coasting downhill in neutral
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 14,731
Likes: 2,536
From: Mountain Top, Alabama
I like coasting with a extra large long tailed shirt untucked.
Brakes not needed, shirt unfurls into a full sail.
Over 60 mph you will need a toehold, lift get powerful.
May try this with a wind suit and tall apes one day...
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 3,369
Likes: 472
From: CC TX
I find it difficult to find neutral at speed. That and I just don't have any desire to coast with my engine off. Never know when you might need the engine.
All that clanking of gears when you shift down to neutral and again when you start the motor at speed and want to engage the correct gear.
You would think some folks who argue about downshifting and using the engine to brake would have a few comments about this one.
All that clanking of gears when you shift down to neutral and again when you start the motor at speed and want to engage the correct gear.
You would think some folks who argue about downshifting and using the engine to brake would have a few comments about this one.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 586
Likes: 25
From: Ellan Vannin
On a motorcycle you can only control two things:
Speed and direction
Coasting in neutral takes away 50% of one of the two things you can control.
Is it as dangerous as pimp slapping a 1%er and calling him a *****? Probably not. But as stupid as people are these days I never willingly give up an advantage when riding on two wheels.
Speed and direction
Coasting in neutral takes away 50% of one of the two things you can control.
Is it as dangerous as pimp slapping a 1%er and calling him a *****? Probably not. But as stupid as people are these days I never willingly give up an advantage when riding on two wheels.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,264
Likes: 690
From: WESTERN CHICAGO AREA
I swear I read or heard that you would have an oil lubrication problem if you coasted for any length of time. Don't remember if it pertained to jap bikes or Harleys - it was soooo looong ago. Because of that I just won't do it whether it's true or not.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
The motor oil not only lubricates the moving parts ( reducing heat generated by friction) but carries heat away from the hottest parts of the motor to be dispersed to the air.
The primary and transmission each have fluid in them and are "splash oiled"- the moving parts fling oil around.
even with the clutch pulled in, the primary chain is moving in the case and slinging oil around
The tranny in N, the tranny shafts are also moving, the mainshaft driven by the drive belt.
and neither the primary or the tranny are under load at that time
oiling shouldn;t be a concern
mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Aug 24, 2015 at 02:26 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,053
Likes: 39
From: San Diego
Amazing how many things you can hear when coasting down a hill with the motor off. Tire noise off the different road surfaces, your brakes engaging the pucks, the wind in your helmet, the sounds in the bushes around you. Pretty interesting stuff actually.
Can't imagine it hurting anything in the bike or transmission as everything is just free wheeling.
Can't imagine it hurting anything in the bike or transmission as everything is just free wheeling.
Novice
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Near Springfield MO
Illegal?
It's funny, but I was just reading a book titled "The Motorcyclist's Legal Handbook"...2011 by Pat Hahn He wrote that while researching laws in every state, he encountered over 3 dozen times, a law on the books that coasting on a motorcycle was NOT allowed!!!!
Oh thank you government for writing such laws to protect us! I feel so much better now!
Oh thank you government for writing such laws to protect us! I feel so much better now!
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 301
Likes: 2
From: 46835
Also what we taught truck drivers.. (besides being illegal)
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 5,105
Likes: 16
From: Blaine, WA
I remember when I first learned to drive a truck, 1951 M135 with 2spd automatic........heard stories of using mexican overdrive and then trying to go back in gear with the ensuing parts flying.