If you’re new to the world of motorcycles, or simply don’t look at bikes outside your usual preference, chances are the various types of them are a bit of a minefield. With modern motorcycles, new styles have appeared and some even straddle two or more categories.
Without further ado, let’s see what’s available for those looking to buy something with two wheels and an engine.
The first distinction to make is between road and offroad bikes. Offroad bikes can be made to go on road, but generally speaking the opposite isn’t true. Adventure bikes have blurred this line however.
We’ll stick to road bikes for the time being, and start with sports bikes – arguably one of the most varied classes. It ranges from 125cc L plate bikes with clip-on handlebars and aggressive riding positions, all the way up to the Ducati 1299 Panigale. These bikes often feature the pinnacle of motorcycle technology, however manufacturers often attempt to lump some less-than-sporty motorcycles in there too. The look can be more important than the actual performance, and achieving a look is much cheaper than the performance to go with it!
Next up we have cruisers, made famous in the US of A for the most part. Generally speaking you’ll see big thumping V-twin or parallel twin engines in these, low saddles, high handlebars, and not much ground clearance. These are made for the open road, and straight line comfort, as well as looking good (or at least thinking you do!). Prices can be steep as looks and brand is everything, especially when buying a Harley, as well as the extensive amount of chrome you’ll likely be buying.
Moving onto tourers, as well as sport tourers. This sector has exploded in recent years thanks to the versatility of these bikes, and arguably due to an ageing set of motorcyclists not being able to contort themselves onto sports bikes any longer. These bikes will often have an effective fairing and screen to keep wind and weather off you, a comfortable riding position and a smooth, powerful engine, sometimes with up to six cylinders for maximum shove. Prices can vary hugely, with some more basic sports tourers, such as the Tracer 900 being a great value option, and massive tourers such as the Honda Goldwing requiring a small mortgage. Sports tourers lend themselves to long distance riding, commuting, and sometimes even track action.
The other sector that has seen huge recent growth is the adventure category. These can include bikes that have performance to rival the best sports tourers, but with the possibility of round-the-world ability…in the right hands. Long Way Round and Long Way Down really brought the sector to life, even if most adventure bikes sold will never even see gravel. Some adventure bikes have real offroad ability, while some go for the look more than the performance. That being said, a lot of them make very solid touring bikes, and the look is often very desirable, as well as often being suited to a taller rider.
The most traditional bike sector is the trusty naked bike. It’s seen some change recently with the introduction of supernakeds – effectively naked bikes with engines and components that shame some of the best sports bikes. The other end of this sector includes basic bikes that will do just about anything within reason, and are often what a lot of bikers will start their biking careers on, as they’re often cheap to repair but will give you a big grin all the same. It’s also seen retro bikes making a comeback, which include all the mod cons, but with the look for those with rose tinted glasses.
Finally for road bikes, there’s the humble scooter, or twist ‘n’ go. These can range from the tiny 50cc commonly seen being ragged by a 16 year old, to huge 850cc beasts that’ll beat almost anything off a red light, with comfort and convenience a traditional bike could only dream of. They can be seen as being inferior to traditional bikes, but for sheer convenience and ease of use (especially important for commuters and delivery riders) they’re hard to beat.
Coming onto offroad bikes, and generally speaking this a much less confusing area. It ranges from highly specialised trials bikes which are designed for highly technical riding, so you don’t even have a seat to get in the way, all the way to enduro bikes which are designed for cross-country riding and need to take anything and everything in their stride. In between there are motocross bikes which are high performance, and high cost and will demolish offroad courses, to trail bikes which are like soft motocross bikes, designed for the amateur rider but will cope with most terrain at a moderate pace. In this sector you’ll also find the supermoto – effectively a motocross bike with road tyres, and preferably a less highly strung engine that doesn’t need rebuilding quite so often, but still with the lightweight and probably the most nimble road handling possible.
Hopefully this has filled the gaps in some people’s knowledge, and no doubt a few years down the line there’ll be some new categories that we’ll all have to get accustomed with!
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