Another noob question on engine braking

[Zealadin]

Just also remember pulling in your clutch before you brake, basically frees up your momentum, so you want to be braking while you pull it in, without grabbing a handful.
Too much rear brake and the wheel locks up EASILY same as downshifting when your moving too fast without the clutch all the way in.

Too much weight into the front brake suddenly and you will lock it up too, and if its wet/slippery its NOT FUN! Learnt this from personal experience on a semi new tyre.
Normally you want 70/30 front/rear brake for safe stopping, using only one or the other in a situation can lead to seriously problems/injury.

If you lock up your back wheel don't stress, if your pulling up on a straight line and hold your balance you just need to release it and put the pressure back on a bit lighter (don't release the clutch while doing this tho)

There are not many situations where I actively -use- engine braking because unless its used in conjunction with your brakes, you aren't displaying a brake light which is dangerous. You might stop in time but the driver behind you in his 4x4 will just run straight over you without realising because his driving skills are about equal to his taste in vehicles.

All in all as you ride more you will automatically remember to shift down, its just part of braking, and if you don't have time to do it in an emergency then you should still be aware what gear you are in, and whether there may be a threat from other vehicles not stopping in time behind you.

 

[dean2287]

I would agree with most of the posts here - forget downshifting in an emergency stop...worry about stopping the bike! If you practice downshifting routinely it will get to be second nature, but still...emergencies are life threatening situations, so who cares if you are in the wrong gear once stopped. The right gear won't help you if your bike is 20 feet away and you're in the back of an ambulance.

 

[vdbergj1]

...of the main topic...get buy in from wifey...
What I found helped with my wife (then gf) was to take her with me on helmet/ jacket/gloves purchase, get her to join in with fitting stuff for her and get her the proper gear as well. We've got matching Shark RSF3 helmets what we've both agreed upon and matching the bike. She had a say on the color of the bike as well - you want her to feel that you want her approval on everything!!!:spank: Now she's a eager pillion and talk all more about riding herself. :rockon: I got a bike that will fit with pillion comfort, which the FZ6R will be as well. Had a FZ6 and will get a FZ6R in the next few months. That's what worked for me.

 

[dantow]

I was taught at the end of the emergency stop you need to be able to take off quickly to avoid being hit from behind. Front brake -clutch -rear brake- down shift. I try and practice an emergency stop every time i go out on the bike. Learn to take off quick and avoid being the meat in a car sandwich. Also you need to practice your emergency stops at the speed you plan to ride at. Come to the dark side just get the bike and damn the consequences. Good luck

 

[Doorag]

The sequence I was taught for emergency braking is brake with front and rear, more on the front, and increasing the pressure on the front as you slow. Just before you come to a halt pull in the clutch (so the engine is braking you all the time, but you don't stall it). When stopped you check the mirrors and blind spots in case you need to jump for it to avoid someone coming up fast behind you. Only when you are then stopped and safe do the gear changes, check all the mirrors and blind spots again, and pull off to the side of the road to change your underpants ;-)

The examiners here want to see you stop safely and then check you are making all of these observations . You don't want to avoid a crash then pull out in front of a truck you've not seen.

This is exactly how I was taught and it seems to work well. TBH, I've had to do it a couple of times 'for real' and I usually sod the clutch and worry about a) slowing down as fast as possible, b) avoiding obstacles, and c) keeping upright. If the clutch is in at the end of all that then great - if not and the bike is stalled (and I'm alive) no biggie.