Downshifting to slow down?

[BajaRon]

Good advice all around.

Also a good time to mention... if you are NOT using engine braking when coming to a stop - you should still be downshifting with your clutch pulled in-- stay in the relative gear to your speed until you are back in first gear as you come to your final stop. This is better than waiting until you're at a complete stop and then downshifting all the way.

Hopefully, everyone knows this. But for many the Spyder is their first "Motorcycle" so maybe not.

 

[Jester]

1-Downshift into tight corners to get a better grip on the turn!
2-Downshift from 3rd to 2nd because its smoother when I do.
3.Down shift AND have my foot a half inch over the brake when I,m going through an intersection and theres a least bit of chance someone is going to do the ole"Pull out in front of you :yikes:routine?" nojoke

On the money, Sarge:2thumbs:

 

[sabunim5]

Engine braking is fine. The key to using it is to be smooth. If your RPM is high, backing off the throttle is all that is necessary, then downshifting progressively as the RPM drops. If the rpm is already low enough, go ahead and down shift. Drop to the lower gear too early, and you risk eventual drivetrain damage, and could lock up the rear wheel, as you have already discovered.

:agree: and I always downshift into a gear that is appropriate for my road speed at a sensible engine speed (rpm).

 

[SpyderGirl]

I always downshift... as in the case of your 2 wheeler though, sounds like you weren't very smooth with the clutch and the rear wheel got squirrely on you... it happened to me a few times on my Ninja. Also forgot I didn't have ABS while on the Ninja once and locked up the rear wheel... that's the tricky part about going back and forth between the Spyder and a traditional 2 wheeler.

 

[scudrunner]

I learned at a very early age to use engine-speed matching down shifting on a car (heal & toe method) and have carried that over on a motorcycle. On the sports cars I've owned, I've learned the sounds of the engine/gear and could tell you how fast I was going without the speedo. I'm learning that with the Spyder now too. Fortunately, the SE5 does all the speed matching for you when you downshift. My method is to put my foot on the brake to activate the light and downshift on the high side of the gear range to slow down. And always brake before you get into a turn, engine braking while in the first half of the turn, and accellerate through the last half. Generally speaking. Concept is the same for car or motorcycle, method is different.