TOP 10: Motorcycles Compared Head-to-Head

These motorcycles are considered comparatively modest performers in the motorcycle world. To put it casually, people might say they "can't pull the skin off a rice pudding"—and certainly not from idle speed. But these small-displacement engines offer other advantages: purchase price, low weight, excellent fuel economy, and inexpensive maintenance.

These are the true muscle machines. Torque monsters are the arm-wrestlers of the motorcycle world, launching forward effortlessly right from idle speed. Massive pulling power in every situation. Naturally, displacement helps here—big cylinders have a clear advantage when it comes to producing massive torque.

Anyone looking for a new motorcycle doesn't have to spend a fortune. However, you do have to lower your expectations—especially regarding performance and prestige. In return, you get lightweight machines.

Anyone who wants the absolute crème de la crème on two wheels needs a very well-filled wallet. In return, you'll own true masterpieces from Italy or the United States. For most riders, however, these unique dream machines remain just that—a dream.

You can never have too much horsepower. That's not only what professional racers say, but plenty of weekend riders as well. The philosophy is simple: more is better. There's no denying that high horsepower delivers brutal acceleration and incredible top speed. But how that power is delivered is just as important. Instant punch and effortless thrust create a completely different riding experience.

Riders spoiled by high horsepower will probably shake their heads. "Those things don't go anywhere!" they'll say. But everything depends on the intended purpose. In demanding off-road terrain, you don't necessarily need horsepower—you need traction. And for a relaxed ride on narrow backroads, easy-going enjoyment often matters far more than outright performance.

The lighter the bike, the easier it is for the rider to handle—whether pushing, maneuvering, or actually riding. After all, who wants to muscle a heavy beast through rugged terrain? Plus, lower weight means punchier acceleration and makes it easier to flick the bike through left-right combinations.

Big machines can carry a lot. Two people who aren't exactly lightweight. Plenty of luggage. Crosswinds barely affect these two-wheeled cruise ships. But heavyweight motorcycles also have their downsides besides the price: maneuvering takes effort. And if the bike starts leaning slightly and your foot happens to find a dip in the pavement—good luck catching it before it goes over.

The biggest engines. Plenty of room inside the cylinders to pack in as much air-fuel mixture as possible before igniting it in a controlled explosion and converting that energy into forward motion. That's the basic idea behind a large-displacement engine. As the saying goes, bigger is better—and even bigger is better still. At least until the engine becomes too heavy and too expensive.

Those who have one don't really need one—or at least don't need to stop nearly as often. They can simply keep riding. That used to be a major advantage in the original Dakar Rally. It still matters to truck and bus drivers. And, of course, to marathon riders on two wheels. Welcome to the world of the Iron Butt, where more than 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) in a single day is just another ride—with huge fuel tanks on board.

Who doesn't need a large fuel tank? Riders who are only out for a short ride. That could mean off-road enthusiasts spending their time on trails. Or owners of motorcycles that simply aren't comfortable enough for long-distance riding—where your backside gives up long before the fuel tank does. A small fuel tank is also something of a style statement among chopper riders.

Short, agile, compact. That's not only attractive for shorter riders, who often feel overwhelmed on large motorcycles and never quite comfortable. On compact machines, on the other hand, they feel perfectly at home—as if the bike had been tailor-made for them. Not surprisingly, quite a few of these motorcycles come from Asia.

Longer is better! That's what the bench racers say. And they're not entirely wrong. Just look at drag bikes—they only go straight, but they do it in just a few seconds. When riders think of a long wheelbase, they usually picture cruisers or heavyweight touring motorcycles. And they're right. After all, these machines also have to provide plenty of room for two people.

It has to be low! That's what fans of American cruisers will tell you. Here, it's all about style and appearance. But a low seat is also important for shorter riders, for whom many motorcycles—especially motocross and enduro models—are simply too tall. The technical term is inseam length. For comparison, a seat height of around 800 mm is considered normal for today's street motorcycles.

The tallest motorcycles are found in off-road competition—where long suspension travel is essential and riders sit high on flat seats. And which bikes have the tallest seats on the street? Adventure bikes, of course. As a reference point, around 800 mm is considered a normal seat height for a street motorcycle today.

Who needs to carry a lot of weight? Riders who spend weeks on the road with luggage. Those traveling two-up. Those who aren't exactly lightweight themselves. Two well-built adults plus half the household packed onto a motorcycle require serious carrying capacity—and manufacturers provide it. Fortunately, not just on cruisers.

Who actually needs very little payload capacity? Quite simply, motorcycles that are mainly ridden solo without luggage. That usually points toward sport bikes. But surprisingly, we also find plenty of cruisers on this list. Sure, they may not be the most comfortable motorcycles in the world. But are they really only ridden solo to the local ice cream shop? Does nobody enjoy taking a passenger along?

That sounds like very little pressure inside the engine. According to plenty of garage-talk experts, maximum performance requires compressing the air-fuel mixture as much as possible, right? And if you don't, you'll end up with a weak engine? Well, take a look at these results and prepare to be surprised: supercharged Kawasaki!

Pressure! That's what happens when the piston compresses the incoming air-fuel mixture as much as possible. It can't go as far as a diesel engine, because the mixture would ignite on its own. Even so, a high compression ratio remains one of the defining characteristics of modern high-performance engines and efficient combustion.

Long-stroke engines—that sounds like something from a bygone era. Torque right off idle. Slow-revving workhorses that could pull beer wagons all day long, with every mug filled to the brim. At least, that's the theory. Many riders also associate long-stroke engines with big American cruisers, because everyone knows that more stroke usually means more torque. And in this case, that's absolutely true.

Short-stroke engines—many riders dismiss them immediately. They sound like high-revving multi-cylinder machines that are difficult to ride. A true rpm frenzy—who would want that? Of course, high engine speeds help produce impressive horsepower (provided the engineers got everything else right).

Everyone likes to talk about having the biggest one. The biggest piston, that is. But who ever talks about the smallest—or the tiniest piston in the motorcycle world? Naturally, you'll find them mostly in small-displacement engines. And in multi-cylinder bikes. But honestly: who would have guessed there would be so many cruisers?

Now it's time for some serious bench racing: who's got the biggest one? The biggest piston, of course. Most people will immediately think of massive American V-twins. But compared to true giants, they're almost tiny. And then these results appear. Who would have expected Europeans to dominate the list? Or a supermoto?

Who wants to have the smallest displacement? It sounds like a weak little engine when we'd all rather play the big-shot with the largest one. But somebody has to finish at the back of the displacement race. Or, more precisely, ten motorcycles do. On the plus side, they're inexpensive, require little maintenance, and are highly fuel-efficient. Your wallet will appreciate that!