Downshifting- release clutch or not?

[arnoldc6]

There's already copious number of other threads out there discussing about this same topic, but i just want some opinion from other ninja riders.
When you are slowing down at a redlight and downshifting, do you release your clutch (and prehaps roll your throttle) everytime you shift to a lower gear?

[xSean13]

I throttle blip down to about 2nd as i'm slowing down, then shift to 1st with the clutch still in while coming to a stop.

[alex.s]

depends on the situation, i do both.

[arnoldc6]

do you guys mean to just use engine braking instead of actual brake?
Isn't that bad for the gear box?
And how high do you pull you engine rev up to before ferther downshifting?

[alex.s]

bad for your piston rings maybe. your gear box isnt going to have any issue with it. you can still use brake while the engine is engaged.

[Zombiphone]

I engine brake the **** out of all my bikes and none have exploded yet. Seems legit

[RyderRider15]

I do all three ways, depends on the situation. I'll generally use both engine breaking and normal breaking, however I also only do normal breaking or only use engine breaking. If I'm only using engine breaking its most likely because I was moving slowly and didn't want to completely stop, and if I'm only using normal breaking its because I want to stop quickly and don't want to waste time.

[RiderOnTheStorm]

I double clutch down - clutch in, blip, clutch out - while I brake unless I need to stop fast at which point my focus is smooth, firm braking.

I would recommend it. Just because you think you will be coming to a stop, doesn't mean you will. Imagine if you're slowing down and someone all of a sudden pulls some bonehead maneuver in front of you, I would want to be in a gear with the ability to roll on the throttle so I could respond and avoid the situation.

And over time, my goal is to develop where I can cover the brake and throttle allowing me to downshift while applying the brake.

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by arnoldc6

When you are slowing down at a redlight and downshifting, do you release your clutch (and prehaps roll your throttle) everytime you shift to a lower gear?

Yes for slow deceleration.
For quicker stop or slow down, I skip the clutch out every second shift and blip.
For emergency braking, I skip all the clutch outs', but still shift and blip.

[offrdjeep87]

My MSF instructor told us to never slow down using engine braking because 1) the brake light won't come on to let the cagers behind you know that you are slowing and 2) if you get into that habit and need to stop quickly all of a sudden, you're first instinct will be to downshift instead of applying the brakes. I'm not sure how true this is, but it's what I was told so i thought I'd add my input.

[tooblekain]

You can blip downshift while still on the brakes. I do this on the street because I do this on the track

[choneofakind]

Originally Posted by RiderOnTheStorm

I double clutch down - clutch in, blip, clutch out - while I brake unless I need to stop fast at which point my focus is smooth, firm braking.

I would recommend it. Just because you think you will be coming to a stop, doesn't mean you will. Imagine if you're slowing down and someone all of a sudden pulls some bonehead maneuver in front of you, I would want to be in a gear with the ability to roll on the throttle so I could respond and avoid the situation.

And over time, my goal is to develop where I can cover the brake and throttle allowing me to downshift while applying the brake.

double clutching is what truckers do. Clutch in, clutch out, shift gears, clutch in, clutch out. Motorcycles and most cars do not require the drivers to double clutch.

Anyhow, you'll get there with braking and blipping to downshift. Just do them separately and then put them together. As for the msf people suggesting not engine braking, pfft. I use the brakes to slow and blip/shift to match gears in case I need to take off again, its not like I rely on my engine to slow down. I'm 110% positive that when people pull out on front of me, I brake, not engine brake.
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[Lychee]

Won't your bike slow down faster if you are downshifting but do not blip the throttle?
Brake on, clutch in, click down, (no blip), clutch out, etc.

Related- will this method damage your bike's internals?

Edit: I suppose this method is what is meant by "engine braking."

[Jiggles]

Originally Posted by Zombiphone

I engine brake the **** out of all my bikes and none have exploded yet. Seems legit

This

I used to take my 650 from 80mph to 5mph without brakes

That bitch engine brakered like a mofo

[choneofakind]

Originally Posted by Lychee

Will your bike slow down faster if you are downshifting but do not blip the throttle?
Brake on, clutch in, click down, (no blip), clutch out, etc.


Related- will this method damage your bike's internals?

maybe, but it won't be smooth and you'll look like an idiot with your head swaying back and forth with the lack of braking followed by the braking.

Also, clutch wear from not blipping at all. Blip and be done its smoother, faster, and once you get that muscle memory, it is automatic and requires no thought at all, which can them be directed at the road in front of you
Posted via Mobile Device

[Lychee]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

maybe, but it won't be smooth and you'll look like an idiot with your head swaying back and forth with the lack of braking followed by the braking.

I meant a combination of brake and downshifting, and in an emergency. Looks don't matter when survival is at stake.

Originally Posted by choneofakind

Also, clutch wear from not blipping at all. Blip and be done its smoother, faster, and once you get that muscle memory, it is automatic and requires no thought at all, which can them be directed at the road in front of you
Posted via Mobile Device

True for a normal stop. In an emergency, I'd sooner replace my clutch than my front end.

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by Lychee

Edit: I suppose this method is what is meant by "engine braking."

Maybe a clarification is pertinent:
Downshifting, blipping, engine-braking and breaking the engine are not the same thing.

[RiderOnTheStorm]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

double clutching is what truckers do. Clutch in, clutch out, shift gears, clutch in, clutch out. Motorcycles and most cars do not require the drivers to double clutch.
Posted via Mobile Device

Double clutching involves the throttle; you're trying to matching RPMs to input shaft speeds for a smooth shift. I suppose on a motorcycle it's technically not "double clutching" because you only use the clutch once.

We can discuss more when we have our NE Ohio ride!

To the OP, as several have highlighted, it makes the downshifting much smoother and I believe would lead to less clutch wear, so it's something to put in your riding toolbox.

[dcx4610]

Stop sign, no. Just hold in the clutch and kick down at a good pace while braking until I'm fully stopped and in first gear. Red light, downshift and blip just in cause you need to accelerate again on a light change.

[seanshawnS]

Originally Posted by xSean13

I throttle blip down to about 2nd as i'm slowing down, then shift to 1st with the clutch still in while coming to a stop.

Same. Initially I just held the clutch in and dropped down, which I guess is ok if you're coming to a complete stop. Anyway working your way down through the gears feels slightly more.. proper?

Either way I brake as I'm slowing down to smooth the shifts out.

[the_saint]

Here is a good video explain downshifting.

Link to original page on YouTube.