TheDeadRider

Hello all,

A serious question regarding gear braking and engine braking. Is gear braking healthy?

I usually downshift when i need to slow down, assisting the braking with 30% front disc, 70% back brake and slowly letting go of the clutch while trailing it. The lower gear resists the speed greatly and I can drop from 80 to 40 very quickly. I've found that this also helps in getting exceptional control about corners. But from the view of an anxious motorcycle enthusiast, will this practice harm my engine/gearbox over time? If so how much? Is it a decent way to slow down all the time?

I also hear that it's better to slow down using the engine braking (the resistance offered by cylinder vacuum when throttle is cut) than using the clutch repeatedly.

Opinions please!

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Aryan

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jd666

Engine braking is good. Only should not be done during the running in period of the bike.

If your engine braking is gradual, and not sudden downshifting and then releasing the clutch it is absolutely fine and is also recommended by the manufacturer since it gives a control over the wheel to which power is being transferred.

Simple experiment, try taking a bend or a curve with the clutch pressed at a high speed, and then with your foot modulating the accelerator. You will have better control with the engine connected to the drive train.

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aargee

Question to you - What is gear braking? I've heard about engine braking but not gear braking, appreciate if you can help us understand.

Yes it will harm in long run, but I don't know in what measurement to tell you. The wear & tear of piston, piston rings are subject to several things such as engine oil, fuel, riding style, external environment & so on.

Like you said, engine braking gives the fastest slow down causing overhead on the engine & if you can notice the pickup will remain sluggish after engine braking compared to regular slow down (not even using brakes). If you want maximum engine life & less maintenance, use less clutch, less gear shifts, less braking & maintain speed (any speed).

Point - Engine braking is both good & bad. Good being the control & bad being regular practice causes harm to engine in long run.

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riot

Been using Engine braking for 2.5Yrs on my Pulsar 200 and used it for ages in Pulsar 180. Havent faced any problem till date. They still have great acceleration and engine braking helps keep the vehicle in control. During run-in engine braking helps get best piston ring seal too. My bike was run-in Motoman way with Lots of engine braking and she shines .

aargee

Again it depends on how much stress is put on the engine. There's a great difference from downshifting from 80-20 in 3 gears compared to 60-20 in 4 gears along with regular braking. Constant usage on first pattern will prone to more wear & tear for sure.

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Patience pays...The Vulture's virtue is patience and the bird always get it's food - Wise man saying

This is not a bakery. I don't sugar coat anything. If you ask for my opinion...then that's what you'll get. Don't be mad when it's not what you want to hear

Bestofrivals

I have tried to use engine braking many times but i don't know why i feel a bit scared of engine braking as i have the habit of using both front & rear brakes and one thing i have noticed during engine braking is THUD sound ,that scares me more of my bike's performance.Should i stick to what i am using presently or try engine braking but i don't need that thud sound??

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jd666

^^ the thud sound is generally when you shift to a lower gear too soon at too high a speed.

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My offerings to the gods of speed -

- KTM Duke 200
- Yamaha RXZ 5 speed

anuraagshenoy

Engine Braking is one the best ways to keep the bike under control. Here i dont mean that one should totally depend on engine braking. Use engine braking as well as the brakes. dont use engine braking at high RPM's as there will b heavy effect on the engine as well as back-torquing'... Use engine braking very moderately. it helps u get shorter braking distances with confidence.

chicmagnet

If I may ask, what is the most effective way for engine breaking? As in, is there a technical handbook on 'engine breaking for dummies' or does one learn by practice?