Middle finger clutch

luke11
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luke11
Edited Date/Time 3/18/2022 5:15pm
Noticing more and more top level guys using the middle finger on the clutch. Does anyone know if this is a ‘new’ thing and why people are doing it? Or is it just personal preference and I’ve never noticed before?
I’ve always been an index finger guy and I think most average guys are too?
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DrinkMoreWater 3/17/2022 2:34am
3/17/2022 2:34am
Maybe it might be a thing they train now because it probably is most effective and still maintain good strength in the hand.
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mx313
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mx313 3/17/2022 2:35am
3/17/2022 2:35am
luke11 wrote:
Noticing more and more top level guys using the middle finger on the clutch. Does anyone know if this is a ‘new’ thing and why people...
Noticing more and more top level guys using the middle finger on the clutch. Does anyone know if this is a ‘new’ thing and why people are doing it? Or is it just personal preference and I’ve never noticed before?
I’ve always been an index finger guy and I think most average guys are too?
I think it's a junior 65 thing. I think it's easier for the little kids to reach and pull the clutch in with the middle finger. Then it sticks with the rider till they become an adult.
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vansnxtweek489 3/17/2022 4:03am
3/17/2022 4:03am
I've seen guys doing that for years and years. Never understood how someone could modulate the clutch smoothly with their middle finger. Always been an index finger guy or even both if I'm in tight woods constantly slipping it.
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wydopen
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wydopen 3/17/2022 4:33am
3/17/2022 4:33am
mx313 wrote:
I think it's a junior 65 thing. I think it's easier for the little kids to reach and pull the clutch in with the middle finger...
I think it's a junior 65 thing. I think it's easier for the little kids to reach and pull the clutch in with the middle finger. Then it sticks with the rider till they become an adult.
I’ve always used my middle finger…my sons on 65’s and getting pretty quick and I don’t think he touches the clutch more than once or twice a moto after the start. He’s done a few training sessions with a former pro and someone who trains some fast mini riders and I was expecting him to focus the entire time on making him utilize the clutch more and ride with his index finger on the lever the whole time. That wasn’t the case at all, I’m not sure if it’s because minis are so fast these days and kids go strait to 250fs or not but clutch use with any of the trainers he’s ridden with hasn’t been a priority. I was expecting Gary Bailey style stick beatings for taking your finger off the lever.

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zippytech
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zippytech 3/17/2022 5:25am
3/17/2022 5:25am
I have always for like 45 years used my middle finger , I guess cause it's longer and stronger then my other fingers.
ScoobyDoo81 3/17/2022 5:50am
3/17/2022 5:50am
I use middle finger on the clutch and pointer finger on the brake! Been that way for ever.
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Jardo
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Jardo 3/17/2022 6:15am
3/17/2022 6:15am
I use my index finger. That allows me to better utilize my middle finger for my buddies across the track.
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ThePizzaCobra
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ThePizzaCobra 3/17/2022 6:39am
3/17/2022 6:39am
I’ve noticed a few pros over the years use the middle, Ryan Dungey in particular. I tried during a couple practice motos to see if there was any advantage, but using my index finger continues to be more comfortable. I ride a mostly single track, and the index fingers on both hands hardly ever touch the bars - they’re always covering the front brake and clutch.
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c0ncEpT
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c0ncEpT 3/17/2022 6:46am
3/17/2022 6:46am
I think it's just personal preference.

I've used my middle finger for the clutch my entire life. I'm not sure anyone taught me that. It's just comfortable for me.

I use 2 fingers(index and middle) for the front brake.
Greg #49 3/17/2022 6:46am
3/17/2022 6:46am
Started using the middle finger after my index finger was broken ( hit by rock) several years ago. It is just automatic now. Still use index on brake though.
rohleder644
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rohleder644 3/17/2022 7:43am
3/17/2022 7:43am
Index and middle finger for the clutch and brake for me. I did the 125 thing for a long time so maybe I’m just used to having to use the clutch non stop in tight, rocky woods.
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MotoCoUSA
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MotoCoUSA 3/17/2022 7:47am
3/17/2022 7:47am
ScoobyDoo81 wrote:
I use middle finger on the clutch and pointer finger on the brake! Been that way for ever.
This. Always have.
ccullins
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ccullins 3/17/2022 8:15am
3/17/2022 8:15am
Nothing new. Jeff Ward was flipping us the bird going back to the 80’s. Total personal preference

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HonDawg17 3/17/2022 8:22am
3/17/2022 8:22am
I've been back and forth.
C Class: First 2 fingers
B Class: Index finger
A Class first year: Middle finger
A Class 2nd year and beyond: Index finger

Its all in preference and control on the handlebar. A couple times when I would use my middle finger I would slip the clutch from arm pump when I wasn't even trying to pull in the clutch.
Leave Us To
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Leave Us To 3/17/2022 8:40am
3/17/2022 8:40am
vansnxtweek489 wrote:
I've seen guys doing that for years and years. Never understood how someone could modulate the clutch smoothly with their middle finger. Always been an index...
I've seen guys doing that for years and years. Never understood how someone could modulate the clutch smoothly with their middle finger. Always been an index finger guy or even both if I'm in tight woods constantly slipping it.
Same here. Squeezing the tank has alway eluded me too.
Falcon
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Falcon 3/17/2022 8:42am
3/17/2022 8:42am
Goat Breker used to teach that, I think. It helps you retain a stronger grip on the bars because your index finger can lock with your thumb on the handlebar. Try it; it really works. I can't get used to it, but I used to use two fingers on the clutch, so it's almost natural... just not quite.
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Gworm
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Gworm 3/17/2022 8:49am
3/17/2022 8:49am
I don’t know for sure which finger I use, and I’m too scared to look down to see.
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Big Lenny
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Big Lenny 3/17/2022 9:03am
3/17/2022 9:03am
They've been doin' that for years..I alternate between 1 and 2 fingers...Huh
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Smith922
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Smith922 3/17/2022 9:13am
3/17/2022 9:13am
Always been middle on the clutch and pointer on the brake for me, I think it's just a personal preference thing but that's the way I watched alot of pro's ride when I was younger so I mimicked it until it became natural. I have a rekluse clutch and still ride with my middle finger on it old habits die hard lol.
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Lightning78
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Lightning78 3/17/2022 10:39am
3/17/2022 10:39am
Middle finger on the clutch and middle finger on the brake 100% of the time I'm riding. Been doing it for years and think it's the best way to go. Middle finger is the longest so you have more leverage and it's nearly eliminated arm pump for me bec it allows me to relax my grip but still maintain good gripping, I can also instantly react to using my clutch or brake without changing my grip on the bars and now it's part of how I ride and think it's drastically improved my riding.
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FreshTopEnd
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FreshTopEnd 3/17/2022 11:25am
3/17/2022 11:25am



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Falcon
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Falcon 3/17/2022 11:41am
3/17/2022 11:41am
^ Dang JLaw runs his lever reach out!
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Jordan421 3/17/2022 11:48am
3/17/2022 11:48am
FreshTopEnd wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2022/03/17/538560/s1200_F5A6428.jpg[/img]



Hate him or like him, JLaw ridding style was one of the best.
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jonesaustin
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jonesaustin 3/17/2022 11:57am
3/17/2022 11:57am
ccullins wrote:
Nothing new. Jeff Ward was flipping us the bird going back to the 80’s. Total personal preference [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2022/03/17/538540/s1200_1AB650A1_8109_45C2_8894_BF9AD5C0AE25.jpg[/img]
Nothing new. Jeff Ward was flipping us the bird going back to the 80’s. Total personal preference

Yes the pros in the 80’s started this I believe
brimx153
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brimx153 3/17/2022 11:58am
3/17/2022 11:58am
RC , Pourcel used middle finger on brake and clutch
Grenader26
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Grenader26 3/17/2022 12:00pm
3/17/2022 12:00pm
Always thought this was weird. But I’ve always used middle finger for brake and clutch

vansnxtweek489 3/17/2022 12:22pm
3/17/2022 12:22pm Edited Date/Time 3/17/2022 12:22pm
FreshTopEnd wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2022/03/17/538560/s1200_F5A6428.jpg[/img]



Dude could haul the mail! One thing I notice from that picture is how much Tech 10s have evolved. I remember I was working at the local shop when they came out and they looked like space boots, much like the Scott Genius boots. They've come a long way.
mx617
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mx617 3/17/2022 12:30pm
3/17/2022 12:30pm
I wonder if it has to do with finger length? I've tried using middle finger and it feels like I am stretching to reach the clutch, like it's pulling the index and ring finger away from the bar. Just feels less stable.
Leeham
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Leeham 3/17/2022 12:49pm
3/17/2022 12:49pm
My whole life I was an index finger guy. Last year I switched to middle finger. To me at least, its an easier pull because of the slight additional leverage and easier to run the clutch throughout the moto. Just feels better to me. Actually never thought I would ever use my middle finger, but here I am
bmartens
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bmartens 3/17/2022 10:43pm
3/17/2022 10:43pm
I ride middle and ring finger on the clutch. I remember my first outing to the track and an older guy helping me told me to run my clutch perch right beside the grip and move the killswitch to the inside of the clutch. I find that the index finger and thumb is the strongest grip I can get on the bar, and then I can relax the rest of my hand and not end up getting pumped up so bad.

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