DOC HARLEY: USING YOUR MOTORCYCLE'S ENGINE TO SLOW DOWN

[@GJM866]

I have always used the engine braking technique on all of my motorcycles with no issues whatsoever.

[@carpenoctem]

Learning to rev match is probably one of the most important skills plus its so fun to do once you've got it mastered. I always laugh when the guy infront of me thinks I'm just revving my engine like I'm trying to get him to go but in reality I'm slowing down to take a corner or what have you. Great vid as always doc.

[@SIERRA-dx9wm]

FYI sitting at a stop light tap brakes when you see some one coming behind you. Had a few drivers suddenly get hard on brakes, see front of their car dip. Keep it in gear in case you need to move out of the way in hurry.

[@davidnanze8697]

I do both, Brake and rpm match at the same time.

[@pmdinaz]

Rev matching takes practice and im so happy you mentioned it. Again at low rpm...stay safe out there! Tap those lights..tap those lights!!! Additionally, during the breaking in period, i feel its critical to implement some engine braking to a proper engine break in.

[@Firestorm637]

My bike has a slipper clutch and MSR(motor slip regulation). Big V twins have significant engine braking and the slipper and MSR prevent rear wheel lockup and less wear on transmission.

[@haroldwiser2641]

Great point about the brake light! Thanks Doc 👍

[@myemailaddress93]

Plus, engine braking provides some Wicked badass backfires with the right exhaust system (and maybe the wrong tune but who cares)...

Ive always tried to get the vehicle behind me to slow down as I am stppping, instead of wondering if they will see me stopped.

[@BigTruckRacing]

Doc as a professional driver for 20 + yrs I always use my engine to slow down to a certain speed then apply brakes to stop , there is a equal sequence that needs to be applied when using these factors in order to not damage your engine or transmission and brakes , just my opinion from my experience as a driver / rider .

[@shotgunnar2586]

Engine braking works great. Just don’t rely on it in adverse conditions (rain, leaves, etc.)

[@kneesinthebreeze7417]

Great advice. Especially what you said about ( Get to know your own motorcycle) and know what gear you supposed to be In.

[@oscarescareno540]

great insight doc, i never had to put it to words and as i am getting ready to have my youngest begin riding i will convey your practical advice

[@tonyj8947]

The HD owner manual has recommended speeds when downshifting for each gear.

[@jonnycando]

Since I deal with heavy grades I use engine braking and service brakes together sometimes!

[@ryanjohnson1416]

Always excellent videos and full of information.

[@joezednick3197]

Thanks Doc for the video,,,,we all need something good to watch in light of all the bad news around all of us. Hope your dealer can pull through these hard times. It will get better! Ocala Fl.

[@jobeta22]

Excellent video. I have learned to match the RPMs while downshifting and can slow the bike to a stop once I am in first with a gentle application of both brakes. At that speed, the linked braking does not work anymore.

[@dannyboy9784]

Thanks Doc for the tips......stay safe buddy!

[@tommyt2854]

Excellent advice, thanks. Very important to match gears/rpm/mph to the situation.

[@robertmedina6875]

Great advice Doc! Worked on cars for years. Harley repair is new to me. I did take my bike in places but never have been happy with their long waiting times and high prices which I understand. I'm going to do fork seals on the front of a 2004 Heritage Softail what's have a lot of chrome and I don't want to damage any of it. Any tips would be greatly appreciated I am a long-time subscriber and am happy to share your videos!

[@dawidos117]

Am I correct saying Touring Harleys have slipper clutch, which helps to not over rev your engine? Also, the newest DRAG-TORQUE SLIP CONTROL SYSTEM is designed to reduce excessive rear-wheel slip under deceleration. So if I’m correct, can I downshift more aggressively with my 2020 Road King Special?

[@billcarson1966]

VIDEO REQUEST - What are some of the best practices for keeping a motorcycle in proper working order when it's parked out on the street 24/7??? I ask because my friend is buying a well-maintained 2006 Harley Road King with 50K miles. It's going to be his daily driver for 3 seasons out of the year. He doesn't have a garage so he'll be parking it in his development parking lot. How does he keep it from rusting and taking a beating from the weather, etc. without a garage? Thanks!

[@tcatnat70]

I engine brake all the time but Doc's last tip is the most important, don't get rear ended by someone not paying attention.

[@h.d.mech.mortenson2098]

Love your videos. Shout out from Edmonton, Alberta Canada !

[@NickCager]

I coast to a stop... but I wouldn't say I use downshifting to slow down. I downshift when the rpms drop to 2K which puts the lower gear rpm at around 2.5K. If you keep shifting down to hit high rpms for rapid braking... I wouldn't suggest it.

[@phineashenshaw]

I use both. I am downshifting while I am braking. With modern computerized bikes/engines, engine braking is not very effective anymore. Especially if you have traction control and ABS.

[@justanotherviewer52]

Thanks Doc. Great advice.

[@steveross2797]

High rpm engine braking (especially without throttle blip) plays hell with the compensator springs too.

[@1DRIPSTER]

While going downhill on steep grades I downshift and let the higher rpms keep my bike from going too fast. I get some decel pop but I’m not gonna ride the brakes either. I was told higher rpms wont hurt your motor as bad as lugging it.

[@Dachamp2001]

When I down shift I bump the throttle up a little bit

[@shotgunnar2586]

Dachamp2001 yes! Always match the RPM’s to the proper speed for the gear selected

[@harley_dreams7946]

Question Doc. I have a 2009 Road King. No tach. I gear up at the suggested speeds. I"m not much of a racer rather a cruiser. To slow down for a stop I like to gear down (I'm a trucker) Dropping a gear, not letting the clutch slip nor red lining the engine, it sounds like compression braking has been activated similar to the feel and sound of a Jake Brake on a truck. Once the bike slows down to a very low rpm you can feel the compression braking release. Bad for the bike?

[@andrewbolig6995]

Like many things in life (and just as you said), all things in moderation! Engine braking can be an additional benefit if used properly. Was just thinking about this question the other day, but with a bit of a twist. If I understand correctly, the primary chain gets pulled by the engine from the top, then goes under the crankshaft/compensator and up over the shoe for the chain tension adjuster on its trip back to the transmission. BUT, if you are using the engine for braking, wouldn't the tension then be on the bottom of the primary chain? That would mean more pressure on the adjuster shoe as well, right? Have you ever seen significant wear on the shoe caused by excessive braking? Maybe I'm overthinking it, but I own an 88ci twin-cam. Keeping those adjusters safe is ALWAYS on my mind! LoL

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

This is something I have not looked for, but I will now. Wondering if I should include on the Service write-up, “ sir do you motor brake?” Thanks ~ Doc

[@626MtTrail]

Great explanation! Thank you

[@inmyopinion_3672]

What is the proper rpm for cruising/changing gears with an M8 softail?

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

I choose 2500-3500 to shift and not to shift into 6th till 70mph..Doc

[@inmyopinion_3672]

@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson Thanks!

[@GaryLordsWayMinistry]

I'm having an issue with my compensator making noise when I'm engine braking on a downhill grade. As soon as I give it a little throttle and make it go into a neutral position not pulling or braking or getting back onto the throttle and making it pull against the grade the noise goes away. So what's up? I think after it get at full operating temperature the torque springs on the compensator are losing a little tension on the compensator and causing my vibration and noise. Thinking about using another spring to give it a little more tension or even a whole new spring pack to see if that will keep the noise out of the front of my primary case. My 2005 Heritage only has 28,000 miles on it now and shouldn't even be making any noise up there at all. Unless the front nut is coming lose like it did on my Sportster.

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

My first response is like a “Doctor “ tell you if you bend your back to do something and it hurts...Don’t do that! Your scenario might be the motor telling you don’t do that😆. Thanks ~ Doc

[@FabryRock]

Hello all the way from Italy !

[@wolfemanbog4176]

FABRY ROCK hello from California

[@hamdog8872]

Easley, South Carolina! 🏍🏍🏍💦💦🔫🏋🔥🏍

[@jondoe8816]

Was led to believe. Hard down shifts put the crank out of alinement ( scissor it )

[@nokomjz01]

What about going down a slope? When going down a slope with a low gear, no clutch my bike normally backfires, whats the best way to do this?

[@tommyt2854]

What bike and mods do you have?

[@p2o8wer]

Hey Doc, I’m trying to get my pipes louder before I spend money on new pipes. I have the super radius from vh. If I remove just the packing from the baffles will that cause my bike to run leaner? The baffles are small on them pipes and fit right back in tight. So I don’t think it’s losing much back pressure.

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Removing packing may effect exhaust flow slightly. I would not be worried with those pipes. More sound will be the result. ~Doc

[@p2o8wer]

Low Country Harley-Davidson thank you sir.

[@johnhoffman3598]

Good advice

[@killdozer3464]

i brake with my throttle 90% of the time... brakes for hard breaking or final stop.

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

That’s your choice…..Doc

[@twistieslayer3592]

Does shifting without the clutch damage anything?

[@lindacruz2367]

Twistie Slayer ....Hell yes !

[@keithsmith9889]

Your dad was right.had chronic primary issues

[@wackypocket]

slipper clutch?

[@Trigger_32]

A "Harley Tech" at a Harley dealer recently told my buddy, he should never be using his engine to slow down... told him it was bad for the engine. My buddy essentially laughed at him and asked him if he even rides... needless to say his bike was in there for service and a suspected clutch issue.. that "tech" found nothing wrong. My buddy asked me to look at it and if we could just replace the clutch... well we found the OE diaphragm spring to have quite a notch worn it in where it rides against the retaining ring... wtf are they teaching these "techs" these days? Don,t use your engine to slow down and theres nothing wrong with that bike... that "tech" probably wipes back to front too. SMH

[@githubuser612]

why would you grab a fist full of throttle if someone pulled out in front of you .... lol wish the video gave some numbers for downshifting points gear-rpm-speed

[@gtownsurfcody]

Always rev match! Use that warranty!

[@1957eberhart]

Hey Doc when I'am at a stop is it ok to rev the motor to redline and dump the clutch out ???

[@dadtrap]

When I first learned over 50+ years ago my mentor taught me engine breaking. I still use it today. It just takes practice starting at low speeds. I have not experienced any issues with my clutch,engine or transmission because of it.

[@chrisphilhower6029]

You should know how to do it. In case you loose brakes

[@PeterSmith-or3pq]

Blippy,revs are the best

[@infiniteg7852]

Every time I downshift, my Bike Jerks. Is that Normal?

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Not enough information. Your not telling the whole story. Thanks ~ Doc

[@infiniteg7852]

@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson say I’m in 4th Gear and I Downshift to 3rd gear.. my bike jerks..2020 StreetBob

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

@@infiniteg7852 Thanks for more info. Unusual that your bike only jerks from 4 to 3. If it jerked in every gear I would choose compensator, primary adjuster, clutch hub splined, clutch plates or even belt and sprockets. But since it is one gear I lean towards internal transmission problems. A bent or worn shift fork is not putting a gear where it is supposed to go. Thanks ~ Doc

[@infiniteg7852]

@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson it shifts like that in every gear. I was just giving an example. The bike is Brand new, so I doubt it has any problems . It’s got 40 miles on it! But that’s fine, I’ll figure it out!

[@jsnpowers6]

It sure is fun though

[@wolfemanbog4176]

Hello California

[@Johnr37us]

If you do it and it causes the rear wheel to break loose you could possibly result in pushing the insurance app button on your phone.😳

[@wolfemanbog4176]

How you skip gears it not a car clutch ??!! What you talking about Doc

[@neiln5283]

When the clutch is pulled in you up/down shift more than once.

[@jobeta22]

If you are in 5th gear with the RPMs are about 3I going around 55mph, you can lose control if you downshift two gears while holding the clutch, then releasing it.

[@ELDK305]

Just like dad use to say hahahahaha 🔥🔥🔥

[@mlunden11]

Freat advice. Brakes r cheaper. Lolol. Listen to dad. Always. Careful doc. John frm fla.

[@hombreguerro4767]

Only the real ones know how to do this shit and truck drivers 😆

[@hamdog8872]

Seventh Comment! Love these videos! Beats the hell out of John Maxwell.... no offense, John.

[@DanielRyanScott]

Both are better than just one

[@mlunden11]

Age

[@williamquire2115]

Be careful engine breaking with any harley with a pressed togather flywheels it may not be able to handel the stress they shift real easy you know like a peice of crap

[@tmacey100]

Holy Molly Doc, I Enjoy your clinic a lot. But this "Engine" - Motor" talk is killing me. Please Decipher the difference between a motor "Electrical" and Engine "Gasoline Powered" and Pick one Please. This going back and forth is brain numbing. Thanks

[@mlunden11]

Great. Lolo. Old f””””””

[@billcarson1966]

VIDEO REQUEST - What are some of the best practices for keeping a motorcycle in proper working order when it's parked out on the street 24/7??? I ask because my friend is buying a well-maintained 2006 Harley Road King with 50K miles. It's going to be his daily driver for 3 seasons out of the year. He doesn't have a garage so he'll be parking it in his development parking lot. How does he keep it from rusting and taking a beating from the weather, etc. without a garage? Thanks!