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..........

[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.

[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.

[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.

[azoomm]

Originally Posted by RACER X

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.

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.

How is it my ring and pinky are in the way? First, they are linked together in my Spidi gloves. I then have the choice of two or four only. My brake lever doesn't got to the grip - not even close, even with a fist full. So, how is it my fingers are "in the way"? Your brakes need some work if your lever goes to the grip enough to pinch your fingers...

It's difficult to practice a panic moment, or even an unpredictable stop. You can't possibly do it with a marker that you know exists. The best way would be to have someone else out on a course with you initiating a stop through a signal.