Hey guys!

We all know what this is about and the way it works. But how harmful can engine braking be to certain parts if any at all? Clutch, the engine itself, gear box?

How often do you use it as the main "brake"?
What's the most sufficient method? What are the speed\gear # ratios do you usually use?

I'm sure there are some articles and a ton of info on the internet, but I value your opinion much much more. So, what are your thoughts?

 

I use it 90% of the time, but not as a sole braking method, more like in addition to the brakes, specially when approaching a red light.

BTW - I am no expert

 

Use my both brakes simultaneously of course the majority of the time, usually downshift in pairs...6 - 4 - 2 etc when I can see I need to stop far up ahead.

Surprisingly I still have my original brakes, almost 16,000 miles, the front has plenty of wear but the back is getting close to changing.

 

I don't think engine braking is gonna hurt anything unless you do something stupid like click down 3 gears and let out the clutch.

On twisty street rides I generally try to use the brakes as little as possible. Its all rev-matched downshifting, much smoother that way.

 

would u rather change the engine/tranny or brake pads. i guess if u do it "right" the harm is reduced, but depends i guess. it like if'y thing

 

 

It's more a question of technique than wear and tear on the bike.

If you're approaching a corner and you ride like a grandmother, you start braking early and maybe downshift at the same time to use some compression braking.
Nothing wrong with that, but it's low performance riding.

If you're riding at a more sprightly pace, you'll go much deeper into the corner with front braking only--or a combination of front and back if you prefer--and then downshift so as to be in the right gear at the corner exit. But you're not using the engine to brake.

Track bikes and high performance street bikes have slipper clutches so there's no chance of engine braking doing what you don't want it to do, busting the rear wheel loose on a downshift/exit.

If you go to a place where riders are doing edge-of-sanity street riding--like Deals Gap--you'll see they don't shift much, if at all. Some go through the entire circuit in one gear, maybe second or third. That means on a four-cylinder bike, the revs are probably holding in the 10 to 12K range. Noisy as hell, but they're always in the torque sweet spot and can concentrate on deep braking and picking the right line and still have max torque for the exit without a downshift to interrupt the flow. Once you get used it, it's one of the better techniques you can learn.

Obviously, on the street, that's too aggressive. But what I do, traffic permitting, is to ride into the corner as deeply as practical, then moderate front braking for the setup, then lean and turn. In the middle of that or before, I snick down into the gear I want for the exit, and match the engine speed on clutch release.

But I rarely use engine braking. Never use it in the wet, because that's where nasty surprises come from. As for front versus rear brake, biasing toward front-use only will reduce the chance of a surprise high side. If you absent mindedly lock the rear wheel due to bad-habit rear braking, you can be eating pavement before you know what hit you. Some track schools remove the rear brake entirely for this reason.

Consistent riding skill comes from being taught the right basic technique before you ingrain bad habits. Personally, I learned the bad habits many years ago and thus struggle constantly to execute good technique.

--Paul

 

Nicely said Berto. Good point of view.

I can't imagine engine braking being useful on a track. Way too slow.

Looks like I already started picking up those bad habits. Need to get to school...

 

I engine brake only when I'm cruising around town. Just cause I'm not tearing around anywhere and in any need to really stop in a hurry.

 

When im doing 60-65mph and im heading towards a junction/roundabout/stop sign in a straight line, roads dry. I sometimes wind the throttle off and let the engine slow the bike with some rear brake thrown in.

If its a roundabout I usually drop from 6th to 4th, let the clutch out and I can feel the engine slowing the bike. By now im usually on the front brake aswel. Then just before I go onto the roundabout I drop to 3rd and by this point I dont need the brakes at all.

I was told never to shift or use the brakes while leaning. That I should setup for the corner well in advance and only brake If theres potential for a accident.

meh, what Ive been taught.