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==Engine power and torque==
{{See also|Dynamometer}}
With power typically being the product of [[force]] and [[speed]], a motorcycle's power and [[torque]] ratings will be highly indicative of its performance. Reported numbers for [[power (physics)|power]] and
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{{Clear}}
While the crankshaft power excludes these transmission losses, still the measurement is often made elsewhere in the drive-train, often at the rear wheel. A correction for the transmission losses is then applied to the measured values to obtain the crankshaft values. For motorcycles, the reported power and torque numbers normally pertain to the crankshaft. In directive 92/61/EEC of 30 June 1992 relating to the type-approval of two or three-wheel motor vehicles,<ref name="
A main source of ambiguity and differences comes from the conditions the test was done at. These conditions include details like atmospheric conditions (temperature, pressure, humidity), tire pressure, how the motorcycle is secured against the dyno drum, but most importantly: the conditions of the motorcycle itself. Examples thereof are: was the alternator fitted?; was the air filter fitted?; what exhaust system was fitted? One would hope that manufacturers would test their motorcycles in normal running order, so the condition that they are sold in, and for which they obtained type-approval, but this is not always the case. Ducati, for instance, has chosen to publish more positive values, stating that "Technical data referring to power and torque was measured on an engine test stand at Ducati".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ducati.com/bikes/superbike/1199_panigale_r/tech_spec.do |title=
==Weight==
Motorcycle weight is expressed in three ways: ''[[gross vehicle weight rating]]'' (GVWR), ''dry weight'' and ''wet weight''. GVWR is the maximum total weight of the motorcycle including all consumables, the rider, any passenger, and any cargo. It is generally well-understood and standardized, being defined by law and overseen by agencies such as the [[US Department of Transportation]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/fmcsr/fmcsrruletext.aspx?chunkKey=0901633480023892%7CPart|title=Search Regulations|website=dot.gov}}{{dead link|date=July 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> In contrast, wet and dry weight are unstandardized measurements that refer to the weight of the motorcycle without rider, passengers or cargo, and either with (wet) or without (dry) a varying set of fluids such as fuel or lubricants, and the battery.
Wet and dry weight are often used to make comparisons between different motorcycles, because all else being equal, a lighter motorcycle will generally perform and handle better than a heavier one.
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===Dry weight===
As its weight changes during riding, the dry weight of a motorcycle typically excludes the [[gasoline]] (or other fuel). Dry weight, in this sense, can directly be used for comparison with (FIM) weight limits, which pertain to the motorcycle in operating condition. It is also part of the homologation tests,<ref name="
So there is no standardized way to test the dry weight of a motorcycle. Inconsistencies may be found between a motorcycle manufacturer's published dry weight and motorcycle press and media outlets' published dry weight. This is due to different testing techniques, mainly differences in what is being excluded, and a lack of defining how the test was done. A battery is typically included in the dry weight by manufacturers (with the exception of at least one), but it may not be included by media outlets. On the other hand, some press and media outlets only exclude fuel to define their dry weight. For a typical [[sport bike]], the difference between wet weight and manufacturer claimed dry weight is around {{convert|70|lb|kg|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amadirectlink.com/news/2006/cbr600rr/|title=American Motorcyclist Association > Home|first=American Motorcyclist|last=Association|website=www.amadirectlink.com}}</ref> This difference includes around {{convert|30|lb|kg|abbr=on}} of gasoline, {{convert|7|lb|kg|abbr=on}} of engine oil, {{convert|7|lb|kg|abbr=on}} of coolant, and {{convert|9|lb|kg|abbr=on}} of battery. These weights are even larger for bigger motorcycles with higher capacities, complicating comparison between [[air-cooled]] and [[water-cooled]] motorcycles' dry weights.
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While its weight is small compared to the other fluids discussed above (a few ounces), [[hydraulic fluid]] might be excluded during shipping. It is not safe to assume that it is either included or excluded in the reported dry weight. Hydraulic fluid might be found on a particular bike's front brake and reservoir, plus maybe a rear brake with a reservoir, and maybe also in a hydraulic clutch with its own reservoir.
[[Ducati]] has in the past used the term "Ducati weight", pertaining to a value excluding the battery as well as all fluids, but have since begun using "dry weight" for this.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ducati.com/bikes/monster/1100__evo/tech_spec.do |title=
Beginning in 2009, the [[Japanese Big Four]] manufacturers and BMW began publishing the wet weight rather than dry, usually providing some explanation for what this means. Since then most other manufacturers have followed, in order to comply with EC directives that explicitly state that the values pertain to the vehicle in running order. Honda describes it as curb weight (aka kerb weight) and says this means the bike is "ready to ride." Others say all fluids are included and the fuel tank is at least 90% full. [[Erik Buell Racing]] gives "wet weight (no fuel)" for the 2012 1190RS motorcycle,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.erikbuellracing.com/motorcycles/1190rs/|title=1190RS « Erik Buell Racing|website=erikbuellracing.com|access-date=2012-02-09|archive-date=2012-03-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314231429/http://www.erikbuellracing.com/motorcycles/1190rs/|url-status=dead}}</ref> while [[KTM]] gives a "weight without fuel approx."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ktm.com/us/superbike/1190-rc8-r-usa/highlights.html#.UbLgxpz4KoY |title=Highlights - KTM |website=www.ktm.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110512004258/http://www.ktm.com/us/superbike/1190-rc8-r-usa/highlights.html |archive-date=2011-05-12}}</ref>
===Wet weight===
The wet weight of a motorcycle includes, but is not limited to fuel, engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, and battery.
There is no global standardized way to test the wet weight of a motorcycle. In the EU, Council Directive 93/93/EEC specifies wet weight as "mass in running order", which includes all equipment normally fitted to a bike such as windscreen, tool kit and at least 90% of its fuel capacity.<ref
''[[Cycle World]]'' has published wet weights with all consumables on board, but only half a tank of fuel, while [[Honda]] has recently published specification tables that use the typically automotive-oriented term ''curb weight'', and stated that it included full fluid levels and the bike was "ready to ride."
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{{colbegin}}
* Class ''see [[types of motorcycle]]''
* Engine ''see [[motorcycle engine]]''
** Power ''see above''
** Torque ''see above''
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** Fuel consumption ''See [[Fuel economy in automobiles|Fuel economy]] & [[World Motorcycle Test Cycle|WMTC]]''
** Range
** Emissions ''see [[Vehicle emissions control]] and [[World Motorcycle Test Cycle|WMTC]] (global), [[New European Driving Cycle|NEDC]] (EU), [[FTP-75]] (USA)''
* [[Motorcycle transmission|Transmission]] number of forward gear ratios, and the type of transmission (e.g. "6-speed [[manual transmission|manual]], 5-speed [[automatic transmission|automatic]]")
* Final drive
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