What is the difference between a twin-cylinder and a four-cylinder engine of the same displacement?

[AaliyahLee]

The difference between a twin-cylinder and a four-cylinder engine of the same displacement mainly lies in low-speed torque and the smoothness of power at medium to high speeds. Twin-cylinder engines have greater low-end torque: Generally, twin-cylinder engines produce more torque at low speeds compared to four-cylinder engines. However, they also generate more noticeable noise and vibrations. Twin-cylinder engines are cheaper to manufacture, more compact, and relatively easier to maintain, making them a popular choice for many mainstream motorcycles. Four-cylinder engines operate more smoothly: Due to their four-cylinder configuration, these engines run more smoothly than twin-cylinder engines, with significantly reduced vibrations and noise. They also achieve higher speeds more easily. However, four-cylinder engines have a more complex structure and require extremely high manufacturing precision, resulting in higher costs. As a result, motorcycles equipped with four-cylinder engines are relatively rare.