Engine Braking

8111 Views 50 Replies 16 Participants Last post by OlderRider, May 27, 2016

cip57

Discussion Starter · May 3, 2015

i picked up my bike Thursday, had a chance to get out yesterday for a 180Mi ride. The triangle on this bike fits my 5'6" frame perfectly, I felt no fatigue. The seat isn't to bad (need more seat time to make a decision) and with the shield in the lowest setting there was no buffeting.

What I did notice is this motor is wound pretty tight, engine braking while great for canyon carving can be a bit tight for normal riding, I found it to be stronger than my 2010 CBR1000RR. On the positive side there is no popping or farting on decel. I guess this is something i will get use to over time.

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athenstiger

· #2 · May 3, 2015

Getting used to it as well...

I just bought a 2015 N1K in black, trading from a Triumph Thunderbird 1600. The gearing difference is crazy between these two bikes, and I'm having to learn how to gear this bike appropriately. I find that I'm not having to gear down as low to engine brake with this new bike as I did on the Tbird. When I go too low, there is major engine braking. I really like this bike, and am getting used to the different riding style. Really fun learning experience.

Adam

cip57

Discussion Starter · #3 · May 3, 2015

athenstiger said:
I just bought a 2015 N1K in black, trading from a Triumph Thunderbird 1600. The gearing difference is crazy between these two bikes, and I'm having to learn how to gear this bike appropriately. I find that I'm not having to gear down as low to engine brake with this new bike as I did on the Tbird. When I go too low, there is major engine braking. I really like this bike, and am getting used to the different riding style. Really fun learning experience.

Adam

My first impression coming off an exit ramp in 6th gear at about 70 was why have brakes on this bike LOL, the engine braking is so strong there is very little need for downshifting riding under normal condition.

cowasockee

· #4 · May 3, 2015

I'm just the opposite of you guys. Coming from the Ducati to the big Ninja I feel like there is almost no engine braking. I warn people riding behind me not to follow too close cause I have so much engine braking on the big twin. So much so it's hard to come off throttle smoothly sometimes.

cip57

Discussion Starter · #5 · May 3, 2015

cowasockee said:
I'm just the opposite of you guys. Coming from the Ducati to the big Ninja I feel like there is almost no engine braking. I warn people riding behind me not to follow too close cause I have so much engine braking on the big twin. So much so it's hard to come off throttle smoothly sometimes.

That's a good example of how different bikes are set up.

Poustman

· #6 · May 23, 2015

When I rode my 2006 SV1000S I loved the engine braking; it's a fun pastime to pass, dip into the right lane & slipstream, making a prudent and safety-first effort to not touch the brakes.

One question I've had in the back of my mind is whether this is hard on the engine; I dearly hope not as it is very entertaining. I'd be alright with a minor uptick in wear but wouldn't want to overdo that.

Anyone have any insight?

cowasockee

· #7 · May 27, 2015

As was explained to me many years ago...brakes are for braking and engines are for going. Yes there is some wear and tear on the engine when using engine braking but one has to ask themselves...How much? It's probably not a huge problem as long as you aren't hitting the rev limiter everytime you back shift.

Reactions: 1

Poustman

· #8 · May 27, 2015

Makes sense. I just roll off, don't think I've ever back shifted. Thanks for the comment.

CheetahTurbo

· #9 · May 23, 2016

So what is the purpose of having this much engine braking?

rcannon409

· #10 · May 23, 2016

I don't believe it's on purpose as much as "it happened" when the epa certification was met.

This is a big part of why we all love ivans reflash. He fixes this.

Reactions: 1

Ishikawa

· #11 · May 23, 2016 (Edited)

Let me give this a try

rcannon409 said:
I don't believe it's on purpose as much as "it happened" when the epa certification was met.

This is a big part of why we all love ivans reflash. He fixes this.

Yes, the EPA is not too friendly to manual transmissions of any kind. I try to pull away slowly in my stock manual Audi A4 and the thing hesitates like i have a shaky foot on the accelerator pedal. I've practiced this so many times. When I bought the N1K and experienced before and after Ivan's reflash I realized it wasn't the physical characteristics of the engine so much as the modes.

One of the motorcycle techs will probably bash me for even trying to explain this, but here's my best shot.

3 Engine modes: Idle, Stochiometric (fuel efficient), and WOT (wide open throttle).
From our standpoint these modes should only be based on throttle position, but I suspect the EPA mandated that a negative movement in throttle position puts the engine in Idle mode, expecting that the automatic transmission will simply coast (and not giving a **** about those of us who drive manual transmissions, and all motorcyclists). The car has enough mass that it's only an annoyance at extremely low speeds. But our bikes are about 1/8th the weight of a 4 wheeler, and this change to idle mode causes a lot of compression force to be overcome by our 500 lb bike, so we feel it a lot more.

I was absolutely astounded that Ivan's reflash fixed the problem, but it also gave me some clue to the source...legislation (by public officials who don't like driving, or motorcycling).

Okay, flame suit on, ready to take some arrows for opening my mouth.

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Reactions: 2

THEMANRACING

· #12 · May 23, 2016

I did not like the engine braking as per stock.

I added the slipper from the Verseys and Ivans flash and now when really beating down through the gears it just skates the rear wheel, which is absoluty perfect for me.

The stock bike had way too much engine braking. The throttle was a brake switch.

Reactions: 1

donfre

· #13 · May 23, 2016

Since the year dot, trucks have relied on engine braking ,particularly on long and/or steep declines where brakes would overheat and become useless because of brake fade.

luciano136

· #14 · May 23, 2016

In stock form, the N1K has way too much engine braking. Much improved with Ivan's flash even though I feel like there's still a bit too much of it.

I personally like less engine braking for canyon carving since you're riding in higher rpm than regular street riding.

CheetahTurbo

· #15 · May 24, 2016

THEMANRACING said:
I did not like the engine braking as per stock.

I added the slipper from the Verseys and Ivans flash and now when really beating down through the gears it just skates the rear wheel, which is absoluty perfect for me.

The stock bike had way too much engine braking. The throttle was a brake switch.

What is the "slipper from the verseys"?

landman

· #16 · May 24, 2016

CheetahTurbo said:
What is the "slipper from the verseys"?

the versy 1000 and 2016 ninja 1000 come with a slipper clutch.this helps prevent rear wheel lock up on hard downshifts at speed.

Rock

· #17 · May 25, 2016

I find it much better after the flash, and throttle roll off if fine, but i"m still hesitant to downshift. Would like a slipper clutch.

Mark59

· #18 · May 25, 2016

I blip the throttle and down shift like crazy never had no problem thats without the flash

Rock

· #19 · May 25, 2016

Is that a hard downshift going into a corner ?

Mark59

· #20 · May 25, 2016 (Edited)

10-4 on a hard down shift going in a corner, ive never had any problms with the rear wheel locking up, every vehicle i own is manual with a clutch, i thought that was the norm using engine braking to slow down with a manual, i always downshift in a real sharp curve, but i do it at the front not halfway in the turn, im usually getting back on the throttle in the curve

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