List of motorcycles by type of engine
List of motorcycles by type of engine is a list of motorcycles by the type of motorcycle engine used by the vehicle, such as by the number of cylinders or configuration.
A transverse engine is an engine mounted in a vehicle so that the engine's crankshaft axis is perpendicular to the direction of travel. In a longitudinal engine configuration, the engine's crankshaft axis is parallel with the direction of travel. However, the description of the orientation of "V" and "flat" motorcycle engines differs from this convention. Motorcycles with a V-twin engine mounted with its crankshaft mounted in line with the frame, e.g. the Honda CX series, are said to have "transverse" engines,[1][2] while motorcycles with a V-twin mounted with its crankshaft mounted perpendicular to the frame, e.g. most Harley-Davidsons, are said to have "longitudinal" engines.[1][2] This convention uses the longest horizontal dimension (length or width) of the engine as its axis instead of the line of the crankshaft.
There are many different models of motorcycles that have been produced, and as such, this list is not exhaustive and contains only more notable examples.
Single cylinder[]
- Armstrong MT500
- BMW R2
- BMW R25
- BMW R27
- BMW F650CS
- BSA Blue Star
- BSA C15
- BSA B44 Shooting Star
- DKW RT 125
- Ducati Mach 1
- Ducati Supermono
- Harley-Davidson Topper
- Harley-Davidson Baja 100
- Harley-Davidson MT350E
- Honda CB125
- Honda CBR250R/CBR300R
- Honda CRF series
- Honda Dream Yuga
- Honda Grom
- Honda Rebel 300 (Single cylinder, after model change in 2020[3])
- Honda Super Cub
- Honda Winner
- Honda XBR500
- Honda XL250
- Honda XL350R
- Honda XR250
- Kawasaki KLR650
- Kawasaki Ninja 250SL
- KTM 200 Duke
- KTM 390 Duke
- KTM 690 Duke
- Langer's "NSU Bison 2000" 2 liter single[4]
- Moto Guzzi Cardellino
- MV Agusta 125 SOHC
- MZ SM 125
- New Werner
- Norton CS1
- Peugeot JetForce
- Royal Enfield Bullet
- Royal Enfield Himalayan
- Sachs MadAss
- Suzuki Boulevard S40
- Suzuki DR-Z400
- Suzuki DR650
- Suzuki Gixxer 150, 250, SF250
- Suzuki LS650 Savage
- Suzuki TU250
- Triumph Ricardo
- Triumph Tiger Cub
- Yamaha MT-03
- Yamaha SR400, SR500
- Yamaha T-150
- Yamaha XT225, XT250 (Serow)
- Yamaha XT 500, XT 600 (Ténéré)
- Hyosung GD250N
- Werner Dienstkrad 1440cc single cylinder steampunk motorcycle[4]
- Wilkinson TMC
The vast majority of motor scooters are single cylinder (see List of motor scooter manufacturers and brands).
Split-single[]
The split-single (Doppelkolbenmotor to its German and Austrian manufacturers), is a variant on the two-stroke engine with two cylinders sharing a single combustion chamber. It is also known as a twingle, U-cylinder, or doppelkolben[5]
Two cylinder[]
V-twin[]
Longitudinal[]
- AJS S3 V-twin
- Honda CX series
- Indian 841
Lilac Murusho
- Moto Guzzi California
- Moto Guzzi Le Mans
- Moto Guzzi V7 Sport
- Moto Guzzi Griso
- Moto Guzzi Stelvio
Transverse[]
- Aprilia Dorsoduro
- Aprilia Falco
- Aprilia Mana 850
- Aprilia RSV Mille
- Aprilia RSV 1000 R
- Aprilia Shiver
- Aprilia Tuono
- Britten V1000
- BSA Model E and other models
- Ducati Monster 696
- Ducati 748
- Ducati 749
- Ducati 848
- Ducati 851
- Ducati 888
- Ducati 899
- Ducati 916
- Ducati 959
- Ducati 996
- Ducati 998
- Ducati 999
- Ducati 1098
- Ducati 1198
- Ducati 1199
- Ducati 1299
- Ducati Diavel
- Gunbus 410 (Leonhardt Gunbus 410 with 6.7 L/410 ci V-twin)[9]
- Harley-Davidson FL (multiple bikes)
- Harley-Davidson VRSC (the V-rod)
- Harley-Davidson Model 7D
- Hesketh V1000
- Honda NT650[10][circular reference]
- [11][circular reference]
- [12][circular reference]
- Honda RC51
- Honda VTR1000
- Honda VTR250
- KTM 990 Adventure
- KTM 990 Super Duke
- KTM 1190 RC8
- KTM 1290 Super Adventure
- KTM 1290 Super Duke R
- Hyosung GT250
- Hyosung GT650R
- Indian Scout
- Indian Chief
- Pope Model L
- Princeps AutoCar Co V-twin motorcycle[13]
- XL-ALL V-twin[14]
- Suzuki Boulevard M50
- Suzuki SFV650 Gladius
- Suzuki SV650
- Suzuki SV1000
- Suzuki VX 800
- Suzuki V-Strom 650
- Suzuki V-Strom 1000
- Suzuki V-Strom 1050
- Suzuki TL1000R
- Suzuki TL1000S
- Vincent Rapide
- Yamaha Virago
- Yamaha XVS / Dragstar / VStar
Flat-twin[]
Longitudinal[]
- BMW R1150GS
- BMW R1150R
- BMW R1200C
- BMW R1200GS
- BMW R1200R
- BMW R1200RT
- BMW R32
- BMW R90S
- BMW Type 255
- Indian Model O
- Harley-Davidson XA
- Ural
- Velocette LE
- Velocette Valiant
Transverse[]
Straight twin[]
a.k.a. parallel-twin, inline-twin, vertical-twin, straight-two, or inline-two
Transverse[]
- BMW F800GT
- BMW F800S
- BMW F800ST
- Honda CB400T
- Honda CBR250RR (2017)
- Honda NC700 series
- Kawasaki Ninja 250R
- Kawasaki Ninja 300
- Kawasaki Ninja 400
- Kawasaki Ninja 650R
- Kawasaki Z300
- Kawasaki KLE500
- KTM 790 Duke
- MV Agusta 350B Sport
- Norton Commando
- Suzuki V-Strom 250
- Suzuki GS500F
- Triumph Bandit
- Triumph Tiger T110
- Triumph Tiger Trail
- Triumph TR6 Trophy
- Yamaha MT-07
- Yamaha XTZ 750 Super Tenere
- Yamaha XT1200Z Super Ténéré
- Yamaha TRX850
- Yamaha TDM900
- Yamaha XS650
- Yamaha YZF-R3
Longitudinal[]
Tandem twin[]
The Tandem Twin is where the cylinders are longitudinal, and have two cranks geared together. A tandem twin is effectively a pair of geared singles, and is to be distinguished from an inline twin. Tandem twins are suitable primarily for two-stroke racers.
Longitudinal[]
Three cylinder[]
Straight three[]
Transverse[]
- Benelli Tornado Tre 900
- Benelli Tre 1130 K
- BSA Rocket III
- Kawasaki triples
- S1 Mach I
- S2 Mach II
- H1 Mach III
- H2 Mach IV
- Laverda 1000 3C
- Laverda Jota
- Laverda 1200 TS Mirage
- MV Agusta 500 Three
- MV Augusta Brutale 800[15]
- Suzuki GT380
- Suzuki GT550
- Suzuki GT750
- Triumph Daytona 675
- Triumph Legend TT
- Triumph Street Triple
- Triumph Speed Triple
- Triumph Sprint
- Triumph Tiger 800
- Triumph Tiger 1050
- Triumph Tiger Explorer
- Triumph Trident 750
- Yamaha MT-09 (a.k.a. Yamaha FZ-09)[15]
- Yamaha MT-09 Tracer (FJ-09)
- Yamaha XSR900
- Yamaha XS 750
- Yamaha XS 850
Longitudinal[]
- BMW K75
- Triumph Rocket III
- Triumph Rocket 3
V-three[]
Transverse[]
- BSL 500 V3
- Honda MVX250F
- Honda NS400R
- Honda NS500
Four cylinder[]
This is a partial list of some of the many four-cylinder motorcycle designs.
Straight four[]
Transverse[]
- BMW S1000RR
- Honda RC181
- Honda CB400SF
- Honda CBR600RR
- Honda CBR650R
- Honda CB750
- Honda CB900c
- Honda CB1100
- Honda CBR1100XX
- Kawasaki Concours
- Kawasaki 1400GTR
- Kawasaki Eliminator (some models only)
- Kawasaki GPZ900R (a.k.a. Ninja 900)
- Kawasaki Z1
- Kawasaki Z1000
- Kawasaki Z900
- Kawasaki ZRX1100
- Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R
- Kawasaki Ninja ZX-12R
- MV Agusta F4 series
- Muench Mammut (Münch)[16]
- Suzuki GSX-R600[17]
- Suzuki GSX-RR
- Suzuki Hayabusa
- Suzuki 1200 Bandit[17]
- Triumph Speed Four
- Triumph TT600
- Yamaha FZ8 and FAZER8
- Yamaha XJ6
- Yamaha XJ750 Maxim
Longitudinal[]
- Ace Motor Corporation fours[18]
- Auto Four
- BMW K1
- BMW K100
- Brough Superior Austin Four[16]
- FN Four
- Indian Four
- Nimbus
- Pierce Four
- Roadog
- Various Henderson Motorcycle fours[18]
V-four[]
Transverse[]
- Ariel Ace
- Aprilia RSV4
- BUB Seven Streamliner
- Ducati Apollo
- Ducati Desmosedici RR
- Ducati Panigale V4
- Honda Magna
- Honda RC30
- Honda RC45
- Honda RVF400
- Honda RVF750
- Honda VFR750F
- Honda VF400F
- Honda VF500F
- Honda Sabre V4
- Honda VF1000
- Honda VFR400
- Honda VFR800
- Honda VFR1200F
- Honda VFR1200X
- Matchless Silver Hawk
- Suzuki Madura
- Suzuki GV1400 Cavalcade
- Yamaha Venture
- Yamaha VMax
- Yamaha Rz-500[19]
Longitudinal[]
- Honda ST1100
- Honda ST1300
- Honda CTX1300
Flat four[]
Longitudinal[]
- Honda Gold Wing
- [20]
Square four[]
- Ariel Square Four
- Suzuki RG500
- Suzuki RS67[21]
H four[]
Transverse[]
- Brough Superior Golden Dream
Five cylinder[]
Straight five[]
Transverse[]
V-five[]
Transverse[]
- Honda RC211V
Six cylinder[]
Straight six[]
Transverse[]
- Benelli Sei
- BMW K1600
- [24]
- Honda CBX
- Honda RC series
- Honda RC174
- Horex VR6[25]
- Kawasaki Z1300
- Suzuki Stratosphere
Flat six[]
Longitudinal[]
- Honda GoldWing
- Honda Rune 2004-2005
- Honda Valkyrie
8 cylinder[]
V-8[]
Longitudinal[]
Transverse[]
- Moto Guzzi V8
- PGM V-8[29]
10 cylinder[]
V-10[]
Longitudinal[]
- Millyard Viper V10
- Dodge Tomahawk
- Boss Hoss with V-10[30]
12 cylinder[]
V-12[]
Transverse[]
48 cylinder[]
Transverse[]
- Simon Whitlock's 48-cylinder motorcycle[33]
Turbocharged and supercharged[]
Wankel[]
The Wankel engine is a type of internal combustion engine using an eccentric rotary design to convert pressure into rotating motion. All parts rotate consistently in one direction, as opposed to the common reciprocating piston engine, which has pistons violently changing direction. It is also known as a rotary engine.
- Hercules (motorcycle)
- Hercules W-2000
- Norton Classic
- Norton Commander (motorcycle)
- Norton F1
- Norton Interpol 2
- Norton RCW588
- Suzuki RE5
- Van Veen (motorcycle)
- Hercules W-2000 (a.k.a. DKW)[35]
- [35]
- [35]
Radial[]
The radial engine is a reciprocating type internal combustion engine configuration in which the cylinders "radiate" outward from a central crankcase like the spokes of a wheel.
Rotary radial[]
The rotary engine was an early type of internal combustion engine, usually designed with an odd number of cylinders per row in a radial configuration, in which the crankshaft remained stationary in operation, with the entire crankcase and its attached cylinders rotating around it as a unit.
- Barry Engine
- Millet motorcycle (5 cylinders)
- Megola
Turbine[]
Steam[]
- Bill Barnes's Custom steamer[42]
- Copeland steam bicycle
- De Dion-Bouton steam tricycle
- Geneva steam bicycle
- Hubbard Steamcycle[43]
- Michaux-Perreaux steam velocipede
- Roper steam velocipede[44]
- Stanley Lococycle Model 6 tandem pacer[45]
Electric[]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3a/Newone_-_VinFast_Klara_couple.jpg/220px-Newone_-_VinFast_Klara_couple.jpg)
Electric motorcycles and scooters are plug-in electric vehicles with two or three wheels powered by electricity. The electricity is stored on board in a rechargeable battery, which drives one or more electric motors.
- Agni Motors
- Aptera 2 Series
- Brammo Empulse
- Victory Empulse (after 2015)[46]
- Brammo Enertia
- Čezeta
- Electric dragbike
- Energica Motor Company
- Epeds
- FIM eRoad Racing World Cup
- Harley-Davidson LiveWire
- Johammer J1
- KillaCycle
- Lightning LS-218
- Lit Motors C-1
- Modenas CT series
- MotoCzysz E1pc
- MotoE World Cup
- Peugeot Scoot'Elec
- Piaggio MP3
- Tricyclopod
- TT Zero
- TTXGP
- Uno (dicycle)
- Vectrix
- VinFast Klara
- Yamaha Passol
- Yamaha Tesseract
- Zero Motorcycles
- Zero S
- Zero X
- Zero XU
Diesel[]
Only very small numbers of diesel engined motorcycles have ever been built. The improved fuel efficiency is offset by the increased weight, reduced acceleration and potential difficulty of starting, at least in colder climates.
Multi-engine[]
- Gyronaut X-1 two straight two engines[48][49]
- Triumph Rocket
See also[]
- Motorcycle motor powered car
- List of motorized trikes
- List of motorcycles of the 1910s
- List of motorcycles of the 1920s
- List of motorcycles of the 1930s
- List of motorcycles of the 1940s
- List of motorcycles of the 1950s
- List of land vehicles types by number of wheels
References[]
- ^ a b Clarke, Massimo (2010). Modern Motorcycle Technology: How Every Part of Your Motorcycle Works. Minneapolis, MN USA: MotorBooks International. p. 44. ISBN 978-0-7603-3819-3. Retrieved 2013-05-31.
Moto Guzzi's transverse V-twins are unique among motorcycles, while Ducati, in keeping with the classical school, uses a longitudinal V, meaning the axis of rotation of the crankshaft is transverse to the frame.
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- ^ Honda USA
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- ^ a b SPLIT/SINGLES and what they are!
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- ^ Wojdyla, Ben. "48-Cylinder Kawasaki Pushes Boundaries Of Sanity". jalopnik.com. Retrieved 2 February 2017.
- ^ "Yamaha XJ650 Turbo". Motorcycle Specifications, reviews, road tests. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
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- ^ "Road legal turbine motorcycle breaks three world records". gizmag.com. 10 June 2015. Retrieved 2 February 2017.
- ^ [1]
- ^ Daniel Strohl, "Records are meant to be broken: 80.4 MPH on a steam-powere | Hemmings Daily", October 17, 2014
- ^ "Steampunk Motorcycles". thekneeslider.com. 9 July 2007. Retrieved 2 February 2017.
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- ^ "Roper Steam Powered Velocipede or Motocycle". stanleymotorcarriage.com. Retrieved 2 February 2017.
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- ^ Yoav Gilad (September 15, 2014), "World's fastest motorcycle restored", Petrolicious, May Moon Media
External links[]
- Motorcycles by engine
- Lists of motorcycles