Is Engine Braking Bad For Your Motorcycle? | The Shop Manual

Is Engine Braking Bad For Your Motorcycle? | The Shop Manual
Read more of Ari's thoughts on engine braking: rvz.la/3fkug4U
There's a lot of confusion and misinformation out there about engine braking. In this episode of The Shop Manual, Ari explains what engine braking is, how it works, and whether it’s a good thing or a bad thing.

[@RevZilla]

Read more about engine braking on Common Tread: rvz.la/3kQJvE3

[@authenticmax6350]

Hey Ari, what about giving a little rev and doing the engine braking like I see professional drivers and riders do ? Is that a better way to do engine braking ? Cheers.

[@muhammadsyihab2636]

@@authenticmax6350 sure. Its a better way to slow down your vehicle without damaging the clutch and the engine form back torque. This case used for racing to prevent back wheel sliping and prevent rpm down and used if you want to slow down vehicle smoothly and minimize back torque. But if you have a slipper clutch feature. You dont need to do rev matching.

[@authenticmax6350]

@@muhammadsyihab2636 Oh okay,,, Thanks brother.

[@HiroshiNaganuma]

Hey Ari, great explanation. I was thinking, what about a short bore and long stroke engine? The engine use a low rpm, it's safe too? Thx.

[@foxweirdson5296]

hey i wanna know if u are on full throttle of 3rd gear and u wanted to up shift the gear to 4 but u mistakenly shift down to 2nd a loud comes and bike resist ....WILL IT HARM THE BIKE?

[@tejaspadhye]

Who else already knew the answer and still watched 💆‍♂️

[@el34superlead]

I didn't even know it was a question. Still watched.

[@pmrzy]

@@el34superlead I questioned it when I read the title

[@shishkatian]

It's me..

[@kuhndj67]

I figured there was a chance I'd learn something new... and I did (had not really thought about the potential issue with 2 strokes on long descents... but it makes sense).

[@joetrosclair8434]

Yup.

[@pfunkle]

Me, engine braking literally every time I slow down for the last 40k miles: **nervous sweating**

[@somedudeona6367]

Same tho, except for the last 10k miles. Since I got my first bike this year lol

[@vvrathhps]

Haha same. I bought a BMW G 310 GS, which has such an amazingly effective engine brake, I hardly have to touch the brakes and I live up in the mountains.

[@whoknows322]

Sammmee

[@Steeyuv]

Used to ride an R80RT. Only ever used the brakes for the last 5mph down to a stop. Pads lasted FOREVER.

[@sabiti5428]

Diesels in semis literally have systems in them designed to increase engine resistance to use as a brake. 😶

[@questioner1596]

Keep in mind that when engine braking, you're only slowing the rear wheel, so be careful in low traction situations to not break the rear loose. It's bad for your engine to crash.

[@goodafternoonworld4456]

What you said sounds stupid in paper but beautiful irl.

[@alozborne]

I think this isn't stressed enough for new riders. Also, for bikes without slipper clutches, dumping the clutch can also lead to scary instability for an unaware newbie. I also think it's fair to say that too many riders rely almost exclusively on downshifting to scrub speed. It's just so much better to learn proper front brake modulation and trail braking techniques too. I downshift going into a corner, but generally only so that I am in the preferred gear when exiting the corner, rather than for engine braking purposes. Brake pads are cheap anyway!

[@matthew8093]

@@alozborne True, but where I live (Portland, OR) braking vs engine braking can make a HUGE difference in fuel economy. I'll use my car as an example cause I only recently started riding, but when I was almost exclusively engine braking down the 5-7 degree declines that go for 1/2 a mile (or on US 26 about 3 miles) for that trip I'd get 40-45 mpg, whereas if I had to use the actual brakes for most of it, i'd get the more expected 28-30 mpg. It won't be nearly as dramatic for a bike that weighs 10% of my car, but if you can do it safely it's definitely noticeable in the right conditions. But, I'll admit most people don't live right near multiple mountains and volcanoes where this can be used regularly.

[@alozborne]

@@matthew8093 That's fair. Honestly, I rarely give fuel economy much of a thought as my CB500X gets about 65 mpg average.

[@steve00alt70]

As a learner I engine break while downshifting, I have a slipper clutch which helps

[@1MrBryn]

I genuinely didn't know this was even a concern for some people.

[@Chris-yy7qc]

Me neither. Engine overheating was my favorite, tho. :-D

[@ZeronXL]

You probably never had some very old, air cooled, 2-stroke bike? The case he described is absolutely true, my engine welded itself in a similar situation XD

[@SportbikerNZ]

Deals with many people who ignorant, but vocal, about 2 stroke engine braking. You see those nutters complain on any vid with a 2-stroke engine braking for more than a couple of seconds, not comprehending it's only a problem with long, uninterrupted periods of engine braking. Like down a mountain as Ari mentioned.

[@ZeronXL]

@@SportbikerNZ Define long and uninterrupted period, the way you see it. For me it took 1/2 a mile.

[@SportbikerNZ]

@@ZeronXL Miles to indefinitely provided you're running correct pilot jet sizing.

[@Phyx1u5]

so glad these guys are getting the funding they deserve. missed you both when you left the motorcyclist magazine

[@Shah-kn4ic]

mc garage also.

[@tanvirrrrrrrrrr]

yeah i missed him too. he is the best

[@AriH211]

We're happy to be back, and fortunate to be working with RevZilla. They're really on the gas!

[@des_nish]

@@AriH211 Always love your zero bullshit content!

[@Soshi12005]

@@AriH211 I hope you guys can do more maintenance videos on the svartpilen 401 shown in other video

[@daodandough]

Missed thumbnail title : "Is Engine Braking Breaking Engine?"

[@Chris-yy7qc]

"Is Engine Braking Breaking Engine or giving your Brakes a Break from Braking?"

[@joshbobst1629]

Nice​@@Chris-yy7qc

[@kcpolog]

On next episode: Is accelerating bad for your engine?

[@ADVRaiderKTM]

Terrible!

[@danmanthe9335]

Is being a motorcycle bad for your motorcycle?! NEXT WEEK ON REVZILLA!

[@AriH211]

@@danmanthe9335 Y'all make fun, but the fact is I've been asked about engine braking a lot recently. One guy even said he was pulling the clutch in and coasting to avoid it - what a way to ride a motorcycle! So while plenty of us already know about this stuff, there are others that don't.

[@danmanthe9335]

@@AriH211 sorry! I have seen that question around the internet a lot lately too. Unfortunately misinformation is rampant and tough to distinguish from the truth a lot of times. There are a lot of people who honestly just don't know, and that is just fine

[@rohinhans7819]

Technically yes, it ever so slightly wears it out😂

[@IvanTheHurricane]

For those worried about it, just blip the throttle to rev match the downshift. Smoother transition and less stress on the clutch

[@loichervier7206]

I let this job to my slipper clutch 😊

[@Vapourwear]

@@loichervier7206 Skills>Kit. Every. Fucking. Time.

[@gaiustacitus4242]

@@Vapourwear True. Equipment breaks, but skill will get you through.

[@Brave_SJ]

Glad to hear this from someone who knows what they're talking about. When I first started riding a bike my buddy, who'd been riding for about a year before me, demonstrated engine braking on his straight piped CBR300, which sounded like it was begging for a mercy killing. Years later I know full well that engine braking is fine, but I always had that nagging feeling in the back of my mind like I'm taking a year off the engine's lifespan by using it for braking.

[@SauvikRoy]

I bet you understand it now, it's not from the video, but from your own experience, right? Engine braking, when done correctly doesn't hurt the bike.

[@Real_MisterSir]

I think the core issue of your experience was witnessing a straight piped CBR300.. That's an act against all that is holy

[@13taufiq]

ikr, the sound that the bike makes from engine braking terrifies me as well when it was the first time I'm using a manual bike. After a while though, I become addicted when I can execute downshift smoothly + the sound that the engine braking makes.

[@ErickP11]

I love that the thumbnail preview includes the short answer: No

[@Dashport-ih7ww]

I'm glad that in our present generation we all have these experts to explain us about motorcycles !

[@Pranav19k94]

Apart from all the stated benefits, I like the sound my motorcycle makes while engine braking.

[@sayuas4293]

@NOOBS REVIEWS Watch the south park harley episode, thats who you are

[@upsidedowndog1256]

I have always found engine breaking to be a safety tactic and I like the sounds it makes. Triggering the brake light while doing it also

[@NinjaKing878]

Rev matching sounds better in my opinion, engine braking to me sounds incomplete.

[@upsidedowndog1256]

@@NinjaKing878 Hmmm...It had never occured to me to use engine braking WITHOUT rev matching. Been doing that since I was 7.

[@markfox1545]

You break your engine as a safety tactic?! 😳🧐

[@CougarCat21]

Seriously why do u like to BREAK the engine?? that's a dumb thing to do. Don't u use BRAKES?

[@upsidedowndog1256]

@@CougarCat21 As little as possible.

[@CaptainSlow93]

2:52 look at the adorable little piston

[@CyrusFisher619]

Lol that’s a piston of the kind of bike that I have

[@mactipiak]

I'm glad you covered engine braking slowing the rider a lot without notifying the people behind. With my tiny V twin (the little brother of the Honda Hawk GT647) a lot of speed can be reduced with engine braking alone and it's something to be mindful about.

[@georgel3657]

It was always drilled into me to keep the vehicle stable on all axis, every input slow, measured and precise. I like engine and gearbox breaking because they scrub 90% of the speed in most situations without upsetting the vehicle leaving me to concentrate on my turn in, throttle control and body position.

[@percyfaith11]

Well technically engine braking is braking the rear tire.

[@moonshinepz]

there is so much engine braking on my bike I barely touch the brakes. i've had it 7 years and just put the first set of new pads in it since I bought it used. can't believe some people worry about this.

[@Steve-ec6ed]

I'm loving these "Saturday mornings with Ari" videos. Keep em coming Revzilla!

[@geetarthneo]

Loved their content always, most detailed and yet interesting to watch. Zack and Arri have played a huge role in my way of maintaining my bike.

[@sepplee5812]

In Germany, we learn at driving school that Engine Breaking is essential due to fuel efficiency and reducing the wear of the braking pads and discs. So everyone in Germany driving any type of vehicle learned this lesson. Funny you (need to?) make a video of it and people not knowing. :)

[@subliminalist7539]

Most cars in the US are automatic and generally don't have sufficient engine brake to be as useful as a manual. Most people have never even driven one. There is no need to teach it in the basic drivers course as basically no one uses a manual car in the driving test. The people who DO drive stick in the US most likely know of engine braking. I mean it's right there...it's obvious that it exists because it happens every time you take your foot/hand off the throttle lol.

[@sepplee5812]

@@subliminalist7539 yeah, you’re right. However, for fuel efficiency it makes a huge difference if you use the brake pedal or shift down to use the motor as a brake. But I see the point, in Germany manual transmissions are getting obsolete as well and thanks to the electric cars this will soon be nothing anyone would need to know anymore or even be able to use. We are getting old. ;) The next generation will all automatically recharge energy when braking with their electric cars. Huge leap.

[@AndrasMihalyi]

You don't learn engine breaking in Germany... You must learn engine braking 😁 Brechen vs bremsen

[@sepplee5812]

@@AndrasMihalyi lol. Yeah, would be funny if you learn how to puke over your brakes… 😂👍

[@Dan-56]

I so want that cut away engine for display on the coffee table in my living room 😜🏍👍.

[@fgcvhhbvjhbj]

Yeah I was thinking the same haha. Must've made it himself

[@danmanthe9335]

Let me know, I can get you an engine to put on your coffee table. Granted it'll probably be from a weedwacker...

[@AriH211]

@@fgcvhhbvjhbj I didn't make it, it's borrowed from Honda North America. Super cool, right?

[@davidcampbell362]

Remove the wheels/ tank & seat- clamp a piece of plywood on it, and you have a dandy coffee table.

[@fgcvhhbvjhbj]

Yeah man it's really cool. "Borrowed" indefinitely I hope haha.

[@kayle7155]

Love this new format! I had wondered how you would cover some of the subjects you’ve covered in the past but you’ve managed to keep it all fresh and interesting absolute legend :D

[@TylerDurdenDoesNotExist]

Thanks Ari, I can't tell you how much I missed this Series.. Please keep posting videos like this!

[@UnShEeP924]

Thank you ARI & REVZILLA for bringing us this amazing video. This thing was bothering me in the back of my mind and now i am relieved to know the knowhows.....much love, keep it up.

[@Blitzkrieg63]

Really glad to see you guys back. It was sad to see you leave back then. But it's nice to see ya back. Stay safe guys!

[@j.thomas7128]

Great Stuff as always! With so much bad information out there and so many idiots pretending to be experts, these guys deserve their subs with concise and factual information.

[@Camtheperson892010]

Thanks for settling this for us, Ari. Good to see ya doing videos again.

[@michaelmyers8931]

Presentation well done I’m 76 and still riding you’ve given the young riders some good information keep it positive

[@waynester71]

I remember passing my full bike licence test 30 years ago and going from a Honda 2 stroke 125cc with almost zero engine braking, to a Honda V4 VF400F.. the ride home after picking it up, I could not believe the engine braking.. it was awesome!

[@phauschermauscher5943]

Much love for zack and ari, this was explained so well!

[@go.for.m.o.]

You could publish 10 videos a day just like this, and I still don't think I could have enough! Thank you Ari and team!

[@blackdog7275]

You are the reason I subscribed to RevZilla, great information, always!

[@TheImtoomuch]

It’s crazy what people believe. I’m glad you explain why things are or aren’t okay.

[@CharlieSolis]

I’ve always wondered all these things. Thanks for making a clear answer! Makes me wonder why I thought it might be bad in the first place when I knew all the things you pointed out but still questioned how ok it was for the engine

[@davek4986]

Yep, same here...

[@jjdavis7471]

This video is exactly what I needed to watch. I always wanted to know about this and now I have a way better full understanding of it for when I ride. Definitely got a new subscriber.

[@baller4ad]

Such a reassuring video 🙏🏾 I've needed this shop manual video to show my friends. 😄

[@st1buchanan698]

Best explanation of engine braking I've ever seen. Thanks Ari.

[@WorldzMo5t3pic]

I usually tap my rear brakes twice to let the car behind me know that I'll be slowing down without a visual indicator. Haven't been rear-ended yet but people still get obnoxiously close.

[@zainbunga3002]

So much issue. Why not use brakes. They are there for a reason

[@user-uv4xr7kj1i]

I like that his videos are short and to the point. Under 5 minutes is plenty of time to get information passed and understood. So many people have 20 and 30 minute videos that just repeat themselves.

[@444denmen]

Great visual aids, best I’ve found.... thanks for posting!!!!!

[@Krydolph]

I knew what engine breaking was, and that it wasn't dangerous. But interesting to see and learn why people would think that, because it had never ever crossed my mind! Another benefit would also be more MPG. The fear must be because you all have automatic cars. I live in Denmark, even to this day automatic is something you only see in electric cars, and as extra in expensive cars. "Driving stick" is the norm, the common thing. And its what you are taught when taking you license. So from cars, engine breaking has always been a thing I utilized, so doing it when riding too just came natural, and not something I ever thought to question.

[@bicimotoworld4115]

Thanks for this one, i had that question in my mind for a long time

[@thangbiaklun4595]

Most simple. Most understanding.. The best teacher..

[@michaeldasilva6753]

Great series! Keep up the quality work Ari!

[@gim6976]

I'm here just to say that, " Riding is an art "

[@saulontheroad9605]

Great video, thank you so much ! Good to see you again now with RevZilla

[@chandlerodell7138]

These are the best educational videos I’ve found

[@DeiseRebel]

This is great to watch, I use engine braking a good bit and it gives a good habit of not over speeding and therefore needing the brakes too much. Great tip to use activate the brake lights when engine braking. Overall a great video which I really enjoyed. Thanks Guys.

[@DanteYewToob]

I've gotten into the habit of double tapping my rear brakes and applying rear brake when I engine brake. I might be an exception because I was told most of this when I started learning and I ride 90% of the time at night, and I want to be seen. It's a good habit, and learning how to tickle the brake pedal to trigger the brake light is a useful skill. You can blink at someone too close, alert a fellow rider of an obstacle with your foot, or just make your engine braking clear. It's a good habit/skill to learn. Just practice gently touching it enough to click the light on, but not enough to brake. I told this to a friend and he tried learning this skill and ended up stomping the rear brake and locking up the rear.. so don't be like him.. practice that light touch, tappy tap, do morse code, tap a beat out... just get used to very light taps when you need to.

[@wesleyleblanc8929]

I use engine braking in like all my vehicles because I only drive manual so me using the brake light actually came from driving a car just thinking about how it looks from behind to be slowing down without a brake light

[@moteroargentino7944]

These little things are the signs of a good seasoned biker who spend his/her time learning and improving. I personally added a second rear light that flashes when I stop (just a strip of LEDs with a relay and a flasher). I still have to signal when I'm engine braking but it sends a clearer sign than just a brighter light.

[@hainhatphung1371]

When I do engine braking, it's accompanied by slightly a knub of either my front or rear brakes, so everyone can see from behind that I am stopping. Most scared the shit out and even Honda dealer (they warned me of warranty void IN FACT). I cared none. It's safe to do so, and/but try to make sign of your braking with a touch of your brake light. On cornering I go with slight rear stomp, and halting at stop light calls both rear and front brakes, and everyone looks at me with concerns of burning my own clutch pack, piston andohGOD do they know shit!

[@Bobby-wn5yr]

I just adjust my rear brake so the light comes on as soon as I put my foot on it but it takes a bit more positive pressure to engage. That way as soon as you ease off and move your foot forward ready to apply the rear brake the light comes on.

[@questioner1596]

I like to use the front brake to activate the brake light, because when engine braking, you're only using the rear tire and a little front helps keep things balanced.

[@Somewheredownintexas]

Ari is the best, things you knew but he gives you all the detail and practical points.. keep it up

[@nicholaschriss1706]

Great video, obvious points made very clear for all to see.

[@Virtualmix]

Perhaps the most important limitation to know about engine braking is the fact only the rear wheel is used to slow down the motorcycle and therefore equivalent to braking using only the rear brake.

[@stephenpierce2726]

That Dave the gixxer cameo though😍🔥🏍😍🔥🏍

[@arthurpendragon9079]

That bike's headed for Barber.

[@user-rm5ww5hx9y]

Perfectly explained and very interesting. Thanks!

[@MotoActionADV]

Good info for the 2-strokes. I knew that on my 4-stroke bikes there was no concern (and I do engine brake A LOT on those bikes) but in my owners manual for my old 2-stroke bike from 1975 it specifically says to not use engine braking when going down long hills. It says pull in the clutch and use brakes exclusively.

[@AngelFaceMotoRider]

MotoActionADV, can you find my comment on this video "Is Engine Braking Bad For Your Motorcycle? | The Shop Manual" and tell me, am I out-to-lunch with my thoughts & comment. I don't want to look stupid in front of Ari, maybe I should run it by your 1st. (serious face)

[@bobvido9875]

You have a working 2stroke from 1975!? My god ,thats gold worth. But your bike is a 99.99 % exception. Trust me.

[@jimbote1968]

Maybe someone's already commented on this but even on a 2-stroke, when engine braking, it's still pulling oil/fuel mixture through the idle circuit and not adding any significant combustion heat so it's not starving for lube at all.

[@AriH211]

I didn't want to delve that deep into the specifics, but you're totally right. Idle circuit is still feeding fuel/oil in, even at closed throttle.

[@jr6874]

I've seen two stroke engine seized on high rev engine braking

[@bobvido9875]

@@jr6874 good for you 👏👏👏👏👌👌👍👍👍😱

[@jr6874]

@@bobvido9875 good for me but not the guy who says engine

[@SteffiTunaPie]

Brief and concised. Thanks. Subscribed.

[@corujariousa]

Thanks for another good video, Ari! Great to dismistify this matter. I use engine break since my first bike and never had any problems. As you mentioned, just got to do it right.

[@cruiser1398]

Great content! Back in the 70's, I had an old two stroke that you had to mix the oil and gas and the engine would actually seize up if you didn't give it some kind of throttle on a more than 10 sec or so deceleration. Had to let it cool down to free up and restart.

[@siraff4461]

That goes for most premix 2T's. His info is plain wrong on that one.

[@StratfordWingRider]

Its why I have always enjoyed manual cars and motorbikes - its nice to be able to control your speed using the engine and transmission. I remember a person arguing with my father when I was a kid telling him that engine braking was bad - and brake pads are cheap! ( I know they are - but engine braking is great )

[@drumbum7999]

rotors aren't cheap though!

[@TheGeenat]

Thank you. I was definitely wondering about this.

[@151balance]

This channel is at the top of all my bike question searches, aslo 100% answer satisfaction rate... thank you kindly

[@CarsMeetsBikes]

the key to not getting rear ended is to go faster than everyone else sounds like a joke, but seriously, it works

[@CarsMeetsBikes]

@LastRaven thats where loud pipes comes into play, people can hear my bike from a mile away

[@Real_MisterSir]

Yep, I always ride about 50-10 mph/kmph faster than the general flow of traffic. It means I never hover in anyone's blindspot for too long, and I don't have to worry too much about what goes on behind me. It also keeps your mind active because you're constantly subconsciously looking out instead of feeling too safe just following whatever the car in front is doing. Speed only becomes an issue when you push the margins of excess speed compared to those around you. I feel the least safe when I'm just existing in the traffic flow.

[@Real_MisterSir]

@LastRaven The key is to just go slightly above the speed of the general traffic flow. That way you never stay in someone's blind spot for too long, and your mind stays active because you aren't just following what the car in front of you is doing. In order to not be able to react due to speed, you need to be going way faster than necessary. In any normal situation if you go 5-10mph faster than the cars around you, you still have almost the same reaction time limit as normal. It's a total win-win way of riding.

[@sgriffiths1448]

All of that is wonderful providing you never need to stop. You always need to stop at least once every time you go out.

[@roberttaggart5757]

If you’re racing a two-stroke engine flat out for a long time you have to blip the throttle in between gear changes to feed oil/fuel to the crank and piston so it will not seize

[@PanRider939]

Going up or down the gears.

[@roberttaggart5757]

@@PanRider939 😂😂😂

[@sagato888]

My go-to whenever i am confused about how my motorcycle works. Thanks always ❤

[@brendadowdy9812]

I love watching the two of you test ride bikes in all different situations!

[@stevegabbert9626]

My last several bikes have been Suzuki 650 Burgmans. The 2005, which I rode for 101,000 miles, had incredible engine braking, way more than expected. You let off the throttle and it felt like you were going over the handle bars. I think there were enough concerns about it, that the latest version, my 2016 with 60,000 miles, was a lot smoother on the engine braking.

[@zain786ification]

I've got 2007 Burgman 650 , same here

[@DrTranofEvil]

I use engine braking constantly, so good to know. 😓

[@-Just_Justin-]

That cutaway engine is pretty awesome. Happy that you covered the 2 stroke aspect with evidence as well.

[@brambersig5014]

Your the man your video taught me so much. And the best breakdown of knowledge on motorcycles. You sir have a new subscriber 👍🏽🤜🏽✊🏽🤜🏽

[@christianrasmussen6739]

one other benefit of engine braking that ari didnt mention is that you improve fuel mileage on fuel injection systems because the FI fuel cuts while doing engine braking

[@Apollo-Computers]

True, the fuel cut off on decel, also causes stronger engine braking. Some people change that in the ecu to not cut off fuel, which makes letting off throttle not such an abrupt slowdown. Also makes it much smoother getting back into the throttle.

[@overthinking3573]

5:33 goddamn the veins

[@CBRboy1717]

I was thinking the same thing. Fucking fire hoses...

[@ronuronu814]

It's due to genes.

[@overthinking3573]

@@ronuronu814 and pumping iron. Gym time and weight training leads to bigger veins

[@ronuronu814]

@@overthinking3573 yeah

[@sixtyninetele]

Good point about the brake light activation.

[@jonmajarucon51]

Great information. Great Video. Thanks so much!!!

[@salsamancer]

I've heard of mods that activate the brake lights when deceleration occurs, something like a mercury switch activated line. Would be a worthwhile upgrade for those who rely on engine braking a lot.

[@lanceke]

Think that's just a matter of properly learning how to ride a bike. Whenever you slow down, use the rear brake enough to trigger the brake light. Same goes for always checking your mirrors when stopped at a red light for approaching vehicles, and being ready to go anywhere if the car behind you isn't slowing down. Still, it would be useful to have that just in case you forget, but I think that might just make more people lazy when it comes to road safety/awareness if that ever becomes standard equipment.

[@Apollo-Computers]

I find it's easier to trigger the brake light switch with the lever for front brakes.

[@BB-1990]

You could do all that, or just use your back brake like you should anyway.

[@iangrimshaw1]

I know of bikes in the UK that have been fitted with with mercury switches about forty years ago. They work fine but (obviously) don't work when the bike is stationary. I like to keep my rear brake light on on soggy, wet Winter nights when I'm waiting at junctions or traffic lights on a rainy night. Gives me a bit more visibility.

[@ZeronXL]

You forgot to mention that it also improves fuel economy when combined with some fuel systems.

[@davidjessee7701]

Explain... Be cause I dont know how engine breaking( letting off the gas) could save fuel better than pulling in the clutch and using the break🤔 Even though I always gear down or "engine brake" been riding for 50 years..

[@ZeronXL]

@@davidjessee7701 This works only on bikes with fuel injection, when you let off the gas and the rpm are above idle, the computer shuts of the fuel until the engine speed reaches idle again just like in a car engine. Works great on long downhills. I have seen systems on carburated bikes that more or less try to do the same thing but they still let some fuel go. I hope my explanation makes sense.

[@junkawakami3193]

you're talking about "Deceleration Fuel Cutoff/DFCO"? I always noticed that with modern fuel injected vehicles that has fuel economy indicator (the fuel economy goes up to the moon coz the ECU programmed the injectors to shut itself when engine braking).

[@Apollo-Computers]

@@junkawakami3193 yes fuel cut on decel. Saves fuel, stronger decel, but some bikes can be very twitchy/not smooth getting back into the throttle. It is why I turn fuel cut on decel off in the ecu. Smoother decel and accel. But less deceleration off throttle, and uses more fuel.

[@samboy121]

Awesome videos mate. Already knew it was harmless, but what a fantastic explanation as to why.

[@ulrichkuester2156]

Very good explanation addressing individual concerns in detail.

[@AMXM-do5kw]

I know I'm right this whole time. I will show this video to my anti engine braking friends. 😂 I did told them if a bike can handle full throttle from 1st gear, there's no reason the bike can't handle fraction of force produced by engine braking😁

[@SlackTastic]

That's like asking: Is running your engine bad for your bike? ;)

[@AisuruMirai]

I've had my bike for ten years and haven't run the engine once-I want this thing to last forever, and I'm not taking any chances.

[@vincebautista4849]

@@AisuruMirai Take the chance if you have the time, cause if you don't your motor won't last long keeping it stocked in your garage take chances.

[@mingc7481]

Technically, yes. But in the same sense that every day you live is a day closer to death

[@danmanthe9335]

@@AisuruMirai careful! Corrosion is insidious!

[@vincebautista4849]

@@mingc7481 It depends on your driving, if you are erratic nor aggressive on the road you know what is going to happen.

[@reelmrj]

Thanks for posting this, I use engine breaking and never really thought either way if it was good or bad

[@mrcr83]

Crystal clear explanations thanks!

[@Jeffsmith211]

KZbin has somehow tapped into reading my mind. This was the first thing on my recommended list. I just got back from a three day trip not more than an hour ago with my MT09. Had some crazy hills where I was riding. No joke, It crossed my mind while I was riding about five hours ago if I'm engine braking too much. Question answered.

[@asianinashed]

*"Is it bad for your engine?, no"* My premix 2 stroke after a couple of miles engine breaking: :D someone said boom?

[@0HARE]

Thanks for an informative, and well presented explanation. Happy Trails

[@ekaelyono]

i just love how this guy explains things!! from when i started to get into bikes, untill now where i actually dont need to go to a mechanic to get a monthly checkup on my bike anymore, by that i mean i can do the basic checkup from cleaning my carburetor, adjusting valves, adjusting chain slack and all the basic things a rider should know, this guy is always a go to for tutorials, doesnt matter what channel he’s on hahaha!!

[@JP_1000]

Well, I learned something new today

[@Al_Gore_Rhythmn]

For a n00b like me, engine breaking is good practice when concerning where the ratios of each gear sit as I down shift and catch each gear smoothly, one-by-one until I make my stop.

[@joetrosclair8434]

Aye, as ye shud 😉

[@Quinney84]

Practice blipping the throttle on downshifts.

[@harisjaved1379]

Thank you Ari! Everything you said is ON Point!

[@rickyGman11]

I think the problem with this is the lack of manual transmission cars and subsequent stick drivers in the states. (Not saying there aren't europeans or asians etc who might also think engine breaking is a bad thing) Because engine breaking is simply taking your foot off the gas in a car. (Also not saying engine breaking isn't a thing on autos, it's a thing on anything with a piston engine, but the difference being you definitely feel it more on a stick than an auto)

[@Nekminute]

havent had to change brake pads for lots of kms on the 1290 🤣

[@riccardosbarra]

That bike has a ridiculous engine brake! Takes time to learn to close the gas later than other bikes. Absolute beast

[@factoryrider9537]

Same on my rsv4, over 30k km with lots of heavy braking when going fast occasionally and the pads are at half life, racing derived engine braking is amazing

[@JMExtras]

Actually my concern was the chain braking, because when you normally break you disk and wheels do the force, but when you do engine brake is the engine who transmit the force to the chain that is blocking the actual speed from the wheels with force, pretty good amount of force (talking for experience i have drift in corners because of that, i have downshifted too much by mistake and the result is almost the same as locking the rear tired) PS: Amazing explanation. the most and well explained topics about motorcycle one can get!!!

[@AriH211]

The chain is not affected by engine braking. Most chains are rated at 2-3x the tensile strength they'll experience under full acceleration, and engine braking only imparts a fraction of that force on the drivetrain.

[@falcn12]

You're putting way more power into the chain with the engine than engine braking is, so engine braking shouldn't break your chain.

[@JMExtras]

@@AriH211 Thx for the answer.

[@ashhadashraf3890]

We need more videos like this!! Keep up the good work

[@kennethcuenca5009]

It changed my perspective about engine braking, and this time I'll use it a lot to save my brake pads 😊. Always great video from you Ari Henning keep it up 👍.

[@sunny9895]

Never been this early on a RevZilla video before, I think it's time to "slow down".

[@doghead45]

blegh!

[@arancourt5623]

Boo!

[@PracticalTacticalSheepDog]

5:32 holy heroin veins batman

[@jaikanths875]

Very informational video.. Thank you Ari!

[@AWoulds]

As a new small engine mechanic just rebuilding my first bottom end on my 02 Cr250 and seeing how I'm about to pickup my first fuel injected 4-stroke WR, I have lots of questions and all 3 videos I've watched so far somehow really comfort me. Thank you. it started with the "do you need to warm up your engine video" I think of it all the time when I wake up at 5:40 AM in the morning knowing that I need to get to work by 6:00am and I'm just throwing on my clothes and starting up my old ass 05 V6 Tacoma with 197k miles in 40 degree FL wet cold wondering if I should start driving or wait until I see the temp needle move a little bit. So after watching that I now know that I should just go ahead and start driving and just being gentle.

[@Hoodilydaddle]

Suzuki GS 500 Owners: What is this engine braking you speak of?