Engine braking is a good thing with a spirited riding, especially in the corners. No need to use brakes which a. takes more time and b. upsetting the bike dynamics.
Um, brake pads are cheaper than engines.
Which would you rather replace?
Also, when used smoothly, brakes do NOT upset the bike dynamics, to the contrary -- whilst cornering, slowing with the brakes can settle the bike into the turn, allowing more traction. (a very good thing) This also gives you a more stable platform to smoothly drive out of the corner.
This is why the MSF uses Slow, Look, Press, Roll as the primary cornering technique.
Slowing before the corner loads the front suspension, stabilizes the bike for the turn, and allows a steady throttle (or better yet, throttle roll-on) to exit.
I disagree with the "takes more time" comment, also... can we stop quicker with brakes, or engine braking?
Now that I've essentially peed in the pool, I'll say that I do, in fact, use engine braking at times. And I don't "always" brake for every corner.
I don't know of many instances in riding, or maybe I'm too lazy to ponder it at the moment, where there is a hard and fast rule to apply to every conceivable riding situation.
Except don't stall the bike leaving a traffic signal, don't run out of fuel, and keep air in the tyres.
