Do You Pull in the Clutch When Braking on a Motorcycle?

Pressing the motorbike clutch simultaneously with the brake is common, especially in traffic. Now, do you pull in the clutch when braking on a motorcycle? 

Suppose you press the motorbike clutch and brake lever together. In that case, your motorbike will suddenly stop, which might cause you to lose balance on the motorbike. And that’s why you should only press both components when it’s an emergency or to avoid a motorbike accident. 

Let’s consider what it means and what you can do about it. 

While writing the post, I leave no stone unturned so you can know whether you need to pull in the clutch when braking on a motorcycle. 

Do You Pull in the Clutch When Braking on a Motorcycle? 

Indeed the motorbike clutch is a crucial part that you should use carefully. Now, do you pull in the clutch when braking on a motorcycle? 

Pulling the motorbike clutch disengages the power transmission to the rear wheels causing your motorbike to be slow while pressing the brake completely stops the motorbike. If you’re a beginner, pressing the clutch to slow down the motorbike can be a great choice. 

However, some riders avoid pressing both components together, which may cause the motorbike to slip. 

What if You Press the Motorbike Clutch and Brake Together? 

Indeed you shouldn’t press the motorbike clutch when pressing the motorbike brakes to avoid any malfunctions. Now the question arises, what if you press the motorbike clutch and brake together? 

Suppose you press the motorbike clutch and brake lever together. In that case, your motorbike will suddenly stop, which might cause you to lose balance on the motorbike. And that’s why you should only press both components when it’s an emergency or to avoid a motorbike accident. 

You shouldn’t use both components together more frequently as doing this will build up extra pressure on the motorbike clutch plates and the brakes, which could malfunction the clutch plates. 

Do Motorbike Clutch Malfunctions If You Pull it With Break? 

So far, you understand that you don’t need to press the motorbike clutch when applying brakes on the motorbike. Now the question arises, Does the motorbike clutch malfunction if you pull it with the brake? 

If you’re pressing the motorbike clutch and brakes together, there won’t be any significant damage to your motorbike. Even if you’re a beginner, you need to press the motorbike clutch before pressing the brake to slow down the motorbike but only at a low speed. 

You should also hold the motorbike clutch if you don’t want to move your motorbike, or if you want to set up your motorbike in neutral. 

What to Press First, Motorbike Brake or Clutch? 

Indeed there won’t be any harm if you press the motorbike clutch and brake together; now the question arises, what to press first, motorbike brake or clutch? 

If you’re riding the motorbike below the speed of the motorbike gear then you may need to motorbike clutch first; it’s because the motorbike clutch is enough to slow down and stop the motorbike at such a slow speed. 

You can know the lowest motorbike gear speed by leaving the clutch lever independently without giving throttle to the motorbike. 

Is it Necessary to Hold the Motorbike Clutch When Braking? 

So far, you understand that you need to press the motorbike clutch first if you’re at a lower speed than the motorbike gear speed. Now the question arises, is it necessary to hold the motorbike clutch when braking? 

Holding the motorbike clutch helps to keep the motorbike transmission power cut. It doesn’t allow the power to reach the motorbike gear. You don’t need to hold the clutch if you want to keep the motorbike stationery. Instead, you can set your motorbike at neutral. 

You also don’t need to hold the motorbike clutch if you’re breaking; instead, you stop giving throttle and apply brakes slowly. However, if your motorbike is slower than that gear speed, then you may need to hold the clutch. 

In simpler words, you don’t need to hold the clutch when braking. 

In What Condition Can You Press the Motorbike Clutch and Brake Together? 

Indeed it’s not necessary to pull the motorbike clutch with the brake lever. Still, sometimes you need to do it, and now the question arises, in what condition can you press the motorbike clutch and brake together? 

Pressing the motorbike clutch and brakes simultaneously is one of the best methods to stop the motorbike in an emergency or when there’s a possibility of an accident. 

Experts recommend doing such only when it’s an emergency, and you need to stop the motorbike in a fraction of a second because pressing the motorbike clutch and brakes can likely malfunction the motorbike clutch plates and brakes. 

In What Condition Should You Press the Motorbike Brake? 

So far, you understand that you can press the motorbike clutch and brake together only if it’s an emergency or to avoid a motorbike accident. Now the question arises, in what condition should you press the motorbike break first? 

You should use the motorbike brake only when riding at high speed and need to stop the motorbike at a specific point. It’s because the motorbike clutch disengages the engine power transmission to the motorbike tires, slows down the motorbike, and does not entirely stop it. 

By pressing the motorbike clutch, you increase the braking distance. Passing the motorbike clutch at high speed can also malfunction your clutch plates. 

When Should You Disengage a Motorcycle Clutch? 

Indeed you need to engage the motorbike clutch when shifting the gears or transmitting the engine power to the motorbike tires; now the question arises, when should you disengage a motorcycle clutch? 

It would be best if you disengaged the motorbike clutch when you shift the motorbike gears or want to terminate the engine power to the motorbike tires. However, it would be best if you disengaged the motorbike clutch with the synchronization of the throttle, and failing to do so will stall your motorbike.  

Do Engaging and Disengaging Bad for the Clutch? 

So far, you understand when you should engage and disengage the motorbike clutch while riding the motorbike; now the question arises, do engaging and disengaging bad for the clutch? 

Engaging and disengaging the motorbike clutch produces heat because of friction which isn’t good for your motorbike, and that’s why you need to insert clutch fluid to minimize the friction. However, suppose your motorbike clutch is well-oiled. In that case, your motorbike clutch will be good, and engaging the motorbike clutch won’t cause any problems. 

Even the motorbike clutch is made to engage and disengage, and it won’t cause any damage to your motorbike.  

Also, read my previous post to find out whether an electric motorbike comes with a clutch or not? CLICK HERE to find out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Final Verdict: 

Do you pull in the clutch when braking on a motorcycle? Suppose you press the motorbike clutch and brake lever together. In that case, your motorbike will suddenly stop, which might cause you to lose balance on the motorbike. And that’s why you should only press both components when it’s an emergency or to avoid a motorbike accident. 

I’ve also mentioned some conditions when you press the motorbike brakes first rather than on the motorbike clutch.