04-28-2014, 11:40 AM
(04-28-2014, 07:28 AM)The Spaceman_imp Wrote: ferret is right; the clutch plates aren't acting like a brake pad and disk. They snap together and then the engine does the work of slowing the bike as it pumps air. If you bother to blip the throttle properly as you downshift, you will have virtually no friction on the plates. And even if you don't, you'll still never wear out a clutch unless you simply don't know how to use it.
I've been hearing that old saw about "brakes jobs are cheaper than clutch repairs" since I started driving, and it's just wrong. Ask any professional driver or mechanic and they'll advise downshifting to slow your vehicle; either going down a mountain or coming to a stop sign.
In my experience, brakes certainly are cheaper than clutches (and easier). It makes no sense to use engine braking at every deceleration. I don't have the knees for it anymore, either.