An In-Depth Look at the Single Cylinder Motorcycle Engines (2024)

Single cylinder motorcycle engines are the mostly used engine on motorcycle. Have you wondered why? That's because they are popular for their simplicity and efficiency. Many smaller bikes, dirt bikes, and some commuter motorcycles are using this single cylinder engines. In this blog, we will explore the features, benefits, and drawbacks of single-cylinder motorcycle engines. We will also look at how they compare to other engine types and why they remain a popular choice for many riders.

What is Single Cylinder Motorcycle Engine?

A single-cylinder engine, as the name implies, is a piston engine with only one cylinder. Many people also call it a thumper.

This motorcycle engine is the simplest of all engines. It has only one cylinder and is the basic form of the engine.

Single-cylinder engines can be roughly divided into two types: 4-stroke engines and 2-stroke engines.

This engine is the most common engine layout in motorcycles. You can see single-cylinder engines on many motorcycles, especially regular motorcycles.

The more classic Honda Super Cub uses a 49 cc (3.0 cubic inch) four-stroke single-cylinder engine. Today, it has become the highest-selling motorcycle in terms of total sales.

Compare between Single-Cylinder Engines And Other Types of Engine

Normally, there are single-cylinder engine, twin-cylinder engine, triple-cylinder engine and four-cylinder engine in the market.

Here is a table to show the key characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages of different types of motorcycle engines.

After reading this table you might have a general understanding about these engines.

As you can see, single cylinder engines do have several features that are better than other engine types.

But it does not mean that a engine with 1 cylinder can always be the best option.

Choose the one best suit your needs is always the best and most cost-saving option.

Pros and Cons of Single Cylinder Motorcycle Engines?

Every kind of engine has its pros and cons. Here, we will show you the pros and cons of single cylinder ones.

This will give you an in-depth lesson to let you know about it ultimately.

How does a single cylinder motorcycle engine work?

The working process of a single-cylinder engine can be divided into four stages: intake, compression, power and exhaust.

1. Intake stage. The piston moves downward to inhale fresh air and fuel mixture for preparation. In the mean time, the valve opens and inhales the mixture into the cylinder through the air flow.
2. Compression stage. The intake valve closes, the piston moves upward, compresses the mixed gas in the cylinder, and generates compression heat. This process is important as the temperature of the mixed gas increases when the mixture is compressed. This process helps to cause ignition.
3. Power stage. During engine operation, the ignition system activates the spark plug at the top to ignite the mixed gas. The heat energy generated by the combustion process instantly increases the pressure, pushes the piston down. Then transmit to the crankshaft through the connecting rod, causing it to rotate and output power.
4. Exhaust stage. When the piston reaches the bottom dead center, the exhaust valve opens and exhaust gas is generated. After the exhaust valve opens, fresh mixed gas enters the cylinder again. The whole process is repeated over and over again, generating continuous engine power.

The working process of a single-cylinder engine is cyclical. The energy converse and transmist through continuous intake, compression, combustion and exhaust.

18 Best single cylinder engine motorcycle

Many motorcycle brands has single-cylinder engine motorcycle. Here, we will give you a list of the best 18 of them after I have a full analize and comparision.

Best Single-Cylinder Bikes	Photo	Manufacturer	Displacement	Power	Torque	Curb Weight
KTM Duke 390		KTM	373cc	44.8 hp	28.8 lb-ft	364 lbs
Kawasaki Z125		Kawasaki	125cc	8.3 hp	7.1 lb-ft	224 lbs
Royal Enfield Scram 411		Royal Enfield	411cc	24 hp	23 lb-ft	407 lbs
Suzuki DR-Z400S		Suzuki	398cc	33.4 hp	25.6 lb-ft	317 lbs
Honda Grom		Honda	124cc	9.7 hp	7.7 lb-ft	224 lbs
BMW G 310 GS		BMW	313cc	34 hp	20 lb-ft	386 lbs
Royal Enfield Meteor 350		Royal Enfield	411cc	20.2 hp	19.9 lb-ft	421 lbs
Kawasaki KLR 650		Kawasaki	652cc	40 hp	39 lb-ft	456 lbs
Husqvarna Svartpilen 401		Husqvarna	373cc	44 hp	27.3 lb-ft	335 lbs
KTM RC 390		KTM	373cc	44 hp	27 lb-ft	379 lbs
Yamaha YZF-R15		Yamaha	148cc	17 hp	11.1 lb-ft	313 lbs
Aprilia RS125		Aprilia	124.8cc	34 hp	18.4 lb-ft	317 lbs
Kawasaki KX500		Kawasaki	499cc	66 hp	48.4 lb-ft	220 lbs
KTM 690		KTM	693cc	74 hp	55 lb-ft	306 lbs
BSA Gold Star		BSA	348cc	27 hp	37.5 lb-ft	436.5 lbs

What's the biggest single cylinder motorcycle engine?

When talking about the biggest engings with single cylinder, the Suzuki DR Big is on the list. It is the "World's largest production single-cylinder engine", generated by Suzuki in 1990s. It has win this title for over 30 years. By now, there is no other engine manufacturer has supassed the engine cubic capacity that this engine has achieved.

Main parameters of Suzuki DR 800s Big:

Besides, we also need to mention about Superquadro Mono, the most powerful single-cylinder engine in the world. This engine is the new member of Ducati engines family. It is a 659cc short-stroke single cylinder engine with desmodromic distribution. Generally, it is the best performance road-going single-cylinder engine.

Main parameters of Superquadro Mono

Frequently asked questions

Is 1 cylinder good for motorcycle?

Yes, a 1 cylinder engine can be a good choice for many motorcycles. 1 cylinder engines are often lighter, more simpler structure, budget friend, and easier to maintain. Besides, 1-cylinder engines also typically offer good low-end torque. Thus making them fun to ride in stop-and-go traffic. For city commuting and short trips, they are good choice.

However, they might lack the smoothness and power of multi-cylinder bikes. This is more obvious on 1-cylinder engine motorcycles at high speeds. So, if you need a bike for daily use and short distances, a 1-cylinder motorcycle can be a solid option.

Why mostly bikes are single cylinders?

Most bikes are single-cylinder because they are simpler, lighter, and cheaper to make.

Firstly, single-cylinder motorcycle engines have fewer parts than other types of engines. This makes them easier to maintain and repair.

Besides, they also tend to be more fuel-efficient, which is great for daily commuting.

Wha's more, single-cylinder bikes are usually lighter, easier to handle, so they are really nice and friendly for new riders.

And, they provide good torque at low speeds, which is useful for city riding.

They may not have the high power of multi-cylinder engines. But their simplicity and cost-effectiveness make them a popular choice for many riders.

Related reading:

What Is Best Motorcycle Engine Size To Start (Full List Size Include)

8 Main Different Types of Motorcycle Engines

Rodney L Herron

Rodney L is a technical writer and product consultant with over a decade of experience in the motor industry. Rodney is a fan of performance machines that run fast and loud and an expert in all things custom. His numerous articles and write-ups are available at our knowledge base. Whether it’s something wrong with your motorcycle or you are building a custom bike, you can trust Rodney’s experience.