Engine downshift as a brake

[BajaRon]

Overheating brakes?!?
I live in the mountains, and haven't haven't felt a set of brakes heat up since 1972 ! :roflblack:
I'm also existing in a pretty unique place: The traffic density is virtually nil! :thumbup:

Probably isn't going to happen much with a Spyder, I suppose. More likely with a bus or heavy truck. With the Spyder, more likely with organic than sintered pads. But I still think you could probably get the brakes pretty hot under the right circumstances. If you did, then when you really needed them for a panic stop they might not give you what you needed.

Long shot? Maybe. But good gearing/braking habits are a good thing to have. Even if you never need them. I just hate to see someone not use compression braking because they are worried about wearing out their transmission.

 

[GOZFST]

Let me play Devil's Advocate here for a moment...
I would rather put the load on the braking system, than on the drivetrain.
Brake pads are much cheaper to replace than drive-belts or transmission and clutch pieces... nojoke

Plus 1 and if you downshift too early and the rear wheels skids as a result you can make it harder to control. Back when I was roadracing if I dropped down a gear too soon the rear wheel would hop and I'd lose traction.

 

[Chupaca]

Have to agree...

having worked on many a motorcycle transmission in my time I have never seen damage from up or down shifting with loads. I have always used the engine to slow down and being in the proper gear has saved my, and the wife's, butt many times. There will come a time when you will realize that you will not be able to stop in time but if you power through you will make it . You better be in the right gear to do this...don't ask, I have fingernail scars which remind me . The fact I have a manual and was able to slip the clutch made a world of difference. There are courses to help with this kind of driving and well worth it...:thumbup:

 

[asp125]

I use engine braking to slow down for curves where I don't need brakes, and sometimes two up I use both engine braking AND brakes to slow down in a hurry.

 

[Bob Denman]

Isn't this fun??

And the O.P. has asked an excellent question! :clap: :firstplace:

 

[Peter Aawen]

Isn't this fun?? .....

So Bob, we've met the following criteria for 'a fun & interesting discussion':

1). Question;
2). Answer;
3). Disagreement;......

but surely we haven't yet got as far as:

4). Personal Abuse..... have we?? :shocked:

And we we all know it's never really gonna be 'fun' or over until you get to:

5). Physical Violence!! :yikes:

:roflblack: :thumbup:

 

[Bob Denman]

You must never have heard the old saying:
"Never try to start a fight with an old man. He's liable to figure that you're not worth the effort, and just shoot you!" :shocked:

I found myself growing tired of violence at about the same time I realized that I was OLD... :yikes: :roflblack:

 

[Lastchance]

Plus 1 and if you downshift too early and the rear wheels skids as a result you can make it harder to control. Back when I was roadracing if I dropped down a gear too soon the rear wheel would hop and I'd lose traction.

I take it you weren't to successful, had you bliped the throttle a bit to match engine RPMs to the next lower gear you wouldn't have wheel hop. As for people with SE trans does your trans go from 5th or 6th to 1st when coming to a stop or does it auto downshift as you slow ?? Question answered I believe.