How do gear ratios affect a motorcycle's acceleration?

Shorter gear ratios indeed provide quicker acceleration on a motorcycle due to the mechanical advantage they offer at lower speeds. When a motorcycle has a shorter gear ratio, the engine's power is more effectively transmitted to the wheels, allowing for faster wheel rotation in response to throttle input. This results in increased acceleration since the motorcycle can reach higher speeds more quickly.

In practical terms, a shorter gear ratio means that for every rotation of the engine, the rear wheel turns more times compared to a higher gear ratio. This responsiveness is particularly advantageous for rapid starts or when needing to gain speed quickly in situations like merging into traffic or overtaking.

Longer gear ratios, by contrast, are generally designed for higher speeds and fuel efficiency at cruising but often sacrifice the ability to accelerate quickly. Therefore, the design of gear ratios is a crucial factor in performance tuning, influencing how a motorcycle behaves under different riding conditions.