There are many technical elements of MotoGP™ that play critical roles in the performance of the riders, despite being relatively hidden from plain sight. MotoGP engine braking is one of those.
Simply put, engine braking is the process in which the rear wheel of the motorcycle is slowed down, not by the actual brake itself, but by the closing of the throttle. This initiates a process that applies braking pressure to the rear wheel via the shutting off of the engine’s power delivery.
It can destabilise the bike considerably, so an advanced system of MotoGP electronics is needed to control and counter-balance its effects, and ensure performance is not adversely impacted. If you’re looking to learn more about the terminology used in MotoGP, such as engine braking, check out our handy Glossary.
Introduction: Engine Braking in MotoGP
Engine braking is crucial in MotoGP™ because its management invokes the complex electronic controls that are employed on MotoGP™ bikes. It also affects how a rider approaches specific parts of a circuit.
Engine braking can be more - or less - effective than using the actual brakes at certain points on a lap, so a rider has to be fully tuned in to where and when to use it and how much.
All riders use engine braking as part of their riding skillset, but as with other MotoGP riding techniques, some use it more than others. The fact that MotoGP bikes are prototypes (e.g. they are only used for racing) with sophisticated MotoGP electronics means that they are designed to be able to manage engine braking to a much higher degree than a normal road motorcycle.
What Is Engine Braking?
The simple explanation of MotoGP engine braking is that the motorcycle uses the engine’s resistance to slow the bike down when the throttle is closed. But of course, it’s much more complex than that.
When a rider releases the throttle on their MotoGP bike, the throttle butterfly valve shuts off the air going into the engine. With the engine’s pistons unable to draw air, the engine cylinders are in turn not able to fill, and this impacts the rear wheel, causing it to brake quickly.
Whereas mechanical braking uses levers to apply direct pressure to brake discs on the wheels, engine braking causes the engine’s resistance to decelerate the bike.
How Engine Braking Works in MotoGP™
The effects of engine braking on a MotoGP™ bike are mitigated by the use of the state-of-the-art electronics, which are employed to control various areas of the machine’s performance.
The bike’s ECU (Engine Control Unit) executes a highly efficient sequence when it’s notified that the throttle is closed, and engine braking maps automatically kick in. Ultra rapid calculations balance various inputs such as suspension tension and extension, lean angle, speed, and any manual pressure being applied to the rear brake by the rider.
Based on this mass of data, MotoGP™ ECU engine braking can implement any number of actions, such as a minimal opening of the throttle butterfly, or an injection of fuel for example, to counter the sudden effects of engine braking. This generates just enough engine engagement to balance out the engine braking.
As soon as the rider applies the throttle again, the ECU’s engine braking map is deactivated - this entire process can happen in the space of just one second, or even less.
Engine maps are pre-programmed by teams to automatically engage and address three main areas on a bike; traction control, engine braking and torque. These are the three buttons seen on the left-hand side of the rider’s dashboard on a bike.
Each button allows the rider to toggle between various levels per specific engine map, so riders can dial engine braking up or down according to the precise conditions they find themselves in at any point during a race.
Teams will pre-set the engine braking map to specific levels before a practice or qualifying session, or a race, depending on the particular track they’re at. Some tracks require more or less according to how they flow and how much engine braking a bike will encounter.
Why Engine Braking Matters for Riders
MotoGP™ engine braking has a huge influence on how a rider handles their bike, and the electronics’ management of it is critical for striking the ideal balance.
It can help stabilise the bike when a rider is heading into a corner - uncontrolled engine braking will make the rear wheel slide and even lock up completely.
A more efficient braking process helps a rider get better corner entry, in turn aiding their ability to carry corner speed and retain close control over the bike in sections where valuable tenths of a second can be gained, or lost.
A well set up MotoGP™ electronics mapping will also help with tyre wear and fuel management during a race. Engine braking can significantly affect both of these concerns, with too much contributing to a degradation of tyres and impacting the use of a very tightly controlled fuel limit - deceleration is an area that’s crucial for the reduction of fuel consumption.
With the electronics helping riders to manage engine braking, they can focus more on mechanical braking, riding lines into corners, and other important areas.
MotoGP™ vs. Street Motorcycles
Engine braking occurs on all motorcycles, regardless of whether they’re a MotoGP™ prototype or a standard issue road bike.
The major difference between the two is how engine braking is managed. A MotoGP bike is specially designed for racing and has aerodynamic benefits, cutting-edge electronics technology, and of course one of the world’s best riders on board - all factors which greatly influence the extent of engine braking’s impact.
MotoGP bikes need advanced electronics to manage engine braking for a number of reasons, primarily because of the complex and intricate set-up of a MotoGP motorcycle and the fact that engine braking can impact any number of other areas and upset the delicate balance of the bike.
The dynamic nature of a racetrack and the changing needs of a machine and its rider during a race (tyre wear, fuel consumption, and other variables previously mentioned) mean that what works at the start of the race will not be the same from lap to lap. Therefore, an intelligent and adaptable MotoGP™ electronics system is required to help manage a bike to the finish of a race.
Challenges and Limitations of Engine Braking
MotoGP™ engine braking plays such a central role in performance that any irregularity in it can have a significant impact on performance and safety.
Too much engine braking makes the motorcycle increasingly more difficult to ride as the rider battles to establish a reliable feeling, while too little requires an elevated level of mechanical braking which has side effects including increased brake disc temperatures.
Added to the complexities surrounding engine braking is the jerk effect that occurs when a rider starts to accelerate again after having closed the throttle. Electronics also covers this issue by activating an anti-jerk system that softens the impact as much as possible.
Riders are continually required to adapt their riding style to accommodate the demands of different motorcycles and their individual characteristics. General riding styles have adapted with the developments of technology, and engine braking is no different.
Gone are the regular sightings from the early 990cc days where riders had to battle a wild rear wheel that got sideways as they fought to adapt to the earliest versions of engine braking controls.
Modern-day riders use engine braking to their advantage as much as possible, as indicated by the 2025 World Champion Marc Marquez preferring the 2024 version of the Ducati in 2025 pre-season testing. The 2025 version had more power and smoother delivery, but the Spaniard valued the superior engine braking and corner entry of the existing model more.
The Future of Engine Braking in MotoGP™
With many projected technical changes on the horizon in MotoGP™ in the coming seasons, engine braking will undoubtedly be affected as the sport continues to evolve.
An engine size reduction from 2027 aimed at reducing top speeds and increasing sustainability efficiency will have a knock-on effect for the impact of engine braking, as will the switch to 100% sustainable fuel and a lower fuel tank capacity of 20 litres (compared to the current 22L) for reasons outlined in previous sections.
The banning of ride-height devices from 2027 will also greatly affect overall braking dynamics.
In summary, MotoGP™ engine braking is the process in which the motorcycle’s engine causes the rear wheel to brake, when the throttle is shut off.
It’s an important technical aspect of the sport that is unavoidable, and which affects performance and safety as it influences the way riders control their bikes.
The way in which a team sets up its electronics to handle engine braking can be a decisive factor in MotoGP™ races, and it provides another interesting tactical element to one of the world’s most thrilling sports.
Want to know more about the technical aspects of MotoGP? Check out this guide to MotoGP engine displacement.