Should You Downshift or Brake to Slow Down a Motorcycle?
1 Answers
When a motorcycle is traveling at high speed and needs to slow down, do not pull in the clutch. Simply rolling off the throttle will gradually reduce the speed. For faster deceleration, you can apply the brakes while rolling off the throttle, but it is best to avoid pulling in the clutch. This allows full utilization of the engine's braking capability and maintains optimal vehicle control. Additional Information: Precautions for Stopping a Motorcycle: To bring a motorcycle to a complete stop from high speed, first roll off the throttle while simultaneously applying the brakes. The throttle should be fully closed, but the clutch should not be pulled in. Braking can be applied simultaneously. Due to inertia, the motorcycle will not stall but will continue to coast until the speed drops sufficiently low. When the speed is low enough (no longer coasting), pull in the clutch to shift down to neutral, or hold the clutch and brake until coming to a complete stop before shifting to neutral.