Not while I'm braking....not yet. At the moment, I can't do both at the same time.Sev wrote:Just sounds to me like you need a little more practise with the art of downshifting. You should be able to rev match in a downshift pretty easily.
Downshifting while braking for a turn
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Sev
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I'm of the opinion you should be doing one or the other. That was the point I ws trying to make a while back. You downshift prior to the turn to hit the right gear/rev range. Then brake slightly to drop yourself into the bottom of the powerband, then look through the corner and get back on the throttle.
Of course I'm generalizing from a single example here, but everyone does that. At least I do.
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What he said ^^^^Sev wrote:I'm of the opinion you should be doing one or the other. That was the point I ws trying to make a while back. You downshift prior to the turn to hit the right gear/rev range. Then brake slightly to drop yourself into the bottom of the powerband, then look through the corner and get back on the throttle.
For simplicity's sake, you don't need to be doing both. The ONLY time I'm braking and downshifting at the same time is for a quick stop or to clutch my way through a tight spot at real slow speed.
As in MSF, you need to set your entry speed before entry. So, if you're having trouble finding your timing, err on the side of caution and do things early...ie as in downshifting. Don't wait to the last second to do it.
Also, if you need to scrub off a little speed and downshift quickly, an easy way to do that is to lightly use the rear brake instead of the front. Maybe that's all wrong, but I got enough "poo poo" going on in the right hand that flicking the blinker, clutching, throttling, steering and braking has to be broken up somehow.
I guess I will do that on the flats, but I live in a pretty hilly place and so I guess I just am not too comfortable going downhill and having to take a turn. When I pull in the clutch to shift, even for an instant, I accelerate a lot due to gravity, which is why I'd like to learn this with the brakes. I think I might just settle for using the back brake in those situations (hope I don't wear it out!)
At any rate, I'll just practice all the techniques listed here and see which one works out for me.
At any rate, I'll just practice all the techniques listed here and see which one works out for me.
-lunchmeat
In the case of a downhill, set your gear proper so you can use engine braking to cruise into the turn (I ride in hilly areas too). If you are in the proper gear but still have too much speed, before entry, use both brakes to slow and then release them at the proper time to make the turn (you don't want to be on the front brake when turning!). You might can lightly drag the rear brake a hint longer, just until entry of the turn, it'll maker your turn a little tighter (I've done this on downhill, tight, decreasing radius roads) but I wouldn't recommend overdoing it! Better yet to control your speed on descent with the proper gear and good brake usage on the straights before the turns.
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Nalian
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I downshift and brake at the same time all the time - same as in my car. I'm always dropping my my gears relative to my speed. If I'm far enough away from the turn I'll blip the throttle for the revs, if I'm not far enough away I let the clutch out slower. I'd rather not have to shift in a turn and usually don't - but you can never predict traffic/road conditions around here. They like to keep you on your toes.
Sev wrote:The MSF teaches you to use both brakes, pull in the clutch and tap dance on the shifter when you're emergency braking.MAKER wrote:msf teaches you to brake with both brakes and down shift at the same time when you are coming to a stop.
i do the same thing when preparing for a turn, only i judge the angle of the turn (90 degrees or more?) then I down shift into 2nd for normal turns, and if its tighter i slow way the bleep down and maybe even take it in first.
Under normal braking they suggest working your way down through the gears using engine braking to slow yourself. The the actual brakes to complete the stop. If you're not going to stop, and not racing you shouldn't really need to even use the brakes.
the idea of downshifting through 3 gears to slowdown at the same time i have traffic behind me, and somehow also braking with my front brake seems completely mentally challenged to me.
i slow down to take the turn. i brake (and the people behind me can see i am braking that way) and i take most turns in second or so. curves are different, i will downshift to whatever gear i need to be in yes. but turns? slow first, enter the turn, accelerate through the turn.
the thought of downshifting to 4th, blipping it, downshifting to 3rd, blipping it, downshifting to 2nd and then taking my turn seems kinda stupid.
what am i missing?
he thought of downshifting to 4th, blipping it, downshifting to 3rd, blipping it, downshifting to 2nd and then taking my turn seems kinda stupid.
what am i missing?
Skill, guts and your blinker.
But ride how you want, you were given suggestions. If you want to blow them off then blow them off and trudge through your process until you get it right. Hopefully you won't goof up too much along the way that you put the bike down.
