Engine Braking
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 11,452
Likes: 0
From: North Yorkshire,England.
RE: Engine Braking
Triumph used to recommend setting your carbs so there wasn't any engine idle to increase engine braking (for racing mostly)......bit of a bugger adjusting your shades at traffic lights tho
Road Captain
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 529
Likes: 0
From: Warren, Ohio
RE: Engine Braking
Most of the time I use the breaks. Sometime I find myself using the engine. Don't know if it's goodor bad to use the engine. I do know it's cheaper to change brake pads then an engine.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
RE: Engine Braking
I use engine braking only in the upper gears, 5th to 4th & 4th to 3rd and only after a blip of the throttle before letting out the clutch to match engine RPM's.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
RE: Engine Braking
ORIGINAL: Tommo
cHarley....admit it...you just like revving your engine at old Grannies!
cHarley....admit it...you just like revving your engine at old Grannies!
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 521
Likes: 1
From: Indianapolis, IN
RE: Engine Braking
I agree that brakes are cheaper to work on as compared to engines.
However, I have always been told it is safe to use the engine back pressure to slow down and is usually advised.
I used to use engine brakingand the brakes while riding sport bikes.
The engine can really help slow you down alot faster. Sometimes at those high speeds, you start to run out of road quickly and need to get it slowed down fast.
It is a very good skill to practice and learn!
However, I have always been told it is safe to use the engine back pressure to slow down and is usually advised.
I used to use engine brakingand the brakes while riding sport bikes.
The engine can really help slow you down alot faster. Sometimes at those high speeds, you start to run out of road quickly and need to get it slowed down fast.
It is a very good skill to practice and learn!
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Advanced
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: Gilbertsville, Pa
RE: Engine Braking
Don't do it!
I say this from a safety standpoint only. If there is a cager behind you, they will not recognize your deceleration. Getting into the habit of clutching and braking will break the habit of engine braking or at the very least you should get into the habit of using the rear brake just enough to light the brake light while engine braking.
This is not to say that you should not engine brake, just that you should know where to use it. Using engine braking in combination with regular braking makes for some serious stopping powerbut possibly too quick for someone with a 5000 lb vehicle who is focused on just you.
troutspinner
I say this from a safety standpoint only. If there is a cager behind you, they will not recognize your deceleration. Getting into the habit of clutching and braking will break the habit of engine braking or at the very least you should get into the habit of using the rear brake just enough to light the brake light while engine braking.
This is not to say that you should not engine brake, just that you should know where to use it. Using engine braking in combination with regular braking makes for some serious stopping powerbut possibly too quick for someone with a 5000 lb vehicle who is focused on just you.
troutspinner