What is Motorcycle Displacement?

You may hear the word motorcycle displacement when buying a motorbike. Now the question arises, what is motorcycle displacement? Here’s all you should know about motorcycle displacement. 

Motorbike displacement is the volume of space a piston takes in an engine cylinder when it makes the crankshaft up and down. Motorbike displacement is also commonly referred to as cubic centimeter or CC. Motorbike riders consider the high CC motorbike as a high power motorbike

Let’s look at what it means and what you can do about it. 

While writing this post, I leave no stone unturned so you can know everything about motorcycle displacement. 

What is Motorcycle Displacement? 

Motorbike displacement is the most confusing word every rider listens to when buying a motorbike. Now the question arises, what is motorcycle displacement? Here’s your answer.

Motorbike displacement is the volume of space taken by a piston in a motorbike engine cylinder making your motorbike crankshaft up and down. 

Motorbike displacement is generally expressed in CC or cubic centimeter; the higher the CC, the more power a motorbike can show on the road. 

But it doesn’t mean a high CC motorbike is good for riders. In the next section, you’ll get to know why high CC motorbikes aren’t good for beginners. 

Why Should Beginners Not Choose High CC Motorbikes?  

It’s an untenable fact that we all want to ride high CC motorbikes. But now the question arises, do beginners ride a high CC motorbike? 

According to motorbike experts, beginners should stay away from high CC motorbikes until they become professional in balancing and riding the motorbike. 

It’s because high CC motorbikes come with enormous power, which a beginner couldn’t handle. 

Think in this way, a high CC motorbike can reach speeds of 100 miles in just a fraction of a second. And if something goes wrong in this period, the rider will have just a fraction of a second to save themselves from the accident. 

That’s why riders should be professional enough to ride a high CC motorbike, Also, high CC motorbikes are quite expensive, which most beginners couldn’t afford.

Additionally, you’re supposed to drop your motorbike while learning, and dropping an expensive motorbike will definitely hit your pocket. Overall, it would be best to avoid high CC motorbikes unless you become a professional rider. 

Instead, you can buy a low CC motorbike and later trade it for your old motorbike in exchange for a high CC motorbike. 

You can read more about why beginner shouldn’t choose high CC motorbikes, CLICK HERE to read.

What Motorbike CC Should a Beginner Choose?   

So far, you understand why it would be best to choose a high CC motorbike. Now the question arises, what motorbike CC should a beginner choose? 

According to industry experts, it would be best for beginners to stay away from high CC motorbikes. And that’s why a beginner shouldn’t choose a motorbike higher than 300 CC. 

Such low CC motorbikes are easier to control and come with better handling ability. 

Also, these motorbikes won’t affect your pocket if you ever drop them. 

Is RPM the Same as Motorbike Displacement? 

So far, you understand what motorbike displacement is; now, the question arises of what RPM is and how it differs from motorbike displacement. 

RPM or rotational per minute is the unit of how many times the crankshaft in your motorbike engine rotates in a minute. As mentioned above, the piston in your motorbike engine rotates the crankshaft. 

The full cycle of the piston includes the piston moving from the bottom to the above and again to the button in the engine cylinder. 

Crankshaft only completes its revolution when the piston completes its cycle. 

Many manufacturers write that their motorbike can reach 14,000 RPM, which means the crankshaft can reach 14,000 RPM in a minute. 

Best Low CC Sport Motorbikes for Beginners: 

So far, you understand how important it’s for beginners to always go with low CC motorbikes.

Here’s a list of motorbikes that are perfect for beginners and still look fabulous. 

Motorbike NameCCFor whomOther features. 
Hyosung GT 250259CCFor city riders.Beginner riders love Hyosung because of its design, which looks like a high CC motorbike.
KTM 200 Duke and 390 Duke373CCFor city riders.In the KTM Duke 200 and 390, you’ll get a six-speed transmission and four-stroke engine.
Suzuki GW 250248 CCFor city riders.The Suzuki GW250 comes with a low seat height, which is ideal for small riders. 
Kawasaki KLX250S249CC For Off ridersKawasaki KLX250S is a six-speed transmission and four-stroke motorbike which weighs only around 300lbs. 
Suzuki DR 200200CC. For Off ridersSuzuki DR 200 comes with a 3.3 gallons fuel tank and four-stroke and five transmission engines. 
Table Explaining some best low CC sport motorbikes for beginners.

Hyosung GT 250 

Hyosung is the most famous motorbike not only among beginner riders but also among professional riders. 

This motorbike comes with a 259 CC engine and five-speed transmission, which is easy to control and catch decent speed in a short period. 

Beginner riders love Hyosung because of its design, which looks like a high CC motorbike. The Hyosung also comes with disk brakes on both tires, providing you better safety. 

KTM 200 Duke and 390 Duke: 

Duke motorbike is one of the famous names for providing affordable yet aggressive-looking motorbikes. 

Most KTM duke motorbikes come with less than 500CC variations. 

In the KTM Duke 200 and 390, you’ll get a six-speed transmission and four-stroke engine which is enough for a beginner to catch decent speed on highways. 

With KTM Duke 200 and 39o, you’ll get a 373CC engine which provides beginners better handling stability.

Suzuki GW250 

Suzuki is a Japanese motorbike industry that you can trust blindly. The Suzuki GW 250 comes with a six-speed transmission and attracts a robust body.

This four-stroke and two-cylinder engine, the Suzuki GW250, comes with low seat height, ideal for small riders. 

Last but not least, this motorbike comes with a 248 CC engine and better stability which is much needed for beginners. 

Kawasaki KLX250S:

Loves off-riding? 

Then you must love the Kawasaki KLX250S. Kawasaki is another trustworthy Japanese brand that makes motorbikes according to their customer preference. 

Kawasaki KLX250S is a six-speed transmission and four-stroke motorbike which weighs only around 300lbs. 

With this motorbike, you’ll get a 249 CC engine which is perfect for off riding. 

Suzuki DR 200SE 

Suzuki DR 200SE is another trustworthy off-riding motorbike. This motorbike comes with a 3.3 gallons fuel tank and a four-stroke and five transmission engine. 

You’ll get a 200 CC engine size which is perfect for beginner riders.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Why should beginner not focus on buying high CC motorbikes?

According to motorbike experts, beginners should stay away from high CC motorbikes until they become professional in balancing and riding the motorbike. 

What motorbike CC a beginner should focus on?

According to industry experts, it would be best for beginners to stay away from high CC motorbikes. And that’s why a beginner shouldn’t choose a motorbike higher than 300 CC. 

Is RPM same as the motorbike displacement?

RPM or rotational per minute is the unit of how many times the crankshaft in your motorbike engine rotates in a minute. While, motorbike displacement is the volume of space a piston takes in an engine cylinder when it makes the crankshaft up and down.

Why Hyosung GT250 is one of the best motorbike for beginners?

This motorbike comes with a 259 CC engine and five-speed transmission, which is easy to control and catch decent speed in a short period. 

Is Suzuki GW 250 is a good motorbike for beginners?

Suzuki is a Japanese motorbike industry that you can trust blindly. The Suzuki GW 250 comes with a six-speed transmission and attracts a robust body.

Final Verdict: 

What is motorbike displacement? Motorbike displacement is the volume of space a piston takes in an engine cylinder when it makes the crankshaft up and down. 

Motorbike displacement is also commonly referred to as cubic centimeter or CC. Motorbike riders consider the high CC motorbike as a high power motorbike. 

I’ve also mentioned why high CC motorbikes aren’t good for beginners and which CC motorbikes they should always choose. 

The motorbike RPM or rotational per minute is the unit of how many times the crankshaft in your motorbike engine rotates in a minute as the piston completes its full cycle. 

So next time, don’t confuse CC with motorbike RPM.