blueline15

So I've spent the last few years, just riding. But now I want to slowly start changing the suspension and controls to fit me better.

When it comes to levers, I've never ridden with anything less then the stock full sized levers. I know many people use aftermarket shortie levers. I'm not confident I'll like the shortie levers; maybe it's something you have to get use to?

How did you decided to go to shortie levers? Was it a great choice or did you regret it?

Any help in helping me decide for myself when that time comes is greatly appreciated.

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LostTheFront

I've heard of people wrapping tape around their stock lever where the shortie lever would end, wrap multiple times to make a "ball end". If they never feel their ring finger touch the ball (using 3 or 4 fingers on the bar), they probably don't need the extra lever length.

I use stock levers, but if I bought aftermarket I'd go shortie on brake, stock length on clutch because I feel myself using my middle and ring finger on the clutch sometimes.

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Armand

A good majority of people use only one to two fingers for breaking. Those are usually the guys that get shorties.

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koorbloh

see if you can borrow a bike with shortie levers maybe?

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C~Style

well after unintentionally modding my stock levers in to shorties....I liked it ....

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D1ssent1ent01

Yes you want shorty levers. Use two fingers. That's what both the bikes and the ladies like. Buy adjustable ones to get the perfect pull for blipping and control. You know you want them!

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Wyckedan

Some of the cheap Chinese levers are adjustable, from short to long. Get some of those to try out until you decide what you like.

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courier11sec

I can't see using adjustable levers.
Short ones work fine for me.
for the Chinese Pazzo knockoffs.
Mine are Pazzos that came with the bike but the knockoffs I've seen are pretty much indistinguishable.

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Gotama

at first I had stock
then I thought it would look cool with the shorty ASV C5 levers
the shorter lever are ok for the street , but......................
then I started doing a lot of track days and felt less confident with the short levers , a couple of times I meant to hook 2 fingers on the brake lever and barely hooked one
so I went with the full size levers once again
so yeah I kinda of regret buying the shorties , but I was able to sell them at a good price

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DullJack

I liked the shorty's aesthetically...but on the track, my FU finger kept missing the sweet spot on the lever, no matter how I adjusted it. Switched back to long levers, and quite happy.

But, it's all personal preference...

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fastfoodfred

I didn't think they made two finger clutch levers? Even the so-called Shorties are longer than what I ould purchase. I was looking for identical length brake and clutch, but have never found them.

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Cyndy

Stock are fine for me. I only use two fingers on the brake, but full hand on the clutch - having stock full length works well for both and they aren't expensive to replace if I wreck.

Yeah, see if you can borrow a bike with shorties to see how they feel.

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scollins

I'm running the stock full length levers on the Duc, and I only use my index finger for braking. But I use all 4 on the clutch due to the pull effort needed. I could go with an asymmetrical setup, with a long clutch and a shorty brake. But the stock levers work just fine, so I'd rather spend that money on gear/tires/track days....

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Gotama

do levers make you faster ?

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Andy Capp

To get the optimum balance between reduced weight/less aero dynamic drag and comfort in using your controls the best thing to do is cut your stock levers down 5mm at a time until you have it just so. It is not unusual to end up with asymmetric results. If you miss the "ball" on the end JB weld can be added. This method also allows for that custom look too.

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Bluuu

Only thing that makes me faster is being hungry.

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cobra525

Short levers tend to be more protected by the bars in a fall.

FYI. If some one shows up at tech with any kind of non stock or "glued" on ball end. The bike may fail. Just sayin'

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Andy Capp

All good points! Don't attempt to modify your levers it is a bad idea. I was just joking

PM sent.

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mfrankpdx

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

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fastfoodfred

The worst thing about stock levers is that you tend to grab them in a different location every time, getting different leverage also each time. The clutch isn't as important, since its mostly used for starting and stopping, not so much for shifting up or down, but the brake is kind of important for consistency.

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