Downshifting

[Blue R6]

i always downshift when coming to a complete stop engaging the brake and rev matching but is this good for the engine?

We were taught in my MSF riding class never to downshit and use the engine as a tool to brake but i find it easier when i need more speed to rev match or downshift to get more speed in certain situations

Maybe i should just get a liter

[bballman01]

You were taught NOT to
that seems weird to me, im sure every biker uses the engine braking

[bosoxdave]

i almost always use engine braking to slow myself down while breaking.

[fjman]

There's a school of thought that says the motor is there for go, the brakes are there to stop, use them accordingly.

I use compression braking a lot though, easier on rear brake pads...

[Jerzy]

I always always....... down shift to slow down........ sure when im booting around, and I'm flying into a coner, I'll downshift, grab the front brakes with my two fingers, and get my body set up for whatever it is.

In the city.... I almost never use my brakes.....

[jdoggg1]

I always keep the enginge working for me whether i'm braking/accel.

[livin'the6]

^+1 The only reason a school might not want you to use engine braking is they don't want to teach you how to do it right. I've known someone that lost control downshifting wrong, silly I know.

[kaizashozay]

as long as ur matching revs its fine......

[Doug]

I use engine braking all the time also.

[AwwsChwA]

Originally Posted by livin'the6

^+1 The only reason a school might not want you to use engine braking is they don't want to teach you how to do it right. I've known someone that lost control downshifting wrong, silly I know.

This is my opinion as well. Engine braking is great if you can do it properly, but doing it improperly can result in some scary rear wheel hop that can put an inexperienced rider in some real trouble.

Mechanically, there is nothing harmful about engine braking as long as the redline is not surpassed. It's one more force that can help slow a bike down, I say use it all you can.