Do you slow down by applying the brakes or downshifting? Is there an advantage to one over the other? Wear on the clutch as opposed to brake pads?

Thanks for any input!

 

brakes are cheaper

 

I use a combination of both. I feel I have a bit more control if I am in the right gear at all times.

 

Both

 

I just drag my feet.

 

Old school has ALWAYS been about downshifting whenever possible. Always my preferred first chioce, BUT....... Today I find myself having to ride MUCH MORE defensively so I do use my brake light as often as possible as a warning to whatever dope is behind me.

I try just tapping the front brake to get the brake light going, do my downshift(s) and then apply both front and rear brakes (70% front, 30% on the rear) as near as I can figure.

I still go through brakes faster than clutches.

I can't stand seeing fellas still on their brakes going around corners, or even pulled-in on their clutches going around corners completly out of gear. That's a very bad habbit they're in.

 

Hi, my advice to you would be to do whatever you are comfortable with, but to just always try and be in the right gear for the right situation. Obviously the brakes are for stopping but you also need to change down so as not to labour the engine, you should certainly never de-clutch whilst braking, except when you come to a standstill. Of course by changing down whilst you slow down you are in the right gear to pull away again. I myself don't even use the clutch for gear changes when I am in a hurry. Look at it as a balancing act if you are coming up to a set of corners that you know, you can drop one gear which will slow you down slightly ride through the corners in that gear, accelerate and change up again. People all ride differently so it is very hard to say what is correct or incorrect, but my advice is stay in each gear for as long as possible, be as smooth as possible, and always look well ahead where you are going, ie if you are coming up to a corner look through that corner not where you are at the time.

Oh and don,t let the cost of a clutch or bake pads detract from your riding pleasure it is a small price to pay. That's why you bought the bike.

 

Thanks for the responses,

I tend to slow by down-shifting as much as possible, using the brakes for any extra decel required. I suppose PoorBoy's comment about applying the brake light for those behind is a good habit to get into as well. I tend to drive my car in the same manner.

 

Both.

 

i do a lil of both. . . . there are times when you just need to stop & fast.