8 Types Of Motorcycles To Know Before You Buy, Check it Now!!!
In some respects, motorcycles are like power tools: there
are dozens of manufacturers building them and almost too many different kinds
to even count, but each one is designed to be best at a specific job. Unlike
power tools, though, motorcycles can stir the soul — and take you on adventures
that you'll never forget.
If you’re new to the two-wheeled world or thinking about
diving in, though, the myriad types of bikes out there can be confusing. It can
help to know the difference between sport and sport-touring, what separates a
café racer from a scrambler — and to understand that the term ‘naked’ can take
on a whole new meaning in some contexts.
So to help sort through all those terms, we’ve put together
this handy guide to several different common types of motorcycles you should
know.
Standard Motorcycles
Standard motorcycles are some of the most common types of
bikes on the road. What makes them so popular is their easy-going ergonomics.
The fairly upright riding position with semi-forward-set footpegs doesn’t force
the rider to ride with outstretched legs or cramped arms like on other types of
bike.
You’ll also hear ‘sport standard’ thrown around; all that
means is a standard-type motorcycle with added performance courtesy of power or
handling upgrades. Examples: Triumph Street Twin, Honda CB650R
Café Racer and
Scrambler Motorcycles
Café racers and scramblers can also slot in under the
“standard” banner. Café racers tend to have a more aggressive, forward-leaning
seating position, while scramblers look more akin to dirt bikes — but at their
cores, both are specialized standard bikes.
You can look at café racers as more of a hot rod, or an
old-school road bike with a healthy amount of racing flair poured on.
Scramblers go in the opposite direction and take on an off-road spirit —
they’re still recognizable as a standard motorcycle, but with longer suspension
travel, spoke wheels and dirt bike-like handlebars, they showcase a dirt-loving
personality. Examples: Ducati Scrambler Cafe Racer, Royal Enfield Continental
GT 650
Adventure Bikes
Adventure touring (also known as “ADV”) motorcycles are some
of the most capable bikes for both on- and off-road riding. They’re just at
home cruising down the highway as they are on a fire trail. The long-travel
suspension, high seat height and high handlebar position are perfect for both
all-day comfort and for standing up in the saddle for better control when the
road gets rough.
For longer hauls, some modern ADVs have also adopted cruiser
style creature comforts; heated grips and seats, radio and GPS systems
definitely come in handy when you want to see how far your bike can actually
go. Examples: Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250, Honda Africa Twin
Sport Bike
Whereas café racers start life as standard motorcycles and
are then modded for performance, sport motorcycles (also called “sport bikes”
or “sportbikes”) are purpose-built, with speed, agility and cornering at front
of mind from the first concept sketch. Higher seats, lower handlebars and
rear-set footpegs characterize sport bikes as some of the most aggressive bikes
to roll off factory floors. They can come with engines of any size or
configuration, but the basic idea of a sport bike is to bring technology,
research and development from the track to the street.
Sport bikes also tend to boast higher horsepower and torque
numbers than most motorcycles, and usually incorporate lightweight materials
like aluminum and carbon fiber — all in the pursuit of performance.
Smaller-engined sport bikes can be new-rider-friendly, but to get the most out
of higher-end halo bikes, it takes a mountain of skill honed over years of
riding. Examples: BMW S 1000 RR, Ducati Panigale V4
Touring Motorcycles
Touring motorcycles are some of the largest bikes on the
road, but they don’t carry extra heft just for heft’s sake. Combining rear-set
handlebars, forward-set foot pegs and a relaxed riding position behind larger
front fairings to break up the wind, they provide a comfortable ride that’s great
for covering long distances.
Luxuries on modern touring bikes don’t stop at the La-Z-Boy
ergonomics either. Bikes like the Honda Gold Wing offer heated seats and
handlebars, satellite radio, GPS and Apple CarPlay. Cargo space is another
characteristic touring bikes have an abundance of, as well. You can’t exactly
pack for the whole family, but there should be more than enough cargo space for
you and a possible passenger. Examples: Honda Gold Wing, Harley-Davidson
Electra Glide
Sport Touring
Motorcycles
In name alone, sport touring style motorcycles sound like a
perfect balance between the two previous categories, but it’s fair to say the
category leans more towards sport. More often than not, sport touring
motorcycles draw influence from sport bikes. They feature tighter fairings and
more aggressive performance than the average bike, but are tuned to be much
softer and more tolerable over long distances than their sportier cousins.
Sport touring motorcycles can look like sport bikes at first
glance, but their raised handlebars, forward footpegs, sculpted fairings and
larger windshields and panniers turn up the endurance factor. If you want
comfort on a long ride but still like to drag a knee on your favorite canyon
road, a sport touring bike is the compromise you’re looking for. Examples:
Yamaha FJR1300ES, Ducati SuperSport 950
Cruiser Motorcycles
Most of what you need to know about a cruiser motorcycle is
right there in the name — it’s built for cruising, either around town or down
the highway. Traditionally, cruisers have low seats, semi-forward footpegs and
handlebars positioned for rider comfort. However, the cruiser-style motorcycle
packs a whole spectrum to itself. From laid-back riding positions with high
handlebars and low seats to forward-set footpegs and handlebars that stretch
the rider out for a more aggressive stance, you can find an infinite number of
variations of the cruiser. But generally speaking, its silhouette is
unmistakable. Examples: Harley-Davidson Fat Bob 114, Indian Chief
Enduro and Dual-Sport
Motorcycles
As far as on-road motorcycles go, dual-sports and enduros
are the closest you’ll get to street-legal dirt bikes designed for everyday
use. Where an ADV’s size might hinder its ability to tackle tight trails or
make it a hassle to pick back up if you go down, dual-sports and enduros don’t
weigh much more than their dirt bike cousins. In the hands of a good rider, a
dual-sport or enduro can easily keep up with a dirt bike on twisty, long and
rut-ridden single tracks.
While the off-road-on-road style of the bike lends itself to
rough riding, the typically-narrow seat of one of these bikes is awful for
long-distance rides. Unless you have a more powerful engine under you, the lack
of fairings, windshield and low weight can make these svelte off-roaders a
headache on highways. Examples: KTM 500 EXC-F, Honda CRF450RL
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