for any more than one finger. That's not strength, it's lack of finesse and control.
I'd buy preference for one or two fingers, but not strength. I'd challenge any of you to show the finger strength that 10+ years of rock climbing has given me. pullups using two fingers per hand on the trim of a doorway? lets see it! |
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October 2nd, 2013, 10:21 AM | #10 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
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I have been working on my right hand grip since I was 13
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October 2nd, 2013, 10:26 AM | #11 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
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October 2nd, 2013, 10:29 AM | #12 |
The Corner Whisperer
Name: Chris (aka Reactor)
Location: Northern KY
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Who does it like this?
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October 2nd, 2013, 10:33 AM | #13 |
n00b4life
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Brake lever? What brake lever?
Jokes aside, I'm having hard time to use on the brake anything other than all fingers, just like they taught us in MSF BRC. Front wheel lock waiting to happen?
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October 2nd, 2013, 10:37 AM | #14 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
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grips too strong for that, i'd loop the bike, lol.
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October 2nd, 2013, 10:54 AM | #15 |
wat
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thumb?????? your thumb can reach the lever?
i use my wing fingers. if you make an "OK" with your hand... i use the 3 fingers sticking up
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October 2nd, 2013, 11:22 AM | #16 |
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October 2nd, 2013, 12:09 PM | #18 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Fox
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lol... I claim nothing of the sort... I just read the "my grip is too strong" posts as being quite ridiculous. Saying that your grip is too strong for four finger braking is like saying every time you pick up an egg, you smash it because you're too strong.
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October 2nd, 2013, 12:19 PM | #19 |
sail away
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Thumb, index, middle, and ring to brake. Pinky and palm stay on the throttle/blip if necessary. I've used to use thumb, index, and middle, but lately my glove pinches me between my middle and ring when I do that so I adjusted.
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October 2nd, 2013, 12:19 PM | #20 |
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I get what you're saying, it just came out odd,that's all. |
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October 2nd, 2013, 12:21 PM | #21 |
ninjette.org dude
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October 2nd, 2013, 12:22 PM | #22 |
ninjette.org dude
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ahahahaha!. Chone & I thinking alike.
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October 2nd, 2013, 12:31 PM | #23 |
Certifiable nontundrum
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It's a depending matter for me... Sometimes I throw all my fingers an half my toes in the game, other times, which ever finger or fingers gets out there goes to clamping... Different strokes for different situations.
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October 2nd, 2013, 04:25 PM | #24 | |
King Hamfist
Name: Cameron
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Quote:
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October 2nd, 2013, 04:28 PM | #25 |
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October 2nd, 2013, 04:59 PM | #26 |
Certifiable nontundrum
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I think that's a whole nother conversation ;P
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October 2nd, 2013, 05:11 PM | #27 |
Your face
Name: Wes
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Get your poop fingers outta my face
When I'm blipping to downshift, I use index/middle on the lever and the rest of my fingers are around the throttle. Otherwise, which fingers I use really depends on how aggressively I'm braking. |
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October 2nd, 2013, 05:43 PM | #28 |
ninjette.org guru
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This thread is too funny!
At first, I was like, "Who uses their thumb?!" Anyways, I've become quite comfortable just using my index & middle fingers. Any more than that and she starts to bite hard! (We are talking bikes, right?!) If I use anymore fingers, I start to brake more aggressively (since I've swapped brake lines & pads). I definitely try to avoid the front tire from breaking traction!
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October 2nd, 2013, 06:11 PM | #29 |
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October 2nd, 2013, 06:23 PM | #30 |
ninjette.org guru
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The msf course teaches you to use the index and middle so you still have quick access to the throttle if need be.
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October 2nd, 2013, 06:34 PM | #31 |
King Hamfist
Name: Cameron
Location: NorCal East Bay
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Unfortunately here in California the msf teaches the use of four fingers on the brakes. For the exact issue you stated. It's so noobs can't get back on the as easily. One less thing to worry about when I'm on the range.
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October 2nd, 2013, 06:44 PM | #32 |
King Hamfist
Name: Cameron
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I meant gas.
To answer the question, I use my pointer and the f u finger. Unless its a harley. I need four fingers and to rock climb more |
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October 2nd, 2013, 07:27 PM | #33 |
ninjette.org guru
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Wow really? That's a good way to stoppie yourself by accident.
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October 2nd, 2013, 07:38 PM | #34 |
I'm crazy,your excuse is?
Name: Winston
Location: Connecticut
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I start with one then two. Once shes ready...
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October 2nd, 2013, 07:47 PM | #35 |
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MSF had us doing 4 fingers as well I think. Idk, it's been a while.
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October 2nd, 2013, 08:03 PM | #36 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Brandon
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LOL this thread I use two fingers to brake, four fingers for clutch use.
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October 2nd, 2013, 08:39 PM | #37 |
ninjette.org member
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In fencing (and also Kali stick and Kobudo's bo work) index and thumb are for control and middle/ring/pinky are supporting/strength.
Because of this, I have thumb and index wrapping the throttle and the latter three on the brake lever. That works for me to have steady brake input while blipping to match revs on downshifts. Besides, those fingers are on the outside edge of the brake lever, maximizing torque on the brake lever with minimal effort. (MSF didn't ask anyone to blip; they're training safety and plenty of newbs (like I was), so one control action at a time. That's best. Nobody wants to see the result when Mr. or Ms. FirstRider tries to brake, ends up WOT, panic-brakes, locks the front and highsides; we want more riders, not more anti-riding fanatics. For clutch, I use all the fingers; they're not busy doing anything else. |
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October 3rd, 2013, 12:34 AM | #38 |
Private Joker
Name: Ben
Location: Towson, MD
Join Date: Nov 2012 Motorcycle(s): '99/'01 Ninja 250 "sketchy", '13 Ninja 300 "yoshi", '03 GSXR 600 "merlin" Posts: A lot.
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October 3rd, 2013, 02:35 AM | #39 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Dino
Location: San Francisco, CA
Join Date: Jun 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Kawasaki EX250(Bright Yellow) Posts: 441
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After riding around today, I realized I use my middle & ring finger...
Take that, take that...
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October 3rd, 2013, 03:25 AM | #40 | |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Fox
Location: Boston
Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): 08 250R Posts: 881
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Quote:
I can understand a preference to use one or two fingers because maybe you find it easier to regulate pressure, but personally, I find it easier to regulate pressure with all four fingers, it's easier and produces much less fatigue, especially when driving in the city, like I do. different strokes for different folks, but it's not due to strength. |
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