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, 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. 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 R26 BMW R27 BMW F650CS BSA Blue Star BSA C15 BSA B44 Shooting Star Cagiva 350 SST Cagiva River 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 NF110i/125i Honda Rebel 300 (Single cylinder, after model change in 2020Honda USA) Honda Super Cub Honda Winner Honda XBR500 Honda XL250 Honda XL350R Husqvarna Vitpilen/Svartpilen 401 Husqvarna Vitpilen/Svartpilen 701 Honda XR250 Hyosung GD250N Hyosung GD250R Kawasaki Z125 Pro Kawasaki KLR650 Kawasaki Ninja 250SL KTM 200 Duke KTM 390 Duke KTM 690 Duke KTM RC 390 Langer's "NSU Bison 2000" 2 liter single Moto Guzzi Cardellino MV Agusta 125 SOHC MZ SM 125 MZ Skorpion New Werner Norton CS1 Peugeot JetForce Royal Enfield Bullet Royal Enfield Himalayan Sachs MadAss Suzuki Boulevard S40 Suzuki DR-Z400 Suzuki DR650 Suzuki XF650 Suzuki DR800S (Production bike with the largest single-cylinder engine ever) Suzuki Gixxer 150, 250, SF250 Suzuki LS650 Savage Suzuki TU250 Triumph Ricardo Triumph Tiger Cub Yamaha MT-03 Yamaha SR400, SR500 Yamaha SZR660 Yamaha T-150 Yamaha XT225, XT250 (Serow) Yamaha XT 500, XT 600 (Ténéré) Werner Dienstkrad 1440cc single cylinder steampunk motorcycle
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 doppelkolbenSPLIT/SINGLES and what they are!
DKW SS 250 EMC 350CC Garelli 350CC Turismo Puch GS 350 Puch 250 SGS TWN BD 250 TWN BDG 125 TWN BDG 250 (Triumph (TWN)) TWN Cornet TWN Boss TWN Contessa (scooter)
Two cylinder V-twin
Longitudinal
AJS S3 V-twin Honda CX series Indian 841 Marusho Lilac V-twin Moto Guzzi Le Mans Moto Guzzi V7 Sport Moto Guzzi Griso Moto Guzzi Stelvio Moto Guzzi California Victoria V35 Bergmeister
Transverse
Aprilia Dorsoduro Aprilia Falco Aprilia Mana 850 Aprilia RSV Mille Aprilia RSV 1000 R Aprilia Shiver Aprilia sxv 450 (550) Aprilia Tuono Britten V1000 BSA Model E and other models Cagiva Raptor 650 Cagiva Raptor 1000 Ducati Monster 696 Ducati 748 Ducati 749 Ducati Monster 821 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) Harley-Davidson FL (multiple bikes) Harley-Davidson VRSC (the V-rod) Harley-Davidson Model 7D Hesketh V1000 Honda NT650Honda NT650 Honda NT400 (BROS)Honda NT650 Honda NTV650 Deuville/RevereHonda Deauville Honda RC51 Honda VTR1000 Honda VTR250 Honda VT1100 Honda VT750 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 motorcycleMotor Cycling, November 12th, 1902 XL-ALL V-twin"The Evolution of the Motor Cycle", Motor Cycle magazine, June 1st, 1922, pp700-706 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
Williamson Flat Twin Douglas Dragonfly Harley-Davidson Model W
Straight twin
a.k.a. parallel-twin, inline-twin, vertical-twin, straight-two, or inline-two
Transverse
Aprilia RS 660 Benelli BN302 / TNT 300 Benelli 302s BMW F800GT BMW F800S BMW F800ST Honda CB200 and CL200 Honda CB350 Honda CB360 Honda CB400T Honda CB400 series (2013) Honda CB450 Honda CB500T Honda CBR250RR (2017) Honda CMX500 (2017) Honda NC700 series Honda Nighthawk 250 Husqvarna Nuda 900R Husqvarna Nuda 900 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Kawasaki Ninja 300 Kawasaki Ninja 400 Kawasaki EN 450ltd Kawasaki Ninja EX500R Kawasaki Ninja 650R Kawasaki Z250 Kawasaki Z300 Kawasaki KZ400 Kawasaki Z750 twin Kawasaki KLE500 Kawasaki W650 Kawasaki W800 KTM 790 Duke KTM 890 Duke MV Agusta 350B Sport Norton Commando Royal Enfield 700 Meteor Royal Enfield 500 Meteor Minor Royal Enfield 700 Super Meteor Royal Enfield Constellation Royal Enfield 750 Interceptor 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 Yamaha YZF-R7 (2022 bike)
Longitudinal
Sunbeam S7 and S8
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
Kawasaki KR250 and KR350
Three cylinder Straight three
Transverse
Benelli Tornado Tre 900 Benelli TNT 899 Benelli TNT 1130 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 Agusta F3 (675/800) MV Augusta Brutale 800 Suzuki GT380 Suzuki GT550 Suzuki GT750 Triumph Daytona 675 Triumph Daytona 955i 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) Yamaha MT-09 Tracer (FJ-09) Yamaha XSR900 Yamaha XSR900 GP Yamaha XS 750 Yamaha XS 850
Longitudinal
BMW K75 Triumph Rocket III Triumph Rocket 3
Upside Down
Nembo 32
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
Benelli BN600/ TNT600i BMW S1000RR Honda RC181 Honda CB400SF Honda CB400F Honda CBR600RR Honda CBR650R Honda CB750 Honda CB900c Honda CB1000c 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 ZXR400 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R Kawasaki Ninja ZX-25R Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4R Kawasaki Ninja ZX-12R MV Agusta F4 series Muench Mammut (Münch) Suzuki GSX-R600 Suzuki GSX-RR Suzuki GSX-650F Suzuki Hayabusa Suzuki 1200 Bandit Triumph Speed Four Triumph TT600 Yamaha FZ6 and FZ6R Yamaha FZ8 and FAZER8 Yamaha Zeal FZX250 Yamaha FZ-600 Yamaha XJ6 Yamaha XJ600 Yamaha XJ750 Maxim Yamaha XJR400 Yamaha YX600 Radian
Longitudinal
Ace Motor Corporation fours Auto Four BMW K1 BMW K100 Brough Superior Austin Four FN Four Indian Four Nimbus Pierce Four Roadog Various Henderson Motorcycle fours Windhoff 750
V-four
Transverse
Ariel Ace Aprilia RSV4 Aprilia Tuono V4 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 Norton V4 RR Suzuki Madura Suzuki GV1400 Cavalcade Yamaha Venture Yamaha VMax Yamaha Rz-500
Longitudinal
Honda ST1100 Honda ST1300 Honda CTX1300
Oval Piston
Honda NR
Flat four
Longitudinal
Honda Gold Wing Suprine Exodus (uses BMW flat four) Zündapp K800/KS800 Wooler 500cc (1948)
Square four
Ariel Square Four Suzuki RG500 Suzuki RS67
H four
Transverse
Brough Superior Golden Dream
VR-four Z-Line
MotoCzysz C1
Five cylinder Straight five
Transverse
Honda RC148 Honda RC149
V five
Transverse
Honda RC211V
Six cylinder Straight six
Transverse
Benelli Sei BMW K1600 Honda RC166 Honda CBX Honda RC series Honda RC174 Horex VR6 Kawasaki Z1300 Suzuki Stratosphere
Flat six
Longitudinal
Honda GoldWing Honda Rune 2004-2005 Honda Valkyrie
V-six
Laverda V6
8 cylinder V-8
Longitudinal
Aurora V-8 motorcycle Bi-Autogo Boss Hoss Cycles V8 models Curtiss V-8 motorcycle Morbidelli V8 Sabertooth Turbocat Olson's Flathead V-8 Rapom V-8
Transverse
Moto Guzzi V8 PGM V-8
Flat 8 GWM Souo S2000
Straight-8
10 cylinder V-10
Longitudinal
Millyard Viper V10 Dodge Tomahawk Boss Hoss with V-10
12 cylinder V-12
Transverse
Bigtoe Olson Zephyr V-12 Andreas Georgeades' Honda CBX V12
48 cylinder
Transverse
Simon Whitlock's 48-cylinder motorcycle
Turbocharged and supercharged
Honda CX 500 Turbo / 650 Turbo Yamaha XJ 650 Turbo Suzuki XN 85 Turbo Kawasaki Z 750 Turbo Kawasaki Z1R-TC Kawasaki Ninja H2 Kawasaki Ninja H2R
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) Yamaha RZ201 Kawasaki X99
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.
JRL Cycles Radial Chopper Radial Hell
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
Madmax Streetfighter MTT Turbine Superbike (a.k.a. Y2K)
Steam
Bill Barnes's Custom steamer Copeland steam bicycle De Dion-Bouton steam tricycle Geneva steam bicycle Hubbard Steamcycle Michaux-Perreaux steam velocipede Roper steam velocipede Stanley Lococycle Model 6 tandem pacer
Hydrogenation Kawasaki Ninja H2 HySE Xiaomi Segway Apex H2 MIT's concept fuel cell motorcycle
Electric