Engine Braking

[gel9001]

Have been thinking of posting this for a while. I do alot of engine braking and almost always I get a tire chirp. I never downshift into 1st. Any of you guys chirp your tires alot on downshifting. I like the sound, but I'm concerned if it might be too much stress to the drive train/splines.

Any thoughts,

Gene

[rph802]

Oh thank god i thought it was just me!!!! I'll engine brake, drop a gear to make a turn and if I didnt brake enough, I get that chirp and just feel stupid about my skill set. Never thought about the stress on the drivetrain, one more reason for me to perfect that (its getting better but I still do it more often than i like). Nope you are not alone!!!

[Narflar]

If you blip the throtle when you downshift you won't get the chirp and it will save a lot of wear on your drivetrain.

I am surprized with all the fancy stuff they put on these bikes a slipper is not one of them

[Lost Rider]

Glad to hear I'm not the only one! I get the same chirping sometimes.
I like it.

[gel9001]

I like the chirp, I think it sounds good, my only concern is, is it straining the drivetrain or not.

Yep, I say Chirps are cool!!!

Gene

[Xray28]

A chirp is a warning sound that the hamster under your seat is overstressed.

One thing to remember. The chirp is actually a warning that your rear wheel is slipping (However briefly) on the pavement. If that is combined with other shear loads between the tire and road (Like hard cornering, or pavement lubrication) You could loose traction, control, and your upright position relative to the road.

And it compramises the ABS and porportional nature of the ABS brake system.

It does happen to me sometimes, but I take it as a notice that I'm not in complete control of my machine.

[iowabeakster]

I thought my engine brakes were working fine but mine don't seem to have that much grab. should i get my engine brakes checked? do you think it would be covered under warranty?

[CycleRob]

If your rear tire is chirping when downshifting, your engine rpm's must be out of synch with the transmission input shaft's rpm's when you dump the clutch in the gear you selected. Operator error.

Don't feel too bad. The OilHead motor, with 100% fuel cut on decel, has strong engine braking. That, combined with a heavy flywheel, positively engaging clutch and 2 big 10.3 to 1 compression pistons means that your throttle, clutch and shifting movements had better be precise and coordinated.

once you learn how to synch the engine rpm's with a small quick blip of the throttle, you won't hear the chirps anymore. Your rear tire will last longer too.

The drivetrain is very strong and not troubled by little chirps.

[paroyboy]

I gyess I'm from the other camp. I try not to used engine braking that much. Coming to a stop, I'm usually in 5th since I have the OD 6th. The braking in 5th is enoguh to slow me down to where I just use the brakes. Always told that brake pads are cheaper to replace than a clutch.

[Lobo1625]

I'd say I'm on the fence on this one. I use the engine to slow down sometimes. This is only if there are no cars behind me. I've seen enough people on the roads that don't pay attention to what’s going on in front of them, and slowing the R in front of them with no brake lights is a recipe for injury. When I’m out and have some room behind me, I'll use the engine to slow, but I usually blip the throttle to avoid chirping the tires. I agree with XRay28, a chirp means I don't have complete control over the Bike.

[rdsmith3]

I don't have years of experience like most of you folks. FWIW, here is what I do:

- blip throttle when downshifting. A chirp means I goofed.

- use engine braking when approaching red lights, stop signs, etc. This puts me in the right gear to accelerate if I need to if the light turns green or if I need to avoid trouble

- when engine braking as per above, I will tap the foot brake a few times if I see someone behind me who needs to be alerted that I am slowing down

[duke]

Anyone slipping the clutch while downshifting?

I do sometimes - because I find it too bumpy if I just let the clutch at the same rate as if upchanging. I can't quite get the "blip" right, it is rather just raising the revs, so slipping gets it right.

Anyone else doing it like that?

[Narflar]

When you 'blip' the throtle you are slipping the clutch. Depending on how fast I'm going when I downshift I'll sometimes just let the clutch drag. If you are going at a pretty quick clip you should blip. Just one of those things that needs to be practiced to improve technique.

[rdsmith3]

When you 'blip' the throtle you are slipping the clutch.

I am not sure I follow that. When I "blip", the clutch is pulled in. To me, slipping the clutch means you are easing it out slowly.

[Xray28]

I use engine braking a lot going through the twisties. It lets me be in the appropriate gear for the next acceleration. Makes for smooth power through turns without having to up/downshift in the turn itself. (That's when I get it just right)Avoiding the up/downshift in the turn itself helps to avoid chirping the tire and loosing traction when I've got her leaned over really far.

As for using the brake to warn the folks behind me my philosophy is..." If you pass everyone...Then you're ahead! "

[gel9001]

X-Ray, hope a noobe doesn't think its o.k. to downshift in a turn, in a bike that means a low side in a car that means rear end sliding out. Tapping your brakes before downshifting is basic motorcycle practice. Its even in the manual that comes with the bike.

I think I'll probably stop chirping since it may strain the drivetrain. I think I do it cause I love the sound. Of course I'll only do it when going straight and never so much that I'm jolted forward, just a cute little chirp.

Gene

[socalrob]

That chirping of the rear tire casues alot of wear. First rear tire I had on my RR I used to chirp the rear. With the next tire I made smoother downshifts & on my third rear, I've got 7,000 miles and a fair amount of tread left.

I'm agreeing with CycleRob on this.

[leno]

Just don't do it in the wet or you may find the reverse gear you never knew existed.

[bikermeow]

learnt "blipping" from a Triumph Tiger mate of mine ... trick is to crack open throttle a split second before the downshift, goes a long way to ease the engine braking. In the beginning, might want to try blipping and bringing in the clutch at the same time. After a while it'll come naturally.

My question is this ... if there any Not to Do about the use of a clutch? To prevent excessive clutch wear?

Cheers

Meow

[Narflar]

When you 'blip' the throtle you are slipping the clutch.

I am not sure I follow that. When I "blip", the clutch is pulled in. To me, slipping the clutch means you are easing it out slowly.

Sorry, I misspoke. I ment to say what you posted