Why is the Motorcycle Engine Rev So High?

If you’re a motorbike enthusiast, you must have noticed that motorbike rev is generally higher than any other vehicle. But have you wondered why it’s so? Let’s see why is the motorcycle engine rev so high? 

Motorbike engine rev is high because of less torque, which can give in a minute, less air intake for fuel combustion, and power/weight ratio. And to attain decent driveability in these limited factors, motorbike engine revs are high. 

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 motorbike rev. 

But before going further, it would be best if you knew about motorbike rev. 

What is Motorbike Rev?

We all know what motorbike horsepower is but have you wondered what motorbike rev is and why some experts recommend focusing on rev rather than horsepower? 

Motorbike rev refers to the engine revolution per minute; in easier words, motorbike rev is the rotation of the crank occurring per minute. 

To give better driveability, you increase the motorbike’s speed, causing your motorbike rev to go high and giving the required torque. 

Now let’s see why motorcycle engines rev so high? 

Why is the Motorcycle Engine Rev So High?

So far, you understand what motorbike rev is; now, let’s see why is motorcycle engine rev so high? 

Because of less torque, low power/weight ratio, and less acceleration of motorbike, the rev is so high. Also, many manufacturers focus too much on giving better driveability in the limited power, causing motorbike engines to have high rev. 

Let’s look at every reason in detail in the next section. 

Less Torque Can be Reason Behind High Rev?

Since motorbikes don’t have much larger engines than car engines, the torque in the motorbike is less. 

Think of it this way, your motorbike engine cranks rotate at a much higher speed to catch the required torque or speed on the highway. 

Torque is also directly linked to the power that your motorbike can produce at a given time; let’s understand with this a simple example. 

If you want to ride on a high slope, you have to shift gear and throttle your motorbike so that your motorbike starts to give maximum power. 

Without maximum power or torque, you won’t be able to ride a motorbike on the high slope area; thus, you will see your motorbike giving high rev.  

In simpler words, your motorbike starts to give high rev to get high power from a more miniature torque engine. 

Power/Weight Can be a Reason Behind High Rev? 

So far, you understand that less torque can be the reason your motorbike engine has high rev. But do you know that motorbike weight can also be behind high rev? 

Yes, your motorbike can be the main reason behind your motorbike’s high rev. As compared to a car, your motorbike weighs much less, so to match the exact power of a car, your motorbike engine crank needs to rotate at a much higher rate. 

The power/ weight ratio is around 30, while the car is around 20, which means the motorbike crank has to rotate at a much higher rate than that of the car crank. 

The more the power/weight ratio, the higher the engine rev. 

High Acceleration Can be Reason Behind High Rev? 

So far, you understand how power/weight ratio can be the main reason behind high rev. But do you know that high acceleration is also the main reason behind high rev? 

When you accelerate your motorbike, you signal the motorbike engine to take more air for the combustion to get more power. 

And when your motorbike starts to take more air, the crankshaft starts to rotate at a much higher rate causing high rev. Ultimately it causes your motorbike to achieve high acceleration causes your motorbike to achieve high rev. 

Is High Rev Bad for Your Motorbike?

So far, you understand what causes your motorbike to have high rev, but some riders say that high rev can be bad for you. Is it true?

Motorbike high rev is perfectly normal, but continuously riding a motorbike on high rev can destroy your motorbike engine. If you ride your motorbike on high rev, then your motorbike starts to starve for more air and fuel supply. 

Another disadvantage of riding a motorbike at high rev is overheating issues. Riding at high rev causes your motorbike engine to work under extreme stress, which may cause overheating issues. 

And the above reasons can decrease your motorbike engine life. You can avoid this by leaving the motorbike throttle and letting the motorbike take the air. 

Additionally, by taking a break for 15-20 minutes, you can solve most overheating issues. 

What is the Average Rev for a Motorbike?

So far, you understand some reasons for a high rev in the motorbike, but have you wondered what the average rev is for a motorbike? 

The average rev for a motorbike is around 8,000 RPM; however, the actual rev depends on the exhaust system, motorbike torque, and power/weight ratio. 

But in general irrespective of factors, you will find the average rev for a motorbike is around 8,000 revs per minute. However, Harley’s comes with a 12,000 rev per minute.

Can You Modify Your Motorbike Rev? 

So far, you understand the average motorbike rev, but have you wondered whether you can modify your motorbike rev or not? 

According to various industry experts, you can modify your motorbike’s rev to get more power and torque when riding on the highways. 

You can improve exhaust performance to promote better airflow and combustion. And you can promote better combustion by cleaning your exhaust pipe through the mentioned steps.  

Steps:	Details:
The preparation.	Clean exhaust with a pre-soaked rig or scrub.
Remove stubborn stains.	Use soap and glass cleaner along with water to remove stubborn stains.
Get rid of more stubborn build-up.	Use a copper brush or penny manufacturer before 1982 to clean stubborn buildup.

Step 1: The preparation: 

As mentioned above, you can’t scratch your motorbike exhaust as the chrome is malleable and thin. 

You need to soak an old cloth in the water for at least five minutes in this step. Now soak the clumps on the motorbike exhaust and wipe it with a rag until all dust and clumps are removed.

Wet rags will cause clumps and dust to soften, helping you remove dust easily. 

Step 2: Remove Stubborn Stains: 

Removing stubborn stains on the chrome finish exhaust is challenging with water. 

You can use soap and glass cleaner, and water in this case. This is one of the effective ways through which you can easily remove stubborn stains, including burned insects.

If this isn’t working, you can use a tar remover and carburetor cleaner.

Additionally, you can’t remove blue stains caused by no heat shield on the exhaust with the above steps.

You can use an anti-blue agent if you want to remove all blue stains from your motorbike exhaust.  

Step 3: Get Rid of Stubborn Build-up: 

Sometimes the ways mentioned above can’t remove extra stubborn carbon build-up, which you need to scrap from the exhaust. 

You can use a copper brush or, interestingly, you can use a penny manufacturer before 1982. 

It’s because the copper brush and penny both are softer than the chrome finish on the exhaust. Don’t clean stubborn build-up rigorously even if your motorbike exhaust coating is tougher than the penny.

Also, read my previous post where I discussed why motorcycle engines overheat CLICK HERE to read.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Final Verdict: 

Why is the motorcycle engine rev so high? Motorbike engine rev is high because of less torque, which can give in a minute, less air intake for fuel combustion, and power/weight ratio.

And to attain decent drivability in these limited factors, motorbike engine revs are high. I’ve also mentioned some steps to promote better combustion and increase your motorbike rev.