Types of motorcycles
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In the market, there is a wide variety of types of motorcycles, each with unique characteristics and features. Models vary according to the specific needs of each user, such as standard, cruiser, touring, sports, off-road, dual-purpose, scooters, etc.[1][2][3][4][5] Often, some types like sport touring are considered as an additional category or integrated with touring.[6][7]
There is no universal system for classifying all types of motorcycles.[8] However, some authors argue that there are generally six categories recognized by most motorcycle manufacturers and organizations,[6] making clear distinctions between these six main types and other motorcycles. For example, scooters, mopeds, underbones, minibikes, pocket bikes, electric bikes, and three-wheeled motorcycles are often excluded from the main categories within these classifications, but other classification schemes may include these asall types of motorcycles.[9]
Nevertheless, there are strict classification systems enforced by competitive
Street motorcycles are motorcycles designed for being ridden on paved roads. They have smooth tires with tread patterns and engines generally in the 125 cc (7.6 cu in) and over range. Typically, street motorcycles are capable of speeds up to 100 mph (160 km/h), and many of speeds in excess of 125 mph (201 km/h). Street motorcycles powered by electric motors are becoming more common, with firms like Harley-Davidson entering the market.
Standard
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![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/36/1997SuzukiGS500E-001.jpg/220px-1997SuzukiGS500E-001.jpg)
Standard motorcycles (also called roadsters, or naked bikes) are street motorcycles that conform to a stereotypical image of a motorcycle, with an exposed engine and fuel tank above. Standard bikes typically have neither
Cruiser
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9e/Rattle_the_Runway_Ride_2009-1.jpg/220px-Rattle_the_Runway_Ride_2009-1.jpg)
Cruiser motorcycles (or simply cruisers) are styled after American motorcycles from the 1930s to the early 1960s, such as those made by
The riding position places the feet forward and the hands are up relatively high, so that the spine is erect or leaning back slightly.[6][3] At low to moderate speeds, cruisers are more comfortable than other styles,[3][4] but riding for long periods at freeway speeds can lead to fatigue from pulling back on the handlebars to resist the force of the wind against the rider's chest.[15] Cruisers have limited cornering ability due to a lack of ground clearance.[3][14]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f9/PeterFondaCaptainAmerica-side.jpg/220px-PeterFondaCaptainAmerica-side.jpg)
Choppers are a type of cruiser, so called because they are a "chopped", or cut-down, version of a production cruiser. Choppers are usually custom projects that result in a bike modified to suit the owner's ideals, and, as such, are a source of pride and accomplishment. Stereotypically, a chopper may have raked-out forks, small fuel tanks and high handlebars. Choppers were popularised in the Peter Fonda film Easy Rider. Being designed primarily for visual effect, choppers will rarely be suitable for lengthy cruising.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/68/Triumph_Bobber_2017_gray_side_left.jpg/220px-Triumph_Bobber_2017_gray_side_left.jpg)
Related to the chopper motorcycle is the bobber, a solo bike which is created by "bobbing" a factory bike by removing superfluous weight and bodywork from a motorcycle to reduce mass and increase performance. A common element of these motorcycles is a shortened rear fender that creates a "bobbed" look.
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Power cruiser is a name used to distinguish bikes in the cruiser class that have significantly greater levels of power. They typically have with upgraded brakes and suspensions, better ground clearance, and premium surface finishes, as well as more exotic or non-traditional styling.[16][17][18][19][20][21][14]
Touring
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4e/Hond_GL1800_Goldwing_in_Paris.jpg/220px-Hond_GL1800_Goldwing_in_Paris.jpg)
Although any motorcycle can be equipped and used for touring, touring motorcycles are specifically designed to excel at covering long distances.
Bagger, full dresser, full dress tourer, or dresser are various names for touring motorcycles, sometimes used disparagingly or jocularly, and originally referring to a Harley-Davidson or other cruisers with full sets of saddlebags. This can now refer to any touring motorcycle.[14][22][23][24]
Sport
Sport bikes are road bikes that emphasize top speed, acceleration, braking, handling and grip,
Sport bikes may have footpegs that are both higher and set further back than on a standard bike, improving ground clearance when cornering and enabling a more prone position for the rider. There may be a long reach to the hand controls, which positions the body and center of gravity forward, above the fuel tank. The rider leans forward into the wind, the force of which may support the rider's weight at high speeds. However, at lower speeds a rider may experience excessive weight on the arms and wrists, causing fatigue.
Muscle bike is a nickname for a motorcycle type, derived from a sport bike design, that puts a disproportionately high priority on engine power.[6][27][28][29]
Off-road
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Off-road motorcycles, also known as dirt bikes or scramblers, specially designed for
Many competitive events have emerged[when?] and developed into a variety of off-road motorcycle sports, for which a number of specialized motorcycles have been built:
- Motocross—Such bikes are raced on short, closed off-road tracks with a variety of obstacles. The motorcycles have a small fuel tank for lightness and compactness. Long-travel suspension allows riders to take jumps at high speed. Motocross engines are single-cylinder two-stroke or four-stroke units, which vary in size from 50cc up to about 500cc. At the professional level, bikes are split up into two levels based on their displacements: MX and MX Lite. The MX Lite class contains 125cc two-stroke engines and 250cc four-stroke engines, while the MX class pits 250cc two-stroke engines against 450cc four-stroke engines. The actual displacement for both four-strokes and two-strokes can be under what is listed for the different bikes. The differences in power, displacement, torque, and weight are all variables that balance the competition between two-stroke and four-stroke engines.[36] Motocross sidecar outfits have bigger engines, usually four-stroke and often twin-cylinder. Motocross bikes are also used in freestyle motocross.
![Sherco Trials](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/56/Trial_motorcycle.jpg/220px-Trial_motorcycle.jpg)
- Trials—Trials riding is a specialized form of off-road competition testing balancing skills and precision rather than speed. For a trials bike, low weight and crisp throttle response power are prioritized, so trials bikes tend to have a small (125 cc to 300 cc) engine, with two-strokes being common. During the trial, the rider stands on the foot-pegs, so a trials bike will have only a vestigial seat, or no seat at all.[37] Fuel tanks are very small, giving a very limited range. Trial usually consider the best for start riding off-road because of its low sit and light weight. Trial motorcycles are design to pass the tracks which is impossible for another kind of motorcycles to pass.
- scrambletracks. "Multi-lappers" are especially popular with novice riders.
- Paris-Dakar rally). Engine capacities tend to be larger, usually between 450 cc and 750 cc.
- Dual-Sport—A dual-sport bike is a multi-purpose bike, made for on-road and recreational off-road riding. A dual-sport bike may resemble an enduro bike, but since a dual-sport bike is not intended to be used for competition, it may be less rugged, and equipped with dual-purpose tires and with more road legal equipment, such as indicators, mirrors and extra instruments. Most dual-sport bikes require a number plate to be ridden on state and county roads.
- Jawa. They have at most two gears. Some types, such as speedway, and grass-track bikes, are designed to take left turns only.
- Snow bikes—A snow bike takes a typical dirt-bike and replaces the rear wheel with a single tread system similar to a snowmobile and the front wheel with a large ski. They are much smaller and more nimble than a snowmobile, and they have a tighter turning radius, which lets the rider go where many snowmobiles cannot. The first prototype of motorcycles with a rear tread date all the way back to the 1920s, with failed attempts to bring them onto the market until recent times. Many motorcycles made after the 1990s or later can be fitted with a kit that transforms them into a snow bike.[38]
Dual-purpose
Dual-purpose motorcycles, sometimes called dual-sport, on/off-road motorcycles, or adventure motorcycles, are street legal machines that are also designed to enter off-road situations.[6] Typically based on a dirt bike chassis, they have added lights, mirrors, signals, and instruments that allow them to be licensed for public roads.[3] They are higher than other street bikes, with a high center of gravity and tall seat height, allowing good suspension travel for rough ground.[6]
Adventure motorcycles (ADV) are motorcycles with touring capability on paved and unpaved roads. As a dual-sport they have a significant on-pavement bias and perform well on pavement at higher speeds unlike most dual-sports.[3][39] Their size, weight and sometimes their tires, however, limits their off-road capability. Most adventure motorcycles function well on graded dirt and gravel roads but are less than ideal on more difficult off-pavement terrain.
Supermoto motorcycles were designed to compete on a single course that alternated between three genres of motorcycle racing: road racing, track racing, and motocross. This increasingly popular type of motorcycle is often a dual-sport that has been fitted by the manufacturer with smaller rims and road tires. Supermotos are quickly gaining popularity as street bikes due to their combination of light weight, durability, relatively low cost, and sporty handling.
Sport touring
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9e/BMW_R1100RS_on_twisty_road.jpg/220px-BMW_R1100RS_on_twisty_road.jpg)
Scooters
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Scooters are a type of motorcycles[1] distinguished by their continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT)[14] and distinctive design. Unlike traditional motorcycles, scooters feature an open frame structure, a seat, and a flat foot platform, allowing the rider to maintain an upright posture without straddling the engine. This configuration not only enhances rider comfort but also contributes to fuel efficiency.[n 1] Currently, three main types of scooters are recognized, each with its own characteristics and applications:
Standard Scooter: This type of scooter is ideal for urban mobility due to its ease of handling and parking. They are lightweight, comfortable, and agile vehicles, perfect for navigating through dense city traffic. Their wheels are usually smaller than those of conventional motorcycles, with diameters ranging from 12 to 15 inches (30.5−38 cm), and they have an engine displacement ranging from 50cc to 150cc (3.1−9.2 cu in).[41]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9b/Wuling_Visitor_Center_and_Honda_NSS300_20200711.jpg/220px-Wuling_Visitor_Center_and_Honda_NSS300_20200711.jpg)
Maxi-Scooter: Maxi-scooters are equipped with high-displacement engines, ranging from 125cc to 250cc (7.7−15.3 cu in), designed for covering long distances at high speeds. Although they are heavier and less agile than standard scooters, they are commonly used in cities and suburbs due to their larger fuel tank capacity and larger wheels, which can reach 15 or even 16 inches (38.1−40.7 cm).[42]
Mega-Scooter: also known as touring scooters,[43] like maxi-scooters, mega-scooters feature a higher-displacement engine, ranging from 400cc to 850cc (24.5−51.9 cu in), and superior performance, designed for covering long distances at high speeds. However, their considerably greater weight and lower agility make them suitable for use in the city or on highways. A scooter is considered to fall into the mega-scooter category when its displacement exceeds 400cc.[44][45]
Underbones and mopeds
Underbones are small-displacement motorcycles with a step-through frame, descendants of the original Honda Super Cub. They are differentiated from scooters by their larger wheels and their use of footpegs instead of a floorboard. They often have a gear shifter with an automatic clutch.
The moped used to be a hybrid of the bicycle and the motorcycle, equipped with a small engine (usually a small two-stroke engine up to 50 cc, but occasionally an electric motor) and a bicycle drivetrain, and motive power can be supplied by the engine, the rider, or both. There are also Sport mopeds – a type of moped that resembles a sport bike.
In many places, mopeds are subject to less stringent licensing than bikes with larger engines and are popular as very cheap motorbikes, with the pedals seeing next to no use. Mopeds were very popular in the United States during the fuel-crisis of the late 1970s and early 1980s, but their popularity has fallen off sharply since the mid-1980s. In response to rising fuel prices in the first decade of the 2000s, U.S. scooter and moped ridership saw a resurgence.[14] Sales of motorcycles and scooters declined 43.2% in 2009, and continued to decrease in the first quarter of 2010, with scooter sales doing worst, down 13.3% compared to a 4.6% drop for all two-wheelers.[46]
Other types of small motorcycles include the
.Enclosed and feet forwards
Enclosed motorcycles include
Feet forwards motorcycles include the 1911 Wilkinson TMC and the 1918 Ner-A-Car. Contemporary examples include the Quasar, powered by a Reliant Robin engine, and the Peraves range powered mainly by BMW K Series engines.
Utility
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/15/Carabinieri.motorcycle.in.rome.arp.jpg/220px-Carabinieri.motorcycle.in.rome.arp.jpg)
Some motorcycles are specially adapted for specific job functions, such as those used by the
A
Tricycles
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While motorcycles typically have two wheels, some motorized tricycles are classed as three-wheeled motorcycles. Some brands have made various types of three-wheelers direct from the factory. Most of these vehicles are treated as motorcycles for registration or licensing purposes.
Tilting three-wheelers keep all three wheels on the ground when they lean to negotiate curves. These include Honda's Gyro range, all of which have a front wheel that leans and a pair of rear wheels that do not, and the Piaggio MP3, which has two front wheels and a single rear wheel, all of which lean. The Yamaha Niken is also a tilting three wheeler but has smaller track width such that it is considered a motorcycle by some authorities.
See also
- Motorcycling
- Outline of motorcycles and motorcycling
- List of motorcycle manufacturers
- List of scooter manufacturers
- List of motorized trikes
References
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- Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-860564-5.
motor scooter n a light motorcycle, usually with small wheels and a curved metal cover at the front to protect the rider's legs
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motor scooter n a light motorcycle with small wheels and an enclosed engine. Often shortened to scooter
- Chambers Concise Dictionary. Edinburgh: Chambers Harrup Publishers. 2004. p. 1084. ISBN 0-550-10072-5.
2. (in full motor scooter) a small-wheeled motorcycle with a protective front shield curving back to form a support for the feet
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- Sport example: Triumph Daytona 955i
- Cruiser example: Suzuki Marauder
- Chopper example: a David Mannred
- Touring example: Honda Gold Wing GL1800
- Scooter example: Vespa Granturismo 200
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- Enduro example: KTM 950 Adventure S
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sportbike: a motorcycle designed for aggressive performance, especially cornering
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Streetfighter -- Also known as a 'hooligan' cycle, this is a sports-bike stripped of all superfluous bodywork.
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