Realising a bad habit and doing something about it

[turningCircle]

I'm a fairly new rider (2-3 years) so I have my fair share of less-than-perfect riding moments. Today, I realized that I am being a d*ck end in the way that I operate the clutch/gears in certain situations.

On the approach to a signposted speed change I noticed I have been doing the following:

- Mirrors
- Front brake to wipe away speed
- Clutch In
- Block changing down
- Freewheeling in towards the speed change sign

(Rather than making sure that I am in the correct gear on approach and having the vehicle reach the appropriate speed under geared power.) I'm now working on this with an aim to increase in-gear time on the road.

What realizations of "oh yeah, i'm probably not meant to do it that way?" have you had?

PS. I'm also addicted to engine braking which is another shit habit but have become somewhat skilled at it so much that the offset between my revs and gear is minimal.

[qarka]

Speed change sign? Please explain
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Previous - Sinnis Apache - Honda Bros 400 - Yamaha SR500 - Honda Transalp - Kawasaki ZX-7R - Honda CB-1 - Honda 929 Fireblade - Honda NTV650 [b]Current[\b] Honda CB500

[turningCircle]

[ThatDippyTwat]

Yes, Found out today. I went to a local advanced instructor, because I knew I was doing something to cock up faster corners where you want/need to get the bike over more. Noticed it on corners I've done hundreds, if not thousands, of times, but couldn't pinpoint what I was doing to upset the bike so much. Turns out it's because the current commuter is a horrible little cruiser, and I'm 6'3", so I'm dropping my elbows slightly, and have to fight them to drop into a corner. This goes away instantly when I get on any other bike with a "normal" riding position.

I need to alter the handlebar position, see if I can get something that leans me a little more forward. Riding it like I'm on a crosser seems to work as well, but that's not really going to work for sustained riding. If not, it's getting changed/swapped for another bike. It's a very minor difference, but it makes a huge difference.
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'98 VFR800 (touring) - '12 VFR800 Crosrunner (Commuting) - '01 KDX220 (Big Green Antisocial Machine)

[Freddyfruitba...]

[qarka]

[turningCircle]

[M.C]

[turningCircle]

[M.C]

https://youtu.be/LrbZJbXwgrY?t=2m25s

I engine brake everywhere

[Islander]

Nothing wrong with engine braking at all.

[secretagentmo...]

V twins were born for engine braking...

[notbike]

my bad habit is riding like a fuckwit everywhere at double and triple the speed limit

still not dead but couldn't give a fuck anyway

if anyone wants to race lets do it on the a10 where i regularly hit 150 in a 40

i wheelied past some nob on a vfr750r with my girl on the back and felt like a boss even though the wheelie scared the piss out of me because I didnt realise it was going to happen

he was being a dick and wanted to race btw and i didnt wanna because i thought i would lose but i had to preserve my man pride and try because he kept pointing at me and goading me

fuck you all i'm off work

alcohol and depression

arrest me

[turningCircle]

[Wheezybiker]

Engine braking
I do it all the time

Is it a bad habit and if so why?

Is it bad for a bike engine?

[doggone]

[M.C]

I'm reliably informed by old men with beards, that engine braking was fairly crucial in ye olden days if you wanted to you know... stop a car or motorbike.

I guess with modern brakes it's less critical, but it still feels weird just using the brakes for some reason, unless it's an emergency situation although sometimes I do frantically downshift if I think I'm going to struggle getting it stopped.

[Enduro Numpty]

Sooner or later you will have to brake heavily. If you don't practice it there's more chance you'll screw it up when you most need it.

[ThatDippyTwat]

[fireyphoenix1...]

Nothing wrong with engine braking, i use engine braking and dont touch my brakes at least half the time im out riding.Its one of the most fun elements about riding a big V twin, it stops as fast as it goes.And sounds bloody awesome popping and banging on the over run.
I use my brakes when riding harder, but for normal riding its fine.
Its important to differentiate between engine braking and over speed tho. One is fine, the other risks damage.
So long as you are blipping to rev match the down shifts in a well maintained engine it should not ever cause an issue.
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2014 Aprillia dorsoduro 750 factory.

[M.C]

[fireyphoenix1...]

[Octapode]

[B5234FT]

[M.C]