>>28473810
>Rode for the first time for the street for real today, with cars and traffic.
Based

>I almost feel like it's a little safer at dusk since cars can actually see my turn signals, lol.
Its not, there will be cars without headlights, tired drivers and angry rushing drivers. Early morning is safest if you want that

>This thing has stronger engine braking (when letting off the throttle) than any other vehicle I've seen.
Thats because its so light. It foesnt have higher compression than your car, but being a 5th of the weight makes a huge difference. Its one of my favourite parts about riding motorcycles

>At first I was stopping by using the clutch and the brake like they taught me in MSF course, but I realized it brakes much faster if I DON'T pull the clutch in.
You are meant to pull the clutch in as you come to a stop, not while slowing. If you are slowing to a stop you need to be changing down the gears. Go between braking and downshifting while you are learning, ie
brake, 3rd, brake, 2nd, brake, clutch in, click 1st while stopped. Worry about rev matching and shit later

>By the end of the ride I was doing it both ways, engine braking when I see the red light and then pulling in the clutch and using the real brake when I'm closer to the light. Is that how most of you do it?
No

>Is tons of engine braking bad for the engine's health over time?
No, it absolutely loves it. You are getting the energy you spent as fuel back as braking, its free brakes