engine braking good or bad
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: georgia
Normal down shifting does not hurt and is the proper way to slow along with light brake but if you are going to the point sliding the rear tire or almost sliding it the reverse pressure on the rings can pop them I know this for a fact, brother inlaw like to listen to tire slide and eng. rev. till he popped rings on a cyl. and inbedded them in top of piston.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 331
Likes: 3
From: CA
I can see what he's saying and that's kinda how I started out but, you must be one super jet-eye focused dude cause I could never remember excaty what gear I was in or loose track while down shifting... Then let out the clucth for that "situation" and F*** around and still be in the wrong gear.
Down shifting as I'm slowing down alows me to KNOW I'm in the right gear by the sound and feel of the bike. You don't get that with the clutch pulled in coasting.
Thanks everyone,
Jason
Down shifting as I'm slowing down alows me to KNOW I'm in the right gear by the sound and feel of the bike. You don't get that with the clutch pulled in coasting.
Thanks everyone,
Jason
I have trouble remembering what gear I am flying through when not using the engine. And when I need to let it out to accelrate I am always in the wrong gear. I have always downshifted using the engine but not too high of an RPM. When approaching a light and it turns green I would be lost because I am just not so bright. Just want to think about ridding. I think the Manual states this as well?
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 210
Likes: 0
From: Haymarket, Virginia
I go slowly down gears anyways like towards a red light just in case it turns green so I dont have to quickly shift up to whatever gear I should be in. At stop signs though always used my brakes...i HAVE engine braked before though...
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,597
Likes: 3
From: Inland Empire, So Cal
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 8
From: Dogtown, Oakland, CA
man, here where where we have hills and mountains, if you dont engine brake, you dont ride.
sounds like some of you folks should consider an automatic transmission...
http://thekneeslider.com/archives/20...c-transmission
sounds like some of you folks should consider an automatic transmission...
http://thekneeslider.com/archives/20...c-transmission
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,775
Likes: 6
From: Simpson County Kentucky
+1
Also those that say why down shift and just use the brakes! So basically what you're saying is that when you are going down a street at 45mph and you see a red light up a head you pull your clutch and use your brakes?? Because at some point as you slow down you are going to down shift, whcih uses your engine to slow down no matter how you look at it.
Also those that say why down shift and just use the brakes! So basically what you're saying is that when you are going down a street at 45mph and you see a red light up a head you pull your clutch and use your brakes?? Because at some point as you slow down you are going to down shift, whcih uses your engine to slow down no matter how you look at it.
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 578
Likes: 0
From: Canada
I have had this discussion with two HD master mechanics. Both tell me to downshift only to 3 rd gear and not to cause any high decompression type shifts especially into 2 and primarily 1st gear. They say it's a good way to sissor or possibly shift the flywheels out of balance as well as abnormal wear on rest of the drivetrain. Normal downshifts are fine when riding but not so great when comming to a stop sign. I'll take their recommendation on good faith.