What is an Engine Brake and how does an engine brake work in a motorcycle? What is the difference between engine brake and foot brake? Is engine braking better than normal braking? Which is better, exhaust brake or engine brake? What is the difference between power brakes and normal brakes? Does engine braking waste fuel? Find more about the engine brake in a bike or motorcycle.
What is Engine Brake in Motorcycle?
We know that a braking system is the mechanism that slows down a vehicle. This is one of the most essential parts of transport. However, the braking system causes wear and tear in automobiles. On the other hand, the engine brake is an alternative system to slow down the vehicle. In simple terms, to slow down the automobile with an engine brake the driver is required to downshift gears instead of pressing the brake pedal. He also needs to step off the accelerator or stop pulling the throttle of the motorcycle.
What does an Engine Brake do? How does an Engine Brake Work?
When you activate it, the mechanism alters the operation of the engine’s exhaust valves. As a result, the engine starts acting like a power-absorbing air compressor. Hence, it retards or slows down the bike’s wheel action. Thus even without operating with the regular brake, you can slow down your bike or other vehicle.
The air intake valve closes down and creates an empty vacuum with the release of the accelerator pedal or throttle. It actually stops the airflow to the cylinder. The decrease in energy creates a braking force and it results in a slow down of the vehicle through the lowering of the speed.
Is it Better to Use Engine Brake?
Using an engine brake reduces the wear and tear of your vehicle. Moreover, the usage of an engine brake is more handy in the following conditions.
- During long descents on steep mountains or hills. Using the engine brake reduces your dependency on the regular brake in such scenarios.
- Much more handy for slippery or wet conditions. Hence enables smoother deceleration and decreases the chance of skidding.
The user must ensure that the engine brake notifies through brake lights so that other vehicle users on the road knows about the activity.
Apart from those it can provide some crucial advantages. Such as:
- Lower cost for maintenance
- Ensures improved fuel efficiency and better mileage. However, it occurs in certain conditions.
Is Engine Brake the Clutch?
It’s a question asked by many bikes who don’t have a clear idea. Actually, the engine brake has no connection with the motorcycle’s clutch. Instead, one can use it by letting off the throttle. So, the answer is “No”.
Is Engine Brake the Handbrake?
No, the engine brake is different from the handbrake. In fact, it’s completely different from the vehicle’s regular braking system. When you take your hands off the throttle even without engaging the clutch or brake and the bike starts slowing down, that’s the normal mechanism of the handbrake.
What is the Difference between Engine brake and Normal brake?
| Engine Brake | Normal Brake |
| Activated by stepping off the foot from the accelerator or hand from the throttle. | Activated by providing pressure on the brake pads. |
| Generally slows down gradually. | Reacts comparatively quickly. |
| Generally prevents or reduces the chance of skidding. | When you brake too much quickly, it can make your vehicle skid. |
| Normally slows down but doesn’t generally fully stop. | It can fully stop your vehicle. |
| More handy in hills, mountains, slippery, or wet conditions. | Better for normal conditions. |
| Depends on the traction between the tire and the road and hence is not good for low traction although won’t lock the wheels. | Works fine even in low traction. |
Is engine braking harmful?
Continuously using the engine brake can be harmful to your vehicle. Although it generally reduces wear and tear if a user uses it more aggressively that may increase the wear and tear of the clutch or gearbox.
