Downshift versus braking
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,355
Likes: 32
From: Houston, Texas
Downshift versus braking
I ride with a guy who pulls in his clutch and uses only his hand and foot brakes to come to a stop, despite how controlled it is.
I have always thought it better to downshift and let out the clutch, allowing the engine to slow me down (when sufficient time and warning allow), with an occasional tap on the brakes to let the traffic behind me know I'm slowing. He says I'm prematurely wearing the engine. I say he is wasting brakes.
Which one of us is right?
Opinions please...
I have always thought it better to downshift and let out the clutch, allowing the engine to slow me down (when sufficient time and warning allow), with an occasional tap on the brakes to let the traffic behind me know I'm slowing. He says I'm prematurely wearing the engine. I say he is wasting brakes.
Which one of us is right?
Opinions please...
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 610
Likes: 1
From: Northern Maryland
RE: Downshift versus braking
I always down shift and let the engine do some of the braking. I did the same when I drove a tractor trailer. I could slow it down almost to a stop using the gears and the jake brake. That was under ideal conditions and no idiots around. I agree with with you, your buddy is using the brakes a lot.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,823
Likes: 4
From: London, Canada
RE: Downshift versus braking
Wellllll brake pads ARE cheaper than engines. BUT, what happens if midway into a stop, you get the opportunity to go again (the light changes or whatever)? You are in the right gear, he isn't.
I gotta go with you on this one.
I gotta go with you on this one.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,826
Likes: 8
From: MN
RE: Downshift versus braking
Been downshifting for years. Why break when your engine will do the job, and you have to change gears anyway. If your freind ever needs to get out of the way in a hurry he may find that he isn't turning enough R's..........
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 611
Likes: 3
From:
RE: Downshift versus braking
Well from what I learned from MSF course is you should allow to do engine braking instead of only brakes. If you notice when you actually pull the clutch in the bike actually speeds up and if you need to break fast that might not be a good idea. It is more efficient to use the engine braking along with the brakes to get the bike stopped properly.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 693
Likes: 0
From: Boiling Springs, SC
RE: Downshift versus braking
I have been riding for over 30 years, have always down shifted when slowing. My last bike had close to 90,000 miles and no problems. As long as you don't over rev, I don't see where it hurts a thing. Most riding courses teach you to down shift when slowing.
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 892
Likes: 0
From: Central, IN
RE: Downshift versus braking
I gotta go with the downshifters on this. Let the engine do some of the braking.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,513
Likes: 4
From: Midland, TX
RE: Downshift versus braking
With the newer bikes, not downshifting isn't a problem but with older bikes and some new metrics, the transmissions operate better with downshifting at speed rather than all at once. As a result, that's how I learned to ride. I do both, downshift and use the brakes.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,942
Likes: 7
From: guntersville, al
RE: Downshift versus braking
local dealer told me to extend brake and tire life, anticipate your stops especially at highway speed. pull the clutch in and let the bike slow on it's own if practical. use the front brake for most stopping only using the rear brake for extreme stopping. using the front only will extend the life of your rear tire and rear brake. hard habit to break for older riders who rode bikes with drum brakes when we hardly ever used the front brake.