Inline Six

An inline six is an engine with six cylinders arranged in a single row. The layout is naturally very well balanced, so it runs extremely smoothly with no need for balance shafts and delivers a broad, even spread of power.

On motorcycles the inline six is rare because the engine is wide and heavy. Famous examples include the Honda CBX and Kawasaki Z1300 from the late 1970s, the Benelli Sei, and today the BMW K 1600 touring range, which keeps the width down with closely spaced, narrow cylinders.

Six-cylinder bikes are mainly suited to touring, where smoothness and effortless pulling power count for more than low weight and agility.