2 fingers? 3 Fingers? or FOUR FINGERS!

[hcomp]

I have a question for some experienced riders...... When I took my MSF class the instructors kept getting on my case for only using 3 fingers on the front brake. I was only using a 250 Ninja for the course which maybe had a single 280mm front rotor at best.  I am now riding a 696 with TWO 320mm front rotors! I am only using two fingers to stop the bike and maybe three if I really need to get on it.  I then attended the demo Hypermotard ride last week and the Ducati Rep said use 2 fingers on the brake and if you use 3 you are going to have a "real exciting time!".  What do some of the more experienced riders do here?

Regards,
Ryan

[Spidey]

Whatever is comfortable for you.  You just need to be able to use the brake and the throttle at the same time.

Personally, I brake with 2 fingers on most bikes including a ninja 250 race bike ('cept for an occasional 1 finger when I'm trying to steer with trail braking).   I find it easier to regulate how much brake presure I'm applying and also control the throttle when I've got two fingers on each control.   With three fingers, I find it harder to blip the throttle while controlling my level of braking.  When people warn against 3 fingers, it's often because they're concerned that you are accidentally going to use too much pressure and lock up the front.  But that's concern only if your regular practice is not 3 finger braking.   

If you're used to braking with 3 fingers and can still comfortably control the throttle, go for it.  But it's worth playing around with 2 or 4 fingers (I don't mean that in a dirty way) to see what works for you. 

[V3L3Z]

If you're used to braking with 3 fingers and can still comfortably control the throttle, go for it.  But it's worth playing around with 2 or 4 fingers (I don't mean that in a dirty way) to see what works for you. 

hahah ... thats funny..

Racer.. i always feel more comfortable using 2 fingers on both .. gives me more grip on the bars and some more control if needed ..

[Popeye the Sailor]

I've never gone for the two or three finger thing. I just fill the glass until.....oh wait....nm....

[Statler]

one finger can lift the rear of my bike but I have much more fine control with two...so it's not allways about the power/strength.   

If two gives you enough force with your brakes on your bike I think that's the way to go.

[swampduc]

Hmmm... I've been using 1 finger on my 696, but maybe I should try to use 2.

[Spidey]

Hmmm... I've been using 1 finger on my 696, but maybe I should try to use 2.

Try it out for a few days.  You'll might find you like it.  You should be able to brake a lot harder with 2 fingers and with more control.  The 696 doesn't have the stopping power or control of--for example--Statler's s4rs or a 1098. 

[Raux]

the MSF course i took MADE me use 4 finger else i didn't pass, but normally i use two. that's why i am thinking about buying shorty levers. if necessary my hands are small enough to grab the shorty with 3. plus i had a habit of also clutching with 3 and crushing my pinkie.

MSF taught 4 as emergency braking. so you wouldn't get on the throttle etc. someone here had an accident starting his bike. i didn't read the whole thread but if he had four finger braked while starting the bike, i doubt he would have had the accident.

so in the end there is a use for the 4 finger, 3 finger (for our great breaks), 2 finger for normal braking and 1 for trail braking.

hmm guess i didn't give a definitive answer.

[w7ck7d]

i use 1 finger for brake when approaching fast corners.it gives me more control and balance with the thorttle at the same time.But of course i wouldnt recommend braking while turning.

[Holden]

Totally a preference thing. I brake with the middle finger/ring finger (no index/pinky)!

[bigiain]

the MSF course i took MADE me use 4 finger else i didn't pass, but normally i use two.

They teach the same thing in the equivalent of the MSF here - as far as I can work out, this was very good advice back when bikes had crappy drum brakes that'd start fading halfway through a 30mph to 0 stop and two finger brakers would be jamming their other two fingers between the lever and the bar before they managed to stop (if that ever happens on a modern hydraulic disk brake setup you've got some _serious_ problems) and like old useless laws, it makes very little sense anymore but people keep treating it as gospel truth...

Having said that, I use whatever is suitable for the bike I'm riding - 2 fingers on the (arguably over-breaked) Monster, 3 or 4 fingers on my Honda or the girlfiends Kawasaki...

big

[duclvr]

It seems that there is a consensus on how crappy the brakes were on the bikes at MSF.

Four fingers at MSF needed to stop and to pass the class.

2 fingers on the 696 with Pazzo shorty lever. ALL you need IMHO. I am constantly amazed at the stopping
power of my brakes.

[V3L3Z]

hell yea man... my 696 still amazes me everyday..

[Raux]

when they made me do the 4 finger, i was on the 696. nearly did a stoppy and the whole class was like WOAH. that thing has some serious stopping power. 

[Goat_Herder]

Totally a preference thing. I brake with the middle finger/ring finger (no index/pinky)!

I prefer the shocker with thumb attachment.