Just a question out to the masses...
How many fingers do you use while braking? I have always used just one, and found it more than enough. There was one time when I used two and almost went over the bars.
However, on the new RR, the brake lever (which isn't the same or replaceable with an F4/F4i lever) sits a little goofy and is sometimes tough to use 1 finger on.
It's really messing up my rythm and concentration... Just looking for input...
Most of the time I use one, but when I really need to get on the binders, two is plenty.
I find myself usually using one. However, a buddy was telling me that he only uses one but his finger slipped off the other day and he did a little dirt-tracking... :o
habbit from Moto-xing, 2 fingers.
Quotehabbit from Moto-xing, 2 fingers.
Ditto.
QuoteI find myself usually using one. However, a buddy was telling me that he only uses one but his finger slipped off the other day and he did a little dirt-tracking... :o
That's what prompted the question... While blipping my 1 finger slipped off and I shot forward. I made it through the turn and determined my entry speed was waaaaaaaaay too slow previously, but it still freaked me out.
Two... and I'll readily admit to being a weenie!
2 fingers...must be a dirt thing.
Two. From motocross and street habits. Never really tried one...
Two mostly. One if a slight tap is needed. Using two is probably old dirt bike habits but I'm too old to remember. ;D
QuoteThat's what prompted the question... While blipping my 1 finger slipped off and I shot forward. I made it through the turn and determined my entry speed was waaaaaaaaay too slow previously, but it still freaked me out.
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I did this also in T-1 @ summit main...funky feeling!!!
I usually use my middle finger only while braking or trail braking...
I'm not going to change anything because i'm used to it. It's a bad habit though!
I am another one who reached with only one finger going into T1 at Summit, missed the lever, and quickly regretted it. :o
Braking with index and middle finger initially felt very odd for me and it was challenging to blip and brake smoothly at first. Having gotten used to using two fingers now, I wish it was a habit I had picked up long ago. I think I get more power, but also more finesse and control using two fingers.
The instructors at Freddie Spencer's school teach using two fingers.
Two - I think. No, one. No, two, yeah that's it, two. I'm sure of it now, I think...
Two with the Buell... definatley,definatley two....yea two...
I was riding mountain bikes with a friend the other day. He says "Hey, look at us. We're both covering the brakes!" ;D
I'm growing more open to trying new things. Without trying new things I won't get much faster. Granted, mastering the old things will get me faster, but trying new can sometimes shortcut the process.
I guess I'll start working on two this weekend. Plenty of practice time since there's that whole SRD THING on Saturday instead of real racing (just to fuel the fire here!).
FWIW, I was able to use two after I slipped on the one finger, but I was applying so much more brake that it changed my braking points which really messed me up... Can you say 'STOP' oh crap 'accellerate TO the corner' :)
Two fingers on my dirt bikes, street bikes, mountain bikes, and race bikes.
Exception - our '72 Honda CL 450 vintage bike, under hard braking, like coming off a straight, I'll use all four fingers. Under lighter braking I'll still use two.
-z.
How can you guys pull the brakes hard enough to get the bike to slow down enough with one finger?
I could understand if you had radial master cylinders and some really cool Vesrah pads and all, but I know not everyone can afford them. I'd like a radial master cylinder....
As for levers sitting goofy...
This is a safety issue. Bend the thing to the place you need it to work at. Move the master cylinder, anything. Too many people leave stuff in just an uncomfortable postion. It just isn't right.
QuoteHow can you guys pull the brakes hard enough to get the bike to slow down enough with one finger?
Either:
a) My index finger is stronger than yours
or
b) I'm not going as fast as you to need that much braking power
Unfortunately, I think I know the answer... :P ;)
Jef4y, if when braking with 2 fingers you're going so much slower that you can almost accelerate into the corner --- doesn't that indicate that there's a lot of room to make up time on the brakes by going to 2 fingers? I mean if you were getting on at the same time and able to let off earlier to achieve the same corner speed, then you were on the brakes harder.
I use 2, IIRC, and it works well for me. And I ain't shy on the braking power, just about where I start braking. ;) Seriously, hard braking is one of my favorite things. SOOO Much force right there slowing down.
I find it easier to blip the throttle when using only one finger. On my Duck I do have radial MCs and it helps. On my SV I have EBC kit pads and SSrotors, it stops great with one finger as well. ;D
QuoteHow can you guys pull the brakes hard enough to get the bike to slow down enough with one finger?
I brake with one finger and can lift the rear wheel, so I am asuming that I am pulling it hard enough. However, I sometimes do use two fingers in the longer races if I get tired. I am out of shape, you know. :)
Maybe I brake like a girl, I don't know. (Just a saying, Kim, Dawn, etc.) ;) Maybe I should try two fingers sometime. ???