cover the clutch!!

[kobidge]

during my msf class, we were taught to only cover the clutch, and to not rest our hand over the front brake lever while riding, unless we were completely off the throttle and braking. the way they put it when it came to not covering the front brake lever while riding, was it was like driving an automatic with two feet, one foot on the gas, the other on the brake.

i haven't really thought twice about not covering the clutch while riding, i continued to do it after the msf class. i adjusted the lever so that i am able to rest my fingers over the clutch comfortably, while still being able to maintain good grip, and my hands are small too.

 

[zefflyn]

I still do it out of habit, and becuase I've discovered that I'm incapable of rolling off the throttle while squeezing the brake lever, :blah :blah

Thinking about this last night, I realized that when I emergency-brake, I swing my elbows down, and that's what prevents me from rolling off the throttle.
Gotta keep my elbows up!

 

[lizard]

Except that I can't cover the clutch with just two fingers. My hands are a little small, so I need to take my entire hand off the grip--except for my thumb. I definitely feel that my steering ability is compromised by covering the controls all the time. Not sure if there are other levers or further adjustments that can be made to help this.

Have you thought of swapping out your stock clutch slave?

 

[QuaiChangKane]

When a person panics, they tense up.


If you're covering the clutch and tense up, you simply disconnect power from the rear wheel and coast to a stop.

If you're covering the brake and tense up, you run the risk of locking the front wheel and going down, or at least braking too abruptly and losing your balance when you stop.


Remember, the MSF is geared towards true novices, and everyone is instructed as such.

Additionally - covering the brake lever makes it more difficult to control your throttle, especially if you're a novice. It also makes the brake-to-throttle transition before cornering more difficult, and increases the likelihood that you'll roll on the throttle while braking.


A lot of the things taught on the MSF range are for range safety and basic motorcycle familiarization. I know you don't all use your engine cutoff switch and fuel valve every time you get off your bike (neither do I) - but because of the MSF, you can operate each of them without taking your eyes off the road to find them....



-Q!

 

[zefflyn]

I know you don't all use your engine cutoff switch and fuel valve every time you get off your bike (neither do I) - but because of the MSF, you can operate each of them without taking your eyes off the road to find them....!

fuel injection is pretty handy; the fuel shuts itself off! I think I always use the kill switch, though. I like to kill the engine and coast to a stop when parking. It makes me feel super cool. :cool

 

[DucatiHoney]

Have you thought of swapping out your stock clutch slave?

Already have, but for another reason. How does that have any bearing on this situation? I guess I don't understand where you're coming from.

And Zefflyn - be careful with shutting off the bike before you've come to a stop. If you need to move out of the way suddenly and you've shut your bike off--you're hosed. I really hate posting those goofy little roses for people. Don't make me use one for you.

 

[zefflyn]

Already have, but for another reason. How does that have any bearing on this situation? I guess I don't understand where you're coming from.

I think he means if you replace it with a slave having a different bore, you'll get more leverage at the lever, and an easier clutch pull.

And Zefflyn - be careful with shutting off the bike before you've come to a stop. If you need to move out of the way suddenly and you've shut your bike off--you're hosed. I really hate posting those goofy little roses for people. Don't make me use one for you.

Don't worry about me. If I die pulling into an empty parking spot, then I deserve it. Besides, I can always jump off and run! :later

 

[longtallsally]

A couple of Keith Code example come to mind. 1) with all the discussion on "panic" situations and all that, it reminds me of the $10 analogy. If you can't afford it, don't do it. Personally for me, I'd rather cover it so I don't have to move my big meathooks into position. I use 2 on the clutch and my middle on the brake.

2) One of the big things to take away from Twist of the Wrist 2 is one the survival reactions: too tight on the grips. It scares me to hold on to the grips with all 5 fingers as I can feel myself get nervous and actually grip too tightly. With fewer fingers I'm able to spend less of my $10 on grip and more on how to avoid a situation.

 

[DucatiHoney]

With fewer fingers I'm able to spend less of my $10 on grip and more on how to avoid a situation.

...exactly. I've never read the book, but that's how I feel about it. I don't have big meat-hooks, but if I'm compromising all-the-time control for clutch then I don't think it's worth it. I know everyone rides differently, but I've only got so much hand. I want to use it wisely. (That sounds funny when I read it out loud...)

and welcome.

 

[longtallsally]

Thanks for the welcome, I have missed desperately talking bikes since most everyone I met in CO was a raving MORON!!!!!!!

Anyway, this is really an interesting discussion for me. You just mentioned that you feel more control not covering it. Well, many of the big time racers think so too as I've noticed. Is it strength or size? Really interesting debate. I'd still rather cover it since I've been doing it for so many years now.

 

[drizz]

prepared for evasive maneuvers! :laughing

like an oh shit moment...if u jsut let off the throttle, u may not slow down enough. If you let off the throttle, hit the brakes (no clutch) ur gonna stall...

booooooobs

 

[lizard]

Already have, but for another reason. How does that have any bearing on this situation? I guess I don't understand where you're coming from.

What zef-fleabag said (less pull, easier for your small hands).

 

[DucatiHoney]

booooooobs

1. How are the boobs gonna slow you down? :hand

2. I don't have any...er...much.

Take your bosomy thoughts elsewhere. :hand

 

[zefflyn]

What zef-fleabag said (less pull, easier for your small hands).

Your personal experience in this matter is of invaluable assistance, lizhard.

 

[DucatiHoney]

What zef-fleabag said (less pull, easier for your small hands).

It's a matter of reach in this case--not strength. I've tried adjusting the little screw on the lever that allows the clutch to engage sooner, but that doesn't really help either. I can only get a good grip with my middle finger, and I prefer to keep that one dude free for doling out the "California hello" to all the fine drivers on the road. :toothless

 

[DucatiHoney]

You know that goes against everything BARF stands for? :laughing

Damn...you're right. I'm going to find some way of zip-tying an under-tail exhaust to my bike to try and redeem some coolness points.

Hey - don't get me wrong. I'm drawn to shiny bits like a raccoon to tin foil, but I need to draw the line somewhere.

 

[GrizzlyPeakGuy]

Like many others have said, the ONLY reason you'd have been taught to cover the clutch and not the brake is MSF range safety issues.

FWIW, I always have between two and four fingers on the clutch unless I'm on the freeway. That's because I always slip the clutch when I'm in corners to modulate the power to the back wheel. I don't like using the throttle to do this with the clutch fully engaged because I'm cack handed on the throttle. The last thing I want to feel half way round a corner is transmission lash. It's just a personal preference. I promise, there'll be people who know no other way of getting round a corner, and others who think it's a recipe for disaster (for some reason).

Despite your constant protestations about being glacier slow blah, blah, blah, you've been riding long enough that you can feel comfortable developing your own riding style rather than doing it by numbers. And having followed you on a group ride, I know for a fact that you're a naturally good enough rider to stop worrying about what MSF said instead of what works for you.

By the way, Jizz-Tard is correct about the master cylinder, but bear in mind that although a narrower bore master would make the clutch lighter, this would be at the expense of total clutch travel. i.e. the biting zone would feel wider, and you might find yourself having to adjust the lever position more often in response to wear on the clutch plates. YMMV. HTH.

 

[DucatiHoney]

I told you...I'm not fast. I always disconnect the brake light on group rides! :shhh

 

[zefflyn]

So how's the new technique working out? :confused

 

[rama]

Not sure about the clutch thing, but I recall getting reprimanded for covering the brake lever with 2 fingers instead of 4. I told the dude I could do a stoppie (or skid the front anyway, on that MSF ratbike) with 2 fingers, so why use 4 fingers- and he just said "that's what we like to see." :hand

Don't wanna bash MSF- it was invaluable- but I think that particular rule must have been a throw-back to the days of front drum brakes? :confused