Three-cylinder engine (triple)

A triple is an engine with three cylinders, nearly always in a row across the frame. It is well known from Triumph, MV Agusta and Yamaha's MT-09 family, among others.

A triple sits between a twin and an inline four: it is narrower and usually lighter than a four, pulls strongly from low and middle revs, and still revs freely. With a 120-degree crankshaft the firing intervals are even, giving a distinctive sound and a smooth, linear delivery.

Maintenance is like other multi-cylinder four-strokes: regular oil changes, valve clearance checks and, on some models, throttle body synchronisation. In motocross slang, a 'triple' is also a series of three jumps in a row.