Among street bikes, the four-speed single-cylinder seemed a thing of the past, but now it’s reaffirming itself as the motor of the highest quality, and its use is being expanded to include bikes that aren’t exclusively for professionals. The single-cylinder, for its compact dimensions and for its mechanic simplicity, has always been one of the favorite motors used to equip a motorcycle.
Furthermore, with the original design of motorcycles, this type of propulsion was practically the only one thinkable. Then, over the years, it was always present in all gear ranges, widening its sphere of application.
It’s a light motor, substantially simple, with few components, which with the passing of time has been able to benefit many of the new technologies allowing for highly elevated levels of comfort and performance.Furthermore, with the original design of motorcycles, this type of propulsion was practically the only one thinkable. Then, over the years, it was always present in all gear ranges, widening its sphere of application.
After years of only multi-cylinder, it was only in the 80s that we learned to recognize the single-cylinder under its modern definition. Its recognition from the media came as a result of such races as the Paris Dakar, and the consequent arrival of the first single-cylinder endurance races. It was reported then as being en vogue, and from that point onward has always been consistently developed, thus bettering the presentation and allowing it to overcome the chronic defects generally associated with this type of configuration, for example, vibrations. Research of the maximum performances in lightness and power of specialized motorcycles, such as cross and supermotards, resulted in extremely sophisticated motors (of which the single-cylinder 5 valve Aprilia of the ‘90s can be considered the precursor). That technology, however, backfired even for the most simple of motors, such as sanctioned ones, which are slowly overstepping their principle use (that of off-road) and ending up in motorcycles principally dedicated to the asphalt. A return to its roots was necessary for this type of motor, unique to motorcycles. Over the years there were many different trespasses of the single-cylinder motor into the street sector, but all of the experiments done by the Houses were never really appreciated by the public. Instead, the year 2005, also thanks to the arrival of the Pegaso 650 Strada, marked a change in tendencies that seems to be continuing, and also increasing, in recent years.
And this is really a novelty: in a moment in which the power of propulsion is greatly increasing, there’s also the return of this motorization that satisfies an emerging desire for simplicity. A simple technology, like that enclosed in the Pegaso, the winged horses of Aprilia are a testimonial to this type of motorization. The success of the Pegaso 650 Strada is furthermore a testimony to the desire for street motorcycles that are light and fun. Utilizing all of the best technology available, the modern single-cylinder is fun, very reasonable, light and fast. The use of distribution over four valves and the arrival of electronic injection has allowed them to reach the threshold of the 50 cv, which is by now absolutely at the portal of motors regularly filtered and sanctioned to satisfy the most sever regulations against pollution. The use of innovative materials has allowed the obtaining of much lighter and also more balanced motors such that the vibrations have been drastically reduced. And in this way, the lightness and fun of the new single-cylinders is appreciated and fashionable like never before.
