Motorcycles

Brake.

Also, it's easy: The reason your bike is hard to shift is because you haven't fully pulled in the clutch and the engine is still trying to turn the gearbox while you're shifting. That's because when not using all four fingers on the clutch lever the remaining ones have to go somewhere, and that is inevitably trapped in between the clutch lever and the grip. Which naturally prevents you from pulling the lever all the way.

So don't do that.

You can use fewer fingers on the brake lever if you prefer and I usually do -- this despite what the MSF screeches at everyone. When braking you may need to maintain some throttle control. I rarely use all four fingers on the brake lever.

Full hand. Is there a reason to use only two fingers other than to keep more grip on the bar itself?

I two finger it just like your mom taught me 👉 😎👉

2 fingers on all 3.

Full hand but I've got baby hands.

I use two, simply because I find it more comfortable. I've noticed that I instinctively switch to four finger when braking "automatically" though. Like if I'm emergency braking, I wll use four fingers and not think about it.

I do cover the brake with two fingers when going slow, or if I see something up ahead that I might have to brake for, like a car looking like it wants to pull out, or in town.

That reminds me, need to adjust my front brake lever a tiny bit, it's almost perfect, but not quite:)

Don’t break your fingers when braking.

But seriously two fingers on the brakes is good in many circumstances as it reduces reaction time and depending on your bike, setup and your ability you may be able to maximise braking with just two fingers.

Shorty levers can help.

Two fingers on both, but four fingers on the clutch when I'm stopped at traffic lights.

You mentioned kicking the shifter, it should never be that hard to shift, apply a little presure up on the shift lever, dip the throttle to ease the pressure on the gears while pulling a little harder on the shift lever, it should slip into the next gear like butter.

I think it depends on the bike entirely.

My MT-07 had a stiff clutch (to me) when I got it but eventually I got comfortable using 2 fingers.

Rode my buddies Honda rebel 500 and that thing had a clutch you could pull with a whisper. That bike was the least amount of effort I have ever needed to actually ride anything.

Rode another buddies ninja zx-6r and that clutch required full hand from me the whole time. He uses two but idk how.

Ultimately I think it just comes down to familiarity with the bike and the hand strength you form over time.