Braking or downshifting?

Question

I'm wondering if it's better to brake when slowing or to downshift and then brake? When I bought my first motorcycle I was told that I should always downshift then start braking as it was better for the bike. I didn't think about it then but these days I have been wondering. I am sure that downshifting saves on brake pads but is it harder on the engine?

Answer 1

To put it simply, downshifting is a good way to slow the bike down.  There are drawbacks, though.  If your RPM is already pretty high, downshifting may cause the engine to rev too fast.  In this case, brake or coast first to get the RPM down a bit.  In turns/curves, downshift prior to entering, not during.  Same thing for braking.  Avoid braking in the turns, except for very light braking.

Good luck.

Answer 2

It depends.  When you're coming to a stop, brakes are better because they're easier to control. But you have to shift down anyway because you're going to want to start out again in first. So if you have room, if you have a ways to go to get to the stop sign, you can let the clutch out in some of the gears as you shift down and that will help slow you down.

On a curvy road you often want to downshift a gear, maybe two, to go around a curve.  If you downshift and then let out the clutch, that helps slow you down, and then you're in the lower gear to accelerate smoothly out of the curve.

If you're going down a long grade, of course you downshift to keep from having to 'drag' your brakes, which heats them up and makes them fade, plus it wears them out.

Its not harder on the engine, though it does cause wear on the clutch, especially if you do it clumsily.

Answer 3

If im coming upto a set of lights/stop sign i start to down shift using the accelerater to rev the motor up on down shifts,then use the brake to stop, on corners it depends somtimes i touch the brakes then down shift for the corner,then somtimes i just down shift for the corner and power through.if your only down shifting normaly it wont hurt the motor as long as you use the clutch and accelerater properly, hope this helps a bit its hard to put it into words

Answer 4

I have to go with braking, more predictable & easier on the bike.

Clutch & tran's made for going.

Brake's made for stopping.

But to each his own.

Answer 5

I Agree with 'Bandett' ---use proper braking. Downshifting IS harder on the engine, and braking is safer.

One thing I would like to add, and it's very important: Using the brakes will trigger your brakelights, alerting other motorists you are slowing/stopping. 'Downshifting' to slow or stop is like having no brakelights- VERY dangerous.

Answer 6

Don't make your decision based on the cost of an inexpensive brake pad. You should decide on safety . The road surface is the most critical component.for instance, if your riding on the oil slick in the middle of the lane(which you are not suppose to do)and you down shift the let out the clutch.You put all the braking force on your one rear wheel with jerking action and it may slip.This applies to all slippery surface conditions,ice, gravel, sand on the road,wet, wet oil slick the worst. Then if you are going around a curve,with the above conditions  and apply this sudden braking action on your rear wheel.Chances of your rear  end sliding out from under you are greatly increased.And we would not want anything to happen to your rear end now would we(its one of my favorite parts of a woman).When using the brake you  have better control of the braking force.now one argument FOR down shifting while stopping is.If you need to suddenly accelerate you will already be in the correct gear and will be able to respond more quickly.This is why some professonal driver trainer may suggest down shifting and he would be correct. But, that does not mean you have to use it for braking. . not because it is better for the bike.Go to a site with slippery conditions and try out diff. braking methods to see what works best .This may be useful someday when you have to jamb on the brakes. Most drivers will spill  in an emergency stop because they dont train or practice emergency stopping used a balance of both brakes. s***w the pads they are cheap and you are not. and take good care of your rear end,Yes.