When you’re sat on the bike you should, ideally, have your arms relaxed with your elbows bent. If you don’t and your elbows are locked, your arms are rigid and you won’t find it easy to steer the bike!
Rest your hands on the bars and straighten your fingers onto the levers. The back of your hand should be in line with your forearms with the fingertips gently resting on levers. If there’s a distinct “angle” between your forearm and the back of the hand, then the levers are angled incorrectly.
Usually, they’ll be too high – because sports bikes are designed for riding in a crouch, not sat up behind the fairing.
It’s all down to ergonomics and how the muscles work. Your fingers operate much better if the fingers are in line with your forearm – the tendons in the wrist then have a straight pull – much more comfortable! And ultimately, I’m told it could just help prevent tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome.
It’s also worth adjusting the reach to the clutch if possible, either by setting the span adjuster or with the cable so the lever is at a sensible reach. It’s awkward and uncomfortable if you have small hands if you are operating the lever at the very furtherst reach of your fingers.
Particularly if you ride in town, the clutch hand gets a serious workout and as you have more strength in your grip when your fist is clenched, it makes sense to set the clutch lever to bite closer to the bar than at the end of its travel.
[...] [...]