Whether you are into chopper style bikes, classic Harleys or dirt bikers, there is something about motorcycles that draws us in. They are associated with speed, thrill and danger, but they also offer a freedom of movement that cars can’t match. And, of course, a motorcycle is simply fun to ride!
A motorcycle is a two or three-wheeled motor vehicle steered by a handlebar from a saddle-style seat. The frame is made of metal tubes or steel sheets, and the wheels are typically aluminum or steel rims with spokes. The engine is powered by a small internal combustion engine, and the drive system transfers power from the engine to the rear wheel via a chain.
There is no single design for a motorcycle, and they come in a wide range of sizes and shapes. Even though they are often characterized as being noisy and dangerous, most motorbikes are safe and have good fuel economy. However, it is important to remember that motorcycles have less safety features than passenger vehicles, and they should only be ridden by experienced riders.
Until recently, there were only a few main categories of motorcycle. Street bikes looked like the motorcycles drawn by a five-year old, off-road models had knobbly tires and learner bikes were tiny and slow. But as technology advanced and manufacturing techniques that had been fine-tuned for wartime production took hold, a whole new world of personal transport opened up. Factory workers who had been battling in the skies just a few years earlier could now afford to buy their own transport, and if they had a family, simply bolting on a sidecar allowed them to take the kids along for country jaunts or holidays.
