Engine Braking

Hi Folks!

1,000 miles in and starting to experiment with my settings. Today I dialed down EBC from 3 (heavy engine braking) to 1 (light engine braking). I much prefer this setting. I find it easier to be smooth on throttle. I noticed my S1000XR had light engine braking and much preferred that.

My question is, what am I giving up here? My theory is that heavy engine braking is useful on the track when you’re riding at ten tenths: later and heavier braking into corners etc.

I ride almost exclusively in the canyons and on the road. Realistically, I’m at one tenth


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devlaps said:

Today I dialed down EBC from 3 (heavy engine braking) to 1 (light engine braking). I much prefer this setting. I find it easier to be smooth on throttle.

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Ah, I think you’re misunderstanding the EBC levels

Level 1 is least electronic intervention, 3 is most. That is, level 1 is maximum engine braking and 3 is least! (Manual pg 62. Counterintuitive, I know). Level 1 is usually best when you are attacking corners, barking hard, etc - you get the natural assistance of the engine.

I suspect you prefer level 1 (which I certainly do) for this reason.

But I do switch to level 2 for urban roads with traffic, lights, etc to make stopping and backing off the throttle a little less abrupt. Level 3 can be too intrusive for me and not “natural” for the V4 (even worse on the Panigale 1299).


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Thanks @alliskr! That is very helpful.

It's weird though, I could have sworn off throttle was smoother with level 1 (i.e. less engine braking). I could have been imagined it though. I'll have to give it another go in the canyons (I just got back).

Thanks for the pointer!

I took a look at the manual. Here are two of the pages that talk about EBC. Consistent with your explanation @alliskr.





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The other thing that has an impact on the throttle smoothness is the Engine setting for each riding mode. If you look at pg 101, fig 53 you’ll see the engine power (low, medium, high) and what I interpret as the engine response to throttle inputs - smooth or dynamic. Dynamic makes riding on rougher roads especially quite “jerky” requiring a gentler throttle hand.

My dealer principle also recommended reducing the DTC to allow for more rear wheel slippage so as not to push the front into oversteer when riding harder.

That’s the fun with all the electronics - you can experiment and adjust to suit your riding style very easily


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alliskr said:

My dealer principle also recommended reducing the DTC to allow for more rear wheel slippage so as not to push the front into oversteer when riding harder.

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What the actual ....!

I don't know what's worse... what your dealer told you or what you think is oversteer. Both are wrong.

My advice is to you is keep DTC and DSC on max setting.

Duoh, my bad, understeer or running wide of course, of course…

I don’t plan on testing that scenario either!


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Thanks for the info folks

@alliskr +1 on throttle. I’m bouncing between low and medium setting there. That’s enough for me for now Some of these canyon rounds have sone rough spots and I’ve experienced whisky throttle going over a bump. Not fun.

@Alkhater +1 on traction control. I’m not driving any where near hard enough to under or over steer. But I’ll keep TC on any way (only reason I can ride this thing — which is probably not a good thing).


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Hi Folks. So I’m having some more fun with EBC. I was running minimum setting this weekend (minimum engine braking) doing about 50 mph in second gear. Easing off the the throttle very, very gently (practicing throttle control) as I got near the point on the throttle where engine braking starts to kick in, the engine surged and the bike jerked forward a bit. Not a huge “surge” but enough to surprise. Not the first time this has happened. It was very noticeable because of the controlled conditions.

Any idea on why this happened?


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devlaps said:

Hi Folks. So I’m having some more fun with EBC. I was running minimum setting this weekend (minimum engine braking) doing about 50 mph in second gear. Easing off the the throttle very, very gently (practicing throttle control) as I got near the point on the throttle where engine braking starts to kick in, the engine surged and the bike jerked forward a bit. Not a huge “surge” but enough to surprise. Not the first time this has happened. It was very noticeable because of the controlled conditions.

Any idea on why this happened?


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Engine braking should happen as soon as you shut the throttle, not during partial opening. The surge you’re talking about sounds like bad fueling, something a good tune would take care of.


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Thanks @Alkhater. I may not have described it well. When I am closing the throttle, there is a point where I can feel the bike “change” attitude. It goes from accelerating throttle, to “maintenance” throttle, and then to what I call “engine braking” (I can fee the bike slowing down without me touching the brakes). That last step happens before I’ve completely closed the throttle. Not sure what else to call it other than “engine braking”

As far as bad fueling that does make sense. Thanks for the suggestion. Now just need to figure out who can do it.


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