Difference Between Torque & HorsePower
#2
Torque is a measurement of a "moment of force" and horsepower is the amount of work that force can do over time. So, as it relates to a motorcycle, torque is the amount of energy generated by one power stroke (release of energy at the time of ignition and converted into mechanical energy) of the engine; and the horsepower is how much work the motor can do based on revolutions per minute times torque. This is why horse power trends up as RPM's rise and torque curves stay relatively flat.
Understanding why there is a torque curve is a bit involved though.
Understanding why there is a torque curve is a bit involved though.
Last edited by keith_stepp; 01-07-2011 at 03:59 PM.
#3
#4
At the most basic level:
Power = Torque x RPM
Horsepower is a unit used to measure power (Hp) as is Kilowatts.
Easiest way to understand it is to think of riding a bicycle.
2 riders of the same mass (weight) riding together at the same speed (mph). If they are riding at the same speed and the are the same weight on identical bikes they are both generating the same power (horsepower)
Rider one is a spinner, so he chooses a high gear and turns the cranks at a high cadence, but the resistance to turning is low
Rider 2 has strong beefy legs, so he pushes the pedals hard but doesn't spin the pedals quickly.
Rider 1 is generating power using high speed with low torque
Rider 2 is generating power using low speed and high torque.
Applied to a motorcycle, having good torque means you don't chop and change gears all the time, but for the same power and same gearbox this comes at the expense of top speed
It is a compromise that engineers have to live with all the time when designing any machinery
Power = Torque x RPM
Horsepower is a unit used to measure power (Hp) as is Kilowatts.
Easiest way to understand it is to think of riding a bicycle.
2 riders of the same mass (weight) riding together at the same speed (mph). If they are riding at the same speed and the are the same weight on identical bikes they are both generating the same power (horsepower)
Rider one is a spinner, so he chooses a high gear and turns the cranks at a high cadence, but the resistance to turning is low
Rider 2 has strong beefy legs, so he pushes the pedals hard but doesn't spin the pedals quickly.
Rider 1 is generating power using high speed with low torque
Rider 2 is generating power using low speed and high torque.
Applied to a motorcycle, having good torque means you don't chop and change gears all the time, but for the same power and same gearbox this comes at the expense of top speed
It is a compromise that engineers have to live with all the time when designing any machinery
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