Four or two fingers for clutch

[Dima26]

Here is a question inspired by the thread about covering the brake. Do you guys use all four fingers or two fingers to disengage the clutch? I read in several books (e.g. Ienasch's) that it is recommended to use only two fingers to pull the clutch lever keeping the others on the grip. I tried it a couple of times and it felt kinda unusual but seemingly it is better from the control point of view.

Thanks.

[dyran]

The course I took said always use 4 fingers for both brakes and clutch.

[Dima26]

That's what I was told in my MSF course too. I think this is mentioned in many "general bike books" (like David Hough books), which are for all kinds of bikes. In some sportbike-related books I read about two-fingers for both. It was written that the modern sportbikes are very light and have very good brakes, which can be activated with two fingers without big deal. Even though the GS is a standard bike, it has pretty touchy brakes and I have no troubles doing stoppies using two fingers (did it once unintentionally).

[Frost]

i use 4...2 fingers are not strong enough...

[sprint_9]

I usually use 3 for my clutch and sometimes go to 2 as I release it.  I will usually use all four when stopped but then when I start to release it I put my pinkie out of the way.

[weaselnoze]

i do the same as sprint

[MR_PINK]

i always use 4 on both the clutch and the brake  

[pixelmonkey]

2 and 2

ride a mx bike for a few months, then go back to the gs. your hands will be strong enough to not even think about using 4

chris<pixelmonkey>

[dgyver]

4 fingers in traffic (less hand fatigue) or sometimes when starting. 2 fingers the rest of the time.

[gs2sv]

4 finger clutch / really odd throttle finger thing. how do you use 2 finger on clutch, don't you smash your other fingers?

[wraithR1]

4 finger clutch / really odd throttle finger thing. how do you use 2 finger on clutch, don't you smash your other fingers?

Nope.

Two finger clutching is great for aggressive track or canyon riding.  You get a more positive feel from the handlebars if you only two finger it.  Try it some time.  Most motard/motocross riders use 2 finger.  I'm not sure if they are available for the GS500, but several aftermarket manufacturers (CRG, Pazzo) make shorty levers just for this.

[JeffD]

I do 2/2.

For clutch I use my index and middle finger.

For brake I use Middle, and ring finger.  

It takes a little while to get used to, but once you get comfortable with it you will notice the difference.  Alot.

[Kerry]

I use all 4 on the clutch lever, but usually only 3 on the brake.  It's probably because of where I put my right hand on the grip -- the lever curves away at that point and becomes a stretch for my index finger.

But when I foresee a need for max braking, my hand moves closer to the bar end and all 4 fingers cover the lever.

[dgyver]

4 finger clutch / really odd throttle finger thing. how do you use 2 finger on clutch, don't you smash your other fingers?

I don't pull the clutch in completely against the bar. There is no need. It will disengage enough to shift about half way in.

[scratch]

I use four. I feel more relaxed. It's almost like I'm palming the bar for when I countersteer. Like Dgyver, I'll only pull back enough to disengage the clutch, feeling for the friction zone, so I kinda like mine tight. I used to use just two, but I'm not racing anymore, or trying to go as fast as I can.

[tdan553527]

2 most of the time, 4 for in town riding

[conflicttheorist]

I've been doing two for  a couple months since I read it in a book and it has made shifting a lot faster and smoother.  The idea behind it is that you don't have to pull the lever all the way in to engage the clutch so your ring and pinky fingers will act as a limiter and keep you from pulling it in unnecessarily far.  This has been working well and feeling pretty natural until yesterday when I spent a few hours driving in SF traffic.  My fingers got too tired and I had to switch to 3 or 4 to hold down the clutch at stop lights.  I just need to strengthen the fingers, though.

[sprint_9]

The clutch on the GS is nothin compared to my parents Harley, now thats a stiff clutch.

[scratch]

The clutch on the GS is nothin compared to my parents Harley, now thats a stiff clutch.

Oh, hell yeah...!

[Ed89]

3/3

I have small hands and I ride in the city where there are lots of bad roads.  I need a good grip on the handle bar otherwise an unexpected bump will knock one or both hands off the bar.  My technique is a little unusual, and is similar to JeffD brake technique:

Thumbs and index fingers around handles for secure grip.
The other fingers on the levers, which provide enough strength to operate clutch or brake comfortably.

Cheers,
e.