How many types of motorcycles are there? How are they all different from each other? First things first.
So, you decided to get yourself a motorcycle, a two-wheeled stallion, or you were just interested in learning more about the world of bikes. So we warn you right away, there are many types of iron horses and each of them is good in its own way.
However, first, let's go back a little to the past, or rather the 19th century. It was then that the first device was built, which gave impetus to the development of the world of motorcycles - the Daimler Reitwagen. It was a 260cc car with only half the horsepower. And yet it was he who pioneered the era of new vehicles.
(Daimler Reitwagen © Wikipedia)
Now let's look at all these modern representatives of this world. Next you will see a breakdown by class, examples with photographs and prices. This is not the entire list, since there are a huge number of categories, and new custom-made models with a unique design are constantly being released. Plus, all motorcycles can appear in several groups at once (we will explain this point later in the article). But we tried to collect for you a description of the main types of bikes, but even among them there are very similar to each other. So let's get started!
Content:
- Road Bikes: Standard, Classic or Roadster
- Cruiser
- Chopper
- Power Cruiser
- Bobber
- Touring
- Sports Tourer
- Sports Bike
- Streetfighter/Streetfighter
- Dual-Sport
- Supermoto/Supermotard
- Minibike
- Scooter or Scooter
- Moped
Road
First of all, all devices belong to two large groups. Let's start with something closer to us - with motorcycles for riding on good asphalt roads. The name does not mean that they are not suitable for moving over rough terrain, but these bikes perform best on high-quality specialized trails.
Standard, Classic or Roadster(Standard Motorcycle/Naked Bikes/Roadster)
The standard type of motorcycle is the most common due to its simple design and suitability for any purpose.
(Naked motorcycle Suzuki GS500E)
Ergonomics (driver's seating position) is quite neutral, there is no pronounced forward or backward tilt. The seat height is closer to the middle of the range, around 80 cm, and suits almost everyone. The device can be equipped with a luggage compartment/bag, different seat options, and a straight or slightly curved steering wheel. These things combine to make it a good first all-round touring bike. It usually does not come with a large protective fairing on the front.
There are also motorcycles in the Neoclassical category - these are modifications of old cars in a modern way while maintaining the original design.
(Ural in retro style)
The Ural with the photo above can also be classified as a Naked Bikes group. Devices of this category do not have special protection that would hide their motor and all other internals; they are simply naked (Naked). Another distinctive feature is the round headlight.
As for the power characteristics, the motorcycle of the classic group has engine displacement variations from 125 cubic meters (some sources set the initial bar at 50, since up to this point the equipment applies only to mopeds) to 1000 cubic meters. The drive is standard, V-shaped. If we talk about internal combustion engines, then both 2- and 4-stroke engines are often used. Weight varies from 75 to 250 kg.
You can buy Ural on Avito at completely different prices. The average cost of a motorcycle is about 100,000 rubles. But you can find an option for both 10 thousand and 900 thousand.
(Electric motorcycles: City Slicker and Zero SR)
With electric versions everything is more complicated, and this applies to all classes that will be presented in the article. The field is only developing, and it is difficult to single out any specific strength indicators. Now the power reserve of each individual model varies greatly and depends on the price: the more expensive the bike, the better and larger the battery. For example, here is our story about comparing two motorcycles: City Slicker for $2,000 and Zero for $16,000. We can only say that the maximum speed of such devices currently reaches 250 km/h.
Cruiser
The Cruiser (or as some call the Cruiser) is made in the style of American cars from the 1930s to the early 1960s, such as Indian and Harley-Davidson, the latter largely defining the category.
(Harley-Davidson Street)
Most motorcycles are equipped with a V-shaped engine with a large volume of up to 1000 cc, although there are other configurations. The motors are tuned for low torque, which makes them less demanding to drive because they don't need to be accelerated as often.
The rider positions himself on the bike with his feet forward and his arms raised high enough so that his back is straight or slightly leaned back. At low and medium speeds, the Cruiser will be more comfortable than other motorcycles. However, riding for long periods of time on the freeway can become tiring due to trying to resist the force of the wind, which hits the rider directly in the chest. The vehicles are limited when turning due to insufficient ground clearance.
(Honda Shadow VT 750)
A well-known representative of this group is the Honda Shadow 750 (pictured above). On Avito this Cruiser can be bought at an average price of 250 - 300 thousand rubles.
Chopper
Choppers are a type of Cruiser, so named because they are a "cropped" or truncated version of the "parent". Choppers are most often custom designs made to order or "bespoke", which results in the bike being modified according to the owner's desires and, as such, is a source of pride and achievement.
(Big Dog's Chopper)
These devices have a stereotypically forward fork, a small fuel tank and a high handlebar.
These motorcycles were popularized in the Peter Fonda film Easy Rider. Being designed primarily for visual effect, Choppers are not the most efficient machines to drive.
A popular model in the category is the Honda Fury1300. You can buy a Chopper on Avito for about 550,000 rubles.
(Chopper Honda Fury 1300)
Power Cruiser
Power Cruiser - This name is used to refer to bikes in the Cruiser class, which have a significantly higher power level. They often come with upgraded brakes, suspensions and ground clearance, as well as superior surface finishes and more exotic or unconventional styling.
(Ducati Diavel)
Bobber
A bobber, originally called a "bob-job" from the 1930s to the 1990s, is a style of customized motorcycle that is made to fit a specific individual. The bob-job itself originated from an earlier type of American "Cut Down" bike that appeared in the late 1920s, and was based on the Harley-Davidson "J" series with a V-twin engine.
(Harley-Davidson JDCB 1925)
A typical Bobber design is a stripped-down front fender and a shortened rear fender, with all unnecessary parts removed to reduce weight.
Unlike Choppers, these bikes are simpler to manufacture and design because the creators tried to make the models as cheap as possible. The Bobber's front wheel has the same diameter as the rear, while Choppers have a larger diameter. The second usually has a lot of chrome parts, and the first is more often found in the “Rat Bike” style.
(Rat Bike)
A chic representative of the class is the brainchild of Honda. On Avito you can buy a Honda Steed 400 Bobber for about 200,000 rubles.
(Honda Steed 400 Bobber
In the next season of the Russian TV series “Major 3,” Pavel Priluchny drives a BMW K1100 Cafe racer. Cafe racers are not exactly Bobbers. On a “cafe” bike, the handlebars are slightly lower and the number of engine cubes is smaller.
In general, the name Cafe racer appeared due to the fact that some drivers pretended to be professional racers and stopped on these motorcycles near coffee shops.
View this post on Instagram
Posted by Pavel Priluchny (@bugevuge) Sep 2, 2021 at 7:58 PDT
(Pavel Priluchny on BMW K1100 Cafe racer)
Touring
While any motorcycle can be equipped and used for touring, the Tourer is specifically designed for long-distance touring.
These cars have large engines, fairings and screens that provide good protection from wind and bad weather, and also have spacious fuel tanks and vertical seats. Passenger space is excellent, and extensive luggage space is par for the course for this class. Such bikes in “wet” weight (that is, taking into account liquids, battery and driver) start from 390-410 kg and reach 590-640 kg.
(tourist Honda Gold Wing GL1800)
Bagger, Full Dresser, Full Dress Tourer or Dresser are different names for Tourer motorcycles that are remakes of the original. Most often these are custom designs, but there are also serial models that can be classified into one group or another.
(BMW K 1600 B Bagger)
(Kawasaki VN 1700 Vaquero)
On Avito you can buy a Honda GL1800 (a couple of photos above) at completely different prices. It all depends on the year of manufacture. A more or less new budget version costs up to 1 million rubles. From the store, a touring motorcycle costs about 2.5 million.
Sports Tourer
This class combines the attributes of sports bikes and touring motorcycles. The driving position is less extreme than in the sport version, which provides greater comfort over long distances. The same goes for passenger accommodations. Of course, the luggage has been increased relative to the racing model. Being lighter than a regular Tourer, it weighs 250-330 kg. The motorcycle is often equipped with a more powerful engine, suspension and brakes, and also has improved cornering maneuverability, making it more aggressive on twisty roads.
(Honda ST1300 Pan-European)
The distinction between a Tourer and a sports Terur is not always clear, as some manufacturers list the same bike in both categories, but in different markets. For example, the Honda ST1300 Pan-European (pictured above) was marketed by the company as a sports car in the United States and Australia, but as a touring car in Europe. This is exactly the option when one motorcycle can fall into different groups, purely based on the manufacturer’s statement.
You can buy a sports tourist Honda ST1300 Pan-European (pictured above) on Avito for a price of 400,000 rubles.
Sports Bike
This luxurious range stands out for its top speeds, wild acceleration, confident braking, handling and grip on paved roads. As a rule, these characteristics are achieved at the expense of a reduced level of comfort and increased fuel consumption. Sportbikes have highly efficient engines supported by a lightweight frame. Four-cylinder and V-twin engines dominate the category, with the occasional appearance of other configurations.
(Suzuki GSX-R sport bike)
The brake systems of these devices combine more efficient pads and multi-piston calipers. The suspension is widened for improved stability and durability. Most sports motorcycles are equipped with a fairing, often completely enclosing the engine. There's also a windshield that successfully deflects air at very high speeds, or at least reduces overall drag.
(Yamaha R1)
On sport bikes, the rider's legs are positioned high, closer to the body, to improve ground clearance when cornering. The hand controls are moved away from the driver to position the body and center of gravity forward over the fuel tank when riding. At high speeds, the wind supports the rider, but at low speeds, significant stress is placed on the arms and wrists, causing fatigue.
You can buy a Yamaha R1 sports motorcycle on Avito for an average price of 400,000 rubles.
Streetfighter/Streetfighter
The category is derived from sports bikes, with the difference that motorcycles do not have fairings and the handlebars are higher. Since the 1990s, production versions of the machines began to be produced. As with the Cruiser or Tourer, the name streetfighter is used to indicate a mixture of elements from both sports vehicles and classic ones.
(Ducati Streetfighter)
On Avito, the Ducati Streetfighter costs an average of 600,000 rubles. Prices for younger options will be approximately 900 thousand.
Dual Sport(also known as dual purpose)
The Dual Sport bike is officially a street bike, but it's also capable of going off-road. Typically, lights, mirrors, signals and instruments are added to a motorcycle based on an off-road chassis to obtain a license to ride on public roads. They are larger than other street bikes, with a high center of gravity and seat position that allows them to navigate rough roads well.
(BMW R1200GS dual-sport)
You can buy a BMW R1200GS on Avito at a budget price. A motorcycle before 2015 will cost you about 600,000 rubles, while newer options cost closer to a million.
Supermoto/Supermotard
These motorcycles were designed to compete in three different genres: road racing, track racing and motocross. Such a popular type of bike often falls into the Dual-Sport category, but manufacturers install smaller wheels on them in combination with road tires. The Supermoto is quickly gaining popularity as a street vehicle due to its combination of light weight, durability, relatively low cost and sporty handling.
(Suzuki DRZ400SM supermoto)
Minibike
A minibike, sometimes called a minimoto or pocketbike, is a miniature motorcycle. Most of them use two-stroke engines and a chain drive.
This type also includes a monkey bike, Welbik, mini Chopper, pitbike, and ATVs.
A minibike can be bought mainly from someone else. On Avito, the cost of a Honda Monkey motorcycle starts at 50,000 rubles. But there are also more expensive ones, the price reaches up to 300,000 rubles.
(Honda Monkey)
At the time of writing, the average price of a minibike on Avito is 30,000 rubles. The most expensive motorcycle costs 100,000 rubles.
In general, this is a very funny type of motorcycle. Here is an example of an interesting review by a Russian blogger on a bike from this class:
Scooter or Scooter
Some will argue that the scooter is not a real motorcycle, but it will no doubt carry you around safely just like its larger siblings. This bike is best suited for city riding that does not involve high speeds. Scooters are lightweight and closer to the ground, which allows them to easily navigate the streets of a populated area without much effort. The scooters are offered with a small fairing and small storage for a few items, making them a good option for short-distance travel.
(Honda Dio scooter)
The engine capacity of models with internal combustion engines starts from 50 cubic meters and reaches 250, but as always there are exceptions that reach as much as 800 cubic meters. Fuel consumption on such a vehicle is low, about 4 liters per 100 km, which is why many people like this type of transport.
The cost of the popular Dio scooter from Honda (photo above) on Avito averages 100,000 rubles, but as always, you can find a budget option for 25-30 thousand.
(electric scooter MIKU MAX)
When it comes to the range of electric scooters, things aren't looking so good yet. The range averages from 50 to 100 km, which is however sufficient for city driving. Also good news is that some firms, such as Honda and Panasonic, are now experimenting with fast charging and battery swapping services.
The Chinese electric Miki Max (pictured above) can be bought for 89 thousand. We have already made an article about it, in which you can find a link to an official dealer in Russia.
We think that in this category it is also worth mentioning tricycles or simply three-wheeled scooters, because this is where they have found the greatest popularity. In developing countries, this type of transport is very widespread and is used everywhere, and is called a rickshaw or tuk-tuk. Such transport is very convenient for transporting goods or people.
Most tricycles use gasoline engines, but there are more and more companies that produce electric versions. For example, a very interesting model is RAPIDE 3 from Gaius. The battery installed on it allows you to travel 105 km at a time. It may not be much, but due to the lithium titanate battery, you can restore 80% of the capacity in just 15 minutes. You can read more about this scooter in our article.
(electric scooter Gaius RAPIDE 3)
Moped
A moped is a hybrid of a bicycle and a motorcycle. It is equipped with a small motor (usually a two-stroke engine up to 50 cc, but sometimes an electric motor) and a bicycle transmission. The driving force of a car can be the engine, the pilot, or both. There are also sport mopeds, a type that resembles a sports bike.
The most popular model in Russia is Alpha. The cost of a moped on Avito varies greatly. The average price for Alpha will be about 30,000 rubles. As always, you can buy a moped at the best price for you.
(moped Alpha)
Motorcycle names in motorcycle jargon
Names of motorcycles in motorcycle jargonlara868May 23rd, 2011 One day I was walking down the street. I heard music blaring at the top of my lungs, well, I think the Caucasians opened the windows in the car and turned up the music at full blast... I turn around: at the traffic light there is a motorcycle with music, it started off from the traffic light, everyone is looking after it, everyone well unusual, a motorcycle and with music)) Klyokha is a Kawasaki motorcycle of the KLE series (enduro type).
Shame is a Honda chopper/cruiser of the Steed series. Produced until 1998. Viagra is a Yamaha cruiser motorcycle of the Virago series. Produced until 2000. For some reason it is considered the ideal women's motorcycle. Zakhar is a Kawasaki ZXR series motorcycle. Zizer is a motorcycle of the Kawasaki brand of the ZZR series (sport-tourist type). Sibiha is a classic motorcycle of the Honda brand of the CB series (most often the CB400 variety is called a sibiha). Cactus is a motorcycle of the Kawasaki brand of the Xanthus series. Stick is a heavy cruiser motorcycle from the Honda VTX series. Vatrushka is a sports tourer of the Honda brand VTR1000 Firestorm series Bandos is a road/street motorcycle of the Suzuki brand of the GSF Bandit series Razor is a sports motorcycle of the Honda brand of the CBR series Africa is a motorcycle of the Honda brand Africa Twin series. A trike is a three-wheeled motorcycle, and two wheels can be either in the front (for example, a Can-Am Spyder) or in the back (very often homemade or small factory batches). Vyfer is a powerful touring motorcycle of the Honda brand of the VFR series (type - sport tourist). Yobyr is a motorcycle of the Yamaha YBR series (type - road). Lightweight and cheap motorcycle for beginners Hayabusa is a powerful motorcycle of the Suzuki brand of the GSX 1300R Hayabusa series (type - sport tourism). Jixer is a Suzuki motorcycle of the GSX-R series (type - sport) Tygydym is a Yamaha motorcycle of the TDM series (type - touring enduro). TERMS hardtail - (from the English hard-tail) a really rigid rear suspension, that is, the wheel is directly attached to the frame. Softtail - (from the English soft-tail) a type of suspension that looks like a hardtail, but has a powerful shock absorber hidden inside the frame. A chandelier is a system of additional, usually chrome-plated headlights on choppers and road cars. The fence is the windshield of a motorcycle. The foot is the brake pedal. Grill - radiator grille Watermelon rind - Jet type motorcycle helmet, without chin protection. It got its name because it protects in case of an accident, much like a watermelon rind placed on the head. Sharks - (English Shark) helmets of the Shark brand Ebloduy - headwind. can - muffler. Roller - the rear wheel is very wide (similar to an asphalt roller). Typically used on tuned motorcycles. balloon - usually this is a rear tire, although in principle any tire (not even a motorcycle one) can be called a balloon. display meter - any dial instrument on the dashboard. Wheelie - (English wheelie) - riding on the rear wheel. Stoppie - (English stoppie) - a spectacular trick consisting of calculated braking with the front brake. In this case, the front fork of the motorcycle is compressed until it stops, and the rear wheel of the motorcycle is lifted off the ground. Lowside - (English "lowside") - a situation when a motorcycle falls on its side and the motorcyclist sits on it immediately until the moment of landing on the asphalt. The most common cause is loss of traction on the front wheel. In this case, the motorcyclist slides behind the motorcycle (or with it), in contrast to highside, when the motorcyclist, on the contrary, “overtakes” the motorcycle. Highside - (English “highside”) - happens for a combination of three reasons: loss of traction of the rear wheel with road surface, its significant deviation from the trajectory, a sharp restoration of traction. When skidding the rear wheel, the pilot instinctively releases the gas, causing the rear wheel to sharply restore traction and catapult the rider forward of the motorcycle (hence the name of the term). https://www.jargon.ru/ lara868.livejournal.com
Off-road motorcycles
There are many different subtypes of motorcycles in this category. This class is also called dirt bikes, since they are not intended for riding on good asphalt trails. The term "off-road" refers to surfaces that are not typically paved or surfaced. These are rough trails that are often naturally created such as sand, gravel, river, mud or snow.
Compared to on-road motorcycles, off-road motorcycles are simpler and lighter, have longer suspension, greater clearance, rugged construction, and no fairings to reduce damage in accidents. The wheels (usually 21 inches at the front, 18 inches at the rear) have narrow tires, often pressed against the rim.
Next we will talk about the types of motorcycles in this category:
Cross or Motocross
Motocross motorcycles are designed for motocross racing. These bikes compete on short, closed tracks with many obstacles.
(KTM dirt bike)
The vehicles have a small fuel tank for lightness and compactness. The extended suspension allows riders to jump at high speeds. The engines are usually single-cylinder two-stroke or four-stroke, which range from 50 to 650 cc. Motocross bikes are also used in freestyle motocross.
One of the popular bikes in the class is the BSE 15. On Avito, a motocross motorcycle costs on average 55-60 thousand rubles. Prices for BSE 15 start from 45 thousand.
(motocross motorcycle BSE 15)
Enduro
Designed for long-distance competition, Enudro motorcycles are typically equipped with headlights and taillights for night riding. May also have a timer and map reader to assist riders with navigation and timing. But in general, this is just an improved cross bike, on which everything necessary has been installed so that it can officially be ridden on regular roads.
(Honda CRF250F)
Enduro machines not only have to traverse difficult terrain, they also have to endure constant abuse.
The bike presented above on Avito costs an average of 200,000 rubles. However, you can buy a new Honda CRF250F model for about 950 thousand.
Motard
This class is a modification of Enduro motorcycles. The motard is improved for travel on asphalt roads, equipped with wheels with road tires, and also has reinforced brakes and suspension.
(Suzuki DR-Z400SM)
You can buy a Suzuki DR-Z400SM (photo above) on Avito at an average price of 300 thousand.
Motorcycles and wide rear wheel
A wide rear wheel on a motorcycle is the dream of many chopper owners. As a rule, such a rear roller about thirty centimeters wide is a feature characteristic of custom cars, in which everything, or almost everything, has undergone deep alterations.
The wide rear wheel is usually installed on two types of motorcycles, cruisers and monstrous customs, often made from sportbikes and intended for drag racing. But since the second type mentioned is vanishingly rare in our reality, let’s talk about the first. Most chopper riders dream of a wide rear wheel for their motorcycle, sometimes even ironically calling it “VShK” - Great Wide Wheel. This is the same part of the style as, for example, a long fork. And, like such a fork, the wide rear wheel also makes its own adjustments to the handling of the motorcycle.
The main thing you should know is that the wider the rear wheel of a motorcycle, the more stable it is in a straight line, but the worse it is at maneuvering. You don’t have to look far for an example - the Yamaha XV 1700 Warrior and Suzuki M109R Boulevard choppers are already equipped with wide rear rollers from the factory. As a result, they hold the road superbly, but they have a very decent turning radius, and turns are given to them with a certain amount of effort. You can install a wide rear wheel on any motorcycle, but the complexity and cost of such tuning depend on the specific bike. So, in the case of a cardan drive, this will be the most difficult - you will have to digest the frame and figure out how to avoid the wheel moving to the side. With a belt and chain it is easier, but not much - you will still have to redo the frame or change the pendulum, but it will be easier to put the wheel straight. In addition, when modifying the frame, it is much easier to change the length of the chain or order a new belt than to lengthen the driveshaft.
The feasibility of such tuning is a big question due to its rather high cost. Yes, a wide rear wheel is a pride for the chopper and its owner, but a motorcycle that is used every day does not really need such expensive tuning. Although many bikers do not care about practicality. Wide rear wheels, long forks, short fenders... Is this convenient? Of course no. But is it stylish? Of course yes. To each his own.
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