What is the advantage of a counterweighted crankshaft?

Reduced vibrations: The main advantage of a counterweighted crankshaft is that it helps reduce engine vibrations. As the pistons move up and down inside the engine cylinders, they create forces that can cause the engine to vibrate excessively.

The counterweights, which are positioned opposite the crank throws help balance these forces.

Smoother engine operation: The reduced vibrations result in smoother engine operation at different speeds, contributing to an enhanced driving experience.

Durability: By effectively managing the forces within the engine, counterweighted crankshafts help distribute these loads evenly through the crankshaft. This uniform distribution improves the crankshaft's overall integrity and extends its useful life. They're particularly essential in larger displacement engines with greater vibration potentials.

In summary, counterweighted crankshafts ensure the balancing of internal combustion engines for reduced vibrations, leading to an overall smoother operation and increased component longevity. While adding some amount of mass to the rotating assembly, their benefits clearly outweigh this for most engine applications.