Motorcycles

 

A motorcycle is a two-wheeled vehicle powered by an engine. Motorcycles are one of the cheapest and most widespread forms of motorised transport in many parts of the world.

On a typical motorcycle, the operator sits astride the vehicle on a seat, with the hands on a set of handlebars and the feet supported by footpegs. When the bike is at rest, the rider puts one or both feet on the ground. Engine speed is controlled by twisting the throttle on the right handlebar grip with braking being controlled with a hand lever and foot pedal. Shifting of gear ratios is controlled by operating a foot lever with the clutch being operated by a hand lever. Steering is accomplished by leaning the bike or moving the handlebars.

Types of Motorcycles

 

There are many different types of motorcycles for many different purposes.

• Mopeds: small, light, inexpensive, efficient rides for getting around town. Usually started by pedaling (motorcycle + pedals = moped).

• Underbone: small and inexpensive motorcycles which popular in many third-world country such as South East Asia. Also know as Mopeds in some country.

• Dual-sport : A road legal machine offering a compromise in highway and off-road performance, durability and comfort. Since the requirements are often conflicting, the manufacturer has to choose one or the other, resulting in a great variety of bikes in this category.

• Enduro: A road legal version of a motocross machine, ie featuring high ground clearness and copious suspension with minimal creature comforts. Highly unsuitable for long distance road travel. The few features that are different form the motocross versions are the silencers, the flywheel weights and the presence of features necessary for highway use.

• Scooters: bike with a step-through frame and generally smaller wheels than those of traditional motorcycles. Can be riden without straddling any part of the bike. Available in sport, commuter, and touring models.

• Sport bikes: Fast, light, sleek motorcycles designed for maximum performance, for racing homologation or spirited road riding. They are distinguishable by their brightly colored plastic bodywork and the rider's tipped-forward seating position.

• Cruisers: A range of small to large motorcycles designed for comfort and looks with a relaxed upright seating position. They are notable for their heavy use of chrome and are often highly customized.

• Choppers: Usually custom motorcycles with long rake (longer front forks) and wild paint jobs. These are created more for show than dependability and ridability.

• Touring motorcycles: designed for comfort, luggage carrying and reliability. Cruisers, sport bikes and some dual-sports can be used as touring bikes too.

• Sport Touring: sport touring is hybrid of the sport bike and the touring motorcyle for those who desire the best of both of these worlds.

• Dirt bikes/motocross bikes/off-road bikes: designed for racing, recreation, or sometimes long-distance touring in gravel/mud/sand conditions.

• Pocket bikes: Small imitations of sport bikes designed for recreation or racing by all age levels; see Pocketbike Racing

• Mini bikes: Very small bikes deisgned to be simple and fun for children. Generally they have no clutch or shifting to simplify operation.