Down shift or brake?
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 124
Likes: 3
From: Minnesota
Down shift or brake?
At first when I was riding I would down shift to help slow to a stop. Lately I have been using the front and rear brake to slow down and then down shift all the way just before I stop. What do others do? Is it better on the bike one way or the other? Is down shifting for slowing down hard on the clutch or engine?
Like you, I use both brakes but usually start with the fronts. I downshift as I'm braking when my RPM's get low and are a good match for the next gear instead of downshifting all the gears at once.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,509
Likes: 1
From: Southeast WI
Went to Riders Edge class to unlearn all the crap I learned over the years so I could ride as safely as possible. They taught us to downshift and brake, letting both slow the bike and assure you're in the proper gear to throttle up if you need to. As you get close to stopping come off the rear brake and use the front brake alone to stop fully.....more control and finesse with your hand than with your foot I guess. For whatever its worth it is working just great for me.
You're going to get opinions all over the map though. Get ready for that.....then decide what/who you believe is on target, and try it yourself.
You're going to get opinions all over the map though. Get ready for that.....then decide what/who you believe is on target, and try it yourself.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 507
Likes: 5
From: Florida
Downshift matching RPMs and simultaneously applying both front and rear; then front brakes to a complete stop. This allows for both feet on the ground and to balance the bike when it has completely stopped.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,015
Likes: 3
From: Moline, IL
if i have a long distance to get stopped i usually let the bike slow itssfelf doen and down shift as it does with very little brake. ither wise i use brakes and shift the gears as i slow to be able to take off if needed. i dont think either way is bad for the bike..
JMO
the brakes are made to slow you down- use them
the gears are meant to be shifted- so shift lol
JMO
the brakes are made to slow you down- use them
the gears are meant to be shifted- so shift lol
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 123
Likes: 5
From: Illinois
Another good reason for making sure you're applying brakes when slowing down (even though downshifting alone can slow you down pretty quickly) is to turn your brake lights on to let the guy behind you know you're slowing down or stopping.
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,802
Likes: 2
From: Salt Lake City, UT. Dushore, Pa.
If you apply front brake only at slow speed stop you'll end up off balance sooner or later. Watch Ride Like A Pro, you have control over your bike using the rear brake, stop and put left foot down. Good luck with that one.
