long or short levers

I am wondering which is most preferred and why? I like the look of the short levers, but I would like to know if it makes braking more difficult?

 

The factory levers work just fine for me, they're adjustable and actually IMO look better than the aftermarket ones, so if it ain't broke no need to mess with it, but you ask short or long? SMH shouldn't it be about leveraging, short will be a bit faster and take a bit more energy, I know splitting hairs vs. longer ones easier to pull, But? Now it could be about cosmetics. Which I'm thinking, its an easy thing to change for the money adding that little personal touch, other wise Huh???

 

Just a comment from reading peoples' reviews when I evaluated aftermarket levers (but never dove in): Some avid sport bikers go with the long clutch and short brake. The reason for the short brake is that they are using only two fingers on it, so the length does not matter. If you are using more fingers on the brake you may want the length. So one answer is, it would be more difficult to brake if buying the short lever forced you into using fewer fingers than you use today.

 

On some of my other bikes I've gone with short brake and long clutch simply because I tend to brake with two fingers. Also, on my SV650, the stock clutch lever was non-adjustable.

 

I love the idea of finite adjustments on aftermarket levers.

I wonder if Haole Girl (who LEFT us) sold her levers or if her post just expired. I think she had a similar year bike and some awesome ASV's that would do you well! Don't remember the lengths though. If you went that way you could message her & find out.

http://vfrworld.com/classifieds/member.php?uid=23313&username=haole-girl

 

I have the black Pazzo's on mine. I run a short brake and long clutch. No need for anything longer on the brake side...1 or 2 fingers is all you ever need. But sitting at a stop with the clutch in, you tend to use all 4 fingers, and the pinky won't fit with a short lever. I find they're much better looking than stock, and more adjustable.

 

these work excellent, came from a very slow Hong Kong boat three weeks+, Less than $20 on ebay.:stickhorse:

 

Long clutch, short brake

 

I have shorties on both sides. The brake is strong enough that if you need more than 2 fingers you have brake issues and need to check into it. The clutch pull is so easy that 3 fingers is plenty. And I really like the looks of the short levers.

 

Short brake,long clutch.

I flop my index and middle finger up on the brake lever but use mostly my middle finger only to brake Lint. My index finger just kinda rests gently on top the lever and is there just in case.
With the quality aftermarket brake components that I prefer to use on my bikes I've found that two finger brake technique provides me with more than enough power and feel at the front end,even during panic braking. No need for a long brake lever.

Coupla old pics of me on a CBR1000RR,and me getting all Walter Mitty aboard a Rossi Edition Yamaha R1 showing off my braking technique. Pics 1 & 2.

I prefer to use all four fingers on the clutch lever. I just feel I have more sensitivity and control with the clutch that way.

I can tell you with all four fingers of my left hand on the clutch lever it makes life interesting when I'm operating both the clutch and thumb brake at the same time on my RC51. Pic 3.

 

You know a bigger lever is usually better to grab especially if you have good adj levers. Actually your right with the brake lever only needing to be short- a small difference that I will look into.

 

I use short, cheap chinese levers from eBay. Two fingers on the brake is more than enough, and I don't do traffic, so the clutch pull is no bother with a short lever. I needed new levers because I have changed brake master cylinders.

 

On the VFRs I have shorty levers but on the Duc I have long levers. I actually prefer the shorty levers, but I got a great deal on some long lever ASVs that I couldn't pass up.

 

What kind of levers will fit on a 87 VFR700? Is there a certain type to look out for?

 

EBay Chinese shorty levers

 

When my bike was backed into last year, one lever got bent so I replaced with shorty levers on both sides (didn't think to do long clutch at the time). I don't the short clutch noticeably harder to hold in (with 3 fingers) than with the long lever. Probably is worth noting that I have a very abnormally strong left hand though, from playing guitar for 25 years. Methinks the advice to go long clutch/short brake is the best general advice.