Is there a proper way to downshift? I have always downshifted at the proper speed intervals and let out the clutch between each shift and used the engines built in braking to help slow my bikes. But now that I have a new bike I'm wondering if this is bad for the drive belt (stretch) and/or transmission. Any thoughts??

 

It's fine using the motor to downshift and slow down. When I downshift I also bump the throttle to speed up the engine to the tranny to prevent locking up the rear tire and less ware on the clutch.

 

X2 this is how I drive. Don't all the new bikes have slipper clutches?

 

I've always downshifted at around the same speed levels that are recommended for upshifting. It really helps minimize brake usage. However, I'm always aware of what is behind me and may also throw on my brake light to make sure they know I'm slowing down or stopping.

 

I've never understood the concept of downshifting when coming to a stop. I've never done it with any manual tranny cars I've owned and I've never done it on my bikes. It's the least efficient way to slow the bike down, causes unnecessary wear on the clutch and primary chain, and because you can't modulate the stopping force you are applying to the rear wheel, you always risk a lock up--especially on anything other than clean dry pavement.

Slowing and stopping are what the brakes are for, not the clutch and the engine. Just my 2 cents.

 

I almost always downshift to help slow me down. I also blurp the throttle a little to get the engine rpms up there a bit before releasing the clutch, I notice that sometimes the rear tire will cherp.

 

"I've never understood the concept of downshifting when coming to a stop."/ So ya stop it in 6th?

 

I leave it in whatever gear I'm riding in as I'm coming to a stop. When I feel the engine start to "protest" I pull the clutch in and start downshifting without letting the clutch out in between gears, using the brakes to stop. As I come to a stop I'm downshifting into 1st.

 

Don't know about you bud, but i've got 1 down and 5 up and my sixth isn't down.

 

The theory behind downshifting is that if you need to get out of the way quick, and you're in 4th gear but slowing down to 20mph you won't have enough power to accomplish that. Downshifting is a safety issue. Just like not staying in neutral at a stop. If someone is coming up behind you and they're not stopping...you need to be in gear to move QUICK.