Graham Wright wrote:Are you still in doubt about the benefits of separation after looking at the linked threads?
Yes! I understand "what" and "how" and "when" but I can't find "why".
Decelerating for a turn, braking and engaging the appropriate gear for exit from the turn, would seem to save time without any obvious dangers and maintain progress.
Still haven't found "why"!
Because if you're sticking to one pedal at a time (ie not heel and toeing), then BGOL results in dragging the clutch to match engine revs to road speed for the new gear. The only exception is at very low speed where the new gear approximately matches idle speed, or you are doing a partial overlap, so the revs can be raised before the clutch is brought up.
If you take an intermediate gear (without overlap), then the braking process ends up being done in stages - ie brake -> off brake/change gear -> brake -> etc. which is both less smooth, causing "nodding dog" for passengers, and potentially misleading for following drivers as they see your brake lights go on/off multiple times.