4 cylinder 600cc bikes versus 2 cylinder 649cc bikes?

Question

what's the difference ?

Answer 1

a cylinder is where the pistons and such move, as well as where gas and air is pumped in to create explosions to push the bike

4 cylinder means theres... 4 cylinders, and 2 means theres 2

the cc is cubic centimeters, which measures the size of your bike's engine

Answer 2

I have a GSXR600 and SV650S, the inline 4 is smoother, sounds better and makes more power(h**l a healthy ZXR400 is as quick).  It also has as much get up and go as a 650 twin from any speed then when it winds up it just walks away.

Answer 3

Fours make power by higher revs, and twins make it off-idle and in the midrange.  By the nature of this question, I'm assuming you're a new rider, and would suggest a twin (if you're actually going to buy one that big).

By and large, 600cc fours are made for experienced riders, although you have the occasional Yamaha Seca II, which is a 600cc four, but it's air-cooled and old-tech and kind of uninspiring. When you compare that engine to the 600cc four in an R6 or CBR, it's a world of difference.  Likewise, a Suzuki SV650 (twin) will stomp a Suzuki Burgman 650 (twin).  You just have to establish some personal baseline and then compare things to that, or trust the reviews of the many bike magazines. Hype from the people who feel like they have to have a new "Yamasuki 600RR" because Rippy Watson won Daytona on one can't be counted on either. Race bikes have as much in common with street bikes as NASCAR rides do with the cars you can buy at a dealership.

Generally, twins deliver power in a more linear, tractable manner, and fours are limp until they spin up, then it's BAM like a two-stroke with a heavy flywheel.  That means that, on a twin, you can roll the gas on coming off of a corner with less concern for spinning the rear tire.  A good rider on a twin is hard to keep up with on tight roads because of that. Fours can, however really snap you back into reality if you get careless. A wandering mind on a twin, and you'll find yourself doing 90 and wondering how you got there, but let your brain go numb on a four,  and when it hits power it snaps your arms straight and this scream comes from the engine bay and you think WTF? They keep you honest.  This all applies to the experience of the rider, too. I don;t need people who have been riding for 20 years saying 600cc bikes are good for beginners. They're not- they're too much bike. Most experienced riders have forgotten what it's like so you can't listen to a lot of them about engine size.  I'll put it this way: I have owned 61 bikes so far, and raced quite a few of them. My favorite roadrace bike, and the one I've run TGPR fastest with, is a 1987 250 Ninja.

People also seem to gravitate to one or the other because of engine sound. Fours have that smooth whizz and twins go DUH DUH DUH DUH DUH DUH DUH, so if one appeals to you over the other, get that one. Bikes are emotional purchases, so you might as well get one that looks and sounds good TO YOU. Forget what people say- if a bike makes it into production, it's a good enough bike for 99% of the people out there.

Answer 4

Generally, the 2 cylinder bikes generate more torque of the line and have less horsepower.  They're a little milder.

The 4 cylinder bikes usually have more horsepower and a little less torque.  Though, not always is this the case.

The 4 cylinders are usually found in sport bikes and twins are more common in a more standard bike or a cheaper sport bike.  The 4 cylinders also sound a lot meaner....

Answer 5

600 I4= about 110 horsepower, peaky powerband

650 twin= about 65 horsepower, wide easy to use spread of power

Answer 6

most 4 cylinder bikes have an inline engine with a short stroke witch makes high R.P.M. and lots of horsepower.Most 2 cylider bikes have their engines in a v configuration with a longer stroke witch makes for more torque and less R.P.M.

Answer 7

It depends.

All other things being equal the four will be more powerful and have less vibration than the twin. The redline on the tach tells the entire story and this gives the four an advantage because  horsepower is basically torque x RPM.

The other factor is breathing. More cylinders = more ports and valves. Again, the advantage goes to the four.

However, things aren't always equal. For a long time in Superbike racing the 1000cc Ducati V-twins were spotted a 250cc advantage over (750cc) fours. No more, they're all 1000cc now, because Ducati kept winning!

And the vibration thing, well, the 90-degree twin has natural primary and secondary balance so it has low vibration. No counterbalancers needed, bolts right to the frame.

So, like I said, it depends.