What is the Meaning of Cubic Capacity (CC) in Bikes?

Buying a two-wheeler can be confusing. Considering there are various factors you should consider when buying the right two-wheeler, it may be possible that can easily leave you in a dilemma. Also, not everyone who purchases a two-wheeler uses it for the same purpose. Some use it for city commutes, whereas adrenaline junkies buy it for performance motor sports. Design, power output, weight, are some of the factors that are checked when buying one. Another such factor is the cubic capacity, often abbreviated as “CC”.

Meaning of CC in bikes

Cubic capacity or CC of the bike is the power output of the engine. The cubic capacity is the volume of the chamber of the bike’s engine. Higher the capacity, larger the quantity of air and fuel mixture compressed to produce power. This larger compression of the air and fuel mixture results in a higher power output. Different bikes have different capacities of engines, beginning from 50 CC all the way up to 1800 CC on some sports cruisers. This cubic capacity of the engine is a determining factor in understanding how much output the engine can produce in terms of torque, horsepower, and mileage. What’s more, it also influences the bike insurance premiums.

What is the role of CC in bikes?

The cubic capacity of a bike denotes the power output capacity of the engine of the bike. It is the volume of the chamber of your bike’s engine. A higher CC means more volume for a greater quantity of air and fuel to get mixed and produce a better output.

How much CC can a bike be allowed to have in India?

Up to 500CC bikes can be driven with a normal license. For bikes with CC more than 500, a separate license is issued.

What is the advantage of higher CC in a bike?

A bike with higher CC means more mixture of air and fuel in the engine leading to a powerful output.

How does your bike’s CC affect its premium?

Bike insurance premiums are not calculated on a single factor, but many factors combined together, one of which is the cubic capacity of the bike. This is why you might notice owners of the same two-wheeler ending up paying different insurance premiums for their vehicle. There are two types of bike insurance plans you can buy - third-party and comprehensive. A third party bike insurance cover is the minimum requirement for all bike owners wherein it covers third-party injuries and damages to property. Thus, the premiums for these plans are determined by the regulator, the IRDAI (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India). The IRDAI has defined slab rates based on the cubic capacity of the vehicle to determine the bike insurance premiums. The table below elaborates on it –

Slabs for Cubic Capacity of the bike	Third-party Insurance Cost for Two-wheelers
Up to 75 cc	₹ 482
Exceeding 75 cc and up to 150 cc	₹ 752
Exceeding 150 cc and up to 350 cc	₹1193
Above 350 cc	₹2323

  For a comprehensive cover, the coverage isn’t limited to third-party losses, but extends to own-damages too. As a result, the premium is based on many other factors and not only the cubic capacity of the vehicle. Here are some factors that impact the premium for comprehensive plans.

• The model of the bike plays a crucial role in determining the premium. Since different manufacturers have different price tags for various models, the risk the insurer assumes differs.
• Next, higher the engine capacity, higher will be its insurance premium, since the cost of repairs is greater.
• A voluntary deductible is one factor impacting the bike insurance premiums. A nominal amount is required to be paid with every insurance claim. This amount is known as the standard deductible. But other than the standard deductible, you can opt for a voluntary deductible wherein you choose to bear some amount of the insurance claim. This in turn helps you reduce your bike insurance premium.

The premium of a comprehensive cover can be computed on our bike insurance calculator instantly. Try it out now! Other than the above, the no-claim bonus, your bike’s safety equipment, and the add-ons to your insurance policy are some factors that impact the premiums too.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can CC affect bike speed?

While CC may not affect the bike speed, it does affect the overall performance of the bike in the longer run.

2. How does the CC affect the cost of the bike?

A bike with a higher CC costs more due to the bigger engine being used to produce more power and torque.

3. Does a 1000CC bike require a third-party insurance?

Yes, as per the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988, each vehicle needs to be insured by third-party insurance.