What is the minimum engine displacement for motorcycles to ride on highways?
4 Answers
Motorcycles with an engine displacement of 50cc or above are permitted on roads. Below are the relevant regulations for highway riding: 1. Article 78, Section 5 of the 'Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China' stipulates: Highways shall indicate the speed limits for each lane, with the maximum speed not exceeding 120 km/h and the minimum speed not less than 60 km/h. On highways, the maximum speed for small passenger vehicles shall not exceed 120 km/h, for other motor vehicles not exceeding 100 km/h, and for motorcycles not exceeding 80 km/h. (According to this speed limit regulation, motorcycles can only ride in the outermost lane of the highway). 2. Article 83, Section 5 of the 'Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China' stipulates: The cargo compartment of trucks traveling on highways shall not carry passengers. Two-wheeled motorcycles are not allowed to carry passengers while riding on highways.
I've been riding motorcycles for over a decade, and the displacement regulations for highway riding are actually quite nuanced. Nationally, the requirement is just above 50cc, but I've noticed many provinces enforce stricter rules, like Jiangsu requiring at least 125cc. Why is this? Small-displacement bikes really struggle on highways, especially when dealing with crosswinds or being overtaken by large trucks – bikes under 250cc have significantly worse stability. Last week I rode a friend's 150cc on the highway, had to throttle wide open just to barely hit 90 km/h, and overtaking was downright nerve-wracking. I strongly recommend choosing a bike with at least 250cc displacement, checking spare tire pressure thoroughly, and never skimping on protective gear and helmets. Don't just rush onto the highway because your bike meets the minimum displacement – at high speeds, if your bike starts feeling unstable, it's no joke.
Last time at a highway service station, I met a fellow rider whose 125cc bike was turned back by traffic police. According to traffic regulations, even 50cc is technically allowed on highways, but real-world experience tells you: displacement is just the minimum threshold. A 125cc bike performs okay on flat roads, but becomes torture on long uphill stretches—throttle pinned wide open and speed keeps dropping. Forget about climbing hills with luggage; the engine screams so hard it hurts to hear. Riding my 650cc naked bike on long trips feels much more stable—just a twist of the throttle to overtake trucks, with minimal wind resistance. Strongly recommend choosing a 400cc+ bike for highways to ensure ample power reserve, and ideally install crash bars.
I've checked highway regulations across regions, and the basic requirements are an engine displacement exceeding 50cc and a top speed of 70 km/h. But don't just focus on these two criteria! Although 125cc scooters meet the standards, they are particularly fuel-hungry during high-speed cruising, with higher fuel consumption per 100 km than 250cc adventure bikes. What's more troublesome is the cooling issue—my buddy's 150cc sports replica bike overheated during a long-distance ride and broke down on the emergency lane. I recommend choosing a model with a liquid-cooled engine, tire tread depth greater than 3mm, and pre-lubricating the chain. For nighttime highway riding, additional auxiliary lights are necessary as the stock headlights are insufficiently bright at high speeds.
