Please share this with your riding buddies and potentially save a life with this all too easy, yet widely unknown fundamental motorcycle adjustment! Much love!
I hope you find it night and day from a comfortability point of view too! As soon as I learnt this I was like.... why doesn't everybody know this! Ride safe my friend. Let me know if there's any other topics you'd like covered from a beginner perspective 🤙
XSR 700 rider... The day i had it i adjusted brake & clutch position for just this reason. Gear lever position, mirrors, handle bar pitch, chain adjusted to correct tollerance etc.. Love the bike, inspected regularly like a what F16 pilots do pre-flight. Tis a bit overboard...but no one wants bits flyin off on the freeway..!
Also adjust your rear brake and gear change lever the same way, again we’re not all the same and the points of contact with a bike are critical, and it makes the ride more enjoyable.
While I do agree on adjusting EVERYTHING to fit your body, here's another tip that will save your life even more than that - ride with two fingers on the front brake lever ALL THE TIME. That way it takes 0.000 seconds to get your fingers on the lever. I've ridden this way for literally hundreds of thousands of miles and it's very effective.
I did a whole video on exactly this 💯. That's how I ride 99.99 percent of the time. Instant stopping should I need it. Plus, everything is smoother for me being able to do everything instantly and smoothly without a gap in momentum switching 👌!
Been doing this for decades, learning this on mx and trail bikes in the 70s. Preferably put the bike on a stand or centre stand. Assume your preferred ride position (seated or standing), put your arms into proper position, extend your brake and clutch finger/s out and that will show you your proper lever positions. Don’t over tighten the lever clamps, and they can move a bit if you have an off (might help save the lever).
I service motorcycles for a living and I see it every day. I test drive after repair, so I always set the levers to what I call a neutral position. I informed the owners that I moved them and then adjust them perfectly for them😊
No worries at all. I'll throw way more into future beginner videos as I know some topics would of helped me when I first started. Hopefully I can help 1 or two people out there to make everything easier! Congrats on making to move to 2 wheels 🤘
Thanks for the video. It is important for every rider to do it. Trouble on my vstrom650 is there is a dot on the handlebar fixing the clutch. Nevertheless I moved it to my personal preference. And the left mirror moved too, because it is attached to the console. Then I adjusted the mirror as well. As a piece of advice- do not fear to try to adjust levers to your fingers. After all it is important for your life and not the looks of the bike!
Amen my friend! I actually think the default position on most bikes looks a bit dorky. Like reindeer antlers 😉. I love the mine point down ever so slightly. It looks more aggressive and sleek too! The safety factor is a wicked bonus too!!!
How crazy of a difference does it make in comfort and reaction though! It's night and day isn't it? Tell the people reading 😎😎😎😎😎. They need to understand how much more comfortable a bike that fits you is!
Best way is to have the brake leavers permanently pulled and secured, so you don't even have to press them when something happens on the street in front
Good advice. I tried on my Moto Guzzi Griso with no luck. I think they don't want anyone messing with the looks of the bike even at that level. I typically ride with the index and middle fingers on the levers carried over from my mx days. Replaced levers with stubby adjusable aftermarket ones. Much better but would also like to rotate levers on bar to get a better at-rest wrist angle to reduce numbness. Re indexing foot brake lever so you dont need to lift your boot is helpful in shortening braking distance as well.
Ah man that part sucks about the Guzzi. But at least you cover your brake anyway! 100 percent on the foot brake lever, great advice 🤙. I have a friend with a Moto Guzzi, that thing shakes around in all the right ways. Plenty of power too!
@@thethrottletube yep the V-Twin shakes and rattles but somehow the Italians found a way to keep everything together. Keeping 5k+ RPM makes for a fun ride every time
I've been meaning to adjust my levers, but it's only a problem when I'm standing, and the off road thing I may do one day every two weeks. One pair of gloves I have make me want to drop them more (2mm) for on road, but that still wouldn't be enough for offroad while I'm standing
Then the first thing I would do myself would be to replace the fluid. It could be old fluid, air bubbles or blocked lines. Depending on how old the bike is and how we'll the maintainance has been kept up with. Crossing all of those off, then it could be as simple as the brake lever needing some grease or to something more sinister in the caliper itself. Definitely get it looked at. Brakes are pretty simple really so it should be an easy fix 🤞
Very true. But even with ABS you can really load up a front tyre and brake very damn hard. It's the progression on the lever vs snap grab that doesn't help. And from having a Harley Fatboy here in the garage... it's night and day adjusting the levers. Especially with handlebar risers. But yes, I agree, Harley Davidsons are geometrically at a disadvantage with fast inputs. Which is why I'd argue more accidents happens on them in my eyes as usually the older gentleman with less experience gets one and panic brakes ect when not needed. Good point to make, ABS Wil always help. But ABS should be a second line of defense after competency and optimal ergonomics! ABS will not save your ass especially if you cannot get to the lever quickly and efficiently. Sorry for the long reply 😄. Harleys are a love/hate relationship topic with me. I'll get the Harley out and do some videos on these things I think! Ride safe 🖤
@@thethrottletube so I’m commenting on the fact that you said when Harley riders slam the front break that they wash out an adjusting your break lever will save you, but I’m here to say that’s not going to save you, adjusting your levers isn’t gonna save you, what will save you is when applying the front break use 1 or 2 fingers and understand the fact that the front break should only be applied 25% an the rear at 75% of pressure, also down shifting an pumping the clutch when things get real, riding the clutch an locking it up only makes you go ice skating also when you adjust your levers down you make it more possible for your throttle to stay open by your hand, I liked your video tho but I think adjusting your break an clutch lever is really only for comfort, I’m also gonna subscribe to ya just sayin
🤣 hey man, I've seen some stiff clutches out there.... I'm sure most will understand that I meant one finger. If not, then I think they have bigger problems on their hands 😉!!! Ride safe 🤙🤙🤙😎
No, it'll be fine so long as the angle isn't EXTREME. They are filled high enough to withstand lean angles and more. Tilting it a few degrees is nothing 🤘
Please share this with your riding buddies and potentially save a life with this all too easy, yet widely unknown fundamental motorcycle adjustment!
Much love!
@@thethrottletube you know I will. I want to see more riders out there. The safer everyone is the more miles they will ride
I just went out and did this to my bike. As a beginner I didnt even think of this. Thank you!
I hope you find it night and day from a comfortability point of view too! As soon as I learnt this I was like.... why doesn't everybody know this!
Ride safe my friend. Let me know if there's any other topics you'd like covered from a beginner perspective 🤙
XSR 700 rider...
The day i had it i adjusted brake & clutch position for just this reason.
Gear lever position, mirrors, handle bar pitch, chain adjusted to correct tollerance etc..
Love the bike, inspected regularly like a what F16 pilots do pre-flight.
Tis a bit overboard...but no one wants bits flyin off on the freeway..!
Great common sense video that nobody thinks of, thanks.
Never considered this, thanks for the information!
I used to do this on cycles when I was a kid, so naturally it transferred to motorcycles when I got older. It’s good to share knowledge 👍
Very good idea to teach our kids this too.... well, when I have kids that is 🤣
Also adjust your rear brake and gear change lever the same way, again we’re not all the same and the points of contact with a bike are critical, and it makes the ride more enjoyable.
While I do agree on adjusting EVERYTHING to fit your body, here's another tip that will save your life even more than that - ride with two fingers on the front brake lever ALL THE TIME. That way it takes 0.000 seconds to get your fingers on the lever. I've ridden this way for literally hundreds of thousands of miles and it's very effective.
I did a whole video on exactly this 💯. That's how I ride 99.99 percent of the time. Instant stopping should I need it. Plus, everything is smoother for me being able to do everything instantly and smoothly without a gap in momentum switching 👌!
Been doing this for decades, learning this on mx and trail bikes in the 70s.
Preferably put the bike on a stand or centre stand. Assume your preferred ride position (seated or standing), put your arms into proper position, extend your brake and clutch finger/s out and that will show you your proper lever positions. Don’t over tighten the lever clamps, and they can move a bit if you have an off (might help save the lever).
I service motorcycles for a living and I see it every day. I test drive after repair, so I always set the levers to what I call a neutral position. I informed the owners that I moved them and then adjust them perfectly for them😊
Doing the world a great service. I'm sure they are all very grateful, and have learnt something new each time?
About to start riding, thanks for the tip my dude! Stay safe out there!
No worries at all. I'll throw way more into future beginner videos as I know some topics would of helped me when I first started. Hopefully I can help 1 or two people out there to make everything easier! Congrats on making to move to 2 wheels 🤘
Good one matey👍
Thank you my friend 🤘
Thanks for the video. It is important for every rider to do it. Trouble on my vstrom650 is there is a dot on the handlebar fixing the clutch. Nevertheless I moved it to my personal preference. And the left mirror moved too, because it is attached to the console. Then I adjusted the mirror as well. As a piece of advice- do not fear to try to adjust levers to your fingers. After all it is important for your life and not the looks of the bike!
Amen my friend! I actually think the default position on most bikes looks a bit dorky. Like reindeer antlers 😉. I love the mine point down ever so slightly. It looks more aggressive and sleek too! The safety factor is a wicked bonus too!!!
I've had to do this on every bike I've had, and ATV's too.
How crazy of a difference does it make in comfort and reaction though! It's night and day isn't it? Tell the people reading 😎😎😎😎😎.
They need to understand how much more comfortable a bike that fits you is!
@@thethrottletube Yes it is!
Very well presented, lifesaving advice!!
Appreciate the effort taken to leave a nice comment. I'm not the best speaker but I'm this come.across well enough for people to follow! Keep safe 👌
Much respect my friend and blessings to you!
Likewise to yourself 🖤
Best way is to have the brake leavers permanently pulled and secured, so you don't even have to press them when something happens on the street in front
Think smarter not harder 😉. I like it...
Good advice. I tried on my Moto Guzzi Griso with no luck. I think they don't want anyone messing with the looks of the bike even at that level. I typically ride with the index and middle fingers on the levers carried over from my mx days. Replaced levers with stubby adjusable aftermarket ones. Much better but would also like to rotate levers on bar to get a better at-rest wrist angle to reduce numbness. Re indexing foot brake lever so you dont need to lift your boot is helpful in shortening braking distance as well.
Ah man that part sucks about the Guzzi. But at least you cover your brake anyway! 100 percent on the foot brake lever, great advice 🤙. I have a friend with a Moto Guzzi, that thing shakes around in all the right ways. Plenty of power too!
@@thethrottletube yep the V-Twin shakes and rattles but somehow the Italians found a way to keep everything together. Keeping 5k+ RPM makes for a fun ride every time
Levver? Every bike ive had has had levers.😂😂
Tomato, tomato 😉. My accent is also a bit skewed after living in NZ for a good amount of years after moving from London 😎
I've been meaning to adjust my levers, but it's only a problem when I'm standing, and the off road thing I may do one day every two weeks. One pair of gloves I have make me want to drop them more (2mm) for on road, but that still wouldn't be enough for offroad while I'm standing
May I suggest you set it up for off-road - you will get used to it really fast and it’s a quicker and more controlled position for all your riding.
Thanks so much, one question , what if the brake lever seems too stiff itself? In other words hard to press almost no travel to the pressing.
Then the first thing I would do myself would be to replace the fluid. It could be old fluid, air bubbles or blocked lines. Depending on how old the bike is and how we'll the maintainance has been kept up with. Crossing all of those off, then it could be as simple as the brake lever needing some grease or to something more sinister in the caliper itself. Definitely get it looked at. Brakes are pretty simple really so it should be an easy fix 🤞
Good job homie
Cheerz
🏍 Stay safe 🏍
Great advice! Thanks a lot!
Thanks for the comment and watching. I'm glad I could help!!!
That’s because most Harley’s don’t have ABS
Very true. But even with ABS you can really load up a front tyre and brake very damn hard. It's the progression on the lever vs snap grab that doesn't help. And from having a Harley Fatboy here in the garage... it's night and day adjusting the levers. Especially with handlebar risers.
But yes, I agree, Harley Davidsons are geometrically at a disadvantage with fast inputs. Which is why I'd argue more accidents happens on them in my eyes as usually the older gentleman with less experience gets one and panic brakes ect when not needed. Good point to make, ABS Wil always help. But ABS should be a second line of defense after competency and optimal ergonomics!
ABS will not save your ass especially if you cannot get to the lever quickly and efficiently.
Sorry for the long reply 😄. Harleys are a love/hate relationship topic with me. I'll get the Harley out and do some videos on these things I think! Ride safe 🖤
Edited for spelling! Replying too fast on my phone 🤷♂️ 😎
@@thethrottletube so I’m commenting on the fact that you said when Harley riders slam the front break that they wash out an adjusting your break lever will save you, but I’m here to say that’s not going to save you, adjusting your levers isn’t gonna save you, what will save you is when applying the front break use 1 or 2 fingers and understand the fact that the front break should only be applied 25% an the rear at 75% of pressure, also down shifting an pumping the clutch when things get real, riding the clutch an locking it up only makes you go ice skating also when you adjust your levers down you make it more possible for your throttle to stay open by your hand, I liked your video tho but I think adjusting your break an clutch lever is really only for comfort, I’m also gonna subscribe to ya just sayin
"......It's easy to pull with ONE HAND...." ( ~ 3:34 ) .... Why - some, actually, use BOTH hands - to pull the clutch lever ? 😆
🤣 hey man, I've seen some stiff clutches out there.... I'm sure most will understand that I meant one finger. If not, then I think they have bigger problems on their hands 😉!!! Ride safe 🤙🤙🤙😎
@@thethrottletube
Just HAD to bug u ☝️🤣
@sandwaves5642 🤣
Dope g
Thank you for the kind words my dude!
New rider, I'm going to make these adjustments. One question, do you need to level the reservoir after the adjustment? Thanks for the video.
No, it'll be fine so long as the angle isn't EXTREME. They are filled high enough to withstand lean angles and more. Tilting it a few degrees is nothing 🤘
You'll probably see a bubble but that's ok.
that easy , good call
It's that easy 😎. Make the bike fit you... not you fit the bike. Or something like that!