What Are The Different Types Of Motorbikes?

What are the different types of motorbikes? This is a crucial question if you’re new to all of this. It’s also very important if you’re trying to decide what kind to get for yourself.

Cruiser-bike-on highway

There are various ways of classifying different kinds of motorbikes, identifying the designer’s purpose, or merely describing how the bikes are to be used, or a combination of both. Six major categories are generally recognized: touring, cruiser, sports, standard, dual-purpose, and off-road bike. The most popular motorcycle is the cruiser class, which are the least costly, but offers the least room. Touring motorcycles are meant for touring and offer more passenger capacity and comfort than any other class.

1. Dirt Bikes

Dirt bikes are the smallest in size, with a maximum height of just over 6 inches. They are made primarily for short-distance travel and are often sporty, powerful machines. Although these motorbikes are not widely available, a small number of off-road motorbike enthusiasts still ride dirt bikes, particularly during special events like Motocross events. Many dirt bike riders also ride in other kinds of races, including mountain biking and motocross races.

2. Standard Bikes

Standard motorcycles are frequently popular due to their all-purpose design and simplicity. They vary from 125cc up to 1,000cc. They can also be fitted with things like different seats, tank bags, and luggage. They don’t typically have a fairing on the front, and if they do, it’s not usually very big. Ergonomics tend to be neutral, as these bikes don’t lean forward or backward that much. Typical seat heights are in the short or middle range, usually seating anyone in comfort.

3. Cruiser Bikes

Cruisers are also known as choppers. They’re designed for cruising, which is how they got their name. The seat height is a bit lower, so it’s good for getting around town. However, just a bit of luggage can make one of these a weekend trip. Engine sizes vary from small displacements up to 1,000cc. Some brands have even more. If you ride a cruiser, you might feel like you’re more in it than actually on it, but riders new and seasoned alike love these.

4. Sport bikes

Sport bikes emphasize agility and speed. These deliberately lean forward, so they’re ready to cut some corners when you ride. The weight of sport bikes is a huge difference, as they tend to be very light. Lightweight materials, such as aluminium, are used for more maneuverability from one side to the other. Seat heights are typically higher than other bikes so that the motorcycle can lean farther to either side without scraping fairings or foot pegs. Shorter riders might wind up on their tiptoes if they use taller seats.

5. Touring Bikes

Touring motorbikes are bigger than most of their cousins, and that’s due to having amenities useful in cruising either coast or all the country in between. Spacious storage and premiere ergonomics let riders carry on for hours. Likewise, they have the biggest fairings to block out wind and weather. Typically, the engine sizes can handle highway speeds while also hauling extra luggage and gear.

6. Hybrid bikes

Sport touring motorbikes are a crossroads between touring bikes and sport bikes. These usually have more luggage possibilities than sport bikes but higher seats than touring bikes. They’re a good balance between short rides and long road trips. Engine sizes for this class start in the mid-range and higher.

7. Dual Sport bikes

Dual sport bikes are created to go anywhere you want and even do anything that you want. The storage options are typically limited, but you can add extra bags. They’re just as good on roadways as they are on offloading.

8. Scooter Bikes

Scooter bikes are sometimes considered as their own thing and not being motorbikes. However, in urban areas, you can use them to get through busy city streets, even without a lot of muscle. Their engine sizes range from 50cc up to 500cc, but it’s enough for some city fun.

9. Mopeds

Some people consider mopeds to be scooters, but they’re not the same. Mopeds are usually 50cc or even less, sometimes even having an electric motor instead of an engine. The frames are often based on bicycles to boot. They’re increasingly harder to buy, as they’re becoming something vintage.

10. Off-Roading Bikes

Off-road bikes do exactly what their name implies. They off-road. Seat heights are higher, as is the suspension since deep bush and rough terrain mean bumps during the ride. True off-roaders might not even turn signals or lights, meaning they have to be trailed when moving on pavement.

Quad bikes are the smallest in size in many cases, but there are certainly exceptions. They are made primarily for short-distance travel and are often sporty, powerful machines. Although these motorbikes are not widely available, a small number of off-road motorbike enthusiasts still ride dirt bikes, particularly during special events like Motocross events. Many dirt bike riders also ride in other kinds of races, including mountain biking and motocross races.

11. Street Fighters

Finally, let’s not forget about the street fighter. There isn’t another type of motorbike other than the classic motorcycle that can be classified as a “street fighter.” These bikes have higher levels of torque and typically don’t have foot pegs. Instead, most of these bikes have single foot pegs so that the rider can reach up and feel the bike as a whole. Many street fighters feature anti-tip braking systems and rear shocks with stronger forks so that they can take on tighter corners and handle bumps and irregularities better.