I have a new 650 V2 with 11 hours on it. When I come down really steep hills it seems as though the engine braking is almost useless. Is this normal on these machines or is there some way of adjusting it to provide better engine braking.

The other complaint I have is that the emergency brake only seems to hold for a couple of hours. I have parked and locked the brake and come back a couple of hours later and found it at the bottom of the hill.

 

I may be wrong, but I don't think engine braking is designed to keep you from rolling down steep hills. 700+ lbs going downhill represents a fairly large amount of force.

I've used the brake lock on mine (second notch) without problems.

 

My parking brake does the same thing. I think the owners manuel says not to rely on this brake unattended or something like that. As for the engine braking, mine does pretty well on steep down hills in low. On extremely steep hills I have to use the hand brakes in conjunction with the engine braking.

 

hi ..well i have an 04 650 and when going down hill .....i sometimes have to give it some juse to keep it moving...also if u have the park brake on 2nd notch it will hold but i find sometime drivng i will grab for the hand break and it will come right to the bars.have to pump it once to get the brakes............nota big problem as we dont usually drive supper fast........the emgine brake does most of the work...............just my 2 cents worth

 

In almost all cases, a properly working hydraulic brake should not bleed down. If it does, either the master cylinder or the wheel cylinder are leaking. And all it take is a minute ding in an "o"ring to cause it and they do not necessarily leak to the outside world. My '05 400 hand brake does the same thing and is loosing fluid, but I can not find a leak and I have looked seveal times. As to your engine braking problem, high or low range? Engine braking is always more effective in low and I try not to use the hand brake while going down hills as if you lock up the fronts they don't steer very well. I have my rear foot brake working very well (I can lock up the rear tires) and use it if I must, down steep hills.

 

Downhill braking on mine is decent in H and really good in L. I do have to use the handbrake at times to slow downhill when necessary if it's steep but I think the engine braking is doing it's part. I have not had my 04 650 move on me when the parking brake was applied. I can't recall parking on an extreme hill either though.

Craig

 

Just bought a 2004 650 v2 second hand, my engine breaking free wheels down hills at about 5-6 mph. I have to bump the gas and work the break simultaneously . This doesnt' feel right! Even in low4wd. It is very awkward! Seems like it shouldnt have to do this.

 

Your engine braking is'nt working. You should be able to creep down the steepest hills without touching the brakes or the throttle.

 

Bear is right. I leave my ebrake on for days at a time, and it doesnt budge. There is a problem. Also, the engine breaking should work just fine, mine does.

 

What can I do to correct the problem? Is it the belt tension? Even the dealer says this is normal. Help?