Downshifting questions .... good or bad practices??

[PaladinLV]

Did you install one in your car too?
:roflblack:
AJ

Best reasoning for a hand brake on a Spyder. Much faster & more natural/easier IMO to quickly tap a hand brake. That's what instinctively I kept trying to do the first week or so on a Spyder: "Two finger tap-flash on a brake handle that wasn't there.

 

[ARtraveler]

I am also one of "those" who like to give the drivers behind me a flash from the brake light, to let them know of my intentions to slow down.

Most of the time on the highway--disconnecting the cruise control suffices to send the signal. I usually tap the brake pedal twice--just to hopefully get the message across. In town, I have had several close calls--when cell phone users were not paying attention. It is scary when they run up on your back end.

I do not consider the "missing" handlebar brake lever to be a safety issue on the :f_spider:. You just have to get used to the fact that it operates different from the two wheeler way.

I have one of each--and so far--keep which one I am driving in mind--therefore--have not reached for the "phantom" clutch or brake lever on the Spyder. I do have to think about the kickstand again. So far, so good. :yes::yes:

 

[bushrat]

For those who have been following this "engine braking" thread I started, primarily dealing with mechanical questions, part of my real concern throughout has been the associated risk of not flashing brake lights as a warning to following vehicles while concentrating on down-shifting. That issue got discussed in another thread:
Design help for additional brake warning light...please!!

Both in this thread and the other, there has been information/discussion on the possibility of adding a deceleration-activated brake light system which would flash independently of the regular brake light, or at least not require tapping the brake pedal. Several product options were mentioned. After looking them over (Gear Brake, Vololights, Volomod, Admore Smart Brake Light, Ohmics) and checking with the respective manufacturers with regard to their compatibility with my 2017 F3L, I decided to order myself an Admore. Boy, were they ever quick on delivery! I am going to try installing shortly, and will happily report back with an operational review. I decided, in the interest of additional safety, that anything I could add to the back end that would flash and light up my presence in the face of following drivers would be worth it. I did try looking to see whether any SL sponsor handled something similar, but couldn't find, so went directly to the maker, which has offices both in Canada and the US.

 

[newbert]

For those who have been following this "engine braking" thread I started, primarily dealing with mechanical questions, part of my real concern throughout has been the associated risk of not flashing brake lights as a warning to following vehicles while concentrating on down-shifting. That issue got discussed in another thread:
Design help for additional brake warning light...please!!

Both in this thread and the other, there has been information/discussion on the possibility of adding a deceleration-activated brake light system which would flash independently of the regular brake light, or at least not require tapping the brake pedal. Several product options were mentioned. After looking them over (Gear Brake, Vololights, Volomod, Admore Smart Brake Light) and checking with the respective manufacturers with regard to their compatibility with my 2017 F3L, I decided to order myself an Admore. Boy, were they ever quick on delivery! I am going to try installing shortly, and will happily report back with an operational review. I decided, in the interest of additional safety, that anything I could add to the back end that would flash and light up my presence in the face of following drivers would be worth it. I did try looking to see whether any SL sponsor handled something similar, but couldn't find, so went directly to the maker, which has offices both in Canada and the US.

Yes - Please keep us posted on how your installation went and on how well the Admore system works for you!

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree:
Do you have a link for Admore?

 

[El Dorado]

This discussion led me to also look at installing an accelerometer type braking system. I decided on the Gear Brake for my RT-S. installation was easy peasy since I bought their plug and play harness. I don't think it even took 30 minutes to do. It works as advertised and I feel it certainly adds a bit of safety.
http://www.gearbrake.com

 

[tip]

braking

I am on my second Spyder - both were SE6's. When riding in twisties or whatever I have found that an aggressive tap on the brakes will downshift every time.
That gives the flash and also the downshift - problem solved.
Have a nice day,
Tip

 

[bushrat]

:agree:
Do you have a link for Admore?

Bob:
Here it is: https://www.admorelighting.com/product/admore-light-bar-smart-brake-technology-deceleration-safety/

I believe you can find it on Revzilla and Amazon, probably eBay, but company sells and is extremely fast on shipping.

and here is another link to a similar product: http://www.ohmics.com/projects/

 

[Bob Denman]

:clap:




:2thumbs: