Identify That Motorcycle Engine Tip #263 from the pages of The Total Motorcycling Manual

1. Single Examples: Most dirt bikes, scooters, Honda CBR250R. Characteristics: Light, narrow, simple. Good bottom-end 
torque. May vibrate significantly. Good Choice For: Off-road riding. Economy. 2. Parallel Twin Examples: Classic old Triumphs. Kawasaki Ninja 300. Characteristics: Narrow, light, responsive. May vibrate. Good Choice For: General riding, commuting. 3. V-Twin Examples: Most Ducatis, Harley-Davidsons, and Moto Guzzis. Characteristics: Good balance of torque and horsepower. Narrow. Low center of gravity. Good Choice For: Cruisers. 4. Boxer Twin Examples: Many BMWs. Characteristics: Smooth. Lots of torque. Sometimes limited lean angles. Good Choice For: Pretty much a BMW exclusive. 5. Triple Examples: Triumph Speed Triple. Characteristics: Perfect balance with a 120-degree crankshaft. Halfway between a twin and a four. Good Choice For: Triumph sportbikes. 6. Inline Four Examples: Honda CB750, most Japanese sportbikes. Characteristics: A universal engine architecture. Smooth and powerful, but typically wider than a twin. Good Choice For: Road riding with a 600cc and up. 7. V-Four Examples: Yamaha V-Max, Honda VFR. Characteristics: Smooth, lots of torque, narrow. Complex and typically heavier than an inline four. Good Choice For: Sport-touring. 8. Opposed (Flat) Six Examples: Honda Gold Wing. Characteristics: Heavy, complex, but smooth and reliable. Good Choice For: Luxury Touring. 9. Inline Six Examples: Honda CBX, RC166, BMW K1600. Characteristics: Smooth. Fast. Wide. Complex. Unique. Good Choice For: High-performance touring. Making 
a big statement.