[immortal13]

Are you supposed to cover the clutch lever with your fingers at all times when riding? My girlfriend says yes and that's the way she rides.

 

[UrbanRage]

It is really up to the rider. Personally I don't do it unless I am riding in the city, then I have fingers on clutch and front brake.

 

[strykenshane]

Same here, I keep a couple fingers on the front brake lever at all times

 

[chris]

new rider or new bike yes until you can naturally pull either the clutch or brake without thinking it.

 

[Visionary]

It is really up to the rider. Personally I don't do it unless I am riding in the city, then I have fingers on clutch and front brake.

I'm the same way in town/city especially with some of these morons.

 

[Mentat Ix]

I cant be bothered to cover the handle bars with my hands most times.

I will say covering the front brake all the time seems like a bad idea to me, especially for newer riders. If you have a panic reaction, a whole handful of front brake probably won't be a good thing.

 

[J4patrice]

I cant be bothered to cover the handle bars with my hands most times.

I will say covering the front brake all the time seems like a bad idea to me, especially for newer riders. If you have a panic reaction, a whole handful of front brake probably won't be a good thing.

I have to agree. If you have your hand on the brake there is definitely a chance you could use it in a panic. Like you said, probably not a good thing. In my class 2 years ago they did not want your hands hovering over the clutch and brake.

 

[Natedog]

Covering the clutch or brake is a bad idea unless you're in stop and go traffic. It is a nice on the highway to relax/stretch your hands by putting your fingers on the lever though.

 

[rbeane60]

I only put them on when stretching on the highway.

 

[immortal13]

Not talking about covering the brake, just the clutch lever. She claims that's what they taught when she took her motorcycle safety training course several years ago.

 

[J4patrice]

Not talking about covering the brake, just the clutch lever. She claims that's what they taught when she took her motorcycle safety training course several years ago.

No, they taught not to cover it.

 

[Mentat Ix]

Not talking about covering the brake, just the clutch lever. She claims that's what they taught when she took her motorcycle safety training course several years ago.

No, they taught not to cover it.

The course I took taught to cover the clutch at all times but not the brake. Not a bad idea, I guess - no harm comes from panicking and pulling the clutch, and I guess it could help in some situations. Especially slow speed goofiness that new riders get into.

Still, I don't bother. I'm usually playing angry birds or something with my left hand. And my right.

 

[goodwell163]

You're supposed to ride with both hands?? lol

 

[Visionary]

Not talking about covering the brake, just the clutch lever. She claims that's what they taught when she took her motorcycle safety training course several years ago.

I took the course just a couple weeks ago and they did say cover the clutch but it was stressed for maneuvering the course only. Figure 8's and U-turns, it was more or less to get you used to using the clutch rather then the throttle in tight/small spaces to maneuver. So she is partially correct but it could depend on how her instructor voiced it.

 

[wes]

For the most part, I usually ride one handed....always have a finger on the break in heavily congested areas, but I am off the clutch when my hand is on the bar..

 

[toby]

You only need to cover the clutch in slow speed maneuvers/stop and go traffic only. Or if you are a beginning rider until you get used to proper operation of the clutch and shifting becomes second nature. Then there is now reason to cover the clutch. You should never cover your front break except in stop and go traffic especially if you are a newbe.

 

[strykerjan]

As I only have small hands, covering the clutch all the time would be hard. I would usually ride with both hands on the bars and move them when I need to control the bike. I find that changing gears a lot on windy roads makes my hands stretch enough with leaving them there all the time.

 

[gator8]

I think most have pointed out already...lets not forget bad info is passed along all the time with riding...its always been that way. Its pretty clear...slow riding requires constant adjustment so that would be the only time covering is taught. At speed its hands on the bars and no where else. Covering was an old pass down way to ride, but then so was primary or rear brake only. Take a class I dont think you will find anyone teaching covering at speed.

 

[J4patrice]

Not talking about covering the brake, just the clutch lever. She claims that's what they taught when she took her motorcycle safety training course several years ago.

I took the course just a couple weeks ago and they did say cover the clutch but it was stressed for maneuvering the course only. Figure 8's and U-turns, it was more or less to get you used to using the clutch rather then the throttle in tight/small spaces to maneuver. So she is partially correct but it could depend on how her instructor voiced it.

Figue 8's, U-turns and in tight spots , yes. This only makes sense.

 

[kingofleon]

I like to keep my fingers free for signaling. 8)