[Mike02048]

I've found when riding my Ninja 250, that I don't have to brake much at all. Downshifting as I approach stop signs/lights seems be be all I have to do to slow down enough to roll to a stop, just having to brake at the very end of the roll, at which point I'm sitting in 1st ready to move. In my Camaro with a 6-speed trabnsmission, I use the engine to slow the vehicle all the time. Same approach good for a motorcycle? Or should I be using the brake more?

BTW-Thanks for taking the time to answer all these questions. :cheers

Mike

 

[fire]

Twins seem to brake really well with the engine, at least compared to the I4; this is just what I have noticed when comparing my twin to my I4.

 

[fire]

to answer the last part of your question: Dont rely on the engine alone to bring you down to a safe cornering speed.

 

[08zzr600]

Well the more mechanical experienced here will tell you that using downshifting as a technique to slow down will actually increase engine wear. However, by the sounds of the type of downshifting you are particularly using would be sufficient for slowing down. The rev'match downshifting is what gets the engine during racing type environments in the higher RPM's to wear quicker, not slowing to a stop at traffic speeds IMO.

 

[08zzr600]

to answer the last part of your question: Dont rely on the engine alone to bring you down to a safe cornering speed.

Only do it if you know your engine well enough and your rev'matching a corner...which also requires how well you know your cornering abilities to be able to make the turn but thats off-topic lol

 

[fire]

Only do it if you know your engine well enough and your rev'matching a corner...which also requires how well you know your cornering abilities to be able to make the turn but thats off-topic lol

My answer is based on the assumption that he is a n00b.

 

[08zzr600]

My answer is based on the assumption that he is a n00b.

Completely honest, i didnt realize where i just posted that im sorry lol

 

[stryder]

as you get more proficient in riding you will find you will brake more. Until then dont worry about it. Depending on the pace of a ride I go from braking very hard, to not at all.
You should get some practise emergency breaking though. It sounds like you gauge traffic and road speeds well enough. Now it might be time for some parking lot drills for the unexpected. Braking under all circumstances is a good skill to have. Good job on being alert!

 

[teedubyaw]

PhilB and his 100 something thousand miles may tell you otherwise, but fuck that, engine braking is inevitable and lovely in traffic or town.

 

[Stick N Move]

Engine braking will wear your engine?!?! Isnt an engine made to be rev'ed?

 

[usernamedoug]

Engine braking will wear your engine?!?! Isnt an engine made to be rev'ed?

absolutely, it puts a reverse load on the crank (i think im describing that right) and strains everything more.

Is it bad, eh not necessarily. If youre rev matching its not an issue, but if youre not its a lot more load on everything, and wearing out your clutch more then necessary.

Either learn to rev match (same applies to your 4th gen) or slow down until the engine starts to bog then pull the clutch in and use the brakes the rest of the way. (this only applies for coming to a stop, the real solution is to just learn to rev match)

 

[Mike02048]

I always try to rev match when downshifting. I've only been riding for a few weeks, but I seem to be getting the hang of it. I do have those occasions however when I downshift and REALLY feel the bike strain to slow down quickly. I'll keep practicing. Thanks for the answers.

 

[usernamedoug]

rev matching is a great skill to learn. If you plan on hitting up some track days being able to rev match while full tilt on the brakes is essential otherwise you simply cant go hard from a fast straight into a slower corner.

Sounds like youre on the right track, have fun and stay shiny side up

 

[porky786]

I see alot of new riders get confused about rev matching to where they end up using it as their main source of braking. The real purpose is only to smooth downshift transition where there could be some jolt. Better to learn to be smooth without that first, then add it in later.

Throttle blip downshifting from 6th, in every gear is not the fastest way into a slow corner, its actually very time consuming to do that. Your actually going to start letting off the gas earlier to allow time for all the dancing. Where somebody else , may just leave the gas on past you and the blow down through the gear box in one shot , while hard on the brakes, now your in a transition period, you might want to rev match, what gear are you in?

Just something to consider as you strive to use these techniques

opcorn

 

[binx_19]

engines are for propelling the bike forward, brakes are designed to stop/slow.

 

[skyjumper88]

My ninja 500 slows down very easily if you just let of the throttle. espiccaly if you are doing 70MPH commeing off the highway. I also use some engine compersion to slow the bike down. I think it's oky as long as you doin't over rev the motor.

 

[MINI NSX]

The old saying is "brake pads are cheaper than engine/transmission parts". :eatpop

 

[usernamedoug]

I see alot of new riders get confused about rev matching to where they end up using it as their main source of braking. The real purpose is only to smooth downshift transition where there could be some jolt. Better to learn to be smooth without that first, then add it in later.

Throttle blip downshifting from 6th, in every gear is not the fastest way into a slow corner, its actually very time consuming to do that. Your actually going to start letting off the gas earlier to allow time for all the dancing. Where somebody else , may just leave the gas on past you and the blow down through the gear box in one shot , while hard on the brakes, now your in a transition period, you might want to rev match, what gear are you in?

Just something to consider as you strive to use these techniques

opcorn

as a new rider you've gotta start learning somewhere, but it should quickly be followed by learning to do it while on the brakes.

I'm a first year rider and it took me 2 months of frustration but i'm at the point now where i can come down the 4th gear straight into a second gear corner and do a full brake application hitting both gears on the way down.

for the street i still rev matchf but just for the sake of being smooth, often coming to a stop light ill throw it into neutral and stop with the brakes.

 

[b5a4]

Riding my friends gf's ninja 250, I was very surprised at how much engine braking it had. I've been riding long enough to be comfortable using hard engine braking into turns, and recommend that you do what you're comfortable with. It's not gonna hurt the motor.

 

[Squid Killer]

In "Proficients Motorcycling" by David Hough, he said something about engine braking not hurting the bike but by not using the brakes a rider is missing a chance to improve on a life saving skill by training through repetition.