We love the 270-degree parallel-twin engines

Parallel-twin engines are famous in the motorcycle industry. It is used for entry level and middle weight motorcycles. Not every manufacturer uses the 270-degree crankshafts in their engines though. Time is changing along with the motorcycle industry. Nowadays, the 270-degree parallel-twin or CP2 engine configuration has become famous among different motorcycle brands such as Yamaha, Aprilia, KTM, Triumph, etc. 

World's reputable brands like Yamaha, Aprilia, or Triumph use this same engine for multiple models. Yamaha has brought out MT 07, XSR 700, Tracer 700, and Tenere 700. Aprilia's RS 660, Tuono 660, and the newly released Tuarage 660 are bold examples. Triumph has used the same configuration for many years. Their Speed Twin, Street Scrambler, Bonneville are a few of the most famous motorcycles in the world. There is a reason behind a 270-degree crankshaft used in many motorcycles. Today we will discuss it and find out what it offers to a rider.

Yamaha MT 07 CP2 engine

If you are a motorcycle enthusiast, a 270-degree parallel-twin engine configuration will be familiar to you. This engine spec is also a favorite of many motorcycles journalists. A single-cylinder engine offers the most punchy acceleration. But parallel twin engines are smooth and progressive with their power delivery. Single-cylinder feels torquey where parallel twin has linear power curve. You can also manage a torquey engine with a parallel-twin configuration. To do so, you will need a 270-degree crankshaft. It has a similar firing order to the 90-degree L-twin engines. Therefore, their power delivery characteristics feel almost the same. A 270-degree crankshaft also provides less vibration because it has an uneven firing order. 

Configuration

A 270-degree parallel-twin engine has two cylinders. The crankpins of those two cylinders sit 270-degree apart from one other. It means you will get an uneven firing order. Unlike a 180-degree or a 360-degree crank configuration, a 270-degree twin moves the cylinders in an unsynced fashion. A 360-degree crank moves both cylinders up and down at the same time. But the firing order of them is 360-degree apart from one other.

360, 180, and 270 degree crank shaft configuration

On the other hand, a 180-degree crankshaft moves the cylinders simultaneously. When one cylinder is at the top dead center, the other is at the bottom dead center. Their firing order is 180-degree apart from one other.

Both the 180 and the 360-degree crankshaft have severe flaws compared to a 270-degree twin engine. Simultaneous (180-degree crank) and synced (3600-degree crank) movement of the cylinders causes a lot of vibration. On the other hand, you cannot feel traction with either the 180-degree or the 360-degree engine configuration. To make the parallel-twin engine torquey like a single-cylinder, you will need the 270-degree crankshaft. As mentioned earlier, it changes the characteristics of a parallel twin to an L-twin. We know that the L-twin engines have high torque characteristics. These engines have almost no imbalance, therefore, no vibration.

270 degree uneven firing order

A 270-degree crank makes uneven firing order. As a result, the tires can regain traction between each combustion. It increases the stability of the power delivery. Moreover, you will feel more torque with an uneven firing order. That is why Yamaha calls it a CP2 (Cross Plane 2) engine. Yamaha developed the Cross Plane engine in 2009 for Valentino Rossi's MotoGP bike when he complained about the traction. They made an uneven firing cross-plane engine for Rossi. It was an immediate success for Yamaha. Through extensive development and major success in Dakar Rally, Yamaha introduced a sports naked bike in 2014 with a CP2 engine.

CP2 engine from Yamaha

Yamaha uses the CP2 270-degree parallel-twin engine in many models. It is a profitable strategy for them too. The most successful motorcycle with its CP2 engine is the MT 07. From its release in 2014, Yamaha sold about 100,000 units of this model. In the beginning, it did not have any electronic aids for the riders. Even the ABS was not present with the early models. 

First gen Yamaha MT 07 released in 2014

This model is at the third iteration now. Yamaha released a newly designed MT 07 last year with a modern look. After almost seven years from the first launch, they only offer ABS with this bike. On the positive side, it keeps the price low and affordable. As a result, Yamaha can sell many motorcycles to new riders and experienced riders.

2021 Yamaha MT 07 

Aprilia is following Yamaha

Last year, Aprilia announced their RS 660 with a 270-degree parallel-twin engine. Now they are following Yamaha's footsteps and making multiple models on the same platform. In 2021, they introduced the Tuono 660 as a naked variant of the sportbike. Moreover, they are teasing the Tuarage 660 that will compete against the Yamaha Tenere 700. 

2021 Aprilia RS 660

2022 Aprilia Tuono 660

Unreleased 2022 Aprilia Tuarage 660 (advpulse)

Aprilia offers good electronic aids like lean-sensitive traction control, ABS, slide control, wheelie control, etc. They priced their RS 660 and the Tuono 660 higher than the Yamaha bikes. Still, their bikes are an instant success. Now with the Tuareg, they are completing the lineup. 

Yamaha's R7

Although Yamaha made millions from the MT 07 lineup, they did not release a sportbike with a CP2 engine. After Aprilia released the RS 660, Yamaha stopped selling their R6. They made it a track-only option and released the R7 this year. 

All new 2022 Yamaha R7

The R7 has its signature CP2 engine from the MT 07 and Tracer 700. Yamaha tweaked it for a better race track performance. 

Conclusion

The 270-degree parallel-twin engine is so reliable that KTM is using it for their 790 and 890 Duke for a few years now. If you have a motorcycle with a 270-degree parallel-twin engine, share your thoughts on it. What do you feel about this engine configuration? Which brands do you want to release motorcycles with this engine configuration?