Classification of Motorcycle (15-5-2020)

Classification of Motorcycle

There are many systems for classifying types of motorcycles, describing how the motorcycles are put to use, or the designer's intent, or some combination of the two.

1. Street

Street motorcycles are motorcycles designed for being ridden on paved roads. They have smooth tires with a light tread pattern and engines generally in the 125 cc and over the range. Most are capable of speeds up to 100 mph (160 km/h), and many speeds over 125 mph (201 km/h).

1.1.  Standard

Standard is also called naked bikes or roadsters (As shown in Fig.1), are versatile, general-purpose street motorcycles. They are recognized primarily by their upright riding position. Because of their flexibility, lower costs, and moderate engine output, standards are particularly suited to motorcycle beginners.

 Fig. 1 - Ducati Monster 696 

1.2. Cruiser

Cruiser motorcycle (As shown in Fig. 2) have large-displacement V-twin engines, although other engine configurations and small to medium displacements also exist. Their engines are tuned for low-end torque, making them less demanding to ride because it is not necessary to shift as frequently to accelerate or maintain control.

Cruisers with greater performance than usual, including more horsepower, stronger brakes and better suspension, are often called power cruisers.

Fig. 2 – Bajaj Avenger 220

1.3. Sports Motorcycle

Sports Motorcycle (As shown in Fig. 3) emphasizes top speed, acceleration, braking, handling, and grip on paved roads, typically at the expense of comfort and fuel economy in comparison to less specialized motorcycles. Sports bikes have comparatively high-performance engines resting inside a lightweight frame. Inline-four engines dominate the sportbike category.

Fig. 3 -  Suzuki GSX-R1000

1.4. Touring motorcycle

A touring motorcycle is a type of motorcycle designed for touring. manufacturers have developed specific models designed to address the particular needs of these riders. Touring motorcycles commonly have large displacement fairings and windshields that offer a high degree of weather and wind protection, large-capacity fuel tanks for long ranges between fill-ups, engines with a great deal of low-end horsepower, and a more relaxed, upright seating position than sportbikes.

Fig. 4 - Honda Gold Wing Tour GL1800

1.5.  Sport touring motorcycle

Sport touring motorcycles (As shown in Fig. 5) combine attributes of sport bikes and touring motorcycles. The rider posture is less extreme than a sportbike, giving greater long-distance comfort. Accommodation for a passenger is superior to a sportbike as well, along with increased luggage capacity.

Fig. 5 - Kawasaki Ninja 1000 

1.6. Adventure Touring motorcycle

Adventure Touring Motorcycle (As shown in fig. 5) sometimes called Dual-sports or dual-purpose or on/off-road motorcycles, are street legal machines that are also designed to enter off-road situations. Typically based on a dirt bike chassis, they have added lights, mirrors, signals, and instruments that allow them to be licensed for public roads. They are higher than other street bikes, with a high center of gravity and tall seat height, allowing good suspension travel for rough ground.

Fig. 6 - BMW R1200GS

2. Scooter

Scooter(As shown in Fig. 7) engine sizes range smaller than motorcycles, 50–850 cc, and have all-enclosing bodywork that makes them cleaner and quieter than motorcycles, as well as having more built-in storage space. Automatic clutches and continuously variable transmissions (CVT) make them easier to learn on and to ride. Scooters usually have smaller wheels than motorcycles. Scooters usually have the engine as part of the swingarm, so that their engines travel up and down with the suspension.

Fig. 7 - 1966 Lambretta Model Li 125

3. Moped

Moped is small-displacement motorcycles with a step-through frame. They are differentiated from scooters by their larger wheels and their use of foot-pegs instead of a floorboard. They often have a gear shifter with an automatic clutch (As shown in Fig. 8).

Fig. 8 – TVS XL 100

4. Off-road Motorcycle

There are various types of off-road motorcycles, also known as dirt bikes, specially designed for off-road events (As shown in Fig. 9). The term off-road refers to driving surfaces that are not conventionally paved. These are rough surfaces, often created naturally, such as sand, gravel, a river, mud, or snow. Compared to road-going motorcycles, off-road machines are simpler and lighter, having long suspension travel, high ground clearance, and rugged construction with little bodywork and no fairings for less damage in spills. Wheels have knobby tires, often clamped to the rim with a rim lock.

Fig. 9 – KTM Dirt Bike 350