Coasting vs deccelerating
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,112
Likes: 51,396
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Believe the myth if it works for you but please refrain from from spreading the bullshit.
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 11,541
Likes: 8,375
From: Inland NW
Please explain.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 5,915
Likes: 5,929
From: NorCal
I'm glad you said it first Twisted. I just can't respond to this. WTF has happened to having brains.....
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 2,893
Likes: 3,071
From: South of Boston, MA
The minute you take your foot off the gas in any vehicle you are engine braking
With a MC it happens much faster
There are signs all over aimed at 18 wheelers to not use engine braking as it makes noise
You have to down shift as you slow down to be in the proper gear to then keep going at the proper speed in the proper gear
With a MC it happens much faster
There are signs all over aimed at 18 wheelers to not use engine braking as it makes noise
You have to down shift as you slow down to be in the proper gear to then keep going at the proper speed in the proper gear
Last edited by DaveyFB; Sep 11, 2022 at 11:28 AM.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 46
Likes: 51
From: Canada
I always downshift when coming to a stop unless I need to stop very quickly. If I have to stop very quickly, or unexpectedly for any reason, I pull in the clutch, actuate the brakes and, at the same time, gear down into 1st so I am ready to roll again as soon as possible. Same thing as emergency braking I guess.
The only time I bring the clutch in and kind of "coast", or play in the friction zone, is when I'm turning from one street to another at slower speeds (40 to 50 kph), like in the city or suburbs. You have far more control over the bike in slower turns if you are in the friction zone. This is true because in the city, or suburbs, you are usually turning from one street to another in 2nd gear and many motorcycles are super-jumpy in 2nd gear meaning that, if you get on the throttle too aggressively in a turn, you might go right off the road or crash into an oncoming car, especially if you are prone to target fixation. Becoming proficient at slow speed riding skills really helps with your turns, at all speeds, because you master entering and exiting the friction zone.
The only time I bring the clutch in and kind of "coast", or play in the friction zone, is when I'm turning from one street to another at slower speeds (40 to 50 kph), like in the city or suburbs. You have far more control over the bike in slower turns if you are in the friction zone. This is true because in the city, or suburbs, you are usually turning from one street to another in 2nd gear and many motorcycles are super-jumpy in 2nd gear meaning that, if you get on the throttle too aggressively in a turn, you might go right off the road or crash into an oncoming car, especially if you are prone to target fixation. Becoming proficient at slow speed riding skills really helps with your turns, at all speeds, because you master entering and exiting the friction zone.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 5,915
Likes: 5,929
From: NorCal
The minute you take your foot off the gas in any vehicle you are engine braking
With a MC it happens much faster
There are signs all over aimed at 18 wheelers to not use engine braking as it makes noise
You have to down shift as you slow down to be in the proper gear to then keep going at the proper speed in the proper gear
With a MC it happens much faster
There are signs all over aimed at 18 wheelers to not use engine braking as it makes noise
You have to down shift as you slow down to be in the proper gear to then keep going at the proper speed in the proper gear
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,681
Likes: 851
From: Puyallup, wa
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 11,217
Likes: 3,045
From: St.Louis Mo.
Downshifting and using engine braking is an effective way of slowing any vehicle down. People have been doing it since the invention of the wheel.
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 1,157
Likes: 565
From: TX
I always downshift when coming to a stop unless I need to stop very quickly. If I have to stop very quickly, or unexpectedly for any reason, I pull in the clutch, actuate the brakes and, at the same time, gear down into 1st so I am ready to roll again as soon as possible. Same thing as emergency braking I guess.
