8 Types of Superbike Engine.

   Some of us might have been riding different types of bike, with different types of engine system.  We heard some of engine types like Single Cylinder, Parallel Twin, V-Twin, and 4 inline, but do we really know how it works and what are the advantages? Let's we figure it out.

1. Single Cylinder

          The most basic configuration of the engine with just one cylinder generates power entirely. Its compact construction leads to low manufacturing costs, making single-cylinder engine is a popular choice for motorcycle market economy.

         Even so, this does not mean that the engine is not suitable for those more speed. With torque (torque) is high at low RPM, making motorcycle sport / naked equipped engine is so agile in the city and short corners.

Usually found at:

• Motorcycle economy; scooter or Kapchai
• Sportbike urban (usually naked); KTM Duke series, the Honda CBR250, Kawasaki z250SL
• Supermoto / dual purpose; Kawasaki D-Tracker X, Demak DTM200

Advantage:

• Compact size and sleek, perfect for use in urban and off-road
• Easy handling
• Torque / strong pickup on the same engine displacement
• Low Maintenance 

Disadvantages:

• Strong vibration, easily felt if taken for long trips
• Maximum power (HP) which is less than the multi-cylinder engine that has similar displacement.
• Not suitable for high displacement

2. Parallel Twin

                 Standard engines for most motorcycles 250cc class. Provide a balance between torque and HP makes a 250cc motorcycle engine using this type of choice to those who want the best performance without having to upgrade licenses. On the same goal, parallel twin of choice for high displacement motorcycle (600cc and above) which is marketed as a daily vehicle like Honda ER6N, Versys and Yamaha MT-07.


Usually found at:

• Sportbike 250cc high performance; Kawasaki Ninja 250R, Yamaha R25
• streetbike; Yamaha MT-07, Honda CB500F
• Dual-sport; Kawasaki Versys, BMW F800GS

Advantage:

• Compact and lightweight
• Responsive at low RPM
• Perfect for travel in the city or on the highway far

Disadvantages:

• The vibe is more pronounced when compared side by side with in-line 4

3.V-Twin

    Engine configuration must exist on a Harley Davidson and Ducati. Like the previous twin parallel, the V-Twin lose In-line 4 when compared to the maximum HP capable of reaching but has a wide power band advantage, giving the torque a high degree of shrinkage. For a  cruiser motorcycle like the Harley Davidson, the higher torque of any time than the V-Twin Values is more appreciated than the maximum power of In-line 4 that is only reached when it is in the collar.

Usually found at:

• Ducati Motorcycles
• Harley Davidson
• Naza Blade / Hyosung GTR

Advantage:

• High torque and broad powerband
• Very responsive
• Have a slim profile and a lower center of gravity

Disadvantages:

• The vibe feels easier
• Less power (HP) for the same displacement.

4.Four Inline

            Smooth power delivery (smooth) and high-revving, plus a tune-able exhaust noise, motorcycles pitched inline 4 cylinder motorcycles into cult-like following a lust for power on the highway. Also contribute popularity of this engine configuration, it becomes a choice of Japanese motorcycle manufacturers for a long time and as we all know the brand Yamaha, Honda and Kawasaki is well known in the country as compared to western brands like Triumph.


Usually found at:

• Sportbike middle class; Yamaha XJ6, Kawasaki Z800
• Supersport Bike (Superbike); Yamaha R1, Honda CBR1000RR, BMW S1000RR

Advantage:

• Smooth power delivery on middle and high RPM
• High-revving, able to be deployed over long before it reaches the redline you own or sour stomach
• Melodious sound

Disadvantages:

• Keep following the energies deployed only available at high RPM
• Weak in terms of torque, can feel vibration if taken slowly. Cause it does not fit applied to the low displacement motorcycle.
• Most motorcycle too wide and too big

5. Boxer Twin

             Normally only available on dual-purpose motorcycles such as BMW R1200GS, this type of engine provides torque so powerful to be able to drive the BMW R1200GS weighing 270kg is idle (idle). Why is called the 'boxer'? Because the rules of the transverse cylinder engine similar to the 'boxer' Subaru Impreza in which movement similar to the movement opposing cylinder boxer punches.

Usually found at:

• BMW R1200GS, BMW R nine T

Advantage:

• Very high torque
• Linear powerband provides smooth power delivery
• High stability with a low center of gravity

Disadvantages:

• Wide engine size limit rake during cornering
• Torque reaction; effects such as G-Force acting on the side of its transverse movement of the piston, disrupt stability during cornering

6. Triple/3-Inline 

The perfect combination of power and torque of the parallel twin peak power of high-revving inline four, triple configuration cylinder being their favorite ride ever. Why? Triple cylinder ensure you have the power in every situation, whether cornering or even on the straight lines.


Usually found at:

• Triumph Motorcycles; Street Triple 675RS, Daytona 675 and Speed Triple R
• Yamaha MT-09

Advantage:

• Characteristics balanced between two and four cylinder
• The versatility, performance comparable to any good or even bend the straight path
• The sound is quite unique

Disadvantages:

• Options are limited motorcycle.
• For now easily available with just a Yamaha MT-09 only, while Triumph less well received due to the cost of a little expensive when compared to its competitors. But for those who care about the subtleties of manufacturing (refinement), worth it to pay more for Triumph motorcycles.

7. V4

               Like before, the V-4 promises a balance between the two and four-cylinder configuration with strong torque at low RPM and power at high RPM. What are the attractions in the V4 is a more linear power delivery and smooth at all RPM levels and a more slender profile makes it easier to control. Even so, the engine manufacturing complex and costly, make not many manufacturers interested in using this engine other than the purpose of the race.


Usually found at:

• Supersport or tourer (cruiser); Aprilia RSV4, Aprilia Tuono V4, Yamaha VMax
• MotoGP motorcycle race; Honda RC213V, Ducati Desmosedici

Advantage:

• Smooth power delivery and torque higher than the in-line
• A more streamlined profile helps control
• Unique sound

Disadvantages:

• Options are limited motorcycle. As Triple earlier, V4 give high satisfaction to their owners if they can spend more.
• Complex engine configuration also increases the cost of repairs and modifications compared to the in-line 4 engine.

8.V6

      Unlike many sportbikes, V6 engine are more commonly used for leisure ride, like Honda Goldwing. V6 not just giving better torque, but also giving you smooth ride, and engine reliability, especially for long rides.

Usually found at:

• Honda Goldwing

Advantage:

• Smooth power delivery and torque higher than any bike
• Enough power to move big chassis motorcycles.

Disadvantages:

• Bigger engine means bigger cost. Maintenance won't be cheap.
• Complex engine configuration also increases the cost of repairs and modifications compared to any engines. Finding someone who can fix your bike won't be an easy task.

TRIVIA

1. Most Racing-Spec superbike are using 4-inline,triple,V-twin and V4.
2. Even the biggest engine displacement, V6 engine are not racing spec. Pushing to the top speed will ear your engine compartments quickly.
3. Cheapest bike, of course the single cylinder engine, and the most expensive bikes are the V6. 
4.  Four inline Triple and V4 has best sound especially when equipped with right exhaust.
5.  

V-Twin VS 4 In-Line

           Ah, the good old engine debate. Ask any motorcycle rider what kind of engine they think is best and you will get some surprisingly heated opinions. Our cruiser riding brethren will of course talk up the virtues of v-twins and their torque, while sportbike riders might be somewhat divided between inline fours and v-twins. Single cylinder engines (“thumpers”) are usually reserved for dirt and off-road bikes, but one of the better beginner sportbikes happens to use one – the sharp looking Honda CBR250R. Engine type should not be taken lightly when choosing a first motorcycle and I’ll try to make some sense of the differences here.



V-Twin or Parallel Twin

(The picture of V-Twin engine)

            A v-twin is a two cylinder engine with the cylinders arranged in the shape of a V; you’ve no doubt seen this engine configuration when looking at cruisers. Ducati famously uses a 90-degree twin cylinder engine that looks more like an L, though most people still refer to it as a v-twin. There are smaller sportbikes like the excellent Kawasaki Ninja 250R which use a parallel twin, where the cylinders are configured side-by-side.

          BMW offers an opposed twin sometimes called a “flat” or “boxer” engine in some of its motorcycles, where the cylinders sit flat on their sides and 180 degrees opposite each other (I happen to find it weird and impractical to have the cylinder heads sticking straight out the sides of the engine on a motorcycle, but that’s my opinion).

(Ducati Diavel is one of superbike using V-Twin engine system)

Four Inline

(Four in-line Engine system)

       An inline 4 cylinder engine has all four cylinders sitting next to each other in a nice neat row. Most sport and race bikes use this configuration, though you may see an occasional V-4 such as the one in use by Honda CBR 1000RR, the Aprilia RSV4 and the Yamaha R1.

(The Honda CBR 1000 RR, has better sound than V-twin engine system)