A few things need to be taken into account when buying a motorcycle. Every bike has a distinct kind of engine. Each of these engine systems also has advantages and disadvantages. Based on your preferred riding locations and styles, you should pick the appropriate engine.
Use this comprehensive reference to motorbike engines to choose the best one for your upcoming trip.
Types Of Motorcycle Engines
Many motorbike engines are listed here.
- Engines with one cylinder.
- engine with two cylinders.
- Engines with three cylinders.
- 4-cylinder motors.
- Straight-six motor.
1. Single-Cylinder Engines
Single-cylinder engines work well for tiny bikes with small cubic capacities. They are inexpensive to maintain and repair if something goes wrong. As a result, they are present on every commuter bike in India, including the Splendour, Platina, and Yamaha R15.
PROS – These motorcycle engines are compact, light, affordable, and provide excellent torque at low speeds.
CONS – These engines have high vibration levels and are challenging to balance.
2. Two-Cylinder Engines
As the name suggests, two-cylinder engines have two cylinders. More cylinders result in increased weight, price, and power. Let’s look at many two-cylinder motorcycle engine types.
- PARALLEL TWIN ENGINE
Two cylinders are set up in a parallel twin-engine configuration on a single crankshaft. These types of engines are typically found in models with medium or high displacement. Examples of engines are the Kawasaki Ninja 300, 650, and RE Interceptor 650.
PROS – These parallel twin engines are comfortable, highly effective, smoothly run, and well-balanced.
CONS – Compared to other motorcycle engines, these engines vibrate more.
- V-TWIN ENGINE
A two-cylinder piston engine with a V-shaped crankshaft and two cylinders is known as a V-twin engine. Two cylinders are arranged in a “V” configuration, as the name suggests. V-twin engines are used in many compact cars and industrial engines, in addition to being popularly known as motorcycle engines (placed longitudinally or transversely). These engines are typically seen on Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
PROS – These motorcycle engines are lightweight and have a good power-to-size ratio.
CONS – Due to the small V angle, V-twin engines vibrate more than parallel twin engines and are difficult to balance.
- L TWIN ENGINE
L-twin engines are two-cylinder engines having an angle of 90% between the cylinders. The weight and power are comparable to V twin engines. Ducati gained notoriety by utilizing L twin engines in the majority of its models.
These engine types, like V twin engines, have similar advantages and disadvantages.
3. Boxer Engine
Boxer engines are another name for “flat twin engines.” Flat engines frequently use a “boxer” arrangement, where opposing pistons travel inward and outward at the same time. The motion is reminiscent of how boxers punch.
The only typical layouts that do not have uneven forces are boxer engines, which have low vibrations. The boxer engine bikes do not need a balance shaft or counterweights on the crankshaft to balance the weight of their reciprocating sections. These illustrious engines are used in numerous BMW vehicles, including the 1250GS.
PROS – These engines have great air cooling and an outstanding balance.
CONS – The bike’s protruding cylinder prevents you from leaning on it completely.
4. Triple-Cylinder Engines
Three cylinders run in a straight line along the crankshaft in straight-three engines. Inline-three engines and inline-three engines are other names for them.
They are medium-sized engines that fall between in-line fours and V-twins. Triple-cylinder engines are thinner and lighter than V-twin engines, and they operate more smoothly. They also provide torque and power similar to twin-cylinder engines. The best three cylinder bikes include Triumph models like the Street Triple and Yamaha MT-09s.
PROS – These engines operate smoothly, comfortably, and with good performance.
CONS – Compared to inline 4, these engines vibrate more noticeably.
5. Four-Cylinder Engines
Indian bike owners tend to favor this variety. The exhaust from four-cylinder engines typically makes a loud noise that you may recall from your youth. Four-cylinder engines can be of many different sorts. Here are a few examples.
- IN-LINE FOUR ENGINE
Unoffset cylinders are arranged in a single row in a straight or in-line four-cylinder engine. In-line four engines are not only more compact than conventional designs, but they can also be installed in any orientation. Compared to a V-shaped configuration, a straight configuration is simpler. This was the exhaust sound of a superbike that you could recognize as a child.
PROS – These engine designs are well-balanced, powerful, and vibration-free.
CONS – Compared to twin or triple engines, these engines are heavier and have larger overall dimensions.
- V-FOUR ENGINE
The V4 engine features a shared crankshaft and four cylinders placed in a V shape. Compared to in-line fours, these engines are far less frequent. When utilized with a V4 that is shorter in length, a 90-degree V-angle and an ideal firing interval lessen vibration.
PROS – These engines have a high level of performance, a large overall size, less vibration, and a superb balance.
CONS – The engine’s design and construction are intricate.
6. Straight Six Engine
Although they have more cylinders, the engines resemble flat twins (boxers). These engines are not common outside of big touring cars. A flat-six engine with three cylinders powers the Honda Gold Wing arranged horizontally on either side in the current age.
PROS – These engines operate smoothly and offer a lot of torque.
CONS – They are more expensive and heavier.
CONCLUSION
Each engine provides the necessary power for a comfortable and quiet journey. From the range of products on the market, pick the one that best meets your demands. One needs to have a fundamental understanding of engine classifications in order to comprehend how engines are categorized. The list above gives a general overview of the different types of engines that are offered on the Indian market.
