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Cubic CentimetersA traditional measure that the volume of the engine. It’s concerned how many muscles your bike has.
You are watching: What does cc mean in motorcycles
Cylinder CapacityThe higher the capacity, the higher the air-fuel mixture intake. More CCs = an ext air and fuel can be burned.Makes sense, right?
Chinese CentimetersSay what now?For real, the Chinese have their measure system. Like having actually metric and imperial ones wasn’t enough…Here is the catch — many Chinese motorcycle brands develop bikes in your cubic centimeters. Your motorcycle sector is large enough to produce bikes through their “special” CCs. They’re practically giving the finger to the various other two systems.But what perform you care? Bottom all, it have to roll & roar.
mLThat one acquired me perplexed too. But that grudgy physics teacher the mine still teach me something.CC = mL. Period!So, as soon as some fancy, show-off motorcycle octopus in flip-flops rather of proper moto boots speak you he has actually 125mL super-sport, don’t obtain too impressed. He’s simply a douchebag!
Now that we’ve spanned the basics, how do CCs influence your motorcycle performance?
5 Things They don’t Tell You around Motorcycle CC!
When us designed a 600CC Suzuki Boulevard, we asked oneself one question:“How deserve to we do this look choose it has actually a lot of power?”Quoted by an median Suzuki engine designerSo more CC = an ext power?NO!Know this: True signs of power are horsepower and torque. Those 2 metrics have a REAL impact on how conveniently your motorcycle can go indigenous 0 come the following speed ticket.Yes, CCs play a function in the equation. There are details mathematical steps in exactly how they are calculated (see video clip below). But it’s only a part of it.
CCs affect torque. (**Searching because that the definition of talk in my 8th-grade physics book**)But you CAN’T have actually horsepower there is no RPMs. The simple: horsepower = torque * RPMs. it is why part motorcycles with greater numbers that CC’s nothing produce much more horsepower.Whoever tells you differently doesn’t understand sh*t about motorcycle mechanics and also physics!
Power-To-Weight-Ratio
(**Sudden image of Sumo-slammers appears in my mind**)I recognize you could be bored through this fancy sciency stuff, but hear me out.This one is TOO important to understand! So, let’s begin with an example:On one next you have actually a weighty 600 CC cruiser and also on the various other you have actually a featherly 600 CC super-sport. Exact same CCs.Which one perform you think increases faster?Super-sport, that course!How?The weight of the bike determines just how the bike will perform. With more weight, more power is needed to push that weight down the round. With much less weight, your bike is much more agile and powerful enough to beat those tight corners.That’s why a super-sport v the very same CC, will vroom-vroom faster than a cruiser.
Type that the Engine
2-stroke engines are an ext productive in developing power. Castle will produce 2x an ext power than 4-stroke ones. It is why KTM 250 and also regular scooters have the right to go practically straight uphill. Almost!(**scooter & dirt-bike fans go wild**)But don’t obtain too excited.Yes, 2-strokes are much more powerful, yet in terms of fuel efficiency and also CO2 footprint — They room like small dystopian Chinese lithium plants. Negative emissions go brrrrrrr.Compression Ratio
Again through the ratios? I typical come on man! How tough is the to know a basic CC note on a bike?!I know, ns know. This will be the critical one, i promise.It’s all for friend to come to be a more educated squid or at the very least a much better rider.Now, whereby were we?Ohh yes, compression ratios. It is the ratio in between the volume of the cylinder once the cylinder is DOWN and also the volume once the cylinder is all the means UP. The greater the compression ratio, the higher the horsepower!
It would be too vague come tell you that every CC is great for a motorcycle. Hell, according to the amount of CC the whole killing machine with two wheels is designed.But, us are lacking the allude here.The much better question is: What is the best CC for YOU?!Are girlfriend a beginner, a driver who desires to level-up his game or a pro looking for the challenge?Define who friend are of those three and what lot of riding an abilities you have.Don’t listen to the dudes top top the forums, saying:“Anyone who doesn’t begin with a 600CC is a wimp and a disappointment!”They are simply losers make the efforts to press you into a death trap. Beginning with a 600 CC would certainly only expense you time do the efforts to remain ALIVE on the meat grinder with wheels.It’s perfect fine to start small, like I did. 125 CC to be a SUPERB an option for me! It’s not a disappointment riding a low CC as a beginner.It’s a disappointment not learning the skill and also not having an excellent gear.
Frequently inquiry Questions ~ above What go CC typical Motorcycle
Does CC count On CC?Hmm, I see you’re curious.The dumbest answer would be come tell you that speed counts on the quantity of accelerator you squeeze. Obviously.But let’s dig right into the details.Speed is closely related to acceleration. Remember the boring formula? (v = U + a*t)And whereby does the acceleration come from?Horsepower!Horsepower is do from?Torque x RPMs.Torque is make from?CCs.So you could say that CCs influence speed, but the entirety thing is dead-slow without RPMs.How is CC ~ above a motorcycle calculated?Ughhh. Math. Mine immortal enemy!If you’re yes, really interested and also want to find out this, scroll ago to the 5 points they don’t tell you about CCs, and also check the end the video below.Is 150cc far better than 200cc?Just another day in the office, compare apples against oranges.Let’s imagine a perfect world, in i beg your pardon we space comparing single-cylinder 150 CC v 200 one.Which one take away me residence like a bride on the rear seat?200 CC, that course!But, we don’t live in a perfect world!What about “dual-inline” 150 CC VS one-cylinder 200 CC?(**Drum roll through intense music please**)Dual-inline 150CC!Remember the engine configuration part from above? Dual or V config always beats one-cylinder engines.
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Always!
Instead of wasting money top top a B-day party, man bought his pearl-black cruiser. Through it, he has actually made end 25,000 clicks. From to run empty in the center of nowhere, low-sidding that in corners, performing carburetor review on the road, come upgrading it with custom 3D printed parts, JOhn has done it all. That is in ~ his ideal when developing custom motorcycle components and also testing them the end on the track.