How to Choose a Motorcycle
Motorcycles (also called motorbikes, bikes or mopeds) are two-wheeled vehicles that combine power and speed with personal mobility. They are most popular in the developing world where half a billion motorcycles provide a main form of transport.
When you choose a bike it is important to find the right one for your height, age, experience and weight. Choosing the right bike will ensure you are comfortable riding your motorcycle and also make it easier to learn.
There are many different types of motorcycles, from small lightweight scooters to high performance superbikes. Some are easy to ride, others have more advanced controls and require a more experienced rider. The easiest to ride are the scooters, which have low seats and are powered by an engine that drives a rear wheel. Other easy to ride motorcycles include the sportbikes that have a more upright position and are designed for fast, tight turns.
Motorcycle engines are designed to generate a lot of peak horsepower, which gives them excellent acceleration performance. The fact that they don’t have a full enclosure for the rider and engine means that they aren’t very aerodynamic, which increases drag compared to slick car designs. Drag increases with the square of your velocity, so it takes four times as much power to double your speed.
Modern motorcycles have a range of active safety systems, which can help the driver to stay in control and avoid collisions. These systems can include traction control, antilock braking and a variety of sensors that monitor the condition of the vehicle and its surroundings. However, the best safety system on a motorcycle is the rider’s brain, and riders should take any opportunities to train and practice to become as good as they can be.
