Downshifting or coasting?

[Analog]

Keep in mind, I just started riding....


Ok, I'm sure i'll learn this in the MSF course, but what is better to do in a basic scenario such as: You are going at a good speed and There is a stop light ahead about 300 yards straight away that you know will have to stop at.

Do you guys start light breaking and downshifting through the gears till you get to the light and stop, or do you engage the clutch and ride the breaks as needed?

The reason I ask is because a friend who has riding experience says he usually never downshifts in that situation.. he says its hard on the tranny and breaks are easier to replace than a transmission. -- Now, I've driven a manual transmission car for 5 years now and I usually throw it into nuetral and ride the breaks till the stop light in that scenario, but obviously, a car is different. You have a much better idea of where the gears are since there is a stick, and it's easier to go from nuetral to whichever gear you need to, in case you have to speed up again for some reason. Where, with a bike you have to click down or up through the gears till you have the right one, and you simply can't "throw it in neutral" like with a stick (onviously)

So, maybe I'm looking into this too much, but I feel way more comfortable downshifting on my bike when I know there's a stop way ahead. Is that really that hard on the tranny? I mean, I've got a honda for crying out loud.

[TechTMW]

The simple answer is, do what you are comfortable with.

There are far too many concerns regarding traffic and your own personal safety to worry about whether or not you are doing damage to the transmission. There may be a little more wear on components, but nothing to worry about.

[Analog]

Ok, that makes sense.... I was just wondering if maybe there was a "right" thing to to as a general practice.

I think I prefer going through the gears because since i am new, I am afraid of 'braking too late'... The only thing is, that cars come up on me quickly from behind when I do this.

I'm sure none of this will be a problem once I gain some experience... until then, I'm all ears for the veteran's advice.

[mustangski]

I would agree with doing what you are comfortable with, but you will not mess up the trans by downshifting and letting it slow you down. On a car or a bike, either one will be fine with downshifting. I downshift on my truck and bike and let the gears slow me, it may save you money on brakes in the long run.

[Wizzard]

Downshifting and keeping your scoot in gear gives you far more control than coasting in neutral will ever give you . Trannys are meant to be used both up and down as far as I am concerned . Otherwise we would all be puttin' our scoots with automatic transmissions ...............lol
Regards , Wizzard

[ronboskz650sr]

You have a great deal of engine braking on a bike. I leave it in gear, downshifting sometimes (depends), but I also flash my brake light with my foot. That way I alert the drivers behind me without nosediving and porpoising all the way to the stop. If you don't flash, you may be surprised at how quickly people appear behind you (on the phone, generally) and it can really look scary. I wouldn't coast very far with the clutch in. That's my opinion, but I think the engine braking is a better idea, especially on downhill stops. I brake using front brake mostly right up until about the last ten feet or less. Emergency stopping I just use both brakes, grab the clutch after most of the braking is done, and worry about shifting later, although I seem to end up in the gear I want every time so far. I may be shifting without thinking about it. Evidently...never really thought about it until now. Sorry rough week.

I can tell I'm getting close to town, because I'm hitting more people.

[MarkyPancake]

Surely downshifting is fine as long as your in the rev range for the lower gear?

[Kal]

I agree with Rob, flashing your braking signal at following car drivers is a good idea. Most car drivers have no idea what a bike is capable of. Even taking it easy a bike stops quicker and accelerates quicker than most cars.

Assuming I am cutting along at a reasonable speed I'll signal my intentions and start downshifting at about the 150m mark. I'll pull the clutch in when I am in second and coast up to the line for the last few metres using my brakes there to come to a full stop and <bad habit> dropping her into first for a quick pull away.

Thinking about it I prefer to downshift in most riding situations outside of emergency braking and coming to a dead stop at lights, junctions etc. Couldnt tell you why, I just feel better riding that way.*

From what I've been told I wouldnt worry too much about your clutch, most modern 4 strokes clutches are bomb proof and if you have a good Haynes-style manual most jobs on a bike are possible.

*edit: This could be because the bike feels more stable to me with power still going to the rear wheel, where as a car is inheriantly stable.

[Sev]

I'll downshift and use compression braking until I either realize that I'm not slowing fast enough in which case I'll pulll in the clutch and get up on the front brakes. But regardless of how I'm slowing I always have at least gentle pressure on the rear brake. This'll light up my brake light and let the world behind me know I'm slowing down.

Assuming they're paying attention that is.

[Scott58]

It's good practice to keep your bike in the proper gear for the speed your going. If you suddenly find you need to get "tactical" to avoid someone being stupid it isn't a good idea to be in 5th or 6th gear going 20mph.