Motorcycle Bikes
Choosing the right motorcycle is probably even more complicated than picking the family car. Sedan, Truck or SUV and pick a brand, then haggle about price. You're done. But there are a dozen different basic types of motorcycle before you even get to the stage of looking for a brand or add-ons. Sportbikes, tourers, cruisers, motocross and several more basic types are available in as many varieties as the number of motorcycle gang movies. So, divide and conquer. Consider how much of the time you'll want to do one kind of riding versus another. Look at your budget. You might decide you want to pay a little more for one kind, less for a second so you can actually buy two. Standard The most versatile choice is probably the standard motorcycle. Nothing to knock the neighbor's socks off usually, but available today with clean lines, good power and reasonable comfort. Bikes of this type usually weigh less than 200 kg (440 lbs) and have a wheel base less than 150cm (5 feet). Engine capacity is typically less than 750cc. Horsepower runs anywhere as low as 50bhp up to about 80bhp. With those specs, you get moderate power and good gas mileage along with dozens of styling options over a several major brands. Fine for commuting around town, but you probably aren't going to take it for a long road trip. You also don't want to take these types for more than very moderate hill climbing and certainly no motocross activity. Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda, Kawasaki and a few others all make several different models for this category. Sportbike The next step up for speed, with maybe a slight compromise of comfort, is the sportbike. With engine sizes between 650cc to 1000cc you get plenty of acceleration for that perfect riding rush. You also get pretty good maneuverability and stopping power. On the downside, for anyone looking to use it for a commuting vehicle, sportbikes are swept for speed, not comfort. The riding position is more crouched and the wrists get a real workout. The wheelbase is typically shorter - around 140cm (55 inches) and the seat is a little lower to the ground. But the lines are aerodynamic and the bike looks good moving and feels solid at high speed. Horsepower on this type is 20%-40% higher than on standard models. Made for speeding along asphalt and concrete, some are even less maneuverable on dirt than a standard motorcycle. It's important not to get crazy and to ride within the limitations of the design. Otherwise, safety margins are easily exceeded. Once again Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda, Kawasaki and a few others all make several different models for this category. It's common to find strong opinions about which make is better, but objectively they vary a lot by specific model and year. Either type can be gussied up with a variety of gadgets, carrying options and esthetic choices for paint, seat fabric and so on. Saddlebags, though, always look a little odd on sportbikes and large mirrors would definitely ruin the streamlined styling. Think carefully before you buy either one of these types of motorcycle, since one doesn't serve the purpose of the other very well. They also won't be good choices for those who want to cruise the boulevard or take that cross-country trip with the gang. Touring Several clubs organize tours that can involve travelling 1,000 miles per day. Even on smooth asphalt, that kind of trip demands an ultra-comfortable ride. The touring motorcycle is designed with just those requirements in mind. Generally larger than standard motorcycles, touring bikes weigh more and have longer wheelbases. 500 lbs is average and bikes hover just shy of five feet long. Seats are designed with those long periods in the saddle in view, for both driver and passenger. Comfort in seating is key, but the position of the handlebars, pegs and the overall ergonomic configuration is made as a complete package. Fairing is common, as is a larger gas tank. 'Fairing' is the flared composite that surrounds the front of the bike. It reduces drag by a modest amount, but at lower speeds it does little other than make the bike look stylish. Windscreens are essential, even though a helmet is standard head gear. Better to have bugs on the windscreen than on your faceplate. BMW is famous for their touring models, but Honda has made heavier bikes since the 1980s that are often used for this purpose. And those two have lots of competition. Sub-categories include the sport touring bike, which is usually smaller and has a smaller engine. Cruiser/tourers are a cross-breed that serve a little wider set of driving goals. Cruiser 'Cruiser' is a broad category of motorcycle that includes just about everything that came to be associated with the breed from the 1930s until about 1970. After that, bikes became increasingly individualized, customized and mass-marketed. Ironically - considering the rebel aura associated with bikes - the emphasis in cruiser design is on tradition. Choppers, retro, standard... no matter the sub-category, these bikes are big, heavy and solid. 600 lbs is common and the seat is generally lower, with engines that are larger than other types. The wheelbase is longer than average and the forks are raked at a greater angle. Cruisers are definitely not for off-road, though many have seen a lot of dirt. They're built for stability, but often have high top speeds. They usually have lots of room for extras, like saddlebags and even a sidecar. 1400cc engines are common and the pipes are made to rumble. Harley Davidson is the king of the category, but they have lots of competition. Indian has made a lot of models over the decades, but they have been going in and out of business for a hundred years. Suzuki and Kawasaki make 1500cc bikes that display all the features of a traditional cruiser. As with most motorcycles today, there are a dozen common sub-categories with a variety of customization options. Power cruisers, choppers and more are available. A cruiser can, and has been, used for touring but for those long road trips the touring bike will be more comfortable. Here, style is everything.