Engine braking

Hello
Have anybody tested engine braking downhill in low speed ?
When do you have to go from engine braking to lever braking ?
Thinking of overheating motor or brakes.

Bob

The engine will brake during deceleration until the RPMs drop to approximately 2000 rpm. At that point the clutch shoes disengage and you'll be entirely dependent on the brake system to further slow or stop the scooter.

Tim

Agree with above----I say about 20kph----to take advantage of what engine braking there is keep speed up over this point in the steeps. I have ridden in Norway.

I see no problems of brake fade or over heating in normal riding

When you start to 'freewheel' just blip the throttle and it will engage and give you engine braking. I would do this all the way down hills just to keep the engine braking going.

You can also use the throttle to keep engine revs up a bit to keep the clutch engaged while you brake lightly with the rear brake to control speed.

+1 on all of the above.

Rear brake? Aren't SilverWing brakes linked??

Yes and No, John
They are linked so the rear brake can be applied only, this happens with gentle or normal braking with the rear lever, but instantaneously brings in the front when more force is applied. Also after about 20 seconds the front feeds in with the back under normal braking. It is a right royal PIA going downhill on gravel. It is also why a lot of people drop them at very low speed when they go for the "clutch" after changing over from a normal m'cycle. It should be choice for the rider and not a pen pushing designer in Japan as to how the riders want it set up. I would drop the linked idea if I could.

Gentlemen, thanks for the great tips!

Yes I know SilverWing Linked braking system rear comes on first for awhile----don't like this set up in snow for example----but designers/maker have to make scooter/bikes idiot proof as possible.

My Suzuki Burgman 400 has non-linked brakes=much better for me, using rear brake as balancing aide, in slow speed stuff.etc.

I really didn't notice the linked brakes on my SWs. Pretty much ignored the fact and didn't have any problems with sand or gravel. My current scooter the C650GT doesn't have linked brakes but it does have ABS which makes it much less worrisome on sand and gravel. The ABS pretty much keeps the machine steerable when braking on loose or wet surfaces. I haven't gotten it onto snow as yet but expect it will help a good bit. One thing for sure is that I don't plan on having a non-ABS scooter or motorcycle again. The ABS is that good.

It is also why a lot of people drop them at very low speed when they go for the "clutch" after changing over from a normal m'cycle.>>>>>>>>>>> Amen to that, it was one of the first things I noticed in the short 5 miles I had to ride before bad weather. I didn't drop the scoot but was amazed at the stopping power after riding a gazillion miles on my Gwings this is a whole new world.

When I first started riding maxi scooters I would occasionally mix up which brake was which. I finally started thinking "lead with the left" which was advice I had from a boxing coach many years ago. That way I always remember to use the rear brake first and leave the front alone when maneuvering in close quarters.
Unfortunately my coach didn't know I was left handed so his advice works for the scooter, for me not so much.

Well like me at least you're in your right mind It looks like it's going to be a while before scoot time, another 6 or so inches of white pristine fell again yesterday. When I was 7 or 8 I used to look forward to this at 78 I wish it would go away.