Question Engine braking: Answers Is illegal. Is slowing down by turning the engine off. Is slowing down by downshifting. Is not encouraged because of the damage it does to the engine. Explanation Shifting to a lower gear produces an effect similar to applying the brakes. This is known as engine braking. This questions appears in the following tests: Maryland Motorcycle Practice Test 9 Alaska Motorcycle Practice Test 3 Alaska Motorcycle Practice Test 23 Colorado Motorcycle Practice Test 6 Connecticut Motorcycle Practice Test 12 District Of Columbia Motorcycle Practice Test 22 District Of Columbia Motorcycle Practice Test 10 Indiana Motorcycle Practice Test 14 Maine Motorcycle Practice Test 16 Maryland Motorcycle Practice Test 16 Minnesota Motorcycle Practice Test 33 Mississippi Motorcycle Practice Test 9 Mississippi Motorcycle Practice Test 1 Missouri Motorcycle Practice Test 21 Missouri Motorcycle Practice Test 11 New Jersey Motorcycle Practice Test 6 North Carolina Motorcycle Practice Test 6 Oklahoma Motorcycle Practice Test 2 Oregon Motorcycle Practice Test 2 Pennsylvania Motorcycle Practice Test 5 Pennsylvania Motorcycle Practice Test 13 Rhode Island Motorcycle Practice Test 13 Vermont Motorcycle Practice Test 6