single cylinder engines the lowdown

[z-weiser]

do single cylinder engines wear out quicker than mulits or are they as long lived?

are they harder on chains etc than twins or about the same?

are there advantages/disadvantages to them regarding commuter bikes?

does it all depend on the engine and gearing

should i shut up with the questions?

cheers

Z

[digitalcaptive]

Interesting, and questions I've regulary asked myself can wait for the answers

[Lutin]

should i shut up with the questions?

Nope. That's what we're here for after all.

As far as I know, single cylinder bikes are supposed to be harder on chains and sprockets. Probably due to the single large wallop every other revolution rather than a load of smaller ones.

For a commuter - well they are generally slimmer and so easier to filter with.

Not sure that they'd necessarily wear out quicker, but might need more frequent oil changes. How hard are you on your bikes?

In the end, you pays your money and takes your pick.

[Rubberchicken]

Assumption: single cylinder a la big thumpers like the NX, not postie bikes like a C90.

Q: do single cylinder engines wear out quicker than mulits or are they as long lived?
A: Hard to say. My gut feeling says singles wear out quicker, but it depends on the make, type, tuning, etc.

My NX at 56k miles (90k km) is down one clutch and one camchain in the necessary engine works department. (Ok, and in dire need of another clutch job.) My GS is down one gearbox (catastrophic failure), driveshaft (caught in time), and valve job (caught in time), at 73k miles (117k km). (But the GS is easier to work on )


Q: are they harder on chains etc than twins or about the same?
A: Yes. Quite.

My (good quality, DID, Tsubaki) chains seem to average about 10k miles tops on the NX. Friends with Transalps report triple that... (Though I have no idea what happens with something like an LC8 doing the pulling.)


Q: are there advantages/disadvantages to them regarding commuter bikes?
A: Good: Nippy, narrow, torquey, fun in the city, will fit most places. Bad: Crap on the motorway, (lots) more maintenance.

Illustration of the latter: The NX wants an oil change every 2k miles.


Q: does it all depend on the engine and gearing
A: Yes. A C90 is also single cylinder, and I've been told they'll survive any old idiot at the controls.


(Though things are apparently much better once you go with that newfangled watercooled stuff. )

[AIRWOLF]

I think the single is harder on chain and rear tyre.

Engine, i think the bigger capacity has an easier time. i.e. for a given speed a big engine may run at 50% effort, while a smaller engine may run at 80% effort. So to my logic the bigger engine 'should' last longer.

[j]

I think the single is harder on chain and rear tyre.

Engine, i think the bigger capacity has an easier time. i.e. for a given speed a big engine may run at 50% effort, while a smaller engine may run at 80% effort. So to my logic the bigger engine 'should' last longer.

I second that

[MX5Ringer]

Hi Z Hows it going?

Not been for any rides since our trip to Southport, looking forward to some decent weather then will give you a call!

do single cylinder engines wear out quicker than mulits or are they as long lived?

Not sure overall.

are they harder on chains etc than twins or about the same?

Yep, Chains and Sprockets wear faster (and rear tyres)

are there advantages/disadvantages to them regarding commuter bikes?

4 Cylinder bikes (and twins tho not as much) are much easier and smoother to ride and therefore "Nicer" commuters (not so much need for high revs from a standing start, and no big kick if you drop the clutch a bit quick)

does it all depend on the engine and gearing

Don't know? gearing probably, but a big single is a big single regardless of who makes it?

I started on an Aprillia 650 single and it was a nightmare, great bike, loved it really but it was dreadfull on motorways or fast A roads as it thumped along and really caused wrist ache (I was commuting 140Miles a day at the time either up the M6 from Staffordshire to Manchester or up the A34 when I couldn't face the M-Way) Twisties and anything below 60MPH when moving was great, but the kick at very low speeds when dropping the clutch a bit to fast was horrible.

Next bike was a GSX750F (4 cylinders) very very smooth, No problems commuting, filtered really well (with no panniers) Perfect Commuter bike in my opinion (very fast when it needed to be, really easy to ride well)

Currently on the VStrom, (You know all about V Twins) Would definatly consider another 4 cylinder bike but realistically I don't think I'd buy another big single.

If you are looking at replacing the Vara (if you still have it?) then I'd definatly try and get an extended test on a single if thats what you are looking at so you can ride it to work for a couple of days. At the very least take it for a good ride and don't ignore the wrists hurting, it doesnt get any easier, you just get more fed up with it..

Had you thought about getting a BMW Tourer? (in red perhaps) LOL!

MX5Ringer

[davsato]

do single cylinder engines wear out quicker than mulits or are they as long lived?

are they harder on chains etc than twins or about the same?

are there advantages/disadvantages to them regarding commuter bikes?

does it all depend on the engine and gearing

should i shut up with the questions?

cheers

Z

no, yes, no, yes and no, yes, yes.

[z-weiser]

am considering options - had heard that some big singles are good on longer relaxed motorway stints but that others are too buzzy!

am thinking of BMW 650 single as smaller capacity and ins and running costs are looking atractive given the new commute looming!

maybe have to revise thinking!

cheers all

Z

[z-weiser]

Hi Alex - yeah thought not heard from you in a while - let me know when you are free for a ride out would be good to catch up matey!

Z