Compression ratio is an important factor in determining the power and efficiency of a motorcycle engine. It is the ratio of the volume of the cylinder when the piston is at the bottom of its stroke (bottom dead center, or BDC) to the volume of the cylinder when the piston is at the top of its stroke (top dead center, or TDC).
In general, a higher compression ratio will produce more power, but it also increases the risk of detonation, which can damage the engine. Detonation occurs when the fuel-air mixture ignites prematurely due to the high pressure and heat in the cylinder.
Modern street motorcycles typically have a compression ratio of between 9.5:1 and 13.5:1. This range provides a good balance of power and efficiency without increasing the risk of detonation.