Motorcycle engines: all types

Posted on by admin

Table of contents

Motorcycle engines: all types

counselor

workshop

Motorcycle engines: all types

What you should know about engines
Basics of engine types

Depending on how many cylinders an engine has and how they are arranged in relation to one another, there are different characteristics with their own advantages and disadvantages. 2Rader explains what to look out for.

Manuel Fuchs

02/07/2011

Depending on how many cylinders an engine has and how they are arranged in relation to one another
there are different characteristics with their own advantages and disadvantages.

Motors at a glance:

Single cylinder
The perfect engine for modern, as light as possible machines (e.g. enduros) between 125 and 650 cm³. Typical representative: BMW F 650.

Two cylinder V, 45 degrees
Without a lot of effort, only modest performance can be tickled from this design. The very rustic character and the great sound make up for it – so ideal for cruisers and choppers.

Two cylinder V, 90 degrees
If you like to be sporty on the road, but don’t want to do without a powerful engine, this is the right place for you.

Two-cylinder series
Simple and inexpensive to produce, relatively easy to maintain, and compact and
powerful – the two-cylinder in-line engine goes well with the dynamic middle class.

Two-cylinder boxers
The boxer engine requires a lot of space, and it is complex and expensive to produce because many parts are used twice.

Three-cylinder series
Individuality, performance, smoothness and above all the great sound (Porsche sends its regards) – the three-cylinder is the insider tip for technology gourmets.

Four-cylinder series
It usually doesn’t look particularly good, and at first glance doesn’t offer the most exciting technical solutions either, but it is still the first choice for modern athletes.

Four-cylinder V
Fans of sophisticated mechanical engineering still have theirs on the V-four-cylinder
Pleasure. The concept is rather unsuitable for technology realists and frugal natures.

Single cylinder


Motorcycle engines: all types

Single cylinder.

The most modern form of the original engine has four-valve technology, two overhead camshafts and injection. Liquid cooling provides thermal safety and reduces noise development. Ease of rotation, compact dimensions, low mass and ease of maintenance speak in favor of this design; Limited performance make the single cylinder particularly interesting for off-road machines, fun bikes, light all-rounders and entry-level motorcycles.

The perfect engine for modern, as light as possible machines (e.g. enduros) between 125 and 650 cm³. Typical representative: BMW F 650.

Two cylinder V, 90 degrees

With a transverse crankshaft installed, it is significantly narrower than a four-cylinder in-line engine, and it is lighter anyway. A 90 degree cylinder angle (in the picture the engine of a Ducati 1098) results in a much smoother running than a comparable in-line two-cylinder. With water cooling, it is highly resilient and powerful enough to also survive in racing. The disadvantages are the high manufacturing cost, because many parts are required twice, and the poor ease of maintenance.

If you like to be sporty on the road, but don’t want to do without a powerful engine, this is the right place for you.

Two cylinder V, 45 degrees


Motorcycle engines: all types

Two cylinder V, 45 degrees.

The 45 degree cylinder angle of the Harley-Davidson engine, probably the most famous representative of this class, is technically absurd. In this arrangement (technically “superfluous”) No longer absorb inertia forces with counterweights on the crankshaft – the engine shakes and vibrates over the entire speed range. But that’s probably exactly what is wanted. The advantages, which are indisputable even from a technical point of view, are the compact design and the relatively high ease of maintenance.

Without a lot of effort, only modest performance can be tickled from this design. The very rustic character and the great sound make up for it – so ideal for cruisers and choppers.

Two-cylinder series


Motorcycle engines: all types

Two-cylinder series.

When the two pistons move up and down synchronously in their cylinders, one speaks of a parallel twin. Advantage: good power development in the lower and middle speed range. At higher speeds, however, the engine tends to generate strong vibrations, which can be reduced with compensation systems (in the picture: BMW F 800). If the pistons run in opposite directions, it is called the engine “Counter-runner”. It offers smoother running, but less pulling power.

Simple and inexpensive to produce, relatively easy to maintain, compact and powerful – the two-cylinder in-line engine fits in well with the dynamic middle class.

Two-cylinder boxer


Motorcycle engines: all types

Two-cylinder boxer.

It doesn’t get any flatter, in English the boxer is called “flat engine” (Flat motor). The design makes it possible to give the machine a very low center of gravity, which in turn increases its handiness. The protruding cylinders are very easily accessible for maintenance and repair work. There are no thermal problems, even with a large displacement and relatively high output, air cooling is sufficient for the two-cylinder boxer. Its concentricity is excellent, the overturning moment at very low speeds is only noticeable as a harmless shaking.

The crankshaft fits directly to the gearbox, making a primary drive unnecessary. The boxer engine requires a lot of space, and it is complex and expensive to produce because many parts are used twice.

Three-cylinder series


Motorcycle engines: all types

Three-cylinder series.

An often underestimated design; The triple combines some of the advantages of two- and four-cylinder engines. Its smoothness and performance are better than those of the twin. Its manufacturing costs, dimensions and weight are below the values ​​of the four-pack. In the early three-cylinder phase (mid-1970s, Yamaha XS 750), the image was an obstacle to sales, later the honest packaging and the big sister of the BMW K 75 (1985) ruined the success. The Triumph three-cylinder show today the potential of the triple.

Individuality, performance, smoothness and above all the great sound (Porsche sends its regards) – the three-cylinder is the insider tip for technology gourmets.

Four-cylinder series


Motorcycle engines: all types

Four-cylinder series.

When it comes to horsepower, the path to series production motorcycles is via the four-cylinder in-line engine. It offers the best prerequisites: Short (gas) paths and few moving components, because only one cylinder block is required with it. Smooth running and speed stability are among its strengths. Modern materials allow many components to be designed in a filigree yet stable manner. That puts its main disadvantages into perspective: overall width and mass. The insulating and heat-dissipating water jacket is a must when looking for performance.

It usually doesn’t look particularly good, and at first glance doesn’t offer the most exciting technical solutions either, but it is still the first choice for modern athletes.

Four-cylinder V


Motorcycle engines: all types

Four-cylinder V.

The smooth running of a modern V-engine in connection with small, very high-speed individual displacement – this technically attractive combination offers the V-four-cylinder. In addition, the engine is not as wide as a four-cylinder in-line engine. Many years ago, Honda relied on the V-Quad for its top models on a grand scale, today it only drives the VFR 800, the VFR 1200 F, as well as the Aprilia RSV4 and Tuono. With all other top performers, Honda relies on the in-line engine again. The V4 is a technical delight, but it is very complex and expensive to manufacture and maintain.

Fans of the well-kept mechanical engineering still enjoy the V-four-cylinder. The concept is rather unsuitable for technology realists and frugal natures.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *