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