[LADN]

Who (other than people who have raced or do race)do not use the clutch to shift, cover the front brake or clutch lever with two fingers. While taking a MSF course, the practice was cover the clutch for emergency
reasons and leave the front brake uncovered.
In the November 1997 issue of Motorcyclist, the Street and Survival Skills section it speaks about the mastery of clutchless upshifting. Then in the Skill Building section it is suggested to drape two fingers over the front brake lever to reduce reaction time for stops. I have watched professional riders/racers do it however what should the normal public do.




------------------

 

[dave]

when i ride i always keep fingers on the levers, if something happens your right there to hit the brake n shift

------------------

 

[colin409]

I usually do not use the clutch to upshift, and I always try to cover both my levers in case of an emergency.

------------------
Colin
FloridaSportbikers
My Home Page

 

[FZR400Tony]

clutchless upshift, yes, but only so i remember to them on the track. on the street, it doesn't matter. i generally try to not shift on the street a lot.

as for covering levers, never.

this will be argued by many, but it's my opinion, and i will continue to do this.

in a panic situation, survival reactions (sr) kick in first. i am of the opinion that sr's are generally counter-productive on a motorcycle. i feel that my first action in a panic situation will be sr-based. after that good judgement holds court.

therefore i think if you cover the levers, your first movement is to slam on that front brake, and then you're on your ass wondering what happened.

doing it my way, your first reaction is to extend the fingers, then you can squeeze teh front brake.

this is the same reason why i don't use the rear brake.

------------------
Tony

the views and opinions expressed by tony (cbrf2boy) are the ramblings of a total idiot. sbw.com, it's administrators, moderators, and members don't necessarily agree with and are not responsible for anything this idiot has to say.

 

[HondaNut!]

I do not usually use the clutch for upshifting. I keep the levers covered when there are alot of vehicles around (traffic) If Im out on an open road, I dont really worry about it.

------------------
Kyle J.-
email:[email protected]

 

[Ratsalad]

Typically the only time I cover the handles is approaching a busy intersection or if I'm caught in a cluster of caged morons.
If you went to an MSF course you are probably familiar with the S.I.P.D.E method (Scan Identify-Predict-Determine- Execute) I usually cover between I and P. if something up ahead looks unpredictable.

I am not too familiar with the clutchless upshift method. Is it the same as a reg. shift just without pulling the clutch in, or is there a different technique to it. "Inquiring minds want to know"

------------------
Dave
94 fzr1000

"Party on Wayne"

 

[Guest]

Vroooooommmmm, shift, vrooooommmm, shift, vroooooommmm, shift, vrooooommmm...simple as that. Well, actually, preloading the shift lever and closing the throttle a tad before clicking the next gear helps.

------------------
Pete
"Ultimately, most problems can be solved by applying a large brick to the correct skull. Difficulties arise when you don't have a brick or can't find the the right skull. The Devil is always in the details."

 

[Ratsalad]

oooooohhhhhhh- - It's the vroooom-shift
vroooom-shift
vroooom-shift tecnique
That explains everything.
I'm going to go try it right now
Thank's Pete.

------------------
Dave
94 fzr1000

"Party on Wayne"

 

[Cosmo]

The way I ride is a combination of everything already stated...but I want to feel special, so I'll just go ahead and post anyway !
When I have cages around me, period, I cover my front brake. Those assholes are less predicatable than the weather! When I 'm on the open road, in the twisties, I don't cover the front brake at all. Mostly because at the speeds that I usually take the twisties at, there wouldn't be much chance of survival anyway To be honest, I do agree with the statement already made that in a panic situation, the survival instinct kicks in, usually resulting in the grabbing of a big handful of front brake, resulting in one wrecked bike and one pissed off rider. However, I've been riding for a long time, and have wrecked a few times (not proud, trust me!) Most, but not all, incidents like a car suddenly changing lanes or pulling out of a driveway can be handled simply by swerving. Just like they teach in the MSF class (BTW, the MSF class is the best thing you'll ever spend money on. If you ride in the street , you need to take this class. I learned a lot. I took the class "because I had to in order to get the insurance discount, but walked away impressed and smarter) Throw the hips to the left and then quickly back to the right (or vice versa) and you can avoid a lot of stuff. If I'd have known this back in 1986, I would've avoided my first bike wreck when a drunk woman in a piece of crap Chevette (5 different colors of primer, BTW) made a left in front of me. The accident was totally avoidable, but what did I know back then? I just froze and bit it. But, I digress. Cover that front brake. Think before you squeeze too hard. It's a learned skill, but it's saved me too many times to count. Just my $.02. Cheers.

------------------
Cosmo
"May I please, remain in this space, for darts......"

 

[RCjohn]

Dick Dick(Pete Richard),

You're killing me man. ROFLMAO!!!

------------------
Ride Hard!

John

 

[Guest]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Aril, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ratsalad:

oooooohhhhhhh- - It's the vroooom-shift
vroooom-shift
vroooom-shift tecnique
That explains everything.
I'm going to go try it right now
Thank's Pete.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

O.K., Dave, so as not to be big John, er, I mean a-hole ... Really, it's that simple. Just take the slack out of the shift lever with a bit of upward pressure (preloading), close the throttle as you would in a normal fast clutch shift, and snick it up a gear. I only do this from 2nd gear on up, and not all the time.



------------------
Pete
"Ultimately, most problems can be solved by applying a large brick to the correct skull. Difficulties arise when you don't have a brick or can't find the the right skull. The Devil is always in the details."

 

[Ratsalad]

Originally posted by Pete:
O.K., Dave, so as not to be big John, er, I mean a-hole

-------------------------
I don't think you're an a-hole- - - or a John. However I can't speak for everyone.

In fact, I would've expected a bit more sarcasm from you. But we can't be ON every day can we.

I was just slinging a little back your way on the "vroom shift" thing.

Actually I did try it as I said and "Awl Be Derned if it didn't work jus like you said it would- -YEE HAA" I just don't see what the advantage is. It's seems just as easy to pull the lever and know I got a good shift. Maybe I just need more practice.


subject change:
I don't know about down in Houston, but up here in Dallas it's hotter than two rats f**king in a wool sock. Which is making for some pretty brutally hot riding -and working (outside). I ride to work everyday rain/shine and the ride home is a killer. "lotsa lights"
I guess I could go squid and lose the gear.......NOT..
Anyway if this weather doesn't cool off a little soon (HA HA HA ... you're in texas now....BOY !) I'm gonna go on a friggin tri-state killing spree.

and I'm gonna start with that cum-drunk whore that almost killed me today.

Sorry, jus had to get it off the chest.

------------------
Dave
94 fzr1000

"That ain't the way we do things round here boy"



[This message has been edited by ratsalad (edited July 10, 2000).]

 

[Guest]

Dave, IMO, clutchless shifts give no real advantage on the street.

Not really applicable to a hardcore bike commuter like yourself, but I am really wondering what baffoon decided "Ride to Work Day" should be in July! Yep, it is miserably hot.

-Pete, with sarcasm toggle in the off position, but not for very long.

 

[mashuri]

Always have both levers covered. I have two fingers on the clutch and one or two on the brake. Always. It's saved my ass more than once.

------------------
1999 Blue/White YZF-R1: 2 Bros. C4 exhaust, Dynojet jet kit, timing tricker, dyno-tuned by Graves
2000 NBM/Lt Oak int/Blk top C5 Convertible - MN6, Z51, Vortex Rammer, A&A Exhaust, C/R X-pipe, Corsa tips, !CAGS

 

[SpeedPhreak]

im w/mashuri. 2 fingers on both. also i keep my right toe next to my brake lever. i usually do clutchless up shifts after 2nd cause im lazy (always use the clutch going down).

------------------