Single-Cylinder Engine
Just as the name implies, this type of engine uses only one cylinder. It may be in a vertical, horizontal, or slanted position. The cylinder powers the engine, so the more cylinders the engine has, the more powerful it will be. This is where the fuel is burned into mechanical energy, which powers your motorcycle. Every cylinder comes with a piston, which compresses the air and fuel.
Parallel Twin Engine
A parallel twin engine comes with two cylinders, which are attached to the same cylinder block. This means they typically work side-by-side. They are laid vertically or horizontally in the engine, but occasionally they will be placed behind one another.
V-Twin or L-Twin Engines
This design means the two cylinders are placed at an angle from each other, forming a "V" or "L" shape. Unlike parallel twins, each cylinder is placed in a separate cylinder block, which increases the size and power of the engine. The size and placement of the cylinders varies from model to model. Some cylinders may be at a 45-degree angle, while others may be at a 90-degree angle, thus the name "L-Twin". The term "V-Twin Trans" means the cylinders are parallel to the bike's frame, which keeps things compact.
Inline Motorcycle Engines
Inline engines come with four or six cylinders, depending on the make and model. They are typically housed in a single cylinder block. The cylinders lay transversally to keep things compact, but the extra cylinders increase the width of the engine. Inline-six engines are more powerful than inline-four engines, but there's a trade-off.
V4 (Or V5) Engines
A V4 engine basically combines two V-Twins and stacks them on top of each other. They contain four cylinders, all of which are placed at an angle. This requires additional space, which makes the bike heavier and harder to maintain. However, they offer just as much, if not more, power than Inline-Four engines. The engine isn't as wide as the Inline-Four, which makes the engine more compact. Expect a smooth ride with few vibrations.
Flat-Twin Engine
The Flat-Twin, also known as a Boxer engine, is a rare engine layout that features two, four, or six cylinders placed in a horizontal position on either side of the crankshaft. Again, the more cylinders, the more powerful the engine.
Rotary Engines
Rotary engines, also known as Wankels, use rotors instead of pistons to compress the air and fuel. This creates a turning motion. This design remains exceedingly rare in the industry, but some manufacturers are trying to bring it back. They tend to be smooth and quiet with fewer moving parts, which makes them easy to maintain. They also come with more rotations per minute (RPM) compared to regular pistons, which creates additional power.
