Down shifting to decelerate?

Originally Posted by flymo

Getting rid of the fear to use your front brakes would be a useful thing, when the cr&p really hits the fan and you need to slow down good and proper (not always something that you'll be planning for) then that front brake might well save your bacon. It will perform far better than any other method of slowing the bike down in a hurry.

I don't have a fear of using the front brake, I'll use it if I have to, I just prefer not to. Obviously it would be stupid to attempt an emergency stop with engine braking, if I have to stop I have no problem using it, as you say, that's what it's there for.

As for grabbing a fistful, I've done that once and never again since, smoothness is the name of the game to the point where you can brake gently and comfortably round corners if necessary.

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

Using 9k engine braking all the time would probably see a difference.

No danger of me doing that then, my stupid hands can't cope with the vibrations at those revs so smooth is best for me

[dizzyblonde]

I use the engine rather a lot for slowing down, I use the brakes when necessary.
Last month I rode from Halifax to Kirkby Lonsdale in drastic fog, I thought I'd used the brakes a little more than I usually do, as it was adverse weather etc


I got there and BluePete said..... 'jeez girl, did you actually brake at all coming here?'

My front discs were as rusty as I left them at home. EBCs do that overnight, but the bike hadn't moved for months and it was meant to be a shakedown run!
They've been out since, and they are only just clearing


I don't use my brakes unless I really need them, either that or they are used very lightly

Blipping the throttle makes it so the rear wheel matches the engine speed so the rear doesnt skip (sort of like a slipper clutch), you can also create the desired affect by having your idling speed at about 2000 revs.

These were the tips I got when setting up the SV for track riding by Mike Edwards who helped invent the minitwin series

Originally Posted by missyburd

As for grabbing a fistful, I've done that once and never again since.....

Aw c'mon, practise makes perfect.

Yes, you will wear the rear tyre faster using a lot of engine braking, than you will if slowing with the brakes. Slowing with engine braking is not a constant braking force, it's on/off/on/off as your pistons go through their stroke, transmitted through the crank, gearbox and chain, to provide a braking force at the back wheel. Pads on discs are a constant braking force.

[dizzyblonde]

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

Yes, you will wear the rear tyre faster using a lot of engine braking, than you will if slowing with the brakes. .

Never get to the end of a tyre to find out....always get a bloody nail or screw in it way before the treads run in!

[flymo]

Originally Posted by missyburd

I don't have a fear of using the front brake, I'll use it if I have to, I just prefer not to. Obviously it would be stupid to attempt an emergency stop with engine braking, if I have to stop I have no problem using it, as you say, that's what it's there for.

As for grabbing a fistful, I've done that once and never again since, smoothness is the name of the game to the point where you can brake gently and comfortably round corners if necessary.

It sounds like a fear to me, not preferring to use the bikes most effective braking feature. Either way, I think worth considering that when you do need to react urgently, you'll will not get time to think, it will be instinctive. By avoiding using the front during normal riding, your instinct will likely not be to use the front.

I'm not trying to persuade you one way or another, you can make your own mind up, but the front brake is your most precious friend when riding a bike. You need your brain to apply it in a split second, not slamming on, but forcefully and under control. Its pretty impressive just how hard you are able to brake with the front with a bit of practice.

[Fallout]

Thanks for everyone's thought and advice. I'm kind of the opposite to Missyburd. I have a tiny slight phobia of the back brake from locking it up when I was a novice, and do the majority of my braking on the front only. I use the back brake, but haven't really learnt the point at which it locks, so I find a combination of mostly front braking, a gentle amount of rear braking (hardly any) and engine braking feels right at the moment.

I think I'm going to work on that. I'll try and apply more rear brake and get to know the locking point (before I change this tyre!), then try and learn to use it in a reasonable range after that. I'll also have a go at the old blipping. I do that on occasion more for the noise than anything, but need to practice it a bit to make it smooth.

Also, yes, I did get a sport tyre. I didn't know they'd wear quicker on the middle. I'll get a touring type next I think. I'm not riding with a vengeance everywhere, so the outside doesnt get enough wear to warrant a sport tyre.

[Bibio]

hhmm must just be me that uses both brakes and engine braking but then again i tend to slightly do what people call 'trail braking' when i'm having fun but not to the extreme of keeping them on till the apex. i usually let go just after i tip in. weather it's right or wrong i don't know but heyho. when i'm not having fun and just pootling about i tend to just roll in with a steady throttle.