Skidding while engine braking?

[Cz93]

Wasn't exactly sure where to post this. I was just wondering if its possible to skid while engine braking WITHOUT downshifting. (Say having it in 6th gear high in the revs around 10-11k and just completely letting off the throttle). Ninja 250r normal tires , good road conditions

[Panda]

Maybe downhill, in first gear at 14k, on gravel, and a stick accidentally gets stuck in your tire right at the moment you let off the throttle.

[maverick31210]

Just by letting off the throttle?

No dude.

[Cz93]

Lmao. So I take that as a no for normal conditions

[maverick31210]

Yeah, you can be as high up in the RPM as you want in any gear on this bike and let off the throttle and you won't skid.

If you downshift aggressively enough, yeah it can fishtail a little bit.

[Cz93]

Originally Posted by maverick31210

Just by letting off the throttle?

No dude.

Didn't think so. Just had to know.

[Cz93]

Originally Posted by maverick31210

Yeah, you can be as high up in the RPM as you want in any gear on this bike and let off the throttle and you won't skid.

If you downshift aggressively enough, yeah it can fishtail a little bit.

Do you think this would even be possible on a bigger bike?

[maverick31210]

Originally Posted by Cz93

Do you think this would even be possible on a bigger bike?

I really don't think so...

Backing off the throttle, things slow down somewhat gradually as RPMs drop. You'd need some more abrupt like a downshift.

Curious but why are you asking this?

[csmith12]

Originally Posted by Cz93

I was just wondering if its possible to skid while engine braking WITHOUT downshifting. (Say having it in 6th gear high in the revs around 10-11k and just completely letting off the throttle). Ninja 250r normal tires , good road conditions

Yes, if you're too tight on the bars. Any imperfections in the road surface may travel up the forks to the bars, if you fight this "by design" part of the suspension's action, it could show up as rear skips and slides.

So... if you are topped out in 6th gear, that means your going around 100mph. Fear and being tight is common at those speeds, especially if your braking later and later.

[Cz93]

I was on the freeway last night going pretty fast around a bend(about 80-85mph the bend wasn't sharp) and I let off the throttle and it just engine brakes harder than I expected. I know that using too much brake in a turn can cause you to slide although the turn wasn't that sharp. It's not that big of a deal I was just wondering if it was possible to skid like that. I'm sure if it was a tight turn with lots of lean angle this would definitely happen, but on a slight bend you're probably okay.

[csmith12]

Yea, that is what Laurence was saying. Under normal conditions with good traction there should be no issue but that doesn't address the rider's input. Even while straight up and down, you may notice the front "hunt" or wobble as it searches for the perfect straight line tracking with the rear wheel. Fight this, by keeping the front from moving, then what do you think will start moving?

Hint: It's under your arse and behind your feet...

Bonus question: If you were to roll off the throttle, where does all the weight go? What does that have to do with the rear wheel and traction?

[maverick31210]

Originally Posted by csmith12

Yea, that is what Laurence was saying. Under normal conditions with good traction there should be no issue but that doesn't address the rider's input. Even while straight up and down, you may notice the front "hunt" or wobble as it searches for the perfect straight line tracking with the rear wheel. Fight this, by keeping the front from moving, then what do you think will start moving?

Hint: It's under your arse and behind your feet...

Bonus question: If you were to roll off the throttle, where does all the weight go? What does that have to do with the rear wheel and traction?

Good stuff here...

When I'm leaned over pulling through a turn at higher speeds, I notice the front "hunting" (I like that word in this case) for the right line through the bend. I keep a firm but soft grip on the bars and don't fight it, just let it finds its way.

When you let off, all the weight shifts to the front and you have less traction on the rear but again, under normal circumstances, this shouldn't be an issue.

[rojoracing53]

Just to clarify, ones does not simply "Engine Brake". Engine braking or dynamic braking is the result of something else, like down shifting. So your original question should have been will my rear tire slide, skid or brake traction in a strait line if a chop the throttle at any RPM. As others have already said the answer is no in normal conditions and no in most other conditions you'd find yourself riding in besides snow and ice.

Now if your at 12,000 rpms in say 5th or 6th gear and you pull the clutch in and coast long enough to let your rpms drop to an idle and then just drop the clutch then yeah the rear will lock up as it tries to catch back up to the needed rpm for your current speed.

[Skippii]

You could probably do it without downshifting while hydroplaning.