When on a motorcycle do you have to use the clutch to apply the breaks?

If you just want to slow down a bit you can use the brake without applying the clutch. But if you want to stop you will need to disengage the clutch at some point during braking. In fact, while slowing down on a motorcycle, some riders prefer to shift down through all the gears while slowing down, whether just a little, or a lot (i.e. to a full stop). There is some debate as to which is the preferred technique.

Personally, I prefer to "gear down" so that a) I always have the bike in gear, and b) it's in the appropriate gear for the speed I'm traveling. This way, in the event that I have to accelerate again prior to coming to a stop (for instance, when that red light you're stopping for turns green!) you will always be able to accelerate smoothly without a frantic search up or down for the correct gear.

A secondary benefit of this method is that it saves wear and tear on the brakes. A secondary DETRIMENT of this method is that your brake light doesn't come on to show those following that you are, in fact, slowing down. (For this reason, I always make sure to apply either the front or rear brake gently, just to give the added visual evidence that I am slowing.) Sorry about the long-winded answer, but, as with most motorcycle activity, it's an art and a science......with a little bit of politics thrown in on the side.