Do you downshift or use your brakes?
#133
11-05-2006, 02:07 PM
RE: Do you downshift or use your brakes?
I do both, but I always flash my brake light. I've been hit from behind twice,so I like to give lots of warning.
#134
11-05-2006, 06:38 PM
RE: Do you downshift or use your brakes?
So far there are only 2 or 3 guys that don't downshift! Kinda makes you say hmmmmmmm![sm=confused06.gif]
#135
11-05-2006, 06:42 PM
RE: Do you downshift or use your brakes?
Funny, I found 4 guys just on page 8. And of course, "everybody does it" is another solid reason. And we all downshift - it's whether we engine brake...
#137
11-05-2006, 07:10 PM
Extreme HDF Member
RE: Do you downshift or use your brakes?
I cant believe this thread is getting all this attention!!!!!!!
why,,, cause no one knows how to STOP!!!!!
why,,, cause no one knows how to STOP!!!!!
#138
11-05-2006, 08:24 PM
RE: Do you downshift or use your brakes?
Brakes??? ya mean these critters come with brakes???... shazzzaaaaaammm... it's a whole nuther world out there now... 
#139
11-05-2006, 10:43 PM
RE: Do you downshift or use your brakes?
I didn't actually count them and I don't really care if there were 3, 4 or 10. The fact is that there have been almost 140 posts so far, and the VAST majority agree with proper downshifting combined with braking. Also, the "experts" ride that way and most cycle techs do as well. You can ride the wrong way if you wish, I know I will continue riding the way I know is right. [sm=owned.gif][sm=yeahsmile.gif][sm=closed.gif]
ORIGINAL: nine11c2
Funny, I found 4 guys just on page 8. And of course, "everybody does it" is another solid reason. And we all downshift - it's whether we engine brake...
Funny, I found 4 guys just on page 8. And of course, "everybody does it" is another solid reason. And we all downshift - it's whether we engine brake...
#140
11-05-2006, 10:45 PM
RE: Do you downshift or use your brakes?
ORIGINAL: nine11c2
First, when you have to accelerate you let the clutch out and accelerate. We all downshift to the right gear. The question, listen careful, is whether you engine brake. If you don't engine brake, you save yourself thousands of times putting strain on clutch, tranny, gears, belts, etc. I apprieciate that "I'm wrong in so many ways", and "how can you lock the rear wheel" (catch the wrong gear once, and you will). What I'm asking is, if ENGINE BRAKING is the right way to ride, and you can get as much braking as you need from a modern rear brake, tell me concrete "so many" REASONS why ENGINE BRAKING is better (other than on a long downhill)???
I have heard "it's the right way" and I and others have responded "because 40 years ago you had to because of the horrible tranny's and brakes and it's been passed on". I've heard NO CONCRETE REASONS which kinda proves my point - I say you do it because you learned to do it when you learned to ride at an early age and because those who taught you had to do it on their older bikes. It'(Engine Braking) is just not needed with a modern motorcycle. It's completely optional.
ORIGINAL: dynalowride
I'm sorry butt whoever it is thats saying downshifting or engine braking is bad is so wrong in so many ways. Lets say you just clutch in and brake. If you have to accelerate again what do you do? Release the clutch slowly so the gear engages rightt? Is that not the same thing you are doing when downshifting? If tthis technique is indeed bad for the trannyy or whatever, then man maybe I should justt invent an automatic harley davidson, then my worries will be over. And let me add something else. As long as you dont hit the rev limiter after performing a downshift you are fine. For example, you wouldn't want to be in 6th gear going 60 mph tthen downshift tto 2nd. But from 6th tto 5th then 4th tto 3rd is normal driving. Is it not? Sheesh.
I'm sorry butt whoever it is thats saying downshifting or engine braking is bad is so wrong in so many ways. Lets say you just clutch in and brake. If you have to accelerate again what do you do? Release the clutch slowly so the gear engages rightt? Is that not the same thing you are doing when downshifting? If tthis technique is indeed bad for the trannyy or whatever, then man maybe I should justt invent an automatic harley davidson, then my worries will be over. And let me add something else. As long as you dont hit the rev limiter after performing a downshift you are fine. For example, you wouldn't want to be in 6th gear going 60 mph tthen downshift tto 2nd. But from 6th tto 5th then 4th tto 3rd is normal driving. Is it not? Sheesh.
AS LONG AS THE CLUTCH IS RELEASED SLOWLY HOW THE HELL CAN ONE LOCK UP THE REAR WHEEL?? Clutch in, wait for the revs to fall, cluttch out slowly. How the hell can tthis lock up the rear wheel??? Learn tto ride before postting such idiotic commentts.
I have heard "it's the right way" and I and others have responded "because 40 years ago you had to because of the horrible tranny's and brakes and it's been passed on". I've heard NO CONCRETE REASONS which kinda proves my point - I say you do it because you learned to do it when you learned to ride at an early age and because those who taught you had to do it on their older bikes. It'(Engine Braking) is just not needed with a modern motorcycle. It's completely optional.
"There is more to shifting gears than simply getting the motorcycle to pick up speed smoothly. Learning to use the gears when downshifting, turning, or starting on hills is important for safe motorcycle operation.
Shift down through the gears with the clutch as you slow or stop. Remain in firstt gear while you are stopped so that you can move out quickly if you need to. When riding downhill or shifting into first gear(note that they said FIRST gear) you may need to use the brakes to slow enough before downshifting safely. Work towards a smooth, even clutch release, especially when downshifting.
It is best to change gears before entering a turn. However, sometimes shifting while in the turn is neccessary. If so, remember to do so smootly. A sudden change in power to the rear wheel can cause a skid."
The moral of the story is,,,,,,,,if your gonna engine brake which is really the way to ride unless your scared of speed or paranoid of damaging something, you should engine brake(release the clutch SMOOTLY). Except if downshifting to first gear, where you wanna brake first because of tthe first gears ratio of gear teeth compared to other gears. Finally notice, that this whole excerpt if focusing on downshifting, smooth clutch release, and NOT focusing on braking.