Don't surprise the bike and the bike won't surprise you.

Hey Kevin, great video, I recently took an MSF advanced rider course. My instructor told me to NEVER use 2 fingers for the front brake and was firm that I was "doing it wrong". As he watched me do the stop and evade lesson. We argued back and forth about this and finally he conceded that if I'm comfortable only using 2 fingers I could do it in class. He was mad that I only use 2 fingers on a 900lbs bike. I am an avid trail braker and as a union carpenter my 2 fingers are very strong. Sure there are times when I use all 4 but most of the time I only use 2. Your video is the first I've seen that discusses a 2 finger method. Thanks, keep up the good work.

@MCrider

5 ай бұрын

There are some instructors who are hard and fast with the 4 finger method...especially in a class setting. They only want riders touching the front brake when actually stopping because it reduces the number of crashes in a training setting.

@merlopile9351

5 ай бұрын

For an advanced rider course, your instructor shouldn’t have harped too much (or at all). I do the same thing that Kevin described on using the front brake. For cornering, I use two fingers for trail braking; for emergency braking, I use all four. Since I rarely have the occasion for emergency braking on public roads, I practice it a lot so that when/if I do have to do emergency braking….four fingers on the lever would be automatic (muscle memory). 😊

@LETSGOBRANDONFJB

5 ай бұрын

Isn't that called riding the clutch? More wear and tare?

I have found a little difficulty coordinating left foot left hand. I have driven mostly manual cars since 1982. I still drive my 2005 Subaru Outback 5 speed manual and honestly I love it. I've been riding motorbike since Easter 2024 when I obtained my learner permit through the compulsory 2 day course here in Australia. I'm brand new/ Turn 60 on my next birthday. I have inadvertently used foot instead of hand for clutch operation on 3 occasions. Also early on, let's say a couple of weeks ago, I had trouble sometimes changing up, mostly 2nd to 3rd and 3rd to 4th, and I figured my muscle memory kicks in. The last week or so, I have concentrated on smoother changes and tried to think it through more. I think the bike appreciates that.

When I started riding I actually did the opposite of what I needed to do. I tried to use the clutch as little as possible and control the jerking with the throttle, which didn't work of course. It was a revelation when I discovered how to use the clutch right. Thinking of the clutch as a "buffer" to the throttle helped me.

Another great video from the smoothest motorcycle instructor on the net. Thanks Kevin and all the best to you and MCRIDER for 2024.

I really don't know anything about big street bikes, but on my street-legal enduro I have one finger on each lever all the time and modulate both all the time in technical terrain off road. For the bit I ride on road between trails the habit sticks. Having learned to modulate both levers off road I feel gives me an advantage when on road. On a longer ride on the road I have to remind myself to give my fingers a break and let them hang out with the other fingers on the grips for a rest!

Excellent content Kevin. Smooth inputs from the rider equal smooth output from the machine.

@MCrider

5 ай бұрын

Absolutely

Great information. I seldom watch one of your videos without learning something new. Thanks.

The best part of Fridays is the release of a new MCRider video. I'm going to pay special attention to these techniques on my next ride -- surely there is room for improvement!

@MCrider

5 ай бұрын

Thanks for the nice comment!!!

Thanks again for the info. I have a '19 DCT GW so no clutch. Relearning the art of smooth riding with a DCT is an item the instructors should consider. I will be attending a Safe Rider Couse in a week presented by the local PD. I will be attending with my current bike so will be interested in what the Officers have to say. Four years now on my DCT and I have learned that the operation is so much more easier than the clutch/brake/throttle method once you are a frequent rider. I ride daily here in AZ, urban and rural , hi-way, city and mountains for over 30K on the bike. After three previous GWs and over 370K miles om them, the DCT is the best. Experience and mastery comes from time on the bike in a variety of different situations.

I'm a two-finger braker. Works great for me, and I can easily lock up or go into ABS on any bike I've ridden. My remaining fingers don't get squeezed, because I set up my brake lever that way, and bleed my brakes regularly. That is, until I rented a Harley in Hawaii. That thing took everything I could give it with four fingers.

Thank you for the glove information, I've been searching for a warmer pair for late fall, early winter and will try these out.

5:15: it really depends on the bike and it’s breaking system. Chaz Davies uses 1 finger when racing on the Ducati V4R. For skeptics, watch an EWC race. It only lasts 24h, but you will have the occasion to see him break hard with only 1 finger

I'm surprised that you're not recommending that riders "cover" the levers at all times. That's the way I was taught and what I see with many/most other instructors. Maybe that's just an off-road technique? In emergency situations, the split second it takes to cover the brake could mean the difference between and accident and avoidance. My technique is two fingers for clutch and 1 finger for brake.

Great lesson Kevin!!! Iy really helped the wife!!

Lee Parks products are fantastic, gloves are the one safety gear item I am the pickiest about. They have to function and feel great! As for the root of this video on hand use this is great information I find it varies a bit depending on which motorcycle I am riding but the foundation is the same!

throttle and clutch is a skill smooth is cool.

Never paid much attention to the degree to which I was disengaging the clutch when doing 2-5 gear changes. Only wish I could practice this a bit now, but the bike is stored for winter. I’ll try to remember…😂

Good teaching of the technics

Great video Kevin!

WOW! Excellent helpful information! Thank you Sir!

Gr8 topics and demo's Kevin. 👍

the clutch is for starting and stopping. of course low speed maneuvers requires the clutch. throttle up to gear speed, close the throttle, and bump the shifter, then back on the throttle until you need to shift again, continue until in high gear. slowing down let off the throttle, once your speed drops, down shift. use your ears.

Thank You.

Dear Kevin can you perhaps talk little bit on DTC motorcycle how to ride it safely etc Thank you

I know when you say release the clutch you mean the lever to engage the clutch plates. Pretension the gear lever helps greatly imho. And correct indexing and lever spacing also.

Thumbs up for support.

Nice to C U Mcrider

Thanks Kevin! I noticed that your motorcycle has a mirror on the end of the bar, do you feel that the mirror mount in anyway hinders your ability to use your hand with regards to lever operation given that you to get the most power towards the end of the lever and your fingers are not trapped.

How do you keep your throttle hand from becoming numb?

Brilliant. You need not depress the clutch fully... just that bite point and it really shifts smoother and quicker and is more efficient...

I grew up with motorcycles and horses, raced MX, rode off-dirt for years, blah blah blah. Then I had a stroke in my late 50's. I had to relearn how to walk. Now, everything I know HOW to do instinctively, I have to relearn because my body doesn't know how to do things smooothly anymore. I have to focus on the fundamentals all over again, taking nothing for granted. Every ride is a learning drill. Every ride has to start with warm-ups and mobility stretches. Every ride has a GO-NOGO decision point of whether my body and brain area up to the task. It's hard to describe, but imagine being really tired ,2 days without sleep tired, but you're fully awake, and the regular old-guy aches and pains. You swing your leg over the seat, and your leg decides it's as strong as a toddler, and coordinated as a drunk. No riding for you today.

Three, two fingers on the clutch lever is way better than all four finger for controling the bike because you will have extra finger/fingers on the bar.

@MCrider

5 ай бұрын

But you shouldn't be holding onto the bars, you hands should be light on the bars. You hold onto the motorcycle with your knees.

@Dzinbhudist

5 ай бұрын

⁠well you are steering with them so on slow manouvering two/three fingers on clutch makes it easier and with more control and for example on cruiser bike with forward coontrols it is nearly imposaible to hold woth your knees

2 vs 4 fingers. Both have pros and cons. Also, it depends on where do you learn to ride!! E.g.: In Poland (where I'm from), they teach 2-fingers. But in Germany (where I took a course and pass an exam) they teach 4-fingers to the level, that using 2 fingers may fail your exam!! So to all the viewers: don't judge riders using 2 or 4 fingers! My advice: pick one and master it. That's it.

3:49. I'm a little bit confused, are you saying it's cool to shift gears while you are still in the friction zone?

@MCrider

5 ай бұрын

I am saying you don't have to fully disengage the clutch to shift gears.

@beepbop6697

5 ай бұрын

​@@MCriderexactly. The clutch lever shouldn't have to travel far to disengage the clutch. If it is, then likely that clutch cable needs adjustment (had that problem on one of my bikes when purchased new).

What brand are your gloves?

@MCrider

5 ай бұрын

I talk about them at the end of the video.

Knuckles up, reach and squeeze

First view! First comment!

Simple trick. Spend money.