**engine brake**
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,393
Likes: 38
From: The real N.CA (not S.F. Bay Area)
It's how I was taught to ride over 40 years ago. I'm not sure I could change that now. Well, actually...it I saw definite proof that it was harmful...I might be able to. But, in all that time, I've had no problems. As an earlier poster stated, I'm sure the engine and transmission are built to withstand engine braking.
Club Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,481
Likes: 4
From: Georgia
Wear is wear, it just a matter of perspective of what you want to wear compared to how you want to drive. I'm a big time engine braker and been doing it in all my cars, trucks and motorcycles, many of the cars with over 200,000 miles. I've never had a tranny problem from it.
Beary
Beary
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,208
Likes: 374
From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74
Yep, it causes wear, all riding does. You don't want wear, don't ride it at all.
Truth is it causes little wear on the back side of the gear teeth. Look at how the sprockets wear on a chain drive bike. Even with engine braking the front sides wear more.
Truth is it causes little wear on the back side of the gear teeth. Look at how the sprockets wear on a chain drive bike. Even with engine braking the front sides wear more.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 697
Likes: 1
From: Just west of Tahoe
Sh*t! Half the fun of ridin' is gearin down to set up the downhill corner. These things are only machines! Sumpin's gonna break sooner or later! Never lost a tranny cause of it yet. Makes my engine a little angry sometimes though....
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,140
Likes: 17
From: Wisconsin
You should be engine braking. Of all the right reasons to engine brake the number one reason would be: You should always be in the gear proportional with your speed. If you are slowing down and someone goes to pull out in front of you, you want to be in the right gear so you can power out of the situation if need be.
That said, there is no shortage of dumbasses who pull in their clutch and just pop down 5 gears or so while slowing down and then find they are not in the right gear when they need to pop out the clutch for whatever reason. What usually happens is they about go over the handlebars. Good stuff right there.
That said, there is no shortage of dumbasses who pull in their clutch and just pop down 5 gears or so while slowing down and then find they are not in the right gear when they need to pop out the clutch for whatever reason. What usually happens is they about go over the handlebars. Good stuff right there.
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 101
Likes: 1
From: Birmingham, Alabama
So, every time these guys come to a curve in the road they just pull in the clutch and hit the brake? I suppose they don't let off and drop a gear when they come to a big curve? Anytime you let off the gas and coast, you are essentially engine braking. In the 25 or so years that I have been riding, I have always engine braked. NOT to the extreme of overly reving the engine, but engine braked none the less on all my bikes and any stick shift I drive whether car or big truck. The CDL manual for big trucks tells you to engine brake to keep your brakes from over heating and fading. I know that is a little different kind of vehicle but the same overall mechanics apply. There again as was stated in earlier posts, be in the right gear for the speed you are doing... You never know when you are going to have to nail it to get out of the way of a cager. (have had to do that a couple of times) If the transmission in the bike that we have paid WAY TOO DANG MUCH FOR can't take normal riding, I think we may need to rethink our purchases. If they still harass you, tell them to make the payments and you will ride it like they want you to.
I'm just saying...........
I'm just saying...........