Motorcycle Basics: What Are Torque and Horsepower?

In the simplest terms: Torque is about acceleration. The more torque you have, the quicker you accelerate. When you twist the throttle, it feels like the bike is about to launch out from under you. In everyday words, it's how much 'grunt' or 'pulling power' the bike has. You can feel this torque the moment you start moving.

If you've ever ridden a KTM, you know it has strong low-end torque—the moment you twist the throttle, it lunges forward. A torquey bike also handles hills and steep slopes with ease; just a twist of the throttle and you're up. That's why when riding with KTMs in the mountains, they often take shortcuts. Remember: torque means quick acceleration, but it doesn't determine top speed.

Horsepower determines how fast you can go. It's all about the top-end power. How fast a bike can ultimately go—its top speed—is decided by horsepower.

I changed the sprockets on my bike, so the low-end punch is really strong. But if I take my bike on the highway and open it up on a straightaway, the top speed won't be as high as a stock bike.

Torque and horsepower work together. One decides top speed, the other decides acceleration. Personally, I prefer torquey bikes because they require more precise throttle control and are more fun to ride. I'm a bit wary of high speeds anyway and rarely push the limits—I've only hit 170 km/h max. So horsepower isn't that important to me. Accidents often happen on high-speed, big-displacement bikes. Safety is the most important thing—don't chase extreme speed. I've seen too many people come and go, and in the end, very few are still riding.