What is the Difference Between a Pushrod Engine and a Chain-Driven Engine in Motorcycles?
1 Answers
Chain-driven engines are more advanced but require higher technical standards and precision in manufacturing, making it difficult to ensure quality, which is why chain-driven engines often have more issues. On the other hand, pushrod engines have a simpler structure and are easier to maintain, so domestically produced pushrod engines generally have fewer problems than chain-driven engines. Below are the key differences: 1. Advantages of chain-driven engines: At the same displacement, chain-driven engines can increase power by raising the RPM. They are compact, lightweight, have lower mechanical load, and offer precise ignition timing, allowing them to incorporate many advanced technologies. This is why high-performance, large-displacement sports bikes mostly use chain-driven engines, though they also demand higher manufacturing standards. 2. Advantages of pushrod engines: Pushrod engines are not suited for high RPMs, so they leverage their strengths by typically featuring smaller bore diameters and longer strokes. This increases torque while avoiding the drawbacks of high RPMs, delivering strong torque at low to medium RPMs (commonly used range), excellent acceleration, superior hill-climbing ability, and better practicality.
