Coasting vs deccelerating
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 1,176
Likes: 766
From: MS
Would rev-matching not remedy this? Or at least not letting the clutch out too fast.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,027
Likes: 163
From: Grapevine Texas
Another one for using engine braking, while decelerating I downshift to match the speed/rpm and gear appropriate for the current situation. You never want to stop and have to be clicking down 4 or 5 gears. You may need to hammer on the throttle if something goes bad, and if you just coasting in neutral or wrong gear, the hammer down ain't gonna happen quickly. I also practice most every stop trying to slow the bike down with engine/clutch/rear brake til almost a stop before I have to put the foot down. It's good balance practice on these heavy bikes.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 5,915
Likes: 5,929
From: NorCal
What's my name? Yeah I rev match and downshift. You'll be in a lower gear and have more control vs wearing out your brakes and being in a situation where you're dead in the water. Race car drivers will tell you higher rpms in a lower gear will give you more control too. What do you do when you come to a slow corner? Hold your clutch in and brake and then when you're out downshift?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,845
Likes: 16,583
From: Wisconsin, USA
I will sometimes coast with the clutch in, if its an open road with no traffic and Im just coasting up to a light.
Most of the time I downshift, blipping to match the revs. Like others have said you want to be in the correct gear to accelerate if necessary. Here is a good thread about that. https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...r-no-blip.html
Most of the time I downshift, blipping to match the revs. Like others have said you want to be in the correct gear to accelerate if necessary. Here is a good thread about that. https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...r-no-blip.html
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 2,893
Likes: 3,072
From: South of Boston, MA
You have to watch yer 6
In a car I actually had to sit on my horn as the idiots behind me were talking to the people in the car next to them & coming up on me
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,999
Likes: 917
From: Madisonville, La
As a safety factor tap the brakes to illuminate the brake light. When you are coasting down or engine braking there is no visible indication to the inattentive drives behind you that you are slowing. You don't need to actually apply braking force just get the brake light illuminated. I tap mine several times to increase the odds the following drivers will notice me slowing down.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 820
From: Moneta, Virginia
Engine braking = Engine breaking
Its okay to decelerate with the drive gear engaged, but I wouldnt use the engine/transmission to slow down thats what brakes are for!
Its okay to decelerate with the drive gear engaged, but I wouldnt use the engine/transmission to slow down thats what brakes are for!
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Tourer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 469
Likes: 158
From: Alberta
I'm in the downshift crowd using the clutch. Just before you come to a stop, downshift to first. Use both front & rear brakes together, and once you are stopped, keep the rear brake on and your hands on the bars. Doing it this way makes sure you are always in the right gear should you need to accelerate out of a situation. Being an ex motorcycle instructor, this is what we taught new riders. Always remember the hazard coming up from behind you. You need to be able to accelerate or move out of the situation or at worst be ready to jump off the bike.
The above is the procedure for normal riding at traffic lights and for reasonable stop lengths. If it is at a longer stop, due to construction, train crossings etc, where you have a long line of stopped traffic behind you and you are going to be stationary for awhile, then most of us, would likely shut the bike off, and even put the side stand down. Circumstances in these types of situations will determine what you do.
The above is the procedure for normal riding at traffic lights and for reasonable stop lengths. If it is at a longer stop, due to construction, train crossings etc, where you have a long line of stopped traffic behind you and you are going to be stationary for awhile, then most of us, would likely shut the bike off, and even put the side stand down. Circumstances in these types of situations will determine what you do.
