| Motorcycles have been around for more than ten | | | | there are exclusions to that standard. A twin cylinder |
| decades. During this time, motorcycle engines have | | | | engine produces more power because there is more |
| developed through tweaking and reworking items to | | | | torque and more fuel used. Twin cylinder engines do |
| get the best performance. There have been more | | | | not vibrate as much as a single cylinder engine. |
| than one dozen engines, but some never met with | | | | Now, as stated above, there are exceptions. The |
| success. Cost efficiency and customer satisfaction | | | | boxed or boxer design finds cylinders placed side by |
| brought failure to a number of motorcycle engines. | | | | side. This produces even less vibration, but adds a |
| All motorcycle engines are fueled by gasoline. To | | | | new issue. The cylinders tend to jut out the side of |
| best understand engine types, it is important to | | | | the bike, which makes it hard to take sharp corners. |
| understand how an engine works. | | | | Another issue is the tremendous heat that the |
| A pole called a rod cranks inside the engine and | | | | cylinders project; it makes leg protection a necessary |
| creates a draft that pulls both gasoline and air into a | | | | evil. |
| chamber called the cylinder. Inside the cylinder, a | | | | Triple Cylinder Engines |
| piston and rod quickly move up to push the gasoline | | | | A three cylinder engine finds the cylinders included in |
| and air into a smaller space where it meets the spark | | | | a head. This type of engine offers a load of power, |
| plug. The spark plug produces a spark between its | | | | but it also requires more parts. Each cylinder requires |
| two metal pieces. | | | | an additional fuel injector and carburetor. The more |
| Once the spark plug gives off a spark, the gasoline | | | | cylinders included on an engine, the higher the engine |
| and air explode. This pushes the piston down, which | | | | RPM. More RPM means more power. Triumph makes |
| in turn drives the belt or chain. This action is called | | | | motorcycles using three cylinders and boy can they |
| torque. The movement of the belt or chain causes | | | | fly! |
| the rear wheel of the motorcycle to revolve. A | | | | Four Cylinder Engines |
| motorcycle's performance is determined by how | | | | The four cylinder engine is just like the three cylinder |
| many cylinders are inside the engine and how they | | | | engine only it has the additional cylinder and therefore |
| are arranged. | | | | weighs more. As is true of any engine, more cylinders |
| Single cylinder engine: | | | | equal more power and smoother sailing. |
| A single cylinder engine has one cylinder and one | | | | It is important to consider how much size and power |
| piston. Single cylinder engines are used in all off road | | | | you require in your motorcycle. If you are taking |
| motorcycles. The single cylinder provides a lot of | | | | your bike off road, you need a bike with plenty of |
| torque, but also a load of vibration. The vibration is | | | | torque and a low rpm to make it up hills and quickly |
| loud and one of the qualities that dirt bike race fans | | | | navigate corners. For off roading, stick with a single |
| crave during a race. | | | | cylinder. A double cylinder is your second choice. |
| Twin cylinder engine: | | | | If your main purpose for riding a motorcycle is riding |
| Logically, twin cylinder engines have two cylinders. | | | | through traffic and along roads, do not purchase a |
| The cylinders are placed together at an angle. Usually | | | | bike with less than a twin cylinder engine, although a |
| the cylinders are positioned at a 90 degree angle, but | | | | three or four cylinder engine is a better idea. |