Some inexperienced riders use the clutch to downshift, which breaks up the steadiness of braking.
In order to improve your race results, you first must improve your practice strategies. Then practice the correct techniques until they become automatic. To be successful with these tips you must understand the first rule of the series.
Absolute rule number 1 - There's a mind to the madness. When you go out to practice have a purpose behind your practice. Don't just race around the track, making the same mistakes over and over. Always spend some time separating and working at your weak points and techniques. Here's tip number four of a ten quick tips series on how to become a better racer.
#4 You do not need to use the clutch when you down shift.
Some inexperienced riders use the clutch to downshift and then just hold it in while they brake the rest of the way into the corner. Using the clutch to downshift is not necessary and it breakes up the steadiness of braking with the help of the engine's backpressure.
It is necessary to use the clutch when you up shift because the transmission has torque on the gears from the power of the engine. But, there is very little torque on the gears when the throttle is off and you're slowing down. So, leave that low end lever (the clutch) out when you're down shifting and braking for a corner.
