360° vs 180° vs 270° Crankshaft Angles in Parallel Twin Engine | Explained

360° vs 180° vs 270° Parallel Twin: Crankshaft Angles | Explained

A straight-twin engine, also known as an inline-twin, vertical-twin, or parallel-twin, is a two-cylinder piston engine with cylinders arranged in a line along with a common crankshaft. Straight-twin engines are primarily used in motorcycles; other uses include marine vessels, snowmobiles, Jet Skis and all-terrain vehicles.

The term "parallel-twin", "vertical-twin," and "inline-twin" originally had specific meanings relating to the crankshaft angle or engine orientation; however, they are often also used interchangeably.

Various crankshaft configurations have been used for straight-twin engines, the most common being 360 degrees, 180 degrees, and 270 degrees.

In the United Kingdom, the term "parallel-twin" is traditionally used for engines with a crankshaft angle of 360 degrees since the two pistons are in the same direction (i.e., parallel to each other).

"Vertical-twin" was used to describe engines with a crankshaft angle of 180 degrees, which causes the pistons to travel in opposite directions.
The terms "straight-twin" and "inline-twin" were used more generically for any crankshaft angle.

So in this video, we are looking at different crankshaft configurations and how they are used in the automotive industry.

---- Time Stamp ---
00:00 - Introduction
01:19 - How does a 4-Stroke Engine work?
02:10 - Difference between Inline & Parallel Twin
03:02 - 360° Crankshaft Angle
04:52 - 180° Crankshaft Angle
07:35 - 270° Crankshaft Angle
10:59 - Wrap Up

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External Sources: Wikipedia Creative Common

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[crippleguy]

Nothing will ever sound as good as an old Triumph Bonny with 360 degree crank . Lots of torque .

[stevepage]

The 270 is a nice lumpy twin but with that distinctive 'vee' voice ... then, there's the staccato rasp of the 360...or the manic howl of the 180. Bloody hell, spoiled for choice here!

[hwy]

My Triumph Street Scrambler (2019) has a liquid cooled parallel twin, 270 degree firing angle. The low-end torque is phenomenal, smooth as silk transmission, and the stock exhaust sounds great.

[datseverywhere]

I’m a fan of 270 degree crank. Sounds best

[freddy]

Very good explained. Thanx a bunch. I prefer the 270°, best sound, similar to a V2 and it has good torque from down below.

[rcnelson]

Enlightening. Nothing sounds better than a 360 degree vertical twin, though.

[constantinosschinas]

8:20 Yamaha TRX850, 1996, the first production 270 degree twin. Wonderful bike. Bought it new, riden many set of tyres to their limit, donated it to a friend some years ago.

[catingloves]

Great explanation. Of differences between the 3 types. It explains similarity well between 270°and 90°V twin

[jonathanhill]

Would have been nice to have heard the differences!

[Eldariooirad]

Loved every second of your explanations, including your perfect diction and pleasurable, professor like voice. Thank you!

[vagabondsoldier]

Love the CP2 engine in my XSR. Sounds great and love the smooth and linear power delivery.

[thorick]

correction: the Yamaha XS650 has no balance shaft. You get the full shake n' bake, builds strong character 9 ways.

[vijaykalla]

I have speed twin. 270 degree crank angle... The pulse you get is indescribable

[jerryw]

It's been a great experience, listening to Kermit The Frog explain motorcycle engines

[alistairbernard]

Excellent Feature On The Different Types of Cranks. 👍

[williamfischer]

For me the sound of a motorcycle is more important then anything else, and the 270’ is so much better.

[roverchap]

The terminology is often used interchangeably, if not correctly. Parallel just means that the cylinders are bored in the same plane, and nothing to do with how the pistons are moving within. All crank arrangements for twins are parallel unless it's a boxer or V-twin. I prefer the traditional sound of a 360 degree - the even firing pulses. This is the classic sound of the British twins I grew up with. A Boxer sounds the same, with even firing pulses. V-twins always sound off beat, which is charismatic. 180 twins are raspy and harsh, 270s just sound like a V-twin - a nice sound but detracts from the uniqueness of a parallel twin.

[i_am_samar]

Wow, I have ridden GT650 twin, and engine feed back is too good. Thanks a ton

[stevebayross]

I had 3 Trx850s from 2000 to 2010 epic bike unloved at that time you could buy them for pennies.... Barn corner at Cadwell park is the place to understand the genius of the 270degree crank, it used to drive and slide beautifully & made a average rider look

[billd.]

I love the sound of an older Triumph Bonneville with the 360 crank. Sound is a matter of taste. It was a 2007 with a balancer shaft and had an extremely minimal amount of vibration.