Total Motorcycle Community Forums

While were on the topic of slipper clutches, and clutches in general.... how much engine braking is good as opposed to using the brakes.. just curious about folk's riding style.

I use alot of engine braking, but I flash my rear brake in traffic, when I do. When two people ride together, the one in front really "backs into" the following one rapidly if you aren't paying close attention and the front rider doesn't flash a light. If your engine is in good shape, and you're in the right gear, you have alot of engine braking.

As usual, practice what works for you and get really good at it.

It's not so much about engine braking for me as it is staying in the proper gear for the speed i'm going, but i'm also using the brakes as well. They should both compliment each other.

I predominitely use my engine and tranny to brake and use the actual brakes as the final stopping power . That's a life long habit perpetuated from years of choppers with no front brakes .
Regards, Wizzard

Given enough forewarning I'll work my way down through each gear until it gets close to stalling, I'll then keep it in first till it's nearly stalled and either coast or use a small amount of engine + clutch slipping to get to where I want to stop.

If I have less time (car in front slows suddenly) I'll work my way down through the gear faster, and watch the RPMs rise.

Then there's emergency braking, but that doesn't come up very often if you're careful.

I use engine braking and brakes at the same time. I like to let those behind me know that I'm slowing down but at the same time, I keep the proper gear with the speed that I'm going just in case the cage behind doesn't see the brake light and I need to get out of the way in a hurry.

Depends on the bike, on my Guzzi, I would use engine braking all the time, because I could. On the K1200S there is hardly any retardation so you have to use brakes. Good set up though, ABS intregal on the front, foot brake just rear.

I use my engine to brake a lot. If you're downshifting such that your speed is dropping significantly, quickly - be sure you tap your brakes to let others know... you don't want a cage on top of you.

and don't downshift to a gear that's too low for your current speed - real hard on the clutch

Using both would help the health of both...using the brakes or engine exclusively would cause extra wear and tear on the parts...i use both, and if it is a real emegency, i have a lot of shoes with stripped soles

I would say I use my engine braking as much as my brakes - but would at least flash my brake lights to let any following traffic know what i'm doing...