Our Products
Loans
Cards
Insurance
Investment
Stock Market
Electronics Mall
CIBIL Score
Knowledge Centre
Calculators
Our Services
My Account
Do not call
En
Being aware of the terms torque and BHP helps when buying a bike. And thus you should be aware of these specifications. In this guide, we will understand the two terms Torque and BHP and explain the key difference between them.
Torque is the twisting force the engine applies on the crankshaft. The twisting engine force makes the crankshaft create rotational power which then creates the pulling strength, especially at low RPM(revolutions per minute). Calculated in Newton-metres, a strong torque figure indicates better engine load handling and smooth acceleration from lower speeds making the bike stable. In practical bike mechanics, torque is the rotational force generated by the engine that helps move the bike smoothly when you rev the engine.
BHP stands for Brake Horsepower. Power is the rate of doing work, energy per unit time. The engine produces mechanical power, which results in the kinetic energy of the bike. This energy is required to move the bike forward by causing the rotational movement in the tyres. The engine power output can be measured at the crankshaft using a dynamometer.
The BHP on a dynamometer shows you the potential of the engine to maintain speed or sustain high RPM. It tells you about the bike performance for racing, highways or uphill with a load.
BHP = (Torque × RPM) / constant
| Aspect | Torque | BHP |
|---|---|---|
Definition |
Twisting force from the engine |
Engine power output |
Unit |
Newton meter (Nm) |
Horsepower |
Peak RPM |
Low-to-mid RPM |
High RPM |
Effect |
Acceleration, pulling strength |
Top speed, sustained power |
Measurement |
Engine force at crankshaft |
Dynamometer at the engine flywheel |
Higher torque means stronger engine response, better acceleration and load carrying capacity. This allows easy hill climbs with responsive throttle control.
Lower-end torque also means fewer gear changes to stay in the sweet spot of acceleration. It makes the ride feel more effortless in city or hill-ride conditions.
Horsepower enables a bike to achieve and maintain high speeds. It reflects the engine’s ability to produce power to maintain speed with aerodynamics and terrain resistance. The power band is the engine range where horsepower peaks. Bikes with higher horsepower scores typically excel at highway riding and sport performance.
| Aspect | Torque | Horsepower |
|---|---|---|
Definition |
Rotational force produced by the engine |
The rate at which the engine works |
What it affects |
Acceleration, pulling power, and ability to carry a load |
Top speed and ability to sustain high speed |
Measured in |
Newton-metres (Nm) or pound-feet (lb-ft) |
Brake Horsepower (BHP), mechanical HP |
Typical application |
Important for cruising, hill climbing, and load carrying |
Important for racing, highways, and high-speed riding |
Engine characteristic |
Higher torque from larger displacement, long-stroke engines |
Higher horsepower from higher RPM, shorter strokes |
Feel while riding |
You feel a push or grunt when opening throttle |
You feel speed gain as engine revs climb |
Bike example |
Touring bikes, cruisers |
Sports bikes |
The ideal bike type for you depends on your riding style:
If you want a bike for daily commute where you would require quick take-offs, torque would be a necessity.
If you want to chase high speed, horsepower/BHP would matter more.
Therefore, always begin by understanding your needs. It will help you understand your performance needs and thereby which specifications (torque or BHP) would be ideal.
The power band of an engine is a range showing RPM vs torque vs BHP. As RPM increases, torque may fall, but BHP might still climb due to the RPM factor. Engine RPM (revolutions per minute) plays a central role in calculating torque and BHP.
A torque motor is an electric motor that provides a steady twisting force, making riding feel smooth and easy without needing much effort from the rider. In an electric-driven bike or machine, the motor design converts energy into mechanical power with minimal gearing. Its mechanical power output is largely defined by how the motor maintains torque across a wide RPM range.
In real-world terms:
| Spec | Practical Use |
|---|---|
Torque |
Better start-off, hill climbs, load handling |
Horsepower |
Better top-end speed, sustained high-RPM performance |
For everyday riding, torque feels more obvious. Horsepower shows up when you push harder or go faster.
The three main types of bike category are as follows:
Commuter Bikes: Low engine CC, frequent stops/starts. High torque at low RPM helps. For example - Hero Xtreme 125R - 124.7 CC, 11.4 BHP and torque of 10.5 Nm.
Cruiser Bikes: Big engines, long-stroke design. Emphasis on torque and relaxed ride. For example - Harley-Davidson X440 - 440 CC 27 BHP and 38 Nm of torque.
Sports Bikes: High revving, short strokes, high BHP at high RPM. Top speed and performance matter. For example - Yamaha R15 V4 - 155 CC, 18.1 BHP and a torque of 14.2 Nm.
| Riding Style | What's Most Important | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
City Commuting |
Torque |
Provides strong low-end pull for stop-and-go traffic and quick acceleration. |
Highway Riding or Racing |
Horsepower (BHP) |
Supports maintaining high speeds and top-end performance at high RPMs. |
Balanced Use |
Mid-range Torque + Balanced Horsepower |
Offers versatile performance for mixed riding conditions with smooth acceleration and decent top speed. |
Both torque and BHP are essential for a balanced and optimal bike performance. But the ratio of each may vary and you may choose to suit your riding style and location. Torque means better acceleration and BHP means higher speed and high RPM endurance. The optimal mix can create power delivery for riding comfort and efficiency.
|
Torque is the force that makes the bike move and accelerate. Applied at the crankshaft, torque measures the bike's capacity to accelerate; it is measured in Newton-metres or Nm.
BHP (Brake Horsepower) is the engine’s power output. It indicates the bike's capacity to hold a speed in different conditions. If you need a bike for high-speed racing, you should look for a bike with high BHP.
Torque helps with acceleration, and Horsepower is the power to hold the speed and balance the bike when it accelerates.
The balance of torque and BHP makes the performance of a bike good. However, for city commute where traffic is high and requires frequent brakes and quick pick up, higher torque is essential. Alternatively, higher BHP helps if you often take the bike for racing or to the highways.
Torque affects a bike’s acceleration and pulling power by providing the initial twisting force that enables quick starts and strong pulling ability, especially at low engine speeds. More torque means the bike can accelerate faster and handle heavy loads or steep climbs effectively.
Higher BHP helps in maintaining high speed. However, it does not always mean top speeds. Speed depends on other factors such as aerodynamics, gearing and power delivery.
A torque motor is an electric motor that delivers a steady twisting force across all RPMs, providing smooth and consistent power without sudden changes. It is commonly used in electric vehicles.
Torque is the force at a specific RPM, while horsepower is calculated by multiplying torque by RPM and dividing by a constant (5252 for imperial units). RPM plays a crucial role in determining both values.
Higher torque generally is a better choice for city riding, which requires you to quickly pick up speed and hit the brakes.
Yes, torque helps you and the bike to move heavy loads and climb hills with strong engine response. However, uphill riding and load carrying also require BHP to balance and ensure power performance, which means a smooth ride.
Manufacturers calculate torque at a given RPM and then use the formula Torque × RPM ÷ Constant to calculate the horsepower.
Consider your riding style, whether commuting, racing, or mixed use, and choose specs accordingly. Prioritise torque for responsiveness and strength, or focus on BHP for higher top-speed performance. Also consider the bike’s balance, gearing, and typical riding conditions.
Academy 
