How to tame a hog

[mrsimperless]

I've never been one to downshift. But now I'm getting my first bike and have been learning to ride. From talking to my buddies that have bikes you're "supposed" to downshift when slowing down. I'm pretty sure this is also the preferred technique in a car as well, but I've never done it. I usually just hit the clutch and stick it in neutral when I'm coming to a stop sign/light. I'm sure I can do the same thing with the Rocker, as long as I pay attention to what gear I'm putting it in to.

Does anyone know if this is ok or not? Is it worse on a bike to do this than in a car? What are the reasons for downshifting and are they the same reasons both in a car and on a bike?

Neutral has always worked fine for me.

[Cringer]

I have no idea about a bike, although I hope to find out down the road a bit.

I know in a big truck (as well as a car I guess) they always say do it mainly for safety and control reasons. If something happens in which you need to be in gear, then you are and you aren't dying or killing while trying to get it into gear.

The funny thing is the last company I was with told us not to down shift when coming to a light to save fuel.

[Rich1033]

Yep, its safety. If you are coasting to a stop in neutral and something happens where you need to move, theres not much you can do. Obviously you need to be even more aware of things on a bike as you are in your car.

Just ride the bike how it feels best, dont try to duplicate your car. Most times I will downshift as I slow for a stop while others I will just go to neutral and coast. Bike engines are generally hard to hurt.

[JeeberD]

Damn. I thought this thread was going to be about Thomas Howard neutralizing Darren McFadden in drills...

[stevew]

Posh Beckles has tamed many a hog...

[Sweed]

I was told when learning to drive a stick that besides control down-shifting also saves wear and tear on your brakes. If you just go neutral the brakes have to stop the entire momentum of the vehicle. When you down-shift the engine helps slow the vehicle leading to less work for the brakes to perform giving you longer brake life.

Can't say I've researched it to the point I know it's true but it always made sense to me. Don't know why a bike would be any different.

[Karlifornia]

Originally Posted by Sweed

I was told when learning to drive a stick that besides control down-shifting also saves wear and tear on your brakes. If you just go neutral the brakes have to stop the entire momentum of the vehicle. When you down-shift the engine helps slow the vehicle leading to less work for the brakes to perform giving you longer brake life.

Can't say I've researched it to the point I know it's true but it always made sense to me. Don't know why a bike would be any different.

Interesting. I've always done the "go into neutral and coast" method. You say it wears on the brakes. Would downshifting eventually wear on the clutch, assuming imperfections in shifting?

[Karlifornia]

dola, and if it does wear on the clutch, which is more expensive...clutch or brakes?

[Sweed]

Originally Posted by Karlifornia

Interesting. I've always done the "go into neutral and coast" method. You say it wears on the brakes. Would downshifting eventually wear on the clutch, assuming imperfections in shifting?

Well, I'm certainly no mechanic so am only going with what I was taught a long time ago so take any answer I give with that in mind

My "training", from my Dad, was that you use the clutch to get to the needed gear and then get off it. Riding the clutch is what causes unnecessary wear and tear. So down-shifting when done properly isn't any harder on the clutch than up-shifting, ie down-shift at the proper speed.

FWIW my father in law, was a mechanic and ran a wrecker service, and he also would use down-shifting to let the engine help slow the vehicle while maintaining better control.

Keep in mind also like the others here I believe the most important thing about down-shifting is the control it gives you. Brake wear is a secondary benefit.

Originally Posted by Karlifornia

dola, and if it does wear on the clutch, which is more expensive...clutch or brakes?

I would think a clutch would be quite a bit more expensive to replace in todays cars. Having said that though a clutch should last a lot longer, I think, so your cost per mile driven may be higher with brakes?

FWIW I've only ever replaced one clutch in the cars\trucks I've owned. It was a 1972 Dodge Charger with the big 400 engine that I bought used. And yes, that car had been driven pretty hard by it's first owner along with me, as a high schooler, putting it through some hellish trips

My experience with clutches is that they will last a very long time if used properly.