Using the gears to help slow to a stop

I am letting my Son borrow my VFR. He likes to down-shift through all the gears when coming to a stop. I couldn't find anything in the owners manual that says to "down-shift" and use engine compression to slow the bike down. I'm talking about daily driving not on a race track. According to Honda you are suppose to shift from 4th to 3rd gear at 16mph, pull in the clutch and roll to a stop. Now that is how I ride all my motorcycles. What's the impression on using "engine" braking? I would think it would be hard on the clutch, motor, sprockets, chain and rear tire. Am I being overly concerned?

 

I've always heard that brake pads are cheaper than engine parts. :smile: Being an old rider I was used to doing it because the old bike brakes were pretty pathetic and you used engine braking in conjunction with wheel brakes so you didn't overheat the old drum brakes.

However, with disc brakes, IMO, engine braking isn't really necessary any more. The main advantage is matching engine speed with tire speed so you don't have that squeal when the tire catches up. If you had a slipper clutch, which more bikes are coming out with, it is even less of an issue.

JMO of course.

 

I always downsift - it's pretty much the way to go. You should always have the bike in gear with the clutch released unless you are at a dead stop. Pulling in the clutch and coasting along like that is not that great for the clutch itself. Plus I've found that the gearbox doesn't downshift as well without releasing the clutch between shifts.

 

Matching engine speed with tire speed---come on NOW, back scratches are cool-only the old guys know what the hell I'm talkin about, mostly with cars

 

+1 to that. In my 45+ years of riding I've only had to 'use' it a few times; but in those cases I was sure glad I was in the right gear.

 

I always downshift as I brake, but don't shift into first until completely stopped. That way, as others have stated I can bolt if needed and be in the right gear to get out of the way rather than bog down.

 

This is if I know I'm coming to a complete stop, not coming up to a stoplight which may change, but I know it's going to be a complete stop.

If I'm coming to a stop from 70 in top gear, I'll drop to 5th, be on the brakes and shift down to 2nd, match engine speed to tire speed, clutch out, then as I approach the stop I'll shift to either 1st or neutral, clutch in, and stop.

If you're in 3rd or 4th then shifting down through the gears is okay and makes sense, or if you may not be sure you're stopping, but IMO not all the way from 6th. Downshifting to each gear is harder on the clutch tangs than going from 6th to 2nd. Shifting to 1st should only be done when the bike is almost stopped IMO.

I can downshift from 6th to second, then to 1st and never, ever chirp a tire, but I've been doing it for 45 years. Just don't see the sense if you know you're going to stop.

Okay, the caveat of course, if this occurs in no traffic, or very little.

 

+1 for for down shifting on decel to stop or slow. IMO bike should always be in the correct gear to accelerate if needed without having to put back into the correct gear. that and i also find bike dose not shift as smoothly if the clutch is not engaged between shifts.

 

Clutchless shifting, especially up shifting, works quite well and becomes very easy with a small amount of practice. I do that very often due to tendonitis. Now down shifting I don't know. I would think that down shifting may be hard on the gears trying to mesh onto a lwer gear without the clutch/ But hell. If someone here was to say it works fine due to their experience, then I am not one to preach to the contrary.

When you meet me and buy me that beer, I will help you with the learning of smotth clutchless shifting CJ. Seems I have some time on my hands so give me a shout.

 

I downshift to slow down, in combination with using the brakes. Im not an expert but i always heard, read, and was under the impression that if you do it right it is useful, and not harmful. Obviously dont redline it while engine braking - I usually let off the throttle so im already slowing down, apply a little brake, and by the time i downshift and release the clutch it matches up so that the revs dont go up so much. If you let the clutch out slow you can totally feel if its going to be to harsh of an engine brake. When im in a higher gear I sometimes even engine brake without even downshifting..Like if im on a 55-60mph road and coming to a turn lane. Like I said im not advanced, but it always made sense to me and have always did it.

 

I downshift, besides using it to brake, I always want to be in the right gear for the speed, you don't want to be in 6th, doing 15 MPH, and find the car behind you isn't stopping

 

I always downshift through the gears, blipping the throttle to match engine speed. Always. Never done it any other way. Using the brakes is for sissies. :wink:

 

Yep, clutchless upshifting is easy. Clutchless downshifting can be done, but I've never been able to do it smoothly consistently.

 

I rape and pillage my trans and engine while down shifting, you can not hurt it.

 

I always use engine braking, we all do it in one form or another, like easing off before going through a corner. Some bikes are better at it than others. Friends Hayabusa has a stonking top end, but bugger all bottom end & the engine braking is almost non existent. While my mates GSX1400 can stand up in a corner if you roll it off in a to lower gear. I was taught to go down through the gear when coming to a stop, several reason, (but main one being you where in the right gear in case you needed to fang it) & I hated having to hunt for bloody neutral after I stopped.

 

This. I'm not sure why I do it, but from day 1, I downshifted with throttle blipping. It just came natural and I barely use the brakes.

The ironic part is I also drive a manual car, and I almost never gear match!!! I do what FJ12ryder does with his bike. I downshift from 5th to 4th, let the clutch out, then downshift from 4th to 2nd and hold the clutch in until I am in the middle of a turn. By then, I am in the speed for 2nd. I don't get it.... :crazy:

 

I have always downshifted to match my engine speed as well as used my brakes. I've been doing it since I was a kid. I remember the MSF course teaching us to do the same and my Honda Owner's Manual states downshifting to matche engine speed as well to save your brake pads and rotors from excessive wear.

 

Well, there must be something wrong with your friend's bike because the Busa I owned for two years prior to getting my VFR had excellent engine braking.

OP: I have always used engine braking; that is how one is meant to ride. I also do the same thing in cars, which is why I can get five years out of a set of brake pads.