The Major Types of Motorcycles
The different types of motorcycles manufactured today are almost as varied as the individuals who ride them. As the popularity of motorcycles and motorcycle sports has grown over the last century, manufacturers have built machines to suit almost any rider or riding environment. All motorcycles can be classified according to the environment they are designed for, and further classified into more specialized categories based on design and intended use.
Street or road motorcycles are designed for use on streets, roads and highways. To best accommodate road travel, street bikes are manufactured with stiffer suspensions and smooth tires. Street bikes make up the majority of motorcycles seen in cities and on the highway.
The first type of road motorcycles to gain mass appeal in America, are cruisers. Perhaps the best known motorcycle maker in the world, Harley-Davidson, specializes in cruisers. Cruisers are made for comfort while riding, and are characterized by a low riding position that keeps the rider's feet forward and body erect. Choppers are a modified type of cruiser with the rear suspension removed, typically featuring longer forks, customized handle bars and many stylized details.
The popularity of motorcycle racing gave rise to sport bikes. Sport bikes are designed for speed and performance. Sport bikes are characterized by aerodynamic body panels, and an aggressive riding position. A street bike's higher, feet-to-the-rear design allows for tighter cornering capabilities, while a hunched forward body position creates a smaller, more aerodynamic profile.
When Japanese manufacturers entered the motorcycle market, they introduced a simple, somewhat uniform style of motorcycle that the press dubbed the "Universal Japanese Motorcycle" or UJM. A UJM is characterized by a less aggressive sport bike riding position, but without any body panels. Its lack of body panels lead to this type of motorcycle being referred to as a "naked" bike. As this type of motorcycle is no longer exclusively from Japan, the term "standard" bike is also widely used for them.
As motorcycling became a popular mode of long distance travel, manufacturers started outfitting them with additional components, and labeled them touring motorcycles. Components like wind screens, large storage boxes, more comfortable seating for two, and electronics and instrument packages made traveling by motorcycle much easier. Touring motorcycles are characterized by a cruiser style chassis and riding position, with the addition of various components to make long rides more comfortable.
Off-road, motocross, or dirt bikes are designed for use on trails, open country, dirt surface race tracks and other highly rugged terrain. Off-road motorcycles are manufactured with heavy duty suspensions and large-lugged tires, and are light in weight.
The most basic type of off-road motorcycles, are motocross bikes. Initially designed for racing, motocross bikes are also the standard off-road recreation motorcycle. They are characterized by a high and upright riding position to allow a rider to corner aggressively, and to stand when jumping.
The motorcycle class in rally races gave birth to the rally bike. Rally bikes are much like motocross bikes, but feature added components to accommodate long distance off-road racing. Larger gas tanks, more powerful engines, and storage boxes for tools and supplies allow rally bikes to race long distances in wildly variable terrain.
Trials bikes are specialized off-road motorcycles designed not for racing, but to test a rider's technical motorcycle handling ability. Trials riding challenges riders to ride over extremely tricky terrain, and trials bikes are designed to allow riders a maximum amount of control over the motorcycle. Trials bikes are characterized by a standing riding position, lack of seat, low-travel suspension and very light weight.
Various other on and off-road motorcycles also exist. Hybrids that combine various elements of the major types of motorcycles, custom built motorcycles and small motorcycle-like vehicles like scooters and mopeds are all examples of other types of motorcycles. With so many types of motorcycles available, there truly is a motorcycle for every rider and riding condition.
