Engine breaking on your test

Mattastic · Trackday Trickster Joined: 03 Aug 2003 Karma :

When out and about on my way into work I seem to hardly use my brakes and use the engine to slow me down as I can seem to read the road quite well after three years of driving. Do you know if this will be put down against me if I repeatedly do this instead of using my actual brakes as the person behind will not have any indication that I am slowing down other than his / her judgement.
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Frost · World Chat Champion Joined: 26 May 2004 Karma :

yes you will fail your test if you do that. i can ride anywhere i like without touching the brakes. however doing this does not show a brake light.
it is acceptable to use engine braking aswell as actual brakin as then you are showing a brake light. i normally just feather the back brake and engine brake down to speed.

Mattastic · Trackday Trickster Joined: 03 Aug 2003 Karma :

Thanks for that, it confimed what I thought! Common sense really!
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Frost · World Chat Champion Joined: 26 May 2004 Karma :

engine braking IS allowed, and it is allowed without a brake light showing, but the circumstances are a bit iffy. just treat the bike like it were a car. you can back off the throttle, do a little engine breaking. but slowing for junctions or roundabouts has to be done with a brake light showing.

ProXimaCore · Dougal Joined: 01 May 2003 Karma :

Engine braking is fine for when you're entering a speed limit drop. Infact I'd highly recommend you don't use the brakes for that. Just learn where you need to let off the throttle and change down appropriate gears. Make sure and do your mirror checks before that though. Make it obvious though as to let the driver behind you know you intend to slow down. Big obvious silly nods to each mirror. Stopping at junctions etc I'd use a combination of both.

This is what was taught to me on my DAS.
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McJamweasel · BCF Junkie Joined: 22 Mar 2002 Karma :

If there are other vehicles behind that need to know you are slowing then show your brake light, even if you only use enough presure on the lever to activate the switch.
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BCF: Be yourself, just don't be an arse.

Frost · World Chat Champion Joined: 26 May 2004 Karma :

Mattastic · Trackday Trickster Joined: 03 Aug 2003 Karma :

Thanks for the replies people. It's something I'll get into the habit of doing then! I usually use mainly engnie breaking then actual brakes for the last few yards. I'll mention it to my DAS trainer when I start my course.
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MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

Well, I think that if your engine breaks on your test then it would be an automatic failure.

Wink

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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

mr jamez · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Aug 2003 Karma :

Worst_joke_ever.

Razz