Question about down shifting when coming to a stop..

apple tango · Crazy Courier Joined: 03 Apr 2007 Karma :

Hi,

When coming to a stop from say 40mph, is it best to simply pull in the clutch and keep it pulled in while changing down gears and breaking?

or

Use the gears to help slow you down? For example - you're in 4th gear, you begin to break, pull clutch in, downshift to 3rd, release clutch for a bit, break some more, and repeat till you've come to a halt.

ncrn · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 May 2006 Karma :

Erm, kinda depends on how quickly you need to stop.

If its an emergency stop I'm pretty sure you're supposed to stay in the current gear and only put the clutch in as you halt.

If you are trying to come to a fairly sudden stop, don't bother letting the clutch out between gears. Say a traffic light ahead has turned red but you are quite close just use the brakes and shift down to first before you stop.

If you've got a long stopping distance go down a gear, blip the throttle, let out the clutch, and repeat until you hit first gear then just leave the clutch out till you stop then pull it in.

Like I said all depends on the situation you find yourself in.
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Bardeey · Scooby Slapper Joined: 29 May 2007 Karma :

faddius · Traffic Copper Joined: 16 Jun 2007 Karma :

Use the brakes and downshift at the same time so you can take advantage of the engine breaking.

Upside - Brake pads last longer, your in 1st gear when you come to a stop

Downside - takes a fair bit of practice to be able to do it well and quickly.

But situations arent always the same, sometimes you can only use your brakes, other times you can just use the engine braking, and other really fun times you need to slam on the brakes at the same time, downshift 2 gears whilst doing it, drop the clutch and pray you dont skid, fish tail or loose the front end.

iooi · Super Spammer Joined: 14 Jan 2007 Karma :

Clutch in while braking is NOT good practise and you have a far higher chance of the rear locking up.

Your OR is how it should really be done.
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apple tango · Crazy Courier Joined: 03 Apr 2007 Karma :

Thanks for the advice.

Luckily i have gotten into the habit of releasing the clutch when downshifting, but i was worried it may be damaging the gear box or something.

These replies have cleared it up though, thanks.

Steven_85 · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 03 May 2007 Karma :

I used to hold the clutch in and just clip down the gears but after one day coming up to a set of lights (on red) I started to change down 5th to 4th then it decided to get stuck in gear so I cudn't go anywhere. Noway could I pull away in 4th so I had to roll up to the line using the speed I have left, stop, keep the bike from stalling, quite hard when you have clutch pulled in and foot on rear brake and watching the road because of what's happened. then force the gears to change.
Ever since then i normally take it a bit slower( then normal) coming to junctions and blip the throttle aswell.