Braking: how many fingers?

[octane]

So I just had a long ass discussion with my mates cousin about whether how many fingers you use affects the braking.
Personally I'll use two and I can't see how using all four makes any odds, plus two fingers comes more naturally, whereas matey insists that using his full hand helps him stop quicker because he can put more pressure on the lever quicker...to which I said bollo**s.

Anyway, how many fingers you use? and do you think it makes a difference?

[G]

It depends on the bike.

My semi-supermoto DR needs a full hand.

My track r6 would stand on it's nose from over a ton with a single finger if you wanted.

[bish777]

lol yeah

my 1986 GSXR 1100 is on stock brakes, they work fine but need a firm (but not hard) grip of four fingers to work.

[v4forlife]

i use two, but trade between index and middle, and middle and ring, depending on how my riding style is at the time
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[nc30 chick]

I only got ickle hands so use all 4 fingers, couldnt reach 2 only

[Sparks!]

2 most often, sometimes 1.. depends..
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[mchaggis]

Four normally, my brakes are crap, and what feel there is, I like to know about.

This argument is somewhat unnecessary as really speaking, people should use whatever they are comfortable and safe with. It makes no difference so long as you come to a timely halt when you need to.

Edit: Dagnabit! Spellings.
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[v4forlife]

the only reason i dont need more than 2 fingers is caus ei recently stripped and rebuilt my calipers with new pistons and seals, and hel braided lines so i can stand it on its nose from not much pressure at all, bastard to bleed though, took all night
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[octane]

[JonB]

I always use 4, was taught too on CBT and I guess it kinda stuck.
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[NSR125-Kid-UK]

The NSR does fine on 2 fingers .
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[Craggles]

Usually use 2... am generally changing down while breaking and blipping the throttle.

At the mo I've got a large bandage on my middle finger though - and am wearing mittens so I have to use all 4!

Craig
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[BLOFLY 636]

always two plenty of stopping power on tap
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[jayluvmito]

2 fingers.....can do rolling stippies from 45mph like it aswell...

cant fault my brakes...
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[Git]

Depends on the bike how many s I use
s good brakes
s pants brakes

[octane]

I have brakes, but I use .

I really want a new bike.

[The Tot]

Err, i put down for 2 finger braking. 4 is usually if i panic brake. Err how many of you guys usually ride with elevens - i.e. index finger always covering the clutch and the other index covering the front brake - I was given a bollocking for that from my instructor, but it's really comfortable, and gets me prepared and ready for any unexpected hazards? Do you agree?
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[Keith]

On my RS125, I'll use 2 or even 1 sometimes. I got a long lecture from a bike training school as I was only ever using 2 fingers on the XR125 learning bikes so the 4 fingers was demanded by the instructors. I just went with it until after my test and then it was back to just the 2 fingers.

On the other hand, the front brake on my CG is appalling so you have to get a right handful to even make it slow down.
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[haGGard]

I've been thinking about this alot recently. I usually use 4 fingers on both hands, but today i thought i would try it with 2 fingers. To be honest i didn't find it all that comfortable and found my stopping time had increased, so i changed back to four fingers.

[Kickstart]

Hi

Small hands (and not particularly strong fingers) so use 4 fingers. Also tend to have the lever on its setting to come as close to the bars are possible.

To be honest I have tried 2 fingers and I am not happy with it. Probably can stop the bike but more effort is required (which means with some bikes more effort than I can get with 2 fingers). Also the closer you are to using all the available force then the less control you have of how much force you are using.

Another issue I find is that your 2 strongest fingers are also the 2 which are closest to the pivot point of the brake lever and thus have the least leverage, while the 2 weakest fingers have the most leverage.

I would not even try to use less than 4 fingers on the clutch. I want to pull that all the way to the bars, and do not want to have to let go of the lever to give me space to unwrap the other fingers and move them out of the way.

All the best

Keith
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[loply]

My lever almost touches the bar so I need all 4 fingers, else the ones that are left behind will get in the way of the lever.

But the brakes do work fine, theyre just naturally squidgy. I say it almost touches the bar, it will stoppie every time if you go a millimeter too far, it just travels a lot
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[Hex]

I use 3, keeping the pointing finger round the bars still and using my remaining 3 to pull the lever.

Was told not to do it off my instructor when I learnt but it works for me and I can stop just fine and dont trap my finger or anything.
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[Will87]

I need all 4 fingers to use the brake effectively. . .

[Annabella]

[Fortuna]

Depends on the circumstances. Sometimes I use 2 hard braking I use 3 or 4.
I like a lot of other people can also use the brake and throttle at the same time