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: Alaska Motorcycle Practice Test 22 Colorado Motorcycle Practice Test 22 Connecticut Motorcycle Practice Test 14 District Of Columbia Motorcycle Practice Test 16 Indiana Motorcycle Practice Test 14 Maine Motorcycle Practice Test 32 Maine Motorcycle Practice Test 47 Maryland Motorcycle Practice Test 20 Minnesota Motorcycle Practice Test 34 Minnesota Motorcycle Practice Test 39 Mississippi Motorcycle Practice Test 3 Missouri Motorcycle Practice Test 20 New Jersey Motorcycle Practice Test 16 New Jersey Motorcycle Practice Test 31 North Carolina Motorcycle Practice Test 6 Oklahoma Motorcycle Practice Test 16 Oregon Motorcycle Practice Test 17 Oregon Motorcycle Practice Test 12 Pennsylvania Motorcycle Practice Test 14 Rhode Island Motorcycle Practice Test 11 Rhode Island Motorcycle Practice Test 8 Vermont Motorcycle Practice Test 4