Quote from: l3uddhaI noticed in that link to sportrider that the guy has his index and middle fingers on the brake lever and the other three gripping the throttle. I ride with my index on the throttle, and my middle and ring fingers covering the brake lever. my pinky just kind of drapes b/c it cant reach. is that "wrong"?

You've got more reach with the first two fingers and also more power to pull back on the brake, while using the remaining fingers (and mostly the palm really) to twist the throttle.

Please remember though, this is controlled braking, not emergency braking.  You really should have *all* of your fingers on the brake lever if you're trying to stop the bike as fast as possible.

As for blipping the throttle, I think it's necessary to learn this technique if you plan to use engine braking and hope to do it smoothly without applying unnecessary stress on the clutch.  Open and close your left hand as fast as possible.  That's what your hand should be doing when you're shifting up or down, perhaps with the exception of launching your bike from stop in first gear.

Quote from: oramac on May 28, 2006, 10:17:13 AM
Ok, I'm gonna throw a completely different technique at you all.  Before you scoff, give it a try.

I've been reading the book "Total Control".  That book suggests trying clutchless shifts.  I use them, and they are much smoother with fewer missed shifts.  They go like this.

When accelerating and upshifting, toe the shifter a little to add some preload, then release the throttle to engage the higher gear.  NO CLUTCH.  It should slip right into gear with no problems.  When downshifting, put a little pressure on the top of the shifter, then gently blip the throttle.  The bike will downshift smoothly.  Again, these techniques need practice, but they work well, and you virtually eliminate clutch wear and excessive heat. 

Just so you don't think that the book is geared towards higher performance machines, it is meant for all riders from cruisers, to standards, to super-sports.  I've improved many aspects of my riding practicing it's techniques.  Hope this gives another perspective.   

As far as clutchless shifts I can't advise it, but I've tried it, makes me feel "racier". Regularly I do the whole preload thing as it hit's 9k or so and blip the throttle and clutch at the same time. I rev match I guess cause it's alway velvety smooth. (Unless I suck, which happens sometimes lol.)

For a newb to learn rev matching try using a bit of choke, it makes the revs fall slower.