Bike Features

The Classification Of Motorcycles

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Motorcycles have been a part of human life since the time man came up with the idea of putting an engine to drive the bicycle wheels. Since then, the quest for design, speed and new techniques started to take over each and every motorcycle manufacturer’s mind. Motorcycles not only began to increase in numbers but also started to have different identities of their own, based on usage and the kind of riding considered. 

The main purpose of a motorcycle remains the same, however, the use and the type of terrain it is being ridden on differentiates with from other motorcycles. Like for example, we know dogs but the ardent dog lovers will be able to tell the differences between different breeds of dogs and their special qualities that come along with every individual breed. 

To make things easier to understand, we will discuss each type of motorcycle under different points which will make it easier for you to understand and select your next motorcycle according to what you exactly need.

  1. Standard or Naked motorcycle: This is the most common type of motorcycle that has been popular for ages. Nothing complicated here as it is one of the most basic configurations among motorcycles. Standard or naked motorcycles have variations in capacities from 125cc to up to 1000cc or maybe more. These can be fitted with a tank bag, and also a different seat if required. This makes it a good type of motorcycle to ride around for most of the things like commuting to a certain amount of touring as well. Standard motorcycles do not come with any kind of fairing or have a minimum fairing as tank extensions, headlight masks and body panels. The size and height of standard naked style motorcycles are pretty much universal as people of different height and weights can ride them without facing many difficulties. It is neither too large for a beginner nor too small for an experienced rider. For a beginner/intermediate rider, you can select anything between 200-400cc which can do from daily commuting to some touring without many difficulties. 

2. Cruiser motorcycle: As the name suggests, you know cruisers are meant for cruising very long distances. Cruisers are meant to provide the most amount of comfort when riding. The engine sizes are pretty much variable and you can get heavy cruisers with huge engine capacities. This kind of motorcycles have a lower seat height which makes it suitable for cruising around the city and with some added luggage, you can take it for longer hauls. Cruisers can be ridden by both new and experienced rider. While smaller capacity ones will be friendly with the beginners, seasoned riders can go for the bigger capacity ones for more power and speeds. Harley Davidson and Indian Motorcycles have a vast portfolio of cruisers aimed at different sections of the riders.

3. Sport Bikes: There is the whole genre of motorcycles that is made for speed and thrill. These motorcycles have the agility and riding position biased towards racing. Sport motorcycles have the biggest advantage of weight, which is intentionally kept lower using lighter materials in manufacturing. The lower weight gives these motorcycles the maneuverability. The seat height too is higher and moved backwards while the foot-pegs are placed much rear-set than a standard motorcycle. This allows the rider to lean into the corners while the lightweight body and sturdy construction help it negotiate quick directional changes. Sport motorcycles can be a bit of a challenge for daily commutes as they are too aggressive in riding position and ergonomics. However, most of the manufacturers are introducing small capacity sports motorcycles which have a slightly better overall riding posture which can be modified to suit track needs whenever required. One of the best sports motorcycles for a beginner as well as expert rider is the KTM RC 390. It is a pure track-focused motorcycle which can be easily ridden in the city without any issues and can be made into a full-fledged track motorcycle whenever necessary.

4. Touring: Touring motorcycles are larger than most of the motorcycles and have amenities which allow you to do cross-country tours with ease. Easy ergonomics, large storage compartments, bodywork which resists wind and weather to an extent when riding. The engines used are also high capacity which can keep up with highway speeds as well as haul the extra amount of weight that happens due to the luggage. If you remember the Honda Goldwing, It is essentially what a tourer is should be like. It is perhaps meant for riding for lakhs of kilometers as these type of motorcycles tend to be a lot more reliable. 

5. Sport Touring: Sport Touring motorcycles are exactly for those who do not want to miss out on the sportiness of the sport motorcycle and also use it for touring. An actual sport motorcycle would be too difficult to tour with, but with a Sport Tourer, you can go touring without any difficulties. You can load a lot of luggage on sport-tourers so that you choose in between a small weekend trip to a long tour with your riding buddies. Engines on Sport-Tourers can be found from mid-range to high capacity and the size of the engine decided how fast and how much you can go before you stop. Sport touring motorcycles are actually a lot more practical as they strike a perfect balance between daily riding, sportiness and touring across states.

6. Dual Sport or Adventure Sport: Dual-sport, as the name suggests, is meant to go anywhere and do anything. These motorcycles have road-going features like lights and horn but come with more off-road biased suspension and chunky off-road tyres. Seat height is higher than usual which helps to navigate off-road trails and beaten paths. These motorcycles have limited storage options but one can mount panniers and extra luggage which can haul a lot of items for a long trip. For those who look for both and road as well as off-riding, Dual-Sport motorcycles are the best of choice. These motorcycles often come with engines which are on the higher side of the capacity count. Dual-sport motorcycles tend to be highly reliable and it takes more than a fall to make it stop going.

7. Off-Road or Enduro: Off-road as much as the name suggests is just built for the purpose. You go explore places where most motorcycles cannot reach. Taller seats for a higher seating position, long-travel suspension for handling the worst of the trails. These motorcycles are devoid of any lights, signal indicators or horn. Everything that is required on the roads. They are very light in weight and you can ride on the trails all weekend. Off-road motorcycles come with smaller as well as mid-capacity engines which make them relatively easier to purchase and maintain. Some even come with a clutch-less design which reduces the strain on hands and allows the rider to enjoy riding some tricky terrains. 


8. Scooter:Why scooter in this list? Well, a scooter is not a real motorcycle which many argue about, it does get you to your destination with safety and style. Scooters are mostly suited for urban environments, however, they are also used in rural areas and places where people need cheaper means of transportation. Scooters can handle very well and it is very easy to navigate through city streets and allies. Your daily commuting on a scooter will be much easier due to its lighter weight, some storage space and overall economical viability. Scooters can range from 50cc to up to 500cc. Some big scooters can give you the real fun which superior handling and can be a good company for a weekend ride. Scooters also have a range of accessories which can be used to offer a greater level of customization.