Do you downshift or use your brakes?
#81
10-25-2006, 02:17 PM
RE: Do you downshift or use your brakes?
ORIGINAL: Fmshiner
Once again...Who says? Every Harley mechanic I spoke to disagrees with you. If you downshift properly, there is no more strain than there is on accelleration.
Once again...Who says? Every Harley mechanic I spoke to disagrees with you. If you downshift properly, there is no more strain than there is on accelleration.
ORIGINAL: QT Hush
This is a reply I posted yesterday that you obviously missed:" There is much greater force exerted on your drivetrain when downshifting in order to effectively slow your motorcycle than there is when accelerating in a normal manner. The force of the initial "pull" on the drivetrain when engaging the clutch in a lower gear is powerful and is detrimental to the longevity of the drivetrain components. There is no undue stress put on the motor when operated in a normal manner."
ORIGINAL: Fmshiner
Who says it stretches chains belts etc? If downshifting stretches them, then so does acceleration. So why don't you just push the bike to save your belt?
Who says it stretches chains belts etc? If downshifting stretches them, then so does acceleration. So why don't you just push the bike to save your belt?
ORIGINAL: QT Hush
It is not what you are supposed to do. That's saying that it's being done wrong if a person chooses not to downshift, when actually it's a matter of choice. Regardless, downshifting stretches chains, and belts and is hard on the sprockets.
It appears to me that the majority of the folks here do both, including me. I just don't downshift all the time, only if I feel it's necessary. Like I said, if I want to wear something out prematurely, I choose brake pads. To each his own.
ORIGINAL: Fmshiner
Thats what you are supposed to do. I am shocked how many riders are saying they don't downshift or WONT downshift!
Thats what you are supposed to do. I am shocked how many riders are saying they don't downshift or WONT downshift!
ORIGINAL: DI75
Both!!
Both!!
It appears to me that the majority of the folks here do both, including me. I just don't downshift all the time, only if I feel it's necessary. Like I said, if I want to wear something out prematurely, I choose brake pads. To each his own.
#83
10-25-2006, 05:15 PM
Outstanding HDF Member
RE: Do you downshift or use your brakes?
ORIGINAL: whaap
I always downshift (with clutch) as I'm slowing or coming to a stop. I always want to be in the correct powerband in case something unexpected comes up and I have to make a quick, unplanned maneuver.
I always downshift (with clutch) as I'm slowing or coming to a stop. I always want to be in the correct powerband in case something unexpected comes up and I have to make a quick, unplanned maneuver.
brakes, clutch, tranny all can be replaced - we can't!
#85
10-25-2006, 06:18 PM
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RE: Do you downshift or use your brakes?
The guys/girls that are putting the strain on the drive train are the ones who squeeze the clutch, click the tranny down a gear and let the clutch out. As soon as you squeeze the clutch lever the engine RPM's drop off so quickly that by the time you let the clutch out you get that instant drag and sometimes even lock the rear wheel up briefly. Now if you squeeze the clutch, click the tranny down a gear, BLIP THE THROTTLE, then let the clutch out the transition from a higher gear to a lower gear is so smoothe there is absolutely no strain put on the drive train at all. It takes a bit of practice to get it just right but once you do its as smoothe as butter going to a lower gear. Those of you who have mastered this technique know what I'm talking about............BG
#89
10-25-2006, 09:59 PM
RE: Do you downshift or use your brakes?
BigGeorge---Exactly!!
ORIGINAL: BigGeorge
The guys/girls that are putting the strain on the drive train are the ones who squeeze the clutch, click the tranny down a gear and let the clutch out. As soon as you squeeze the clutch lever the engine RPM's drop off so quickly that by the time you let the clutch out you get that instant drag and sometimes even lock the rear wheel up briefly. Now if you squeeze the clutch, click the tranny down a gear, BLIP THE THROTTLE, then let the clutch out the transition from a higher gear to a lower gear is so smoothe there is absolutely no strain put on the drive train at all. It takes a bit of practice to get it just right but once you do its as smoothe as butter going to a lower gear. Those of you who have mastered this technique know what I'm talking about............BG
The guys/girls that are putting the strain on the drive train are the ones who squeeze the clutch, click the tranny down a gear and let the clutch out. As soon as you squeeze the clutch lever the engine RPM's drop off so quickly that by the time you let the clutch out you get that instant drag and sometimes even lock the rear wheel up briefly. Now if you squeeze the clutch, click the tranny down a gear, BLIP THE THROTTLE, then let the clutch out the transition from a higher gear to a lower gear is so smoothe there is absolutely no strain put on the drive train at all. It takes a bit of practice to get it just right but once you do its as smoothe as butter going to a lower gear. Those of you who have mastered this technique know what I'm talking about............BG
