Front brake

[Quedos]

How do you do it??

four fingers or two fingers?

Why do I ask because I've been asked by a newbie mate he was getting told he should use his all his fingers to apply the front brake, he feels uncomfortable doing this. So is it a fail/minor or nothing when it come to the test??

[yorkie_chris]

One finger, but no idea if this is good for test. Can't see them failing you if you use 2 fingers safely unless you get a proper t*** of an examiner though.

[fizzwheel]

two or three. No science to it, just most of the time I used 3 fingers because that feels more comfortable.

I rode most of my test using 3 finger on the brake, I never got a minor for it.

[Holdup]

I used all 4 on my test, its only more recent that ive started to use less depending on how much i need too brake be it 1, 2, 3 or 4, usually 2 though

[chasey]

When I was learning i remember my instructor telling me to use 4 fingers as this way you could produce the most pressure.

I use two fingers (to brake...). I find it more comfortable.

[yorkie_chris]

Fair enough to tell that to someone who's only been on a bike for 5 minutes, but even stock SV brakes are strong enough to do a stoppie. "Most pressure" is not what you need!

[fastdruid]

4 fingers, if for whatever reason the lever comes back further than you expect you don't trap your fingers.

Probably only actually *use* one or two fingers though.

Druid

[carternd]

I'm going to guess they recommend 4 fingers for a reason. I keep trying to do it on the road, using 2 fingers tempts me to cover the brake, and that leads to panic braking, not considered braking. It may well be a minor on the test, because you can't put as much effort in (some bikes have drum fronts), can have the throttle open at the same time as braking, often can cover brakes, and can trap fingers and not get full lever movement (again, drum brakes.)

[yorkie_chris]

using 2 fingers tempts me to cover the brake, and that leads to panic braking,

I disagree entirely.

The argument to the contrary says that if you don't cover the brake it increases the possibility of snatching the brake which will overload the tyre before it is weighted and lead to a lock.

[ophic]

I use 2 on the SV, and 3 on the Shadow, cos it's big, heavy, hard to stop, and only has a single front disc. It will stop, but you really have to heave on the lever. I say 3 - I've got no idea what the pinky is doing. Waggling around in the breeze most likely.

I use all 5 toes on the rear brake though :rolleyes:

[carternd]

I disagree entirely.

The argument to the contrary says that if you don't cover the brake it increases the possibility of snatching the brake which will overload the tyre before it is weighted and lead to a lock.

I can see your point, but if I need to brake that quickly it's because I'm going to fast or am not concentrating. In certain circumstances (such as filtering) I will cover the brake, but not as a matter of course.

OP is referring to a newbie, so properly separating braking, throttle, gears is probably the best thing until they get experienced.

[yorkie_chris]

Car pulling out or whatever, you need to brake ASAP and progressively. If you try and get the same amount of braking into half as much time front wheel will lock.
Sure for passing test seperate them but learn to cover brakes properly and how to downshift and brake together as soon as possible.
Whether this is valid for this thread is debateable but I disagree with your logic.


Reason I think this is important is "squeak, crunch, bugger" is most common sound of new rider offs as you panic and hit the brakes all at once. (not including 0mph foot in pothole or whatever)

[AndyBrad]

aye i cover the front brake at all times unless on a m way really. and yes it does get tireing. i have never found i had the amount of control over the front brake with 4 fingers than 2. I can reach the biting point of both the brakes and tyers and control that using 2 fingers. I can not with 4. Maybe i need more practice?

[TazDaz]

I used to use four fingers, then Craig Jones the stunt man, taught me to use two fingers as you have better feel or something. Since then it's become natural to use two.

I've still got the awful habbit of resting my fingers of my left hand on top of the clutch lever though...! :(

[yorkie_chris]

Nothing wrong with that at all.
Real fast guys use that as you can slip clutch a bit if rear steps out to avoid highside, guys on old 2 strokes do it so they can whip clutch in faster when engine seizes solid.

[barwel1992]

2 because my other 2 fingers cant reach the lever LMAO even with it wound right the way in

and according to the examiner i had if you dont use 4 its a fail as your classed as not in full control of the bike

i also use 2 because i have 2 finger leavers on my mountain bike so go used to them

[fastdruid]

Nothing wrong with that at all.
Real fast guys use that as you can slip clutch a bit if rear steps out to avoid highside, guys on old 2 strokes do it so they can whip clutch in faster when engine seizes solid.

I have it partly as a hangover from the 2-stroke days, partly as I slip it braking into corners to make up for the lack of a slipper.

Druid

[orose]

How is the examiner going to know how many fingers you're using from 10 yards behind you?

If its smooth and progressive, and you don't use it as you stop (so you don't wobble at junctions) I'd say it probably doesn't matter.

[Drew Carey]

Emergency stop.

I was told that you should NOT cover the brake when approaching the emergency stop point. Mainly because when riding along normally, you are advised to have both hands safely on the bars. The examiner is looking for signs you are reactive, not second guessing.

My instructor taught to have the hand fully enclosed around the throttle. At the point the examiner says to stop, in one movement extend the figures and squeeze in one fluid motion, with increased preassure until the bike stops. Worked for me.

But......I now do 2,3,4......don't do it concsiously though.

[Holdup]

How is the examiner going to know how many fingers you're using from 10 yards behind you?

They do though, my instructor shouted at me down the radio when he saw me covering my front brake.

[simesb]

How is the examiner going to know how many fingers you're using from 10 yards behind you?

They do though, my instructor shouted at me down the radio when he saw me covering my front brake.

My instructor rode a lot closer than my examiner. My examiner didn't appear to be in the same county half the time.

I was told that you should NOT cover the brake when approaching the emergency stop point. Mainly because when riding along normally, you are advised to have both hands safely on the bars. The examiner is looking for signs you are reactive, not second guessing.

I was told the same. And remember, you are not expected to stop on a sixpence; just faster than normal and in control.

[yorkie_chris]

I can see the point of 4 fingers and not covering brake, for the test.

As soon as they say you passed, forget everything and concentrate on learning to ride.

[Drew Carey]

I can see the point of 4 fingers and not covering brake, for the test.

As soon as they say you passed, forget everything and concentrate on learning to ride.


100% agree with that, but for the OP's question......I would suggest using 4 fingers, not covering the brake and focus on remaining smooth. As per simesb, you don't need to stoppie the bike on a sixpence, just a quick, firm, but smooth emergency stop.

Then, once passed, do whatever YOU feel more comfortable doing.

[G]

I can see the point of 4 fingers and not covering brake, for the test.

As soon as they say you passed, forget everything and concentrate on learning to ride.

+1 on the second part.

Although on the first one... when are you most likely to have to emergency stop?

I would say filtering in slow/stationary heavy traffic where people may step out from between cars or cars switching lanes last minute without indicating or looking, now I dont know as I dont really think about it but I imagine I probably cover the clutch and brakes whilst filtering in that sort of scenario... premeditating the almost inevitable. Infact covering the brake your more likely to just slow than having to actually grab at the brake.

Most photos I have of myself riding are on the track as you don't tend to have people at the side of the road snapping you. However, in most of those photos I normally have at least two finger covering the clutch lever and/or on the brake lever trailing the brakes.

I would say it is whatever you are comfortable with.

[ophic]

As soon as they say you passed, forget everything and concentrate on learning to ride.
If only. Most seem to evangelise to experienced riders that we're doing it all wrong, especially if you try to give some advice... :rolleyes:

[yorkie_chris]

Infact covering the brake your more likely to just slow than having to actually grab at the brake.

+1

Makes far more sense to me in traffic to begin braking say 20m before a problem and brake in a relaxed manner than to have to slam all on 5m before the hazard.

[simesb]

I would say it is whatever you are comfortable with.

I agree, but that is not what they are testing. In the same way as the U-turn is not purely a test of turning the bike in the road but shows throttle/clutch/low speed control, the emergency stop (probably called a controlled stop these days) is showing that you CAN brake hard and retain full control, not that you should.