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down shifting at a red light
- Thread starter Sig_Girl
- Start date
keith code always says, "brakes are cheap, engines are expensive"
i try to use the brakes instead of engine braking. i gear down but maintain clutch so as to not put pressure on the engine and other components instead of brakes.
:lmao:
Yup.
Yup.
Is normal for CBR250?
My 2010 Ninja 250 doesn't have trouble downshifting from 6th to 1st when stopped. I rarely downshift to slow the bike down coming to a stop light, usually I pulled in the clutch and downshift all the way from 6th to 1st, I try to make sure each gear is clicked in before the next but sometimes I need to do it fast, I just keep pressing down the shifter until it hits 1st. But I never have trouble shifting from downshifting while stopped, Honda is crap in this area.
I rode the cbr250 during demo ride, I couldnt get the bike from neutral to 1st, no matter how many times I press down! It was at a stop light, clutch was pulled and kickstand not down(of course). Weird transmission.
My 2010 Ninja 250 doesn't have trouble downshifting from 6th to 1st when stopped. I rarely downshift to slow the bike down coming to a stop light, usually I pulled in the clutch and downshift all the way from 6th to 1st, I try to make sure each gear is clicked in before the next but sometimes I need to do it fast, I just keep pressing down the shifter until it hits 1st. But I never have trouble shifting from downshifting while stopped, Honda is crap in this area.
I rode the cbr250 during demo ride, I couldnt get the bike from neutral to 1st, no matter how many times I press down! It was at a stop light, clutch was pulled and kickstand not down(of course). Weird transmission.
No, not a weird transmission. Move forward or back slightly, or release clutch lever just to the friction point briefly then engage clutch lever again, then first gear. Simple.
How long have you been riding? Are you sure about that S1000R? Might want to brush up on your technique first.
Agree.
Griffin
Well-known member
"I use downshifting to slow down almost every time. I'm usually only tapping the brakes so the vehicle behind me notices I'm slowing. Works for me"
If it's slowly moving traffic I do this. But, I normally try to use my brakes relatively hard. If you aren't hitting the brakes hard often, you may well find yourself underestimating how powerful they are and not stop well when you need to.
A pet peeve of mine is that I find a lot of riders will NOT use their brakes anywhere near capacity and then when bad things happen they lock their rear and fall down (lay'r down in cruiser speak). If all you ever do to slow down is downshift, you will likely fall down or crash when you have to brake hard, IMO.
I try to take every opportunity to brake hard regularly. Mind you, I'm lucky to not have to ride in traffic most of the time.
EDIT for wrong quote.
soto
Well-known member
Excellent advice.
I have the same issue on both my 650R and RS125. More so on the RS. Just rock it a little and it should go in. Not a big problem unless I was sitting in neutral at a light and wasn't paying enough attention when it turned green. Both of which are bad form rider error anyway.
I use engine braking a lot but using up brakes would be better. On the 650R I almost never need to use brakes except for the last bit to stop. Usually I brake too quickly and that's with just engine braking. On the RS engine braking is almost non existent in comparison.
I use engine braking a lot but using up brakes would be better. On the 650R I almost never need to use brakes except for the last bit to stop. Usually I brake too quickly and that's with just engine braking. On the RS engine braking is almost non existent in comparison.
Iceman
Well-known member
Seems to be a lot of really bad advice here from some really inexperienced riders. Despite what Keith Code thinks, downshifting/engine braking is not going to wreck an engine if done properly. Even during a panic stop, I'll drop two gears so the engine speed matches the more dramatic braking, I betcha I stop faster than brakes alone, and I'm never caught "banging her down" through the gears to get going again. Everyone else can practice braking as hard as they can everytime they stop, just don't do it in front of a cage. Lol
Op, part of the reason you have trouble downshifting is because you stop, then downshift. Shifting will be easier/smoother if you are moving, shifting down as your speed decreases.
An mto examiner will consider it improper clutch/tranny use if you don't downshift/engine brake properly. You won't fail, but it will be a mark against you in a roadtest.
Op, part of the reason you have trouble downshifting is because you stop, then downshift. Shifting will be easier/smoother if you are moving, shifting down as your speed decreases.
An mto examiner will consider it improper clutch/tranny use if you don't downshift/engine brake properly. You won't fail, but it will be a mark against you in a roadtest.
wrong. Just whip in the clutch and brake hard for quicker stopping than braking and downshifting at the same time.
No way is it faster to do both. Downshifting To a red light is a complete waste of time.
Engine braking will add stress to the transmission and clutch, not the engine. And, it needlessly burns gas.
You can certainly downshift while the clutch is in and you are rolling to a stop.
The whole engine breaking idea is outdated, it was useful when crap drum brakes got overheated on a track, but with modern brakes, you get much more anti-lock control by using the brakes.
Back to the OP: downshift with clutch in while rolling to a stop.
Nonsense.
Again, nonsense.
This is not down shifting; it's merely switching gears.
I'm no expert, but these down shifting threads drive me nuts! There is so much misinformation.
I think a lot of folks are confusing engine braking with "rev matched" down shifts.
Engine braking occurs when the machine is left in gear, clutch engaged, and the throttle is closed. This should not be confused with coasting, which occurs when the throttle is closed and the clutch is disengaged. I NEVER coast; the rear wheel is always connected (except for the split second during shifting and the final moment when coming to a complete stop).
I use the so called "rev matched" down shifts ALWAYS, not to slow the bike (that's what the brakes are for), but to always be in the correct gear for the given situation, and also for the great pleasure they provide. Performing this essential skill will cause no undue wear and is enormously satisfying when mastered.
The only time I will skip the down shifts is during a panic stop.
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Griffin
Well-known member
This post is hilarious.
You note that you are NO expert. Than contradict some well thought out posts from experienced and informed riders. Than state your own practice, which is, frankly, wrong. Rev matching or merely downshifting with the clutch in still keeps the rider in the correct gear for the speed - the clutch doesn't need to be engaged.
You can call things whatever you want. Rev matching, down shifting, engine braking - what you choose to call it is not relevant. Further, you keep quoting Cafe and saying he/she is wrong, but what you are doing is basically what he/she is advocating. Hilarious.
The discussion is about whether it is worth while to down shift and use engine braking to slow your bike. The answer from any knowledgeable person is - No, it is not worth while.
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