In essence, motorcycle engines work the same way as a car engine. They need pistons, cylinders, an engine head, and a valve body; everything runs on fuel and is cooled by lubricating oil and antifreeze fluid.

Likewise, the pistons move up and down the cylinder, driven by the explosions that result from the mixture of air and fuel inside the combustion chamber (forgive the redundancy), which is initiated by the spark of the spark plug. Valves open and close to allow fuel and air to enter the chamber.



When the pistons move up and down, or side to side in the case of horizontally opposed engines , they rotate the engine crankshaft. This converts the energy generated there, into rotating, which is transmitted through the transmission to the rear wheel of the motorcycle, either with a chain or a belt.

Motorcycle engines are commonly classified by the following characteristics:

The number of cylinders

The displacement or capacity of the combustion chamber

If it is a two or four-stroke engine

Cylinders

The motorcycle engines have between one and six cylinders. The most popular engine configuration among motorcycle manufacturers around the world was known as the V-Twin. Its name comes from the "V" shape made by its two opposite cylinders separated by a 45 degree angle.

If the cylinders are opposite, as in car engines, they are Opposite-Twin or Parallel, which are at a 90 degree angle to the ground and are next to each other

Nowadays, 4-cylinder engines have started to become popular, which despite requiring a greater amount of lubricating oil and antifreeze, as well as a greater and more detailed maintenance service, the periods of this will be more and more extended. These motors also have different configurations between them.

Displacement

Displacement refers to the amount of fuel that can fit inside the combustion chamber, and motorcycle nomenclature usually refers to this capacity. In two-stroke motorcycles with a small capacity, we usually speak of a single cylinder.


Let us remember that two-stroke motorcycles require completely different lubrication and lubricating oil application methodology than four-stroke motorcycles.


The more capable the motorcycle has, the more horsepower is likely to be as well, so motorcycles with a larger engine may be more complex to handle. Remember that before going out to shoot, you must take into account the series of tips that you will find here and that will guarantee that you have a safer and fault-free trip.


If you want to know more about everything that surrounds your motorcycle

Also, you may like: