Using the gears to help slow to a stop

thank someone, it's about time someone used some common sense. If ya don't want the kid to ride your bike, have your wife create an excuse, sheesh.






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yeouch baby ! ! ! !

 

I'm another rider on the downshifting bandwagon. I've always used engine compression and keep the gearbox engaged until I am coming to that final, full stop. I LOVE the very positive feel of the gearbox on my viffer and downshift on autopilot with a blip. I often can't remember/tell if I used my clutch during the downshift.

One thing I read about (and remember to do religiously) is that if you are waiting at a light by yourself, do not idle in neutral. You gotta be able to get out of the way quick. If I end up with a couple of cars stopped behind me, I might go to neutral.

Jose

 

Wow the consensus seems to be with downshifting and using engine braking. I usually just go from say 6th to 4th without letting out the clutch. Then work through the gears with the clutch still pulled as I start to slow down. More or less coasting while working through the gears without letting the clutch out. I guess I'm the one who has been doing it wrong.

 

Nah, just thinking differently. :biggrin:

 

Not really wrong, just different. From what you said, you are assuring you are in the right gear, not just leaving it in say sixth, so you are able to scoot out of the way if you have to -- although releasing the cluth would ensure you are in gear, not a false nuetral or something. Also using some engine braking keeps you from overheating the pads and fluid -- which isn't really a HUGE problem anymore anyway. As long as you are matching the gear to the current speed, you are not abusing the engine or tranny.

 

The engine is not a brake. You dudes need to read Twist of the Wrist and get some training