A motorcycle more commonly known as a motorbicycle, motorbike, bike, or cycle is a one-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle having a petrol powered engine. Motorcycles are used for long distance travel, for travelling in urban traffic with easier navigation, cruising, sport and racing, among others. Motorcycles have many advantages over other vehicles like cars and SUVs as they are less expensive and also emit less toxic gases leading to lesser air pollution. The standard construction of a motocycle is on a steel or aluminum frame, telescopic forks holding the front wheel, and disc brakes, with the engine typically consisting of one to four cylinders.
There are may different types of motorcycle according to the size, shape, rider position, drive train, engine type, suspension, make, model and type, including streetbikes such as cruisers, sportbikes, scooters and mopeds., off-road motorcycles like designer or customized motorcycles, while and dual purpose motorcycle among others. Electric motorcycles are fuel efficient bikes taht are least noisy, zero-emission electric motor-driven vehicles.
Cruisers, commonly known as “American Bikes” or “choppers” are motorcycle that are most often customized. These bikes are typically low with high handlebars, bulky, powerful. Harley Davidson Softails, Springers, Wide Glides, Shoveleads, Panheads and Knuckleheads are some of the classic cruiser bikes. Power Cruisers come with bigger engines have now become more popular than ever before.
Off-road motorcycles include Power Enduros which are tall motorcycles fitted with large travel suspension and are most suitable to ride in the dirt for long periods of time. These motorcycles usually carry two-stroke engines and are made for extreme riding and jumping, these bikes can jump several stories in the air and their suspension allows them to land softly enough to maintain control of the motorcycle. Other off road motorcycles include the four-wheeled ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) or quad racer.
Touring motorcycles are big, heavy but comfortable with lots luggage or storage space. They are fitted with hard-shell trunks on either side of the back fender, full fairings, windshields and a dashboard and come with in-dash audio equipment, including GPS. They have passenger seats having a high rounded back with armrests. The most common examples of touring bikes are the Road King by Harley Davidson and Honda’s Gold Wing.
Sport bikes are short wheelbase motorcycles that are capable of generating enough torque at the rear wheel, and enough stopping force at the front wheel, to lift the opposite wheel off the pavement. They are best suited for riders who like speed and are not afraid to push their bikes to their limits. Sport bikes are light, fast, responsive and very dangerous to beginner rider.
