Ductalk

It starts simply enough. When we begin to ride, there are only two basic things we can change: speed and direction. As our skills expand, we quickly escalate to a complex system of those elements: the six controls at our fingers and feet have 37 combinations of on/off, use/rest. The multiples begin to muddy the arithmetic because there are 19 different ways to manipulate those six controls. But even that isn’t all black-and-white, because 17 of them are also variable in their adjustability; only two—gear changes up or down—are hard-edged. In other words, considering the variety of applications available for steering inputs and applying either of the brakes, throttle and clutch, there are literally hundreds of combinations requiring a deft touch to create smooth rider inputs. There’s that word again: smooth.

Read more: http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/features/122_1112_basics_by_the_numbers_code_break/index.html#ixzz1gQTRpbjy