Down shift or brake?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,509
Likes: 1
From: Southeast WI
Pastime, I do think that is an interesting post on braking and down shifting. It has really never crossed my mind to multitask like that. Now that is talent. Brake right foot and left hand while clutching and shifting. I would assume you do not match the throttle slightly for that type of downshifting. What gets me is how this can be safe since engine braking is only rear wheel and if you are trying to get stopped in a hurry, ever downshift would require compensation by your right foot.
Ride safe.
Last edited by pastime; Jun 5, 2013 at 08:01 PM.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 124
Likes: 3
From: Minnesota
Hungarian Vizsla - 5 year old male - great on upland birds, good nose, holds a steady point, working on retrieving. Will currently retrieve anything but a dead bird.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 701
Likes: 27
From: Gilbert, AZ
I'm in the brakes are cheaper camp and yes, I took the MSF course. I don't know if this is true or not but it makes sense to me. I believe using the brake, while downshifting (clutch handle pulled in with all gears down shifted to 1st) doesn't cause major wear and tear on the cam chain tensioners. I have an 04 and I hate the tensioner system on the cam chain, but I'm going to open it up this weekend and check out my pinion run-out and hopefully install a gear drive if I'm within limits.
Last edited by JohnSWA; Jun 5, 2013 at 08:36 PM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 6,129
Likes: 143
From: Santa Cruz
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 196
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From: Murfreesboro, TN
Depends on what your pipes sound like! If you have a great sounding bike when accelerating, odds are its gonna sound good when downshifting too! I ride for fun and pleasure, nothing else. It sure is fun to make it sing and very pleasurable to the hear the same. Down shift that bad boy and let it sing! When you get the technique right you will be well rewarded!
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 4,922
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From: Running with the gators
I slide my feet on the ground so I can ware out my boots and have an excuse to buy the latest boots from Harley. Oh, wait! Yes, I down shift and brake at the same time. And sometimes for fun I chew gum at the same time!