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Throttle and Braking Technique

cycl3rr

cycl3rr

New member
Joined
May 16, 2011
Location
Pleasant Hill, CA
Moto(s)
Triumph Tiger 800
Name
Mark
I've been riding for about four years now and have taken my riding very seriously. I've practiced proper riding techniques and always try to improve my riding skills.

One thing I've had a bitch getting down is keeping one or two fingers on the front brake lever while using the throttle. I know this is important for quicker braking reaction but can't get comfortable throttling with two fingers on the brake. Your turning the throttle. How do you keep fingers on the lever while turning the throttle?

Technique advice?
 
Nor do i....ive heard it time after time dont cover the brake
 
I started doing it when I was a new rider and it became a habit. Force yourself and you'll get used to it. Once you start riding fast you'll find how effective it is and it'll become muscle memory.
 
Ruslank said:
I downshift to slow down faster >.>
Click to expand...

According to the riding schools, this is wrong.

After a whole shitload of years and miles, I've got 2 fingers on the brake, and blip the throttle, I suppose I've been doing it long enough that I don't notice. Muscle memory perhaps?
 
look at a motogp slowmo. some riders do it, some dont.
i think bautista does it. lorenzo doesnt.

i dont. not because i havent tried. i just have difficulty doing it. so i see where you're coming from.
 
Try to keep your brake finger(s) so that its not actualy touching the brake lever, but poised above/near it.
Some use 1 finger which is easier, but less powerful.
 
I've been trying that lately too. Hella uncomfortable.
 
corndog67 said:
According to the riding schools, this is wrong.

After a whole shitload of years and miles, I've got 2 fingers on the brake, and blip the throttle, I suppose I've been doing it long enough that I don't notice. Muscle memory perhaps?
Click to expand...

Not according to the Jason Pridmore STAR school, it isn't. They had an exercise where you did an emergency stop first with brakes only, then with brakes and downshifting.

Adding downshifting stops you a lot faster and shorter than just brakes alone.
 
fast4ward said:
Not according to the Jason Pridmore STAR school, it isn't. They had an exercise where you did an emergency stop first with brakes only, then with brakes and downshifting.

Adding downshifting stops you a lot faster and shorter than just brakes alone.
Click to expand...
I'm confused. Downshifting would add resistance to the rear tire. Why not just use the rear brake for the same effect?
 
fast4ward said:
Not according to the Jason Pridmore STAR school, it isn't. They had an exercise where you did an emergency stop first with brakes only, then with brakes and downshifting.

Adding downshifting stops you a lot faster and shorter than just brakes alone.
Click to expand...

That works so well on two strokes.
 
For me: in stop and go traffic, lane splitting, expected braking... the last three on the brakes (only thumb and index around the throttle). And all fingers on the throttle when cruising or no braking anticipated.
 
i make an "Ok" sign with my hand. the throttle goes into the loop and the 3 fingers go on the brake lever. that way you can blip the throttle and have good control of the front brakes. just practice it and it will become second nature....then you will buy a bike with a slipper clutch and fuck all that muscle memory up.
 
move the lever in closer if it is adjustable. but, only close enough for comfort so that the lever isn't closing in on/smashing your fingers...it helps if you don't have tiny hands too:teeth in traffic it is very helpful to have this down pat.


edit: ENGINE BREAKING ROCKS!!!!!!!! ask me how i know:teeth











<<<
 
Being able to combine throttle and braking during aggressive or late downshifts is a technique, one among many. Many find it mandatory for track riding. I think it's also quite useful on the street. It may not be something one would use on the street all the time, but like any riding skill, having mastered this can give you more options as a rider to adapt to different bikes and conditions and that's a good thing.

As others pointed out, practice is key. On bikes that don't have carburetors, playing with the throttle handle when the bike is off is harmless, so do take the time to sit on the bike in the garage, put on your riding gloves and mess around with control application. Play with the brake lever adjustment. See if you're doing funny things with your forearm or elbow and adjust brake reach and angle as necessary. When everything is right, you should be able to slide your fingers over the brake lever as you blip the throttle keeping constant pressure on the brake lever. That's key to smoothness in this case. If there's some excessive play in the lever or your glove is catching on it or your ergonomic adjustments aren't right, you won't be able to do it.
 
cycl3rr said:
One thing I've had a bitch getting down is keeping one or two fingers on the front brake lever while using the throttle. I know this is important for quicker braking reaction but can't get comfortable throttling with two fingers on the brake. Your turning the throttle. How do you keep fingers on the lever while turning the throttle?
Click to expand...
Are you expecting to have contact or be above the brake at all times? That isn't possible with a normal throttle and normal sized hands. You just get use to holding your finger(s) above the lever level, so when you close throttle they go over the lever to the correct braking position. I use my two middle fingers, because my hands were too small when I started riding to cover with the index. Some do it middle fingers, some use the index finger. I like have the index finger available for better throttle control.
 
cycl3rr said:
I've been riding for about four years now and have taken my riding very seriously. I've practiced proper riding techniques and always try to improve my riding skills.

One thing I've had a bitch getting down is keeping one or two fingers on the front brake lever while using the throttle. I know this is important for quicker braking reaction but can't get comfortable throttling with two fingers on the brake. Your turning the throttle. How do you keep fingers on the lever while turning the throttle?

Technique advice?
Click to expand...
I ain't a ride'in instructor, (dunno know wut the hell I'm do'in? :dunno ) butt I brake w/ one finger; mah "bird" finger 'n it works great fer me. :party May take sum get'in used too?
HIglesias said:
look at a motogp slowmo. some riders do it, some dont.
i think bautista does it. lorenzo doesnt.

i dont. not because i havent tried. i just have difficulty doing it. so i see where you're coming from.
Click to expand...
It's great ta emulate our heroes, butt they'z brake'in fer corners on a track 'n such, where street riderz gotta be ready fer anythang; carz lane change'in into you 'n shit. Have'n the lever covered so'z you can brake at 1st sign of danger seemz like a good thang ta me. :thumbup
motojen said:
I've been trying that lately too. Hella uncomfortable.
Click to expand...
I recon it's not fer everyone, on every bike; depends on how big 'n strong yer handz/fingerz are 'n how powerful yer brakes. :blush
 
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