3rd Year Special Annual Double Issue Vol 4 Issue 1 & 2 Jan - Apr 2 3rd Year Special Annual Double Issue Vol 4 Issue | Page 72

ADVENTURE & WILDLIFE
Types of Motorcycles
T
here 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. Six main
categories
are
widely
recognized:
cruiser,
sport, touring, standard, dual-purpose, and dirt
bike. Sometimes sport touring motorcycles are
recognized as a seventh category. Strong lines
are sometimes drawn between motorcycles and
their smaller cousins, mopeds, scooters, and
underbones, but other classification schemes
include these as types of motorcycles.
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,
72
because they fit within one of the main types
and are recognizable only by cosmetic
changes.
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 (7.6 cu in) and
over range. Most are capable of speeds up to
100 mph (160 km/h), and many of speeds in
excess of 125 mph (201 km/h).
Standard
Standards, also called naked bikes or
roadsters, are versatile, general-purpose
street motorcycles. They are recognized
primarily by their upright riding position,
partway between the reclining rider
posture of the cruisers and the forward
Vol 4 | Issue 2 |Mar - Apr 2019