Riding Style Question

Originally Posted by Lozzo

I've been doing it for 30 years and I don't have a bloody clue. I just ride instinctively without wasting time on thinking about how I do it.

Haha... I have to think about to be able to write it down.

Originally Posted by Lozzo

I've been doing it for 30 years

God you must be really old then???

Originally Posted by merlin427

But ir you're that cost concious why not slow right down look/think ahead and never use the brakes ('cos they cost money, minimise tyre wear AND the clutch cable) and of course only accelerate slowly to minimise engine wear and fuel use.

Why only after a lay off? I only ever use the clutch when changing up if I'm going slowly and changing from first to second.

Thank you I'm quite happy with my 10k miles per set of tyres I'm not that cost concious it was just a comment - I make progress when I ride and my forward obs are very good according to my observer - cost doesn't come into it for me - I was replying to someone elses comment.

Well for a lady of my mature years I think I do quite well to ride all year round - I don't only do clutchless changes after a layoff - I do them all the time (layoffs for me are only a few weeks at the most)

Originally Posted by MattCo

It would be better to at least use half clutch pull to avoid banging the gearbox around.

Cheers

Not if you get it just right - slips in quite easily (ooerr missus!)

Originally Posted by Amanda

God you must be really old then???

PMSL!!

Originally Posted by Amanda

God you must be really old then???

I thought you were the OAP around here?

Originally Posted by merlin427

Why only 2 (possibly 3) fingers on the brake?
I've never understood that habit, I know some bikes have very strong brakes (but the SV doesn't - or at least my curvy didn't) but even so the braking power is not governed by the amount of fingers but by the amount of force each transmits. What happens if you unexpectedly need to slow down quicker than originally intended and need more power than 2 fingers can provide? Now you've got to hope for the best or try and get more fingers to the lever. Worse still what about if your lever comes back so far it pinches your remaining fingers (I've read many post regarding spongy brakes on here), now you can't even apply the pressure available with the 2 fingers.
I always blip (or at least raise the RPM) on the down-change but do it using my thumb and the area of my hand between it and my index finger.
Oh, and what about your foot?

Are you saying your unable to lock the wheel with only 2 fingers on the brake lever, and the rear brake is the useless one the front seems good to me, but then what do i know i have ridden motocross bikes mainly.

Originally Posted by ArtyLady

Not if you get it just right - slips in quite easily (ooerr missus!)

Rudy!

Originally Posted by Lozzo

I thought you were the OAP around here?

Mine is affectionately used by those young whipper snappers.

With 30 years riding you have a few years on me mate!! lol

Originally Posted by merlin427

Why only 2 (possibly 3) fingers on the brake?
I've never understood that habit, I know some bikes have very strong brakes (but the SV doesn't - or at least my curvy didn't) but even so the braking power is not governed by the amount of fingers but by the amount of force each transmits. What happens if you unexpectedly need to slow down quicker than originally intended and need more power than 2 fingers can provide? Now you've got to hope for the best or try and get more fingers to the lever. Worse still what about if your lever comes back so far it pinches your remaining fingers (I've read many post regarding spongy brakes on here), now you can't even apply the pressure available with the 2 fingers.
I always blip (or at least raise the RPM) on the down-change but do it using my thumb and the area of my hand between it and my index finger.
Oh, and what about your foot?

I can easily lock the front wheel on my 650 with standard brakes with just 2 fingers. Broken brakes are a different issue entirely- do you hand signal whenever you turn, just in case your indicator isn't working? No, you know your equipment.

The best part about only using 2 fingers is that you can ride along through town with your fingers already on the lever, reducing reaction time significantly, whilst still having complete and full throttle control.
Can you?

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by Amanda

I can honestly say it made the world of difference to the riding.

Nice one, keep working on it to perfect the blip, it does take a little while to get it right, but it really is worth it once you have the technique mastered