probably a daft Q...

[rpg]

sorry to post this, but i want to turn up to my test lesson at least with some idea of how to do this properly.
Ok set scenario.....i am approaching a red light, need to slow down, do i use brakes and change down gear as i brake........or change down gears and then brake?

Sorry if this seems trivial, i have only ridden a moped.
many thanks!

[Whosthedaddy]

Either

Se the rde light, start to change gently through th gears, so if they turn green you are in the correct gear to pull away

or

As you brake for the red light, quickly downshift through the gears as you are about to stop.

The latter may mean that you are 'coasting' with the clutch pulled in for longer than the first.
____________________
Current : MSX 125 Past : CBR 900RR Monkeybike : c50 LAC : ZXR750 H2 : FZR600 : ZX7R P3 : YW100 : TRX850: Trophy 900 T309 : GSXR 600 L0: Monkeybike : XJ6S Whosthedaddy

[Rob W]

Change down the gears as your braking to match your engine speed, that way if the light goes your in the correct gear to pull away again smoothly. It's also a good idea to blip the throttle slightly as you change down the gears.
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'90 TS50 > '04 Senda 125 > '91 ZXR400 > '90 CB-1 > '04 GSX-R1000 > '96 Bandit 600 > '89 ZXR750 H1 > '96 GSX-R750 SRAD > '98 RR-W Fireblade > '98 T595 Daytona > '03 Hornet 900 > '04 Fireblade > '16 GSX-S1000F (x2) > '23 XSR900

[Groove]

[Villers]

On a safety note, although not sure how this applies to the test, it may be a good idea, when using the gears to slow down to a standstill, that you pull the front brake lever enough to illuminate the rear light. This way the dozy commuter in his mondeo knows you are slowing down and not just getting bigger!
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RS125 > CBR6 > SV650S > ZX636R > GSX1300RZ Hayabusa > 06 RSVR Mille > SV1000S > Street Triple 765 RS

[Whosthedaddy]

The examiner will get pissed off if you keep engine breakng and not using the actual brakes to slow down for junctions or round abouts
____________________
Current : MSX 125 Past : CBR 900RR Monkeybike : c50 LAC : ZXR750 H2 : FZR600 : ZX7R P3 : YW100 : TRX850: Trophy 900 T309 : GSXR 600 L0: Monkeybike : XJ6S Whosthedaddy

[Itchy]

whatever you decide to do on a test pull in the front brake a tiny bit so that the brake light comes on such that even though you might not be using your brake it looks like you are doing it,

good advice anyway I reckon , since with correct freeplay on the brake lever you should be able to pull it in without braking and showing the brake light anyway.

this is HIGHLY useful when being chased by irritate BMW drivers , they think you are slowing so they brake hard thinking if they don;t they'll go through you and kill you , while you continue at the same speed.

[Whosthedaddy]