CC in reference to motorbikes?

Question

I'd like to buy a motorbike and all the dealers talk about cc, a term i don't understand at all. Where can i read about it on the net, it's implication in reference to fuel consumption, acceleration and overall speed.

Answer 1

Well, "answerman" got it partly right ... cc does stand for cubic centimeter, which is about displacement.
From there, though, there are some corrections.
Displacement is the volume of the inside of the cylinder when the piston is at the bottom of its stroke. The larger the displacement, the more air/fuel mixture will go through the chamber on each cycle.
This does not, contrary to the assertions of some, equate directly to fuel consumption, acceleration or speed. It is simply one measure of the engine. Others include compression, max revs, the type of fuel system (injection or carb), the type of ignition system ...
Add to that the fact that the "speed" of the bike is a factor of engine, weight, suspension, traction and the skill of the rider, and you have a really complex equation indeed.
This is why a 650 cc race bike by Kawondamahazzuki can blow the add-on chrome skulls off a 1200 cc Harley - they are designed for very different things.
This is also why the 1200 cc Harley won't buzz the fillings out of your teeth on a cross-country jaunt, but the Kawondamahazzuki just might.
The bottome line here is not to buy a bike you haven't test ridden for a while (a couple of hours is a good test). Ride it in conditions you expect to encouter in your regular riding - whether that is highway, city or rural twisties. Be sure the bike fits you, and feels right, and doesn't "lug" when you want to accelerate, and has adequate top speed for the roads you will be riding.
Oh, and consider your skills as a mechanic versus reliability versus the proximity of your pro mechanic and the depth of your wallet.
I hope this helped.

Answer 2

Here's the correct answer. CC means cubic centimeters, which is a number that refers to the displacement (size) of the engine. The higher the CC number, the bigger the engine, and the faster the bike. Also, faster means more fuel-consuming as well. Hope this info helped.

Answer 3

Here's the correct answer. CC means cubic centimeters, which is a number that refers to the displacement (size) of the engine. and the bigger the cc tha faster the bike..

Answer 4

http://motorcycles.about.com/index.htm?terms=motorcycles

Also the book - Motorcycles for dummies. Should be at the library. Very good stuff.