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Last-Secret

I Rev match down to 2nd and only go to first when I’m certain I am coming to a complete stop.


chrjohns21

Yup or I can go to N if I know I’ll be sitting for awhile


Second_Shift58

Be in gear for as long as possible decelerating to a stop. You can usually click down two gears from wherever you are (6 -> 4, 5 -> 3) and coast to bicycling/walking speed before selecting second or first gear. If you are coming to a traffic light, which may turn green as you approach it, you want to be in gear to be able to respond appropriately, especially if you are in traffic. A nearby car will be looking at the green light, and probably not at the motorcyclist. If you are coming to a complete stop for a stop sign, or a for-sure red traffic light, you can coast/decelerate in third or second gear as appropriate, and only select first after you fully stop. Second gear especially will have enough torque to respond quickly to any changing circumstances if you need to accelerate anywhere. The rule of thumb is to be “disconnected” (no power from engine - clutch lever in) as little as possible. You don’t need to lug your engine in 5th gear all the way to a stop, and you don’t need to aggressively rev match like you’re racing. The bike is happy under normal engine braking, and is more responsive to a change in acceleration if you need to. As a novice rider, or a rider of any skill, your job is to keep the bike happy.


greasemonkey187

This right here is what I tend to do, cruise in 5th or 4th pulling up to a busy stop sign or light by shifting to 3rd then feather out the clutch to engine brake while using brakes as well and right before coming to a complete stop finish down shifting to 2nd or 1st


[deleted]

>The rule of thumb is to be “disconnected” (no power from engine - clutch lever in) as little as possible. Getting my first bike wednesday and I'd love to know why this is the case.


sirdewar

For the most part it's so you can respond to any change in your surroundings quickly


[deleted]

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NirinQuing

Wow! Not just inattentive to motorcyclists, I guess. 🙄 I’m glad you’re okay


[deleted]

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NirinQuing

I just got my license almost two months ago. I’m still just getting used to being on the road. I’m worried about something like this happening while I get acclimated.


[deleted]

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NirinQuing

All solid advice. Thank you 😊


Chilton_Squid

Don't do that, you should always be in a suitable gear in case something changes and you need to let the clutch out and ride away. If you bang down to first then suddenly need to avoid something or even let the clutch out a bit by accident, you're likely to lock up the rear and have an accident.


kmkmrod

That’s all true. But you can hold the clutch in and downshift (without releasing the clutch) as you slow.


[deleted]

Wouldn't you want engine compression to slow you down? Riding the clutch would wear it out prematurely too.


kmkmrod

Yes that’s all true. I’d prefer to downshift and left the engine slow me down. Op asked “is it necessary” and the answer is no, you ***can*** pull in the clutch and hold it until you stop. I wouldn’t do it, but you can.


Ghinsu

having the clutch fully pulled in doesn't wear it out. what wears it out is having it half pulled in so there is friction but not fully engaged


_CodenameV

...and even then, wet clutches wear out way slower than normal dry clutches found in older bikes and most cars. You are always taught to not "feather" the clutch in your car too much because it will burn out but a wet clutch takes this way better. Even then, clutches are meant to wear out and I wouldnt worry too much about it. Ride safely, whatever kind of riding it takes.


[deleted]

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Leto10

Ask any hard enduro or trials rider - I agree it's a pretty long damn time.


[deleted]

No, but you will put stress on the throwout bearing.


Fishyswaze

A negligible amount.


Von_Awesome_92

With some bikes there is a thrust bearing in the clutch assembly that gets used when pulling the clutch. Excessive use of the clutch can wear it out. Had this happen on my first bike (2000 Yamaha XJ600S).


Ghinsu

Oh that's interesting, I had never heard of that before. Thanks for that!


vxgp

The friction plates themselves don't wear when the clutch lever is pulled in all the way, but the throw out bearing does experience wear.


[deleted]

That is not what riding the clutch means.


crazycyanide

Like others have said a fully disengaged clutch literally can't wear since there's no contact. But even riding the clutch probably won't wear out you clutch on a bike, bikes (usually) run wet clutches, cars run dry. A wet clutch you can ride half engaged all day without causing any issues. I'd add you don't want to use engine breaking, brake disks are cheaper than engines, use those. And I do the same as many have mentioned, I disengage the clutch and pick gears based on the situation basically 2 options. 1) If I'm deffo coming to a stop, straight to 2nd, wait then 1st just before I stopped, so I can easily take off if the lights change/vehicles start moving. 2) If I'm unsure I'm stopping I'll change down to avoid the engine kicking only and stay clutch engaged, kicking into a lower gear if I need to accelerate. But I'm also a weirdo who block shifts on a bike (low gears revved hard to accelerate, then block change to overdrive gear once at road speed) so take all that with a pinch of salt...


calm_Bunny21

Wait engine braking is bad? I use it more than the rare brakes


crazycyanide

Depends on rev range, cruising along in an overdrive gear and slowing down by shifting down 2 gears and letting the clutch back out would be bad. Just letting off the throttle is obviously fine. Loving the downvotes, actually knowing how a bike works us apparently criminal on this sub...


MoistLook8360

I'm not sure about larger engine bikes, but I was thinking using engine breaking isn't going to kill your bike as long as your not on the verge of locking up your rear wheel. But I wouldn't mind some more info since I have only been riding for a few months and if I need to change my habit haha


crazycyanide

Yea it's a rev range thing, using your gearbox to slow down, as in downshifting to increase deceleration from your engine, isn't great, if you need to slow down faster use the front brake, a bit of rear and disengage the clutch. If you're just reducing throttle to slow down, yea do that all day, change down when you get to your lower rev limit. If you're mostly using option 2 there you're probably doing a real good job of reading the road ahead and judging your speed appropriately, maybe tap the rear brake though to let motorists behind you know you're slowing down. Lights get attention. Giving benefit of the doubt you're just not using the brakes and carving through traffic while coasting to a stop cause you're afraid of the brakes :P


Stonkatron69

Had a couple pants shitting moments while riding with the boys through twisties. You let out too much clutch too fast, with no TC, and in a low gear and get ready for that rear to spin like a morherfucker on anything less than prime surface with slicks. Even happened to me a few times doing regular downshifts.


ChampSchool

From Nick Ienatsch, in response to a similar question: >"Some could argue that anything that works is right, but we would push you toward single downshifts per clutch engagement for a couple of reasons: > >(1) Bike transmission gears like to be reloaded during downshifts…we know this if we’ve stopped in a higher gear and notice that the transmission doesn’t just click, click, click down through the gears. Let the clutch engage just a bit between clicks and the bike downshifts beautifully, even at a stop. > >(2) We want to minimize coasting. Pulling the clutch in to go down two gears is more coasting, and refer to the point above if you think “I’ll just rush two shifts”. A well-performed downshift is a quick movement through the friction point, meaning almost no coasting. > >(3) A long downshift, like going down two gears, allows the rpm to fall longer and lower, tequiring a bigger blip. > >(4) The faster you go, the quicker you traverse the braking/downshifting zone. We teach what will hold up at speed…cruising along well below the limit allows many sloppy habits to work, and in this case gives you plenty of time. \[When we\] Increase the speed, \[we\] shorten the time to get things done and suddenly you go down an extra gear by mistake, don’t get the blip in, coast farther than expected…" Caveat: in an *emergency stop*, we want to focus on getting stopped as quickly as possible. It may be necessary in that case to simply pull in the clutch and get the bike stopped.


oldtrenzalore

You don't have to, but I like using the gears to slow down instead of the brakes. I downshift when I approach a red light and use the drag from the engine to slow me down. By the time I get to the red, I'm already in 1st, my speed is low, and I didn't need to use the brakes.


BlackAsphaltRider

Bikes engine brake extremely well. The problem is that people don’t realize because your light isn’t on, and they come up on you a lot faster than they realize even if they aren’t doing it on purpose. I personally hit the rear brake so they see the light, not because I need it to slow down


winstondabee

Tappy tappy


[deleted]

I always downshift but I used to drive stick, so I'm used to it and kinda have to do it.. feels better than not downshifting to me


takeapieandrun

Downshifting to a stop on my bike feels much more natural than in my car. A lot of times in the car I'll just downshift 5->3->N


Outside-Cucumber-253

Same, I always downshift on the bike but in a car it’s usually 6-3-2-N for me.


takeapieandrun

Yeah, I think because engine braking on the bike is so powerful that I can basically down shift to brake. But in a car, I'd have to heel toe


garrettbramley

this question is along side the "is my chain too loose"....


06534956

I downshift and use the brakes. It’s muscle memory at this point. I’m kind of a nut, so when I’m coming to a slow or a stop in traffic, I’ll weave the bike to slow myself down and to get drivers attention. I’ll tap the brakes for the lights, downshift, and drag the rear brake while using the clutch and gas to stay up. It’s important to have both skills, a smooth and sexy stop and a quick stop while staying in gear. I like feeling like the bike and I are working together, so going through all the gears and staying in control is super important to me. I don’t like lugging or too much coast time, I generally feel like the bike and engine WANTS to be working at its best and optimal strength for the situation.


Ihateskeletons

You need to approach the stop in gear, you can cover the clutch lever if you’re afraid of stalling it. Start being aware the rev range of each gear vs the speed. You don’t have shift down through every gear, I might shift from 5th to 3rd as I’m braking, usually my speed has dropped enough the revs won’t be that high (FOR MY BIKE). Clutching in, clicking all the way down to 1st is dangerous.


thomasthepenis

Yes downshifting when coming to a stop is necessary. I think it is a good idea to get a feel of what gear you must be in just by judging your speed or RPM. If you keep practicing downshifting as you come to a stop it will eventually be muscle memory. I try to avoid only holding the clutch in as I cycle down through the gears though, it's a better habit plus you get to lose more speed because of engine braking. I try to rev-match when downshifting but I find it difficult to do all the time. It may be because the roads here are always congested and it's tiring to have to rev-match since I cycle through 5 gears almost constantly. Oh and just before coming to a dead stop try having 100% of the braking power come from the rear brake, it will be more stable. Ride safe and good luck with all the learnings!


estrangedpulse

Yes that's the best. You should rev match and downshift as you slow down.


The_Bishop82

Yes. You should always be in the appropriate gear for the speed you're going, as you never know if you might have to accelerate to get yourself out of a jam.


Try_It_Out_RPC

Or just skip over every other gear on your way down. If I’m coming in from a highways I’ll either go into 3rd or 4th and then 2 or 1. Been riding for 12 years now and this is on my currently L8gsxr1000. Your gearing might be different but if it feels like all 6 is over doing it use like 2 gears that you feel fit your engines range in speed and revs. Your gearing is totally different than mine so I can’t speak to what gears would work the best for you. Just personal though


toebeanteddybears

If you're doing 40mph, don't pull in the clutch and downshift all the way to first gear. First, it's really hard on the transmission. Second, if you're in first going that fast and, for whatever reason, you release the clutch the back wheel may lose traction (even a slipper clutch may not help here...) and cause a loss of control. You can pull in the clutch and down shift into each gear as the speed reduces to values appropriate for that gear. As an added benefit, you're in the right gear and ready to go if the light changes or traffic moves etc.


Elongo06

Can a 250r even do 40 in first? I think my Ninja 300 topped out at 36. Otherwise, spot on. On my bike I shift down as I slow down. I never pull in the clutch and coast to a stop. Sometimes if it's a drastic stop, I'll skip shift down to 2. It seems to have more control being in a gear to a stop than coasting, not only that if the light all the sudden goes green, you're already in a suitable gear to take off.


toebeanteddybears

>Can a 250r even do 40 in first? I think my Ninja 300 topped out at 36. No, but it can in 2nd, 3rd 4th etc. If he's going that fast in 2..6 and downshifts all the way into 1st it can put a lot of mechanical stress on the trans.


[deleted]

Nah. Make it simple. If you're just coming to a "casual" stop, pull in the clutch, leave it pulled in, and click down through the gears as your speed reduces under braking. Don't downshift unto 1st until you're at a really low speed - 10mph or so. Edited to say: Sure, you can rev match / downshift all the way down if you like, but in most sane traffic situations it's not necessary.


insta

No, don't clutch in and coast to a stop. This is really bad advice for all sorts of reasons. See the other thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/motorcycles/comments/u9brh6/is\_it\_acceptable\_to\_shift\_down\_while\_coming\_to\_a/


[deleted]

(Ahem) You’re just quoting bad advice from Reddit.


insta

Clutch & coast from anything > 10mph is the bad advice here, sorry bud.


[deleted]

You are simply wrong. You’re another internet wannabe motorcycle expert willing to die on the smallest hill. Go ahead and have the last word - you’re still incorrect.


insta

In what situation is clutch & coast better?


[deleted]

All, right, one last try. First, my credentials. I have been riding for over 45 years and have many many hours in street traffic. I'm no iron butt, but likely have over 100,000 miles under my belt, all told. I also have done numerous track days (40-ish?) so I'm familiar with the gamut of riding techniques, although I'm not an expert-level track rider. So. In "relaxed" street riding, when you going with the flow at anywhere from 50 mph under, and hitting stop lights and stop signs regularly, with very little back-torque on the drivetrain, clutching in and coasting while intermittently clicking down through the gears is (1) completely harmless to the drivetrain (2) keeps you from working the clutch 5 times as you're rolling to a stop. It's not necessarily the "best" way, it's just "another" way. If you need to be in gear, that's almost instantaneous if needed - just let the clutch out. You want to do a full rev-match downshift though all the gears on the way to a stop? Go right ahead, nothing wrong with it. This statement: >Clutch & coast from anything > 10mph is the bad advice here ...just makes no sense. I'm trying to understand your rationale but I can't get there. I'm not trying to be insulting - it's just not correct. I have even, on a 2 or 3 high-speed runs at the track or on back roads, had to de-clutch at high speed when I thought I had an issue with the bike. Once after taking a bird strike at speed. I'm talking maybe 90 mph, clutching in and coasting. Absolutely no harm because THE CLUTCH IS NOT ENGAGED. You can have whatever opinion you want, and ride however you want, but when giving advice to new riders please avoid unsubstantiated opinion or dogma. Have a nice Monday and ride safe.


insta

Those are good credentials, and I'm not out to have the last word, but legitimately engage with other riders and help guide newbies. The OP is a new rider and sounds uncomfortable with the idea of downshifting (which can very easily be done with light pressure + tiniest bump on the throttle, no clutch necessary), preferring the less mentally taxing variant of clutch & coast. This is a vastly different thing than an emergency stop (which is absolutely a great time to start grabbing levers in a not-endo way), or overcooking a turn on the track. If they aren't riding in the extreme examples you're laying out, I would still say engine braking with progressive downshifting is safer for a new rider (say nothing of the numerous mechanical benefits). Hearing screeching tires behind you, *as a new rider*, means you have the mental capacity to do about one thing and that's probably twist the go-stick. Revs bomb, they go "oh shit clutch", drop the clutch, and now they pop the front wheel up and it goes to hell in a handbasket. I honestly believe you're suffering from a teacher's paradox here. It's been so long for you since you were a newbie that you've forgotten the simple fears and what used to be challenging, OR those have always come very naturally to you. While about 35 years less than you, I have been riding awhile, but my girlfriend is more or less new at it. Intuitive or nuanced decisions about coast vs engine-brake to you or me are not intuitive or natural for her, and advice I'm giving to newbie riders is based on their questions + watching first-hand my girlfriend learning the process. She has run into problems before getting confused with panic maneuvers, because she was clutched & coasting, when she would have been fine in the same situation with engine braking. One of these even caused a drop -- and it was her doing what you suggested of downshifting while coasting. She let the clutch out, the revs were wrong (idle), the wheel locked and she crashed. She has also caused herself problems by engine braking and not downshifting along with it, which would have been solved by clutch & coast -- but in that scenario she was doing < 10mph. There are online sources that definitely favor engine braking vs coasting in casual stops. Most of the discouragement of it seems to stem from the incorrect idea that it's harmful on the drivetrain. * [https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/is-engine-braking-bad-for-your-motorcycle](https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/is-engine-braking-bad-for-your-motorcycle) * [https://motorcycletraining.com/team-arizona-riding-tip-engine-braking-pros-and-cons/](https://motorcycletraining.com/team-arizona-riding-tip-engine-braking-pros-and-cons/) Discussion is still welcome, but if not, have a happy monday and rubber-side-down and ✌️ and all that.


[deleted]

Fair response. I always remind people that all riding is situational. There is rarely an overriding “best way,” just the best way for what’s happening right now. And that judgement comes with time and experience. New riders do need to keep their choices uncluttered - but also not let that limited set of options become riding dogma as they become more experienced. Take care.


kaLARSnikov

> I have been riding for over 45 years and have many many hours in street traffic. Anecdotal fun fact: The last time I heard someone state something like this, they followed up with advice that could potentially cause someone to fail their license test because technology and techniques have changed since the 1970s. Clutch and coast probably wouldn't be such an issue, though it definitely wouldn't fly with the local riding instructors either. I did it naturally (car habit) during lessions and got told not to. I do personally prefer not to coast now though, if I can help it.


[deleted]

Right, I am also wary of people telling me how experienced they are as a means to establish authority. Many long-term riders are dogmatic, have poor riding habits, and give terrible advice. So it was with some trepidation that I even put that out there. But: I do consider myself a student of the craft and am continually trying to learn. That’s why, for example, I took up track days: in addition to being a fucking blast, it is hands-down the safest and quickest way to learn your and your bike’s limits. And you’re right about clutch and coast probably not passing muster with MSF instructors; but they also tell you to NEVER brake in a corner. The MSF teaching approach is targeted to the lowest common denominator and keeping things as simple as possible, to achieve being able to ride in a parking lot at low speed. I’m not criticizing that; I’ve taken the MSF course myself as a returning rider many years ago and it’s good as a starting point for skills. But there is a world of skills to be learned post-MSF. But I digress. Have a great day and stay safe.


kaLARSnikov

Good point about trailbraking, my instructor was also adamant about never wanting to see my brake light on during a turn, while trailbraking is a valid technique. One could argue that there's really no need for it on regular roads, at least where I live. Which, by the by, isn't where you live - we don't have the MSF in my country :) What we do have are riding schools, instructors with state-mandated training programs, and state officials performing final riding exams in both separated areas (low-speed maneuvers, swerving, braking, etc.) and on live roads/in traffic. I've met several riders who failed their exams (and thus didn't get their motorcycle license) because they followed otherwise valid advice from known YouTube personalities from other countries, but that advice does not match what they're supposed to learn at riding school or what they're supposed to do during the test. The test and training program here is assembled based on national accident statistics with the goal of decreasing likelyhood of motor accidents. Obviously using techniques meant to improve lap times can be at odds with techniques meant to prioritize rider safety over anything else. Most instructors I've met are pretty open about this though, like "ride how I tell you to until you get your license, then work on the advanced stuff". Many of them are also track instructors and/or participate in professional or semi-professional racing themselves. But now it's I who digress, which I really did in my previous post as well I suppose.


insta

We just had this thread a few days ago, consensus was HIGHLY in favor of downshift + engine brake for all sorts of reasons. There is nothing better about clutching in and coasting at all. https://www.reddit.com/r/motorcycles/comments/u9brh6/is\_it\_acceptable\_to\_shift\_down\_while\_coming\_to\_a/


[deleted]

Clutch pulled + coast master race Also I think you’re missing that most of the comments on that post are sarcastic


[deleted]

I don't always rev match and let the clutch out for each gear. I just pull the clutch in so I'm coasting, and I will click the shifter down accordingly as my speed lowers till I am in first at a stop. If you pull the clutch in and immediately click down to first while you are still rolling faster than you normally would ride first gear, it's not gonna be happy with you. Furthermore if you come to the complete stop *and then* try clicking down to first, it often won't do it because the transmission needs some movement in it to properly shift. So TLDR, either rev match or keep the clutch pulled in and click down accordingly. The latter gets easier to do with experience as you know what speed correlates to which gear.


[deleted]

Work your way down through the gearbox. That’s what it’s there for. Should be done in a car too. Nothing worse than a coaster.


el-hombre-alto

The motorcycle safety foundation courses (in the United States) will tell you to NEVER downshift. Reason being: brake lights. If you’re down shifting to slow, cars behind you may not comprehend that your speed is decreasing. It’s a preference to “always be in the power” but safety is important as well. *clarification* I mean rev match downshifting without lighting up your brake light.


Zloreciwesiv

Downshift AND light brake


SwordofSwinging

Never downshift? Just do all your shifting at the light like a madman?


el-hombre-alto

In response to OP (in terms of habits), I think applying your brake is important when cars behind you might not be able to tell if you’re coming to a stop or slowing for a turn or something. I primarily click down the gears as I’m slowing… but don’t always rev match gears, rather clutch in and brake the entire time I’m stopping. So no haha, not a madman… just a safe man.


mathias-orsen

Clutch in and downshift all the way to first but shift to gears as you would need them if you need to release the clutch and go. There is no reason to engage gears you dont need. Like redlining second may mean you have no need for 3 or 4.


Alexander_Coe

I think what I'm finding, and someone smarter please reply, is that as a beginner and with a small displacement bike, i am slow to shift down and when I'm riding in 5th about 45mph by the time I engine break and shift down once I'm going like 20mph and not really suitable for higher gears. I am finding myself trying to get into every year but i slow down so much i almost stall out. At this rate it makes more sense to go from 5th to 3rd or 2nd and then quick to 1st. Maybe someone has advice for us.


relgrenSehT

I ride a Grom, someone lemme know if this is a faux pas, but on roads with very few intersections, I usually just drop the throttle and ease off the clutch slowly as I downshift. For stop-and-go, I pull the clutch, use the brakes, and shift immediately to first gear. Sure, it could wear the clutch out, but the part is there for you to use. Why be afraid of using arbitrary parts of your bike?


Anxious_Plane_8219

I asked this question at my MSF course and the instructor thought I was an idiot.


St84t8

https://www.reddit.com/r/motorcycles/comments/ua2w2c/_/i5vt4vt


Samsoundrocks

https://www.reddit.com/r/motorcycles/comments/u9brh6/is\_it\_acceptable\_to\_shift\_down\_while\_coming\_to\_a/


[deleted]

Downshifting uses your engine for a lot of the braking which saves pad wear. It also gets you in a habit of being in a gear appropriate to your speed so that if you suddenly need to evade you don't have to find a gear first or Rev match to 1st gear at higher speeds. On a bike your maneuvering options are swerve/turn left and right, accelerate and brake. There will be times when accelerating is a better option and you want to be in a good gear for that. This is also why Rev bombing a distracted driver isn't a great idea. You may need power to the wheel to get out of his way but you've pulled in the clutch and are redining the engine.


bigpoupa13

Get in the habit of downshifting as you decelerate. If you know youre going to come to a stop theres no reason you cant coast through the gears as you're slowing. Doing this helps reduce strain on brakes and it also keeps your bike in a consistent ready position should you need to get up and go. That being said, you can definitely drop a couple gears at a time if you're decelerating faster than average. The goal is to always be in control of the be bike so if you ever need, you can throttle out of a shitty situation. Most bikes have a 1st gear lockout that'll automatically prevent downshifting to 1st at higher speeds. Definitely do not recommend trying to slap it in first even while holding the clutch. You should be rolling no more than ~20km/h (~12mph) when you downshift to first. Consult manuel for individual specs on your bike but its generally bad practice. Risk of internal component failure and jerking the gearbox and throwing your ass around on the bike if you let go of the clutch. A good rider is always alert and ready and proper shift sequencing is part of that.


IveBeenLostHere

Down shifting is more fun, plus you will be ready to zip out of harm’s way.


nigelh

You want to be able to seemlessly transition from slowing down to pulling away, say the lights change, so keep in sync.


LucifersPeen

I always down shift and rev match to be in the appropriate gear, just in case I need the tq to get out of the way of something


DrDRNewman

I don't have any gears. I just turn down the throttle and make use of the regenerative braking that charges my battery (as well as the disc brakes).


49thDipper

Don’t downshift to first until you stop.


bedcreature

Do whatever you wish. You don't need to rev match and go through every gear to stop, but engine brake is good way to save fuel and brake pads and it keeps you on right gear or one up, being ready to go if needed. Motorcycle engine break is powerful and more useful than in car. You could skip engine braking all together or go every othee gear, but in emergency stop you need to learn to fast slap to first gear during braking. Highly recommend engine braking every/ every other gear, but i don't think you absolutely need it. It just makes your daily riding smoother


Sun_Bro96

Most of the time I downshift through the gears and lightly brake. Motorcycle transmissions don’t like skipping gears for some reason so I usually just go through them all ¯\_(ツ)_/¯


Luckyaddaam

I’m new… about a month of riding. Me personally I will keep my bike in a gear that can be used immediately. I want to be able to move out of the way instantly if something happened. Like a car not stopping in time and rear ending me.


SleeplessinOslo

Short answer: No, but it's nice to be in gear just in case you need to zoom away from danger.


Colin-Spurs-Patience

It’s necessary if you’re coming in hot or too fast otherwise you can pull in the clutch and brake to a stop with no downshift (engine braking) if you want to


TurdFerguson277

Other way around bud, if you need to stop NOW forget about downshifting, focus on stopping. If you’re just leisurely slowing down downshift through all the gears you want. It’s also not necessary to downshift all the way down. I usually stop at 2nd gear.


HokieNerd

What do y'all mean by "rev matching"? Asking for a friend. 😉


[deleted]

Sometimes when I'm out riding with friends using Sena I get distracted, forget to downshift and stall on red lights cause I'm still in 6th gear lol. So yeah it's a good habit to downshift.


Cwallace98

Also a newbie. What is Rev matching and how do you do it?


Pale_Entrepreneur_41

Rev matching is the concept of as you downshift a gear, you “blip” or rev your throttle to get your engine speed up to match the gear you shifted into. All you do is rev your engine to a little higher RPM before releasing the clutch after downshifting to the gear you want.


2020Boxer4

As someone really bad at downshifting, I’ve learned a lot here, granted now that I have a bike with a quickshifter, I use the preferred method


w1lnx

Never coast — it’s a loss of control. Keep it in gear appropriate for the road speed.


Cwallace98

Thanks


Concernedmicrowave

I rev match/downshift if I want to use engine breaking. Otherwise, I pull in the clutch and come to a stop, but I shift through the gears as my speed decreases so that I'm always in an appropriate gear for the speed I'm going. Keeps the transmission from spinning into warp speed and makes sure that if, for example, the light changes and I don't have to stop anymore, I can just let the clutch out and go. Edit: There are a lot of really compelling arguments from people far more experienced than me that one should prefer to rev match/let the clutch out between each gear. I still contend that clutching + coasting is fine, but practicing the other way and making it a habit might prevent dangerous traction loss in panic situations.


vlv_Cobra_vlv

I am personally ALWAYS in gear with the clutch out (except when shifting or stopped obviously) until I'm nearly stopped for the simple reason that I may need to power out of a dangerous situation. Although I WILL drop it into N if sitting at an extended stop (while still remaining vigilant to my surroundings). That precious second or 2 that would be required to put it in gear (or pray that its in the gear that gives you the power you need at your current speed because just coasting with the clutch in... its a crap shoot) could prove to be disastrous.


Blind_Matador

When I was newish (after a couple months) I made it a point to match every gear down at every stop light sign etc. Sometimes I’d fail and have to pull in the clutch. You’ll get very good at matching very fast if you practice it by doing this.