A group of sport bikes, cruisers, scooters, and touring bikes
The six main types of motorcycles are generally recognized as standard, cruiser, touring, sports, off-road, and dual-purpose.[1][2][3][4]Scooters[5] and sport touring are sometimes recognised as a seventh category, or integrated with the touring category in the case of the latter.[6][7]
Although there are many names and systems for classifying types of motorcycles based on their characteristics and usage, there are generally six categories recognized by most motorcycle manufacturers and organizations.[6]
Strong distinctions are usually made between the six main types of motorcycles and other motorcycles.[8] Scooter, moped, underbone, miniature, pocket, electric, and three-wheeled motorcycles are generally excluded from the main categories but other classification schemes may include these as types of motorcycles.[9]
There is no universal system for classifying all types of motorcycles. There are strict classification systems enforced by competitive motorcycle sport sanctioning bodies, or legal definitions of a motorcycle established by certain legal jurisdictions for motorcycle registration, emissions, road traffic safety rules or motorcyclist licensing. There are also informal classifications or nicknames used by manufacturers, riders, and the motorcycling media. Some experts do not recognize sub-types, like naked bike, that "purport to be classified" outside the six usual classes, because they fit within one of the main types and are recognizable only by cosmetic changes.[10]
Street motorcycles are motorcycles designed for being ridden on paved roads. They have smooth tires with tread patterns and engines generally in the 125 cc (7.6 cu in) and over range. Typically, street motorcycles are capable of speeds up to 100 mph (160 km/h), and many of speeds in excess of 125 mph (201 km/h). Street motorcycles powered by electric motors are becoming more common, with firms like Harley-Davidson entering the market.
^Cite error: The named reference Kresnak2008 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Cite error: The named reference Domino2009 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Cite error: The named reference Holmstrom2001 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^McCraw, Jim (July 2005), "About That Bike…", Popular Mechanics, vol. 182, no. 7, Hearst Magazines, pp. 68–70, ISSN 0032-4558, retrieved 2010-06-04
^Scooters are a type of motorcycle:
Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-860564-5. motor scootern a light motorcycle, usually with small wheels and a curved metal cover at the front to protect the rider's legs
Collins English Dictionary and Thesaurus (3rd ed.). Glasgow: Harper Collins Publications. 2004. p. 776. ISBN 0-00-718139-6. motor scootern a light motorcycle with small wheels and an enclosed engine. Often shortened to scooter
Chambers Concise Dictionary. Edinburgh: Chambers Harrup Publishers. 2004. p. 1084. ISBN 0-550-10072-5. 2. (in fullmotor scooter) a small-wheeled motorcycle with a protective front shield curving back to form a support for the feet
"Types of Motorcycles:A beginner's guide". Honda. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
"Motorcycle Categories: Different Types of Motorbikes Explained". United News of Bangladesh. 2021-08-09.
"A complete guide to all motorbike types". Bennetts. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
^ abMaher, Kevin; Greisler, Ben (1998), Chilton's Motorcycle Handbook, Haynes North America, pp. 2.2–2.18, ISBN 0-8019-9099-8
^"Sports [sic] Tourers". Suzuki GSX1100F, Honda CBR1000F, Yamaha GTS1000. Motorcycle Sport, June 1995, pp.284-288. Accessed 28 May 2022
^Bennett, Jim (1995), The Complete Motorcycle Book: A Consumer's Guide, Facts on File, pp. 15–16, 19–25, ISBN 0-8160-2899-0
^The MAIDS report, using the OECD Road Transport Research Programme methodology, uses the following nine classifications for motorcycles, mopeds, and scooters, providing one illustration of each:
Conventional street example: Triumph Bonneville T100
Sport example: Triumph Daytona 955i
Cruiser example: Suzuki Marauder
Chopper example: a Harley-Davidson chopper in David Mann red
Touring example: Honda Gold Wing GL1800
Scooter example: Vespa Granturismo 200
Step-through example: a moped
Sport Touring example: Ducati ST4s
Enduro example: KTM 950 Adventure S
See:
International Coordinating Committee of the Expert Group for Motorcycle Accident Investigations (2001), Motorcycles: Common International Methodology for On-Scene, In-Depth Accident Investigation, Paris: Road Transport Research Programme; of the Directorate for Science Technology and Industry; of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, OECD/DSTI/RTR/RS9/ICC
MAIDS (Motorcycle Accidents In Depth Study) Final Report 2.0, ACEM, the European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers, April 2009, pp. 15–20
^Broughton, Paul; Walker, Linda (May 6, 2009), Motorcycling and Leisure; Understanding the Recreational PTW Rider, Ashgate Publishing, Ltd., p. 7, ISBN 9780754675013, retrieved September 14, 2013
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