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About This Quiz
Are you a fan of the whirl of a Japanese engine, or are you more tuned into the low rumble of a Harley Davidson engine? Do you think you know a lot about motorcycle engines? Take this quiz to find out how much you really know.
Motorcycle enthusiasts are a breed unto themselves. Some ride because of the freedom they feel when they hit the road, some because they enjoy the speed, some ride because the lack of anything between themselves and the road is exhilarating, and some are entirely wrapped up in their bikes.Â
Yet, even if you ride without much regard for the actual function of your bike, you probably know at least the basics of what makes your motorcycle go vroom. If not, you might just find yourself stranded on the side of the road one night. Assuming that you know a thing or two about motorcycle engines, you're probably qualified to take this quiz on that small, but mighty, part of your bike. We've compiled a list of 35 of the basics of motorcycle engines for your quizzing pleasure.
Let's find out if you really know as much as you think you do about motorcycle engines.
How many cylinders does a V-twin engine have?
5
4
2
For a long time, the V-twin was the standard in the automotive industry. While some brands like Harley Davidson used a 45-degree angle in the configuration, others chose different angles in pursuit of smoother operation.
1
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What do you call the part that looks kind of like a can, and moves up and down in the cylinders?
Piston
As the fuel and air mixture combusts in the cylinder, it places pressure on the piston, forcing it downward. That motion is transferred to the crankshaft, so the motorcycle can move forward.
Engine can
Camshaft
Cammies
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What inside the cylinders ignites the air and fuel mix?
Striker
Match
Lighter
Spark plug
The spark plugs screw into motorcycle engines, with the electrode end entering the cylinder. As the spark plug receives electrical pulses, it creates a spark at the tip, which burns the air and fuel, creating energy.
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What part controls how and when the valves move in the engine's cylinder head?
Rocker shaft
Camshaft
As the camshaft spins inside the cylinder head, the lobes on it push the intake and exhaust valves to open them, and then release them so the valves close. Some people will install a performance camshaft, which has more aggressive lobes that open the valves wider or for longer, changing how the engine runs.
Controller
Blinker fluid reservoir
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What are the three classic categorizations of motorcycle engines?
Number of cylinders, combustion chamber capacity, or number of strokes in the power cycles.
Of course, there are a lot of engines and types of motorcycles these days, but many people still use these three methods of classification to compare different options. That's why you'll hear someone refer to a 500 cc engine, or a four-banger.
Finish, fit, and flash point
Make, country, and configuration
Configuration, fuel, and length
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For a motorcycle engine to run, it needs what three things?
Fire, water, oil
Faith, hope, love
Spark, fuel, air
Without any of these three elements, your motorcycle engine won't run. If you have little of one, it might not run, or it could run rough and struggle. You need to constantly address any issues that could affect this balance.
Cool air, hot boots, a key
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What is a single?
One engine
An engine with one camshaft
An engine with one cylinder
As the most simple engine setup out there, singles are still a thing today, because they're easy to fix and maintain. That makes sense, since a lot of dirt bikes, adventure bikes, etc. use them, meaning the owners can take care of issues when they're far away from help.
A single slice of cheese
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Single-cylinder engines produce a lot of what?
Low-end torque and vibrations
Because of their design, especially one big cylinder, singles generate a ton of vibration. A large flywheel and balancers can help calm things down some. With so much low-end torque, these are perfectly suited for trail runs and racing on short tracks.
Top-end horsepower and squealing
Pollution
Awesome colors
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Where in the rpm range do inline-4 engines really shine?
High
The way most inline-4 engines are tuned gives them excellent power at high RPMs. That means you really need to rev the engine to take full advantage, but these engines deliver gobs of power for their displacement.
Low
Middle
Anywhere
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How does a V-4 engine contribute to greater comfort for you as a rider?
Massaging feature
They warm the seat in cold weather
Narrow profile
A V-4 engine is definitely considered a luxury, partly because they make the bike a little narrower, so you don't have to spread out your legs as much. This type of engine is also more complex and therefore more expensive to make than quite a few others, which adds to their luxurious nature.
They really scream
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Name the part that bridges the piston and the crankshaft.
Connector piece
Serial bridge
Cam
Connecting rod
At either end of the connecting rod is an opening, allowing it to attach to the crankshaft and piston securely. This part needs to be incredibly tough because it's put under extreme force by the combustion process constantly.
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How many cylinders are in a triple motorcycle engine?
3
Many people consider triples to be the ultimate in motorcycle engines. They offer the kind of horsepower you get with an inline-4, but are narrower. In addition, you benefit from the amazing kind of torque found in twin engines, making for a well-balanced offering.
4
2
1
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If the oil runs dry in your motorcycle engine, what could happen?
It uses less gas
The fuel injectors are ruined
Parts seize
Just like in any other engine, running the oil too low in your motorcycle can cause parts to rub against each other, generating incredible levels of friction. Eventually, those parts will fuse and not move anymore, which is when the engine seizes and is done for.
The cam becomes water
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What can a clogged air filter do to your engine?
Make it run rich
Hurt power and fuel economy
The air filter is an essential component since without it, your motorcycle engine could suck in all kinds of debris like dust, which would cause serious problems. On some motorcycles, you need to replace the filter regularly, while others you can clean and put back on. If you drive where's the air is particularly dusty, etc. you'll need to clean or replace the filter more often.
Burn gas better
Make it smell more
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Boxer engines are unique because the cylinders are in what position?
90 degree angles
45 degree angles
All lined up
Flat or horizontal
This truly unique design gives motorcycles with a boxer engine a distinct advantage because the center of gravity sits lower to the ground. In addition, boxer twins have a linear power band and delivery power smoothly, plus they produce lots of torque, making them the perfect setup for a shaft-drive motorcycle.
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If you pull your spark plugs and they have dark wet stuff on them, what is that likely to be?
Oil
All kinds of problems can cause what they call 'oil fouling' of your spark plugs. Among the possibilities is that you overfilled the engine with oil, or that the valve seals are failing and allowing oil into the combustion chamber. You need to replace the spark plugs and fix the problem, whatever it may be.
Antifreeze
German chocolate
Dirt
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What kind of engine does a Honda CBR600RR have?
V-twin
V-4
Inline-4
Known for its prowess both on and off the track, the Honda CBR600RR is on the wishlist of many riders. It uses a 599 cc liquid-cooled inline-4 to complement the tight handling and excellent brakes, making this bike perfect for carving up a canyon road.
Boxer
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What do you call the area where the engine oil pools or collects?
Swamp
Pond
Sump
When you pour oil into your motorcycle engine, much of it ends up in the sump at the bottom. Of course, by nature, the oil does collect on the different parts in the engine, but the pump recirculates the oil from the sump, so the cylinder head and other areas don't dry up.
Dump
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The legendary Suzuki Hayabusa sportbike has a DOHC 4-cylinder engine that boasts how much displacement?
1340 cc
While not the largest it could be, the Hayabusa's engine is plenty potent to get this motorcycle moving in a hurry. It boasts electronic fuel injection, liquid cooling and two ram-air intakes for a setup that has become the topic of most discussions.
500 cc
1500 cc
1200 cc
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What gear do you want a bike in when you push start the engine?
Second
You need to push the bike so it's moving at least 5 mph before trying to start it. If it's in first gear, the sudden power from the engine could cause the bike to jerk forward, potentially throwing you off, so it's best to use second gear for the job.
First
Neutral
Reverse
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What's the danger of running a bike with electronic fuel injection completely out of gas?
Melted injectors
Melted engine
Blown blinker fluid reservoir
Blown fuel pump
If you do happen to run your bike dry, shut it off using the kill switch immediately, otherwise, the fuel pump could continue to run. The gas acts as a lubricant in the pump, so without any in there as the pump tries to run, you could do some serious damage. One time might not hurt too much, but don't make it a habit to run out of gas.
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What's the first step to turning on your motorcycle engine?
Type in your code
Scan your retina
Turn the key
It might seem like a given, but you need to turn the ignition key to the "On" or "Run" position before you try to start a motorcycle. You wouldn't believe how many people have absentmindedly forgotten this one detail, and struggled for some time to figure out what was wrong.
Flip up the kickstand
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How much horsepower does the Ducati Scrambler Sixty2 produce?
1500
500
425
41
Like a true scrambler, this bike is lightweight and pretty simple, and has a smaller engine. The 399 cc L-Twin not only doesn't kick out a ton of power, it's air-cooled, which helps keep the weight down. Still, it's pretty sporty, but can be handled by a new rider.
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What is the big drawback of a parallel twin engine?
Low power
Lots of vibration
Quite a few cruisers, standards, and even some sports bikes have used a parallel twin engine. It has fallen out of favor with quite a few people, partly because the design is known for producing more vibrations than V-twin engines of similar size and performance capabilities.
Not much torque
Unreliable design
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What part of a V-twin engine is most prone to overheating?
Rear cylinder
Because most V-twins are air cooled, the rear cylinder doesn't cool off as much as the front one, thanks to aerodynamics. Still, for many, that iconic V-twin sound more than makes up for this weakness, which is why this engine has been highly popular in all kinds of cruisers, Ducatis, and more.
Cylinder head
Oil sump
Blink fluid overflow
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What kind of revolutionary engine did Honda design for the NR, which never really went anywhere?
Hemispherical 4
Oval-piston V-4
Expensive and daring, this engine powered the Honda NR, and was studied as a highly advanced design. Not only did it have four oval-shaped cylinders, but also two connecting rods and 8 valves per cylinder.
Rotunda 6
Boxer 8
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What is detonation in a motorcycle engine?
Backfiring
Regular operation
Nothing
Uncontrolled burning of the fuel
You might have heard of detonation, which is an event that can seriously damage your motorcycle's engine. The fuel ignites early, pushing down on the piston as it's being forced up by the crankshaft. The connecting rod, piston, valves, and other components can be ruined by detonation, which is caused by a number of potential factors.
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Liquid cooling can make a motorcycle engine what?
More reliable
Quieter
More efficient
All of these
While some people absolutely don't like liquid cooling for motorcycles, it has some undeniable benefits. That being said, it adds weight to a bike, and dealing with a coolant leak can be vexing, if you can't find it easily.
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Which of the following is a potential cause of low engine compression?
Too much oil
Cold pistons
Worn piston rings
Without proper compression, the air and fuel mixture won't combust properly, and your motorcycle will run rough, or maybe not at all. Beyond worn piston rings, the head gasket, crank seal, or scored pistons can also be the root of the problem.
Sticky throttle
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What kind of cooling does BMW use for the K 1600 B engine?
Liquid
This powerful cruiser has a big, inline 6-cylinder engine and 24 valves, which produces 160 horsepower and 129 lb.-ft. of torque, so you can really get moving if you so desire. To keep all that running smoothly, a liquid cooling system is part of the setup.
Air
Nitrogen
Power
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A clicking noise in your motorcycle's engine could be a sign of all but which of the following?
Low oil level
Dirty oil filter
While most people automatically assume the worst when they hear a ticking sound coming from an engine, the truth is a whole range of issues could be the cause. Start with the simplest possibility, low oil, and rule that out before pursuing more expensive and complicated remedies.
Loose cam chain
Sticking valve
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Revving your motorcycle's engine isn't a good idea when?
You're about to stop the engine
The first Sunday in July
You're going downhill
You just fired the engine up
Engine oil doesn't flow quite as well when you first start up the engine, so you need to take things a little gentle at first. Once the engine heats up and the oil is flowing normally, rev away and have some fun.
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If you suspect your motorcycle battery is dying, the only sure way to know is how?
Wait until you can't start your bike
Tap on the motor while you're traveling 50 mph and see if the power fluctuates
Have it tested by a shop
Really, the only way to know for sure that your battery isn't holding a charge is to have it tested. You might notice the engine is struggling to crank, and that your battery looks old, which is the perfect time to swing by the shop and rule out that possibility.
Pour water on it and watch for sparks
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If you notice that the exhaust coming from your motorcycle has a strong gasoline odor to it, that probably means what?
The engine is running rich
In normal conditions, the mixture of fuel and air that makes it to your engine's cylinders is balanced just right, so you get plenty of power, while most, if not all of the gasoline burns up. A strong smell of gas in the exhaust means too much gasoline is making its way into the cylinders. That, or not enough air is coming into the cylinders, or the spark isn't hot enough.
The blinker fluid has leaked
The engine is running lean
You need a new clutch
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Let's say you notice the exhaust from your motorcycle has turned white and smokey. What's going on with the engine?
Air filter is clogged
Piston rings are leaking oil
Coolant is leaking into the combustion chamber
A number of issues could cause coolant to leak into the combustion chamber. One of the most common is a blown gasket, but damage to the engine block from overheating in rare cases could also be the source. Mechanics put the piston atop and dead center in the compression stroke, then force air into the cylinder to listen for where the air escapes, indicating the leak's source.
The engine is on fire
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You Got:
/35
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