“It’s exactly like squeezing a lemon—you don’t want to press with all your might right from the start, because the juice would squirt and splash everywhere. It’s the same with braking: if you ‘snap’ the brake in the first second, you’re the one who will end up ‘splashed’ across the asphalt. A progressive squeeze ensures maximum efficiency.”
THE SAMURAI’S OATH
In Japan, a pinky promise was no playground joke. Yubikiri meant that if you broke your word, you’d cut off your pinky finger. Why that specific one? Because the Samurai knew a secret: without the pinky, you lose 50% of your hand’s strength and can no longer hold a sword securely. On a motorcycle, the pinky is what “seals” your grip on the handlebar when you need to stop the “beast.”
The Technique in Brief:
- Initiation: Start squeezing the lever with your first two fingers (index and middle). There is a technique called Covering the Brakes, which we will discuss in a future article. The motorcycle’s dynamics will naturally help you roll off the throttle.
- Maximum Effect: Continue the squeeze with the other two fingers, applying maximum force toward the end with the help of your pinky.
Advice: I firmly recommend doing plenty of drills in a quiet parking lot or a training ground to feel the limits. This isn’t about stories; it’s about practice.
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