coming to a stop - downshifting

[tryme]

Hi guys,

Ok I dont know why I need to ask this maybe im over thinking but as you guys must be aware I do that quite a lot as i get nervous when doing tests etc. On top of that I just want to be as safe and as good a rider I can be.

Any way i've done theory, cbt and passed mod 1. I'm doing mod 2 early next year.

I just want to know when comming to a stop i.e. at traffic lights or a junction when slowing down do I just hold the clutch in and down shift of should I release the clutch when going down through each gear?

Tbh I can't remember what i've been doing but probably a bit of both depending on how fast i've had to stop and not judging the speed as well as I possibily should.

Regards

[gav00]

Hi tryme, I've literally just passed my mod 2 today so have little experience, however I was told that it's ok to hold in the clutch and tap your way through the gears to first when coming to a stop/pause. There is no need to release the clutch after each gear change.

Gav

[Sparky65]

Hi tryme, I've literally just passed my mod 2 today so have little experience, however I was told that it's ok to hold in the clutch and tap your way through the gears to first when coming to a stop/pause. There is no need to release the clutch after each gear change.

Gav

 

There is if you want to use engine braking to lose speed.

[Ingah]

Hi tryme, I've literally just passed my mod 2 today so have little experience, however I was told that it's ok to hold in the clutch and tap your way through the gears to first when coming to a stop/pause. There is no need to release the clutch after each gear change.

Gav

 

There is if you want to use engine braking to lose speed.

Have also been told you'll have less stablity with the clutch in (would quite like someone to confirm that though as i can't work the physics of it out).

[techno]

In what way less stability?

I sometimes just knock it into neutral and roll upto the lights, dont feel less stable to me

[OhJay]

The theory is that you've got more stability and control while there's drive going to the wheel and that keeping the revs up increases the gyroscopic effect that helps keep you upright but when slowing in a straight line it shouldn't have that big an effect.

I like to go down through the gears so I know I'm always in the right gear if I need to accelerate away from something and the way I drive, I use engine braking a lot more than the actual brakes so I carried the same sort of thing over onto the bike. Never been a problem but I was told to at least make sure the brake light comes on so the person behind knows I'm slowing down.

[Rollingskies]

Never downshift using engine braking only if the reason you need to slow down is unexpected. You will get killed. If I am riding alone with no traffic I will take roundabouts with engine braking, but if there is traffic around I do tap the brakes just to make the light come on. Trouble is people can check to the right and take their eyes off the road because you are still accelerating as far as they can tell because they see no brake light out of the corner of their eye.

I personally, given plenty of braking time and not in heavy traffic, release the throttle, (possible brake), clutch in drop 2 gears, clutch out, ride, (possible brake) clutch in drop a gear (possibly 2), clutch out, ride.

[Renavon]

Obviously its best to slow down gradually so you shouldn't be in a position when you want to change them down all at once.

Plan ahead and slow down gradually, don't try and race as far as you can and then break in my opinion

But, it's fine to engage the clutch and gear down all at once if you come to a sudden stop

Ride safe

-Rob

[Bonniebird]

Tend to change down and creep up to lights, junctions in a lower gear so I can avoid having to stop if possible and I'm in the right gear to pull away smoothly.

Tend to put it in neutral when stopped at traffic lights

[Remy]

I tend to go down through the gears if I'm coming up to a junction, so rarely have to brake hard, but if I do I'll hold the clutch in and tap down the gears. I usually pull away in first, or second/third if no traffic and visibility is good and I've not slowed too much. If I'm waiting at lights I normally keep it in first, I rarely put it in neutral unless it looks like a long wait!

[RiffmasterII]

Clutch in and step down through all the gears, using your brake to come to a stop. It's ok to maybe knock down one gear for a slow bend or to ease up a bit but not when coming to a stop

[rennie]

I've had this discussion with several instructors!

You're taught to just stop in whatever gear then tap it down several at a time,

that's what's taught so that's what you do to pass your test!

Then you can learn how to ride properly!

[tryme]

im asuming it will be like in a car, if slowing down shift to appropriate gear then move off again. if coming to a stop and have time downshift properly not just relying on breaks but engine breaking also. if coming to a "sudden" stop then down shift all the way clutch in at all times.

thats prob what i will do when i pass any way.

[Susieque]

I'll be corrected if I'm wrong, but if you're coming to a sudden stop (as in an emergeny) isn't it correct to pull in the clutch and stop in whatever gear you're in, THEN tap down throught the gears Ready to pull away??

[techno]

I'll be corrected if I'm wrong, but if you're coming to a sudden stop (as in an emergeny) isn't it correct to pull in the clutch and stop in whatever gear you're in, THEN tap down throught the gears Ready to pull away??

 

Yes but people tend to go for gears because of muscle memory, but neither way is deemed incorrect.

On a test its being under control that counts, I skidded on one of mine and he said no thats fine it was controlled and with it been wet and greasy pretty inevitable.

@tryme really clutch in coasting to a stop, better just pulling up in the gear your in then sorting it out, I sometimes knock into neutral and roll up but if im coming down the gears I let the clutch out and let the engine brake as well.

But when you have passed a test you can do whatever you want.