What is a Motorbike Engine’s CC? Understanding Motorcycle Engine Capacity

If you are thinking about investing in a motorcycle or motorbike engine, understanding the different types available on the market is key to buying the right engine for your needs.

The first thing you may notice is that engine sizes are described in ‘cc’ as in 250cc or 500cc. Depending on who you ask, cc stands for cubic capacity or cubic centimetres. Whatever the meaning, it is the standard method for understanding the capacity of a motorcycle engine. In general, motorcycle engine sizes range from 49cc all the way up to 1500cc and beyond.

Performance and efficiency

Generally speaking, the lower the cc, the more fuel-efficient but less powerful the bike will be. This is because higher cc engines burn more fuel resulting in more power.

Naturally, a 1000 cc motorcycle engine will be significantly faster and more powerful than a 250cc engine. Many people choose higher cc engines for highway riding as they consider them safer. This is due to the ability of higher cc engines to accelerate faster and move out of danger more quickly. They can also deliver a spurt of power to overtake when needed.

Riding levels

Whilst it may be legal in Australia for anyone to ride dirt and quad bikes on private property, this should be done responsibly. It makes sense that smaller engines are better for beginner riders. Smaller engines don’t mean you have to sacrifice peak performance and pit bikes, quads and motorcycles with smaller engine capacity can still be powerhouses of performance, as demonstrated by Blygo’s pocket-rocket 2-stroke engines!

By starting out with a smaller engine, beginner riders are given the latitude to acclimatise to manoeuvring a bike and becoming familiar with the feel and handling. It should also be factored in that even a comparatively lightweight bike can be heavy for someone with a smaller body size to handle. Even a 150cc bike can weigh over 100kg and be difficult to lift if dropped.

Intermediate riders, those who have become accustomed to riding and handling over time and in a wide variety of weather and terrain conditions, can graduate to a mid-range bike (300cc – 600cc).

Once fully experienced and confident, riders can then advance to higher-powered engines.

2-stroke vs 4-stroke

The difference between 2-stroke and 4-stroke engines is commonly misunderstood.

A 2-stroke engine is the more affordable option and has a higher power-to-weight ratio. The 2-stroke engine also has fewer components making it lighter and more compact.  

A drawback with 2-stroke engines is the requirement for pre-mixed fuel, – a mix of petrol and 2-stroke oil. This is due to the lack of an internal oil reservoir, meaning the oil component of the fuel is vital for maintaining engine lubrication.

A 4-stroke engine is more fuel efficient, has lower emissions and can require less maintenance. It has a more complex design, more components like valves and a camshaft resulting in heavier and larger dimensions. A huge plus for 4-stroke engines is that they don’t require pre-mixed fuel, like 2-stroke engines.

Many experienced dirt bike riders have the opinion that, while 2-stroke engines don’t offer the torque of a 4-stroke engine, they satisfy the needs of the casual, weekend rider. They are also easier to handle for inexperienced or smaller riders due to their lightweight.

The 4-stroke engine has gained popularity due to greater stability, environmental sustainability and linear power band. They are the engine of choice for riders on open terrain, riding at high speed. They also don’t require the same reliance on clutch and throttle as the 2-stroke, which is appealing to many riders.

Where to from here?

Blygo is an industry leader in everything to do with recreational motorcycling, dirt and quad bikes. We sell high-quality 110CC pit bikes and premium parts – everything you need to keep your bike at peak performance including engine parts, electrics, batteries, fuel systems and accessories – you need it, we’ve got it!

Not sure which engine is right for you? Give Blygo’s expert team a call on 0403 317 352 and let’s chat. We can offer advice across every aspect of performance vehicles and accessories.