Fingers over levers?

[jaimev34]

Just wondering if you guys keep fingers hovering over the levers while riding. I don't, I keep my hands on the grips, but I've seen pictures of riders who have a finger over the brake lever and a couple of fingers over the clutch lever. I find it uncomfortable to have fingers on the levers while riding. Any thoughts?

[Yonan]

I keep my fingers on the levers in traffic to get a quiker response time. No traffic around relaxed on the bars. I have small hands so yeah keeping them on the levers is a bit uncomfortable.

[Molsan]

Well for the skill portion of the test in Alberta a shift is not completed until all fingers return to the grip.
So standard riding there should be no hover.

On a race track or constant cornering or anticipation of action can bring on a hover imo.

Still good practice to return to the grip.


Also many riders only use 2 finger on the levers when using rather than a full hand. Believe thise to be the best way but is up to the rider.

[CARMINE]

Always fingers on levers. It's something I do since many years when I had a two stroke bike : if the engine begins to block for a lack of lubrication, you will be happy to pull the clutch lever instantly.Just the time to avoid the block of the rear wheel.You know what I mean.
Ciao and lamps to all VFR owners !
Carmine

[RVFR]

Depends on the environment I'm riding in, bumper to bumper traffic, hell yea, riding a bit aggressive, Yep, but if I'm casually puttzing along, Na...

[vfourbear]

Index and middle finger of the right hand on the brake lever about half the time. When in traffic or on a fast ride.

[sidlives]

Index and bird fingers on both levers all the time. It was a pain at first but you get used to it pretty quickly.

[B.Craig]

At the MSF Course I took they taught to always cover the Clutch, but to never cover the front break (in normal driving situations).

The reason they gave is that the rider could give a knee jerk response to a driving event, squeeze down with the right hand in an instant reaction, and go end over end.

In tight driving situations or a potential breaking situation, I move the fingers out to be ready.

[NorcalBoy]

Riding around concentrations of cars, pedestrians, track type riding or on rough roads index finger on front brake to help steady the throttle input and to be prepared for evasive maneuvering. Offroad completely different, index on brake and clutch.

[Action]

Originally Posted by RVFR

Depends on the environment I'm riding in, bumper to bumper traffic, hell yea, riding a bit aggressive, Yep, but if I'm casually puttzing along, Na...

Same Here.

Action

[jaimev34]

I might just have to try it for a while to see if it takes. There are some potential benefits. Thanks for all the input.

[bitterpil]

Depends on the contditions. Spirited riding or traffic I keep two fingers on the levers. Crusing down the road, no fingers on the levers.

[vwrxtrd]

Its a habit for me. I find myself covering the levers all the time. Sometimes I have to force myself not to but, always end up with my fingers back on the levers.

[Knife]

It's automatic for me to cover the clutch lever without even thinking about it, but for some reason, it's not the same for the brake lever, unless I'm in tight traffic, then it's automatic.

[Cyborg]

Fingers in the levers: always in traffic and often on open highway. In addition, I bobbed both levers so I can keep a grip on the bars with the ring and pinkie fingers while working the levers with the index and middle fingers with no problems...

[RedRover5683]

In his book Smooth Riding the Pridmore Way, Reg Pridmore recommends covering both the clutch and the brake with 2 fingers most of the time, so I taught myself this technique, to the point where it felt awkward and unnatural to not cover both levers with the inner 2 fingers of both hands.

However, I'm merely a street rider with no track schooling, and I eventually discovered (at least for myself) that this technique can be dangerous because in the event of a sudden and unexpected 'Oh shit!!!' moment of panic, my newbie hands would reflexively want to grab down on the handgrips with all fingers in an attempt to 'hold on'. Since I had 2 fingers covering both levers, I would end up suddenly pulling in both the clutch and the brake!

It didn't take me long to figure out that I had to largely abandon the 2-finger technique, and it took me a while to break this habit. As least for me, having all fingers covering the hand grips is much safer, and it allows my brain to more instinctively and rationally operate both levers by choice rather than by accident.

I still occasionally use the 2-finger technique in certain situations, but mostly I avoid it. I think it's a technique that may be best suited for the track, but then again I'm a newbie.

[MtnRider]

Originally Posted by B.Craig

At the MSF Course I took they taught to always cover the Clutch, but to never cover the front break (in normal driving situations).

The reason they gave is that the rider could give a knee jerk response to a driving event, squeeze down with the right hand in an instant reaction, and go end over end.

In tight driving situations or a potential breaking situation, I move the fingers out to be ready.

Sounds like they did not fully explain the MSF portion. In early skill development, typically day one of riding it is recommended to cover the clutch. This is the Basic Riders Course (BRC) and given the "oh shit" times covering the clutch is essential.

Originally Posted by RedRover5683

...that this technique can be dangerous because in the event of a sudden and unexpected 'Oh shit!!!' moment of panic, my newbie hands would reflexively want to grab down on the handgrips with all fingers in an attempt to 'hold on'.

This was my next point. The reason not to cover the brake is for the surprise moments. The natural reaction is to grab and hold on. Grabbing the front brake as most of us know is also the eject button.

The more practice and skill you have obviously this technique can be adapted to your particular riding habits/style.

[powderrecon]

Always cover the clutch.

[300shooter]

In heavy traffic I cover both, highway , not so much. Either way , try a set of Pazzo levers, I recommend the long clutch , short brake setup, it's amazing how much better they feel and are offset perfect for two finger pulls.