engine braking good or bad
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,276
Likes: 8
From: Minneapolis Area, MN
...The rear tire wear is terrible when you downshift too agressively on the baggers. I rode my Ultra like I did my other bikes and got only 4800 miles out of my first rear tire. Now I don't downshift below 4th gear and my tire wear is much better. This was recommended to me by all the wrenches at the dealership...
I've downshifted aggressively on more than one occasion without enough throttle to match RPMs slipping my rear Dunlop E3. I've also smoked the tire a half dozen times. I've got 13K on it so far and will likely get another 3K on it the way it looks. Granted my Wide Glide is a lighter bike, but still.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 5,120
Likes: 17
From: Indiana
FLORIDADRAFTER
So you are saying that you actually remember what gear for every mph gives you the most effective response to dump the clutch and go in an emergency without locking up the rear tire??? What if the screeching behind happens and you bogg the motor and can't get out of the way or lock it up and make the collision happen sooner?? If you are that talented you're a motorcycle Ninja!!
I use the engine sound because I can't count to 6!!! Then counting backwards you don't wanna know!!
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 362
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville, Fl
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 786
Likes: 1
From: Sheridan, AR
Well, it doesn't take a rocket surgeon to keep up with where you are so please do not assume that it isn't possible to keep up with shifting. You should know where you are, gear wise, when you start to brake. My procedure is 3 quick clicks, then 2nd and 1st as I'm coasting to a quick stop, provided I'm in 5th. That's just the way I do it. As for speed, I could care less about looking at the speedo as it does not play into where I shift gears anyway. I know what gear I'm in and I know how much to twist the throttle, if I have to. My eyes are straight ahead, I keep my periferal open, I keep attention on the mirrors and I use my ears.
As for your last statement. I do not understand how, by not engine braking when coming to a stop, is going to endanger my life. That's a pretty amazing conclusion.
As for your last statement. I do not understand how, by not engine braking when coming to a stop, is going to endanger my life. That's a pretty amazing conclusion.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 362
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville, Fl
FloridaDrafter, I dont know how to explain this in any simpler words so for that I'm sorry. I've done everything I can to educate you, so if you kill yourself due to these unsafe riding practices, at least I know I tried. The way I see it is you have a choice, you can learn from my mistakes (and I've made plenty) or you can learn from your own (If you live through them). It's your life, your bike and your choice; I've only been riding for 30 years..... so what do I know???? I dont profess to know everything about riding, in fact I'm still learning every day, but most of what I do know I've learned the hard way, and honestly looking back I wish I had been smart enough to listen to experienced riders way back then. I'm lucky I lived through my younger riding years. Sometimes I guess its better to be lucky than smart. I wish you luck in your future riding endeavors....... your gonna need it.
Once again, I do appreciate your concern and I hope that you can keep from grabbing gears when you need to stop in a hurry. It will absolutely add to your stopping distance, no doubt in my mind.
Good luck and ride safe
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 786
Likes: 1
From: Sheridan, AR
I appreciate your concern, and I'm sure your heart is in the right place. But like you, I've been riding since 1969 (I did take 2.5 years off) and there is no luck involved in my riding ability and habits. In 2004 my wife and I were in a pretty bad accident that left us laid up for several weeks. Had I used proper braking at that time, I would have excaped the situation as it was a straight on stop with no need to swerve, in fact, all excape routes were blocked so all I could do was brake and hope for the best. I used engine breaking along with rear and front breaks just like I had been doing for years at lights and stop signs. I will never do that again and I make it a habit of laying off the engine so I will never ever do that again out of habbit. In my research and many hours of testing in parking lots, I shaved 10 feet off of my stop times by simple laying off the engine. I've tested the last 3 bikes I've owned with the same results.
Once again, I do appreciate your concern and I hope that you can keep from grabbing gears when you need to stop in a hurry. It will absolutely add to your stopping distance, no doubt in my mind.
Good luck and ride safe
Once again, I do appreciate your concern and I hope that you can keep from grabbing gears when you need to stop in a hurry. It will absolutely add to your stopping distance, no doubt in my mind.
Good luck and ride safe
Engine braking during routine stopping, we'll just have to agree to disagree on that topic, and thats ok. Ride safe
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 362
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville, Fl