Types of Motorcycles

Motorcycles are motor vehicles steered by the rider from a saddle-style seat and powered by an internal combustion engine. The name is derived from the fact that early models were basically bicycles with engines bolted on. The first true motorcycles were created in the early to mid 1900s.

There are dozens of different types of motorcycles currently in production and hundreds more vintage models that still hit the road. However, most fall into one of seven general categories.

For new riders, a standard bike may be the best choice. They offer a good mix of traits found in other types of bikes without leaning too heavily in any direction. These bikes are sometimes referred to as naked bikes because of their stripped-down design.

A sport bike can be fast and fun, but the high horsepower can also cause problems for novice riders if they’re not careful. It’s important to learn how to handle this type of motorcycle in a controlled environment before attempting to drive it on the street.

Touring bikes are designed to take you long distances in comfort. They usually have enough power to keep up with highway speeds and they can carry plenty of gear.

Choppers are made by cutting a factory-made frame and welding it back together in a different shape. The term is a play on words, similar to how helicopters are called chopper because of the chop-chop-chop sound their main rotors make as they spin.