Engine Braking, Blip or no Blip
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Wisconsin, USA
Engine Braking, Blip or no Blip
I was reading the rear braking thread and a pissing match over engine braking started.
That reminded me about my recent experiences with engine braking. I used to use it aggressively, to help me slow down. I enjoyed the cool noises and violent jerking. Until I noticed that I needed a new rear tire with only 6200 miles on it.
That mostly happened from practicing panic stops, but a friend of mine said aggressive engine braking wears on tires, too. Also I had read a thread on here that said you should blip a little when downshifting to smooth things out, and save your transmission. I though that sounded stupid, because I want
to slow down.
I tried it on my last trip and it felt very natural and smooth. I just raised the rpms a little while easing out the clutch. Smoother rider and less wear and tear. So now I blip while downshifting, just to stay in power curve, but no blip if engine braking for hard stops.
When do you blip and or engine brake?
That reminded me about my recent experiences with engine braking. I used to use it aggressively, to help me slow down. I enjoyed the cool noises and violent jerking. Until I noticed that I needed a new rear tire with only 6200 miles on it.
That mostly happened from practicing panic stops, but a friend of mine said aggressive engine braking wears on tires, too. Also I had read a thread on here that said you should blip a little when downshifting to smooth things out, and save your transmission. I though that sounded stupid, because I want
to slow down.
I tried it on my last trip and it felt very natural and smooth. I just raised the rpms a little while easing out the clutch. Smoother rider and less wear and tear. So now I blip while downshifting, just to stay in power curve, but no blip if engine braking for hard stops.
When do you blip and or engine brake?
Last edited by Ron750; Oct 22, 2011 at 03:28 AM. Reason: fixed autospell error
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 173
From: Simi Valley, CA
Always and always for me.
Got that from my road racing days.
And I never ease out the clutch when downshifting. That's why you blip - so the engine rpm matches the speed of the bike. The whole downshift thing should only take a fraction of a second and if you're doing it correctly feel very smooth.
Got that from my road racing days.
And I never ease out the clutch when downshifting. That's why you blip - so the engine rpm matches the speed of the bike. The whole downshift thing should only take a fraction of a second and if you're doing it correctly feel very smooth.
Last edited by 2black1s; Oct 18, 2011 at 03:44 PM.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,867
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From: People's Republic of Boulder Colorado
Personally, I always try to match the engine speed with the gear I've just shifted down to.
To me, that's the best way to minimize stress on the drive train and also keep from possibly reducing traction on the rear wheel.
I'm not saying that this is the only way to do it, it's just how I was taught to do it back in the day, and so far it's worked just fine for me.
To me, that's the best way to minimize stress on the drive train and also keep from possibly reducing traction on the rear wheel.
I'm not saying that this is the only way to do it, it's just how I was taught to do it back in the day, and so far it's worked just fine for me.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 545
Likes: 5
From: California
Yep, I try to match the engine speed with what I expect the engine speed to be in the gear I am going to. With some practice shifts can be as smooth, sometimes smoother, as an auto tranny.
And, it's part of the fun of driving a clutch. And, as mentioned, it does sound cool.
And, it's part of the fun of driving a clutch. And, as mentioned, it does sound cool.
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