Types of motorcycles, body type and purpose

The average person usually divides motorcycles into: racers, Harleys, off-roaders and "all the rest". However, motorcycles can be classified into slightly more types. Although there is no official division into types of motorcycles, they can be categorized according to their purpose, construction and characteristic features. In this article we explain the differences between all types of motorcycles.

14 September 2023
Published by MD

Types of motorcycles, body type and purpose

Road bikes

Designed for driving on paved roads.

Naked

The term naked refers to motorcycles without fairings that cover the engine and frame. Naked cars usually do not have a window above the steering wheel - or if they do, it is rather small. This category includes both stripped-down motorcycles with a sporty silhouette and modern machines with a classic style.

The driving position on this type of motorcycle is comfortable and relaxed - relatively upright, but at the same time slightly tilted forward - something between the completely upright driving position of a cruiser and the upright driving position of a sports machine.

These motorcycles are often recommended to beginners due to their universality and versatility - they are designed for a little bit of everything.

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Sports

Sports motorcycles, popularly called racers, are characterized by high-power engines that are able to reach high speeds in a short time and over a short distance. Aerodynamic fairings are characteristic of sports motorcycles, tightly covering the engine, giving a streamlined silhouette and reducing air resistance. Speeders usually have quite aggressive and sharp styling.

The driving position of this type of motorcycle - lying down, sometimes even crouched - is uncomfortable and quite tiring on longer routes. Moreover, they are designed for race tracks rather than tourist rides. These motorcycles are characterized by hard suspension, very effective brakes and the pursuit of the lowest possible weight.

They are not recommended for beginner motorcyclists.

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Touristic

Designed for long expeditions and long routes. These are one of the largest motorcycles in terms of dimensions and have large-capacity engines. They are characterized by high capacity (the ability to transport large and heavy luggage), a large fuel tank (which ensures a greater travel range), as well as a comfortable, relaxed and upright position of the driver and passenger. They are equipped with fairings and lenses that provide protection against the wind. They are designed to cover a lot of kilometers.

Some tourist vehicles are equipped with a reverse gear due to their large size and difficulty in maneuvering.

In addition to typical road tourists (as in the examples and photos below), tourists who enjoy both on-road and off-road activities are very popular - more about them later in the article.

Sports and tourism

A compromise between sports and touring motorcycles.

Compared to sports motorcycles, the driver's position is less inclined and more comfortable, which provides greater comfort while riding longer distances. The passenger position is also more comfortable. Sports-touring motorcycles are also characterized by a large load capacity.

Compared to touring motorcycles, sport-touring motorcycles are lighter and easier to ride, and their components are more suitable for racing riding.

In short - these are motorcycles that combine the possibilities of sporty, fast riding with comfort and practical advantages for tourists.

Sports-touring motorcycles, just like naked bikes, have the greatest diversity in terms of engine design - there are motorcycles with in-line, V-engines, two-, three- or four-cylinder engines.

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Cruisers

Cruisers, popularly called cruisers, are motorcycles styled after legendary American machines, such as Harley Davidsons or Indians. They are characterized by a low position of the driver's seat and a steering wheel extended towards the rear - which forces the silhouette to be upright or even slightly tilted back. The driver's feet are placed forward, which makes the driving position comfortable.

Cruisers are usually dripping with chrome, have a V-engine and are equipped by their owners with leather saddlebags and backrests. You could say that cruisers are touring motorcycles with a specific, classic look.

Cruisers are generally quite massive and more difficult to ride than average motorcycles, so they are not recommended for beginners.

Choppers

Choppers are a slimmed-down version of cruisers. Compared to cruisers, they do not have, for example, fairings, sometimes a front fender, they have smaller seats and fuel tanks. Most often, these are machines with individual construction and appearance (so-called custom).

In addition to the features typical of cruisers (classic appearance, many chrome elements, low seat, handlebar extended towards the rear), choppers are characterized by a long wheelbase, long front fork and high handlebar.

Classic

Motorcycles with the most classic silhouette and design - both modern machines with retro styling and historic vehicles. Mostly with a round lamp and without fairings, sometimes with a sidecar mounted.

Customs

Custom bikes, i.e. motorcycles made to individual order, include:

Streetfighters - sports motorcycles without fairings, intended for urban riding.

Bobbers - motorcycles stylized as machines from World War II. Converted from production motorcycles in such a way as to make the structure as lean as possible - by getting rid of unnecessary parts not needed for riding, thus striving to reduce the weight of the motorcycle.

Café racers - light motorcycles optimized for fast riding over short distances, referring to the style of racing machines from the 1960s. Characteristic features include, among others: long, "slim" fuel tank and low handlebar. The name café racer was adopted in the 1960s and refers to the races that were organized among British motorcycle enthusiasts - from café to café.

Off-road motorcycles

Designed for off-road riding. Compared to road motorcycles, they are simpler in construction, lighter in weight, more maneuverable and more powerful wheels. They have little bodywork, no fairings and high ground clearance. They are equipped with off-road tires to provide greater traction on unpaved surfaces. They usually have single-cylinder engines, which are heavily exhausted in cross bikes, which reduces their service life.

Cross

Typically high-performance motorcycles, designed to move off-road and intended for off-road sports. They are devoid of unnecessary elements that increase the weight of the machine, such as lights, turn signals, mirrors - so they cannot be used in street traffic (they do not have approval).

Enduro

Designed for off-road driving and best suited for off-road conditions, but also approved for street traffic due to its approval and components necessary for street traffic.

Dual-purpose motorcycles

Designed for both off-road and paved roads.

Supermoto

Off-road motorcycle equipped with tires adapted for road riding and with a harder and lower suspension. It is characterized by light construction, low weight, ease of driving and maneuverability. These types of motorcycles are also less reliable and more durable than road motorcycles.

Tourist (so-called adventure touring)

Touring motorcycles designed for long distances, both off and on road. These machines are highly durable, equipped with large fuel tanks and large luggage compartments. However, their off-road capabilities are somewhat limited due to their heavy weight, size and sometimes also the tires.

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