Should the clutch be held when braking a motorcycle?
3 Answers
If braking is required for stopping, the clutch should be engaged. After braking, shift the gear to neutral with your foot, and release the clutch once the motorcycle is completely stopped. If braking is for deceleration, there is no need to engage the clutch. In practical operation, the clutch should only be engaged when the engine power is insufficient during braking and the motorcycle is about to stall, at which point you should either stop or shift to a lower gear. The following points should be noted when braking a motorcycle: 1. Generally, reduce speed by closing the throttle, followed by applying the rear brake slowly and then the front brake. 2. Do not engage the clutch while braking, as this is dangerous; reduce the speed first before using the clutch. 3. In emergency situations, quickly apply both foot and hand brakes intermittently for smooth and rapid deceleration. 4. Never use only the front hand brake when the speed exceeds 5 km/h, especially when going downhill or turning.
I've been riding motorcycles for over a decade, and the discussion about whether to pull the clutch when braking is quite common. Generally speaking, there's no need to rush to pull the clutch during the initial stage of deceleration. Engine braking can help save brake pads and provide more stability, especially at high speeds or when going downhill, where the vehicle's inertia is greater and the engine naturally helps slow down the speed. However, when coming to a near stop, once the speed drops to about walking pace, you must pull the clutch; otherwise, the engine might stall, which is dangerous and can block traffic. In city traffic, I've developed the habit of gently pulling the clutch during the latter half of braking. Adopting this habit has made my rides much smoother. For daily practice, find an empty parking lot and repeatedly try different scenarios until you're comfortable. Be extra cautious when braking in the rain or on slopes—safety always comes first.
As a mechanical enthusiast who loves tinkering, I often ponder engine principles: Pulling the clutch disengages the power. When braking with the engine still running, pulling the clutch prevents vehicle shaking and saves energy. Initially not pulling it lets the engine drag to decelerate, then pulling it just before stopping avoids stalling - simple and practical. Different displacement vehicles behave differently; for example, small-displacement engines are more sensitive and require earlier clutch engagement, while large-displacement ones can drag longer. Regular checks on clutch cable tension and brake pad wear shouldn't be neglected, as this extends component lifespan and ensures safer driving.
