When you brake on a motorcycle, do you need to shift down simultaneously while coming to a stop?
Shifting down is better option while braking, this way you are at lower gear and can pick up immediately again if needed.
Yes you do need to shift down while coming to a stop. It's not like a car where you can take it out of 5th gear after stopping and put it into first gear. The gears will not shift while at a complete stop on a motorcycle. You can shift down one of two ways or combine the two if you wish. 1. You can pull in the clutch and slow to a stop using the brakes while shifting down one gear at a time matching your speed with the appropriate gear. If you need to accelerate again before coming to a complete stop, you will always be in the right gear to take off again. 2. You can shift down one gear at a time and release the clutch for each gear, using the brakes and the engine to slow the bike. I usually use the first approach. Brakes work just fine stopping the bike.
It's not essential but it's safe practice to be in the correct gear when you stop; in an emergency situation you should be able to instantly move off without being caught desperately kicking the pedal trying to find 1st.
Shifting down is better option while braking, this way you are at lower gear and can pick up immediately again if needed.
Yes you do need to shift down while coming to a stop. It's not like a car where you can take it out of 5th gear after stopping and put it into first gear. The gears will not shift while at a complete stop on a motorcycle. You can shift down one of two ways or combine the two if you wish. 1. You can pull in the clutch and slow to a stop using the brakes while shifting down one gear at a time matching your speed with the appropriate gear. If you need to accelerate again before coming to a complete stop, you will always be in the right gear to take off again. 2. You can shift down one gear at a time and release the clutch for each gear, using the brakes and the engine to slow the bike. I usually use the first approach. Brakes work just fine stopping the bike.
It's not essential but it's safe practice to be in the correct gear when you stop; in an emergency situation you should be able to instantly move off without being caught desperately kicking the pedal trying to find 1st.
