A motorcycle or motorbike is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle powered by an engine. A motor Vehicle is a Machine which incorporates a motor (sometimes known as an Engine) and which is used for Transportation Styles of motorcycles vary depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions. A touring motorcycle is a type of Motorcycle designed for long-distance touring and heavy commuting Naked bike refers to a class of road Motorcycles without fairings. Cruiser is the term for Motorcycles that mimic the design style of American machines from the 1930s to the early 1960s including those made by Harley-Davidson Motorcycle sport is a broad field that encompasses all Sporting aspects of Motorcycling. Motorcycle sport is a broad field that encompasses all Sporting aspects of Motorcycling. In many parts of the world, motorcycles are among the least expensive and most widespread forms of motorised transport.

Contents 1 History 2 Technical aspects 2.1 Construction 2.2 Fuel economy 2.3 Fueling 2.4 Dynamics 2.5 Additions 3 Social aspects 3.1 Subcultures 3.2 Mobility 3.3 Safety 4 Types of motorcycles 4.1 Street 4.2 Off-road 4.3 Dual-purpose 5 Motorcycle rider postures 6 Legal definitions and restrictions 7 See also 8 References 9 External links

History

Main article: Motorcycle history

The inspiration for arguably the first motorcycle was designed and built by the German inventors Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach in Bad Cannstatt (since 1905 a city district of Stuttgart) in 1885. Motorcycle history begins in the second half of the 19th century The Kingdom of Belgium is a Country in northwest Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts its headquarters as well as those Poland (Polska officially the Republic of Poland Sokół 1000 (also known as CWS 1000 and M 111) was the heaviest Polish pre-war motorcycle manufactured by the PZInż works both for civilian and Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. Gottlieb Wilhelm Daimler ( March 17, 1834 - March 6, 1900) was an Engineer, Industrial designer and Industrialist Wilhelm Maybach ˈmaibax ( February 9, 1846 &ndash December 29, 1929) was an early German engine designer and industrialist Stuttgart (ˈʃtʊtgaɐ̯t is the capital of the state of Baden-Württemberg in southern Germany. Stuttgart (ˈʃtʊtgaɐ̯t is the capital of the state of Baden-Württemberg in southern Germany. ^[1] The first petroleum-powered vehicle, it was essentially a motorised bicycle, although the inventors called their invention the Reitwagen ("riding car"). Petroleum ( L petroleum, from Greek πετρέλαιον, lit The bicycle, cycle, or bike is a pedal-driven, human-powered vehicle with two wheels attached to a frame, one behind However, if one counts two wheels with steam propulsion as being a motorcycle, then the first one may have been American. One such machine was demonstrated at fairs and circuses in the eastern U. S. in 1867, built by Sylvester Howard Roper of Roxbury, Massachusetts. ^[1]

In 1894, Hildebrand & Wolfmüller became the first motorcycle available for purchase. In 1894 the Hildebrand & Wolfmüller was the first Motorcycle that was available for purchase ^[2] In the early period of motorcycle history, many producers of bicycles adapted their designs to accommodate the new internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine is an engine in which the Combustion of Fuel and an Oxidizer (typically air occurs in a confined space called a As the engines became more powerful, and designs outgrew the bicycle origins, the number of motorcycle producers increased.

Until the First World War, the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world was Indian, producing over 20,000 bikes per year. The Crocker Motorcycle Company was an American manufacturer of single-cylinder speedway racing Motorcycles from 1932 powerful V-twin road motorcycles World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All The Indian Motocycle Manufacturing Company George Hendee resigned in 1916 By 1920, this honour went to Harley-Davidson, with their motorcycles being sold by dealers in 67 countries, until 1928 when DKW took over as the largest manufacturer. Harley-Davidson Motor Company ( formerly HDI is an American manufacturer of Motorcycles based in Milwaukee Wisconsin. Dampf Kraft Wagen (steam-driven car or DKW is a historic car and Motorcycle Marque.

After the Second World War, the BSA Group became the largest producer of motorcycles in the world, producing up to 75,000 bikes a year in the 1950s. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including The Birmingham Small Arms Company ( BSA) was a British manufacturer of Vehicles Firearms and Military equipment and still exists as The German company NSU Motorenwerke AG held the position of largest manufacturer from 1955 until the 1970s. NSU Motorenwerke AG, (normally just NSU) was a German manufacturer of cars and Motorcycles which was founded in 1873

In the 1950s, streamlining began to play an increasing part in the development of racing motorcycles and held out the possibility of radical changes to motorcycle design. The 1955 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season was the seventh competitive motorcycle season with eight Grands Prix and 4 classes 500cc 350cc 250cc and 125cc NSU and Moto-Guzzi were in the vanguard of this development both producing very radical designs well ahead of their time. Moto Guzzi (also known as "Guzzi" is an Italian Motorcycle manufacturer that has endured from the industry's infancy to its place today as the oldest European ^[3] NSU produced the most advanced design, but due to the deaths of four NSU riders in the 1954–1956 seasons, they abandoned further development and quit Grand Prix racing. ^[4] Moto-Guzzi produced competitive race machines, and by 1957 nearly all the GP races were being won by streamlined machines.

From the 1960s through the 1990s, small two-stroke motorcycles were popular worldwide, partly as a result of East German Walter Kaaden's engine work in the 1950s. The German Democratic Republic ( GDR; Deutsche Demokratische Republik DDR; commonly known in English as East Germany) was a Socialist state ^[5]

Today, the Japanese manufacturers, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Yamaha dominate the motorcycle industry, although Harley-Davidson still maintains a high degree of popularity in the United States. () is a Multinational corporation, engine Manufacturer and engineering corporation headquartered in Japan. ( is an international corporation based in Japan. It has headquarters in both Chūō-ku, Kobe and Minato Tokyo. is a Multinational corporation headquartered in Hamamatsu Japan that specializes in manufacturing compact automobiles a full range of Motorcycles All-Terrain ( a Japanese motorized vehicle-producing company (whose HQ is at 2500 Shingai Iwata Shizuoka) is part of the Yamaha Corporation. Harley-Davidson Motor Company ( formerly HDI is an American manufacturer of Motorcycles based in Milwaukee Wisconsin. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Recent years have also seen a resurgence in the popularity of several other brands sold in the U. S. market, including BMW, KTM, Triumph, Aprilia, Moto-Guzzi and Ducati. BMW Motorrad, a division of BMW, is a German Motorcycle manufacturer KTM Sportmotorcycle AG is an Austrian Motorcycle manufacturer Triumph Motorcycles is a British Motorcycle manufacturer originally based in Coventry. For the Italian city see Aprilia Latina. Aprilia is an Italian Motorcycle company one of the seven marques owned by Moto Guzzi (also known as "Guzzi" is an Italian Motorcycle manufacturer that has endured from the industry's infancy to its place today as the oldest European Ducati Motor Holding SpA ( Borsa Italiana: DMH is an Italian Motorcycle manufacturer located in Bologna Italy.

Outside of the USA, these brands have enjoyed continued and sustained success, although Triumph, for example, has been re-incarnated from its former self into a modern world-class manufacturer. In overall numbers, however, the Chinese currently manufacture and sell more motorcycles than any other country and exports are rising. The quality of these machines is asserted to be somewhat lower than their Japanese, European and American counterparts.

Additionally, the small-capacity scooter is very popular through most of the world. A scooter is a style of two-wheeled motor vehicle traditionally defined by characteristics such as a step-through frame wheels less than 16" in diameter and an engine located The Piaggio group of Italy, for example, is one of the world's largest producers of two-wheeled vehicles. Piaggio based in Pontedera, Italy encompasses seven brands producing scooters and motorcycles The scooter culture has, as yet, not been adopted widely in North America.

Technical aspects

Construction

Main article: Motorcycle construction

Motorcycle construction is the engineering, manufacturing, and assembly of components and systems for a motorcycle which results in performance, cost and aesthetics desired by the designer. Motorcycle construction is the engineering manufacturing and assembly of components and systems for a Motorcycle which results in the desired performance cost and aesthetics With some exceptions, construction of modern mass-produced motorcycles has standardised on a steel or aluminium frame, telescopic forks holding the front wheel, and disc brakes. Steel is an Alloy consisting mostly of Iron, with a Carbon content between 0 WikipediaNaming A motorcycle fork is the portion of a Motorcycle to which the front wheel and the Handlebars are connected usually incorporates the front suspension The disc brake or disk brake is a device for slowing or stopping the rotation of a Wheel. A one- to eight-cylinder gasoline powered engine coupled to a manual, five- or six-speed sequential transmission drives the swingarm-mounted rear wheel by a chain, driveshaft or belt. A motorcycle engine propels a Motorcycle. The engine typically sits immediately under the fuel tank in between and just forward of the rider's legs A sequential manual transmission (or sequential manual gearbox) is a type of Manual transmission used on Motorcycles and high-performance cars or A swingarm (originally known as a swing fork is the main component of the rear suspension of most modern Motorcycles and ATVs It is used to hold the Gilmer belt is a trade name for a type of belt used for transferring power between Axles in a Machine.

Fuel economy

Motorcycle fuel economy benefits from the relatively small mass of the vehicle. This, of course, relates to how the motorcycle is used. One person on a small motorcycle travelling a small distance is generally very economical. However a large motorcycle generally has bad aerodynamics compared to a typical car, poor aerodynamics of exposed passengers and engines designed for goals other than fuel economy can work to reduce these benefits. Riding style has a large effect on fuel economy. Some riders report being able to double fuel economy by using low accelerations and lower speeds than usual, although this is the extreme case.

Fuel economy varies greatly with engine displacement and riding style ranging from a low of 29 mpg (US) (12 km/l/35 mpg imp) reported by a Honda VTR1000F rider,^[7] to 107 mpg (US) (45 km/l/129 mpg imp) reported for the Verucci Nitro 50 cc Scooter. ^[8] A specially designed Matzu Matsuzawa Honda XL125 achieved 470 mpg (US) (200 km/l/560 mpg imp) "on real highways - in real conditions. "^[9]

Fueling

Fueling a motorcycle can be difficult in that many of today's fueling nozzles are designed specifically for automobile and truck fueling. A nozzle is a mechanical device or Orifice designed to control the characteristics of a Fluid flow as it exits (or enters an enclosed chamber or Pipe. Motorcycles frequently have smaller fuel tanks with capacities between 2 gallons and up to 6 gallons on some models.

Many motorcyclist can easily overflow or spill fuel during fueling because the filler necks are exposed and an inefficient seal is formed.

Additionally, many of today's fuel nozzles are equipped with automatic shut off sensors which tend to over respond and cause a constant clicking off effect when filling a motorcycle.

In the United States the EPA has mandated the use of "Vapor Recovery" nozzles which augment the problem of fueling in that these nozzles tend to have a black accordion-like covering on the outside of the nozzle. This requires the covering to be held back manually with one hand to override the auto shut-off system allowing for a constant uninterrupted flow of fuel into the tank.

Dynamics

Main article: Bicycle and motorcycle dynamics

Motorcycles must be leaned in order to turn. Bicycle and motorcycle dynamics is the Science of the motion of Bicycles and Motorcycles and their components due to the Forces acting This lean can be induced by a method known as countersteering, in which the rider turns the handlebars in the direction opposite of the desired direction of turn. Countersteering is the technique used by cyclists and motorcyclists to initiate turning toward a given direction by first steering counter to the desired direction In other words, press forward on the handgrip in the desired direction—press right to go right, press left to go left. This concept is counter-intuitive and often very confusing to novices—and even to many experienced motorcyclists. ^[10]

Short wheelbase motorcycles, such as sport bikes, can generate enough torque at the rear wheel and enough stopping force at the front wheel to lift the other wheel off the pavement. Bicycle and motorcycle geometry is the collection of key measurements (lengths and angles that define a particular bike configuration These actions, if performed on purpose, are known as wheelies and stoppies respectively. In Vehicle Acrobatics, a wheelie is a trick where the front wheel or wheels come off the ground due to an excessive amount of torque being powered to the rear wheel The stoppie, also incorrectly called endo, is a Motorcycle and Bicycle trick in which the back wheel is lifted and the bike is ridden on If carried past the point of recovery the resulting upset is known as "looping" the vehicle.

Additions

Various additions may be attached to a motorcycle or come as an integral part of a motorcycle from the factory.

Fairing / screen

A plastic or fibreglass shell, known as a "fairing", is placed over the frame on some models to shield the rider from the wind, aid in aerodynamics and protect engine components in an accident. Plastic is the general common term for a wide range of synthetic or semisynthetic organic solid materials suitable for the manufacture of industrial products Fiberglass (also called fibreglass and glass fibre see Spelling differences) is material made from extremely fine Fibers of Glass. A Motorcycle fairing is a shell placed over the frame of some Motorcycles, especially the Racing motorcycles and Sports bikes with the primary purpose to Drag is the major factor that limits motorcycle speed, as it increases at the square of the velocity, with the resultant required power increasing with the cube of velocity. In Fluid dynamics, drag (sometimes called fluid resistance) is the force that resists the movement of a Solid object through a Fluid (a As evident in the streamlined appearance of new performance motorcycles, there is much aerodynamic technology included in the design. Since the 1958 FIM ban on motorcycle designs that cover the wheels or the rider, e. The Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM International Motorcycling Federation) is the governing body of motorcycle racing g. , "dustbin" fairings, no major manufacturer has provided fairing to overcome the effect of the turbulence caused by the spinning front wheel, which prevents the motorcycle from cutting a clean path through the air. "Dustbin" fairing can improve aerodynamic performance without substantially compromising the rider's ability to control the machine, if the fairing is designed and tested for the effects of side winds.

Screens, also called windshields or windscreens, can be built into a fairing or be attached to an otherwise unfaired bike. The windshield or windscreen of an Aircraft, Automobile, Bus, Motorcycle, or Tram is the front Window They are usually made from transparent high-impact acrylic plastic. Poly(methyl methacrylate ( PMMA) or poly(methyl 2-methylpropenoate is a Thermoplastic and transparent Plastic. They may be shaped specifically to direct air flow over or around the head of the rider even if they are much shorter than the seated rider.

In the absence of a fairing or screen, a phenomenon known as the windsock effect occurs at speeds above 100 km/h (62 mph), where the rider becomes a major source of drag and is pushed back from the handlebars, tiring the rider. However, these motorcycles still effectively push their way through the atmosphere with brute force. A cabin cycle, which has a hull that wraps around the basic cycle frame, solved the problem of aerodynamics by isolating driver from outside air. A cabin cycle is a form of land vehicle with a hull that wraps around the basic Bicycle or Motorcycle design

Modern fairings on touring and sport-touring motorcycles dramatically improve a rider's comfort and attention on long rides by reducing the effect of the wind and rain on the body. They also help keep a rider warm in cold weather or high wind chill conditions, reducing hypothermia. This page is for the movie "Wind Chill" For the term see Wind chill. Heated hand grips, and even heated seats, also improve rider comfort in cold weather. Motorcycles from a number of manufacturers now have electric screens, introduced on the 1986 BMW K100LT, which raise and lower the screen with the push of a button to the optimum height for conditions. BMW Motorrad, a division of BMW, is a German Motorcycle manufacturer

Saddlebags or panniers

Saddlebags or panniers mount on either side of the rear wheel behind the saddle to carry parts, tools, and/or travel gear. Saddlebags are bags that are attached to saddles Horse riding In '''horse riding''' saddlebags sit in various positions on the side in front or behind the saddle This is about a type of luggage For other uses of the word see Pannier (disambiguation. They can be made of fiberglass, ABS, leather, Cordura, or other appropriate sturdy material. Fiberglass (also called fibreglass and glass fibre see Spelling differences) is material made from extremely fine Fibers of Glass. Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene or ABS, ( Chemical formula (C8H8· C4H6·C3H3Nn is Leather is a material created through the Tanning of hides and Skins of Animals primarily Cattlehide The Tanning process CORDURA was the registered name of a certified (nylon fabric from DuPont. They are normally standard items on touring motorcycles, but are usually optional on other types of motorcycles. A touring motorcycle is a type of Motorcycle designed for long-distance touring and heavy commuting They can be model-specific and available from a motorcycle's manufacturer, or after-market and designed to fit on numerous models.

Heated hand grips/seats

As motorcycles lack climate control or proper protection from the wind, some manufacturers offer heated seats or hand grips to relieve the discomfort of low temperatures experienced during night riding or the colder months. They can also be added on as after-market accessories and are powered by the bike's electrical system.

Luggage rack

A common addition to many bikes is an attachment onto which bags or other luggage can be fastened. This removes the need for rider backpacks and is generally a more secure and safe way to add carrying capacity to a motorcycle.

Sidecar

Main article: Sidecar

A sidecar is a one-wheeled device attached to the side of a motorcycle, producing a three-wheeled vehicle. A sidecar is a one-wheeled device attached to the side of a Motorcycle, producing a three-wheeled vehicle IMZ - Irbitskiy Mototsikletniy Zavod (Ирбитский мотоциклетный завод = ИМЗ is a Russian maker of heavy Motorcycles Many of its models A sidecar is a one-wheeled device attached to the side of a Motorcycle, producing a three-wheeled vehicle A sidecar is a one-wheeled device attached to the side of a Motorcycle, producing a three-wheeled vehicle Early sidecars were removable devices that could be detached from the motorcycle. Sidecars gradually superseded forecars and trailers. A Forecar was a car body style adopted by several makers of light cars and motor cycles in the first decade of the 20th century The forecar comprised a two-wheeled attachment at the front of the motorcycle. The trailer was just that, pulling the passenger along behind. In neither case could rider and passenger converse easily, and early sidecars were often called 'sociable' attachments.

Trailer hitch

Main article: Motorcycle trailer

A trailer hitch or tow hitch is a device mounted on a motorcycle that enables it to tow a motorcycle trailer, usually to haul additional gear. Motorcycle trailer is a term used to describe a trailer used either to carry Motorcycles or to be pulled behind a motorcycle in order to carry additional gear A Trailer is generally an unpowered vehicle pulled by a powered vehicle A tow hitch (or tow bar) is a device attached to the Chassis of a vehicle for Towing or a towbar to an Aircraft nose gear or paired main gears Motorcycle trailer is a term used to describe a trailer used either to carry Motorcycles or to be pulled behind a motorcycle in order to carry additional gear No motorcycle manufacturer recommends trailer towing because it creates safety hazards for motorcyclists.

Trunk

Main article: Trunk (motorcycle)

A motorcycle trunk is a storage compartment in the vicinity of the seat, other than panniers or saddlebags. A Motorcycle trunk is a storage compartment in the vicinity of the seat, often complimenting Panniers or saddlebags A trunk mounted above and A Motorcycle trunk is a storage compartment in the vicinity of the seat, often complimenting Panniers or saddlebags A trunk mounted above and This is about a type of luggage For other uses of the word see Pannier (disambiguation. Saddlebags are bags that are attached to saddles Horse riding In '''horse riding''' saddlebags sit in various positions on the side in front or behind the saddle A trunk mounted above and at the rear of the seat is called a top box.

Social aspects

Main article: Motorcycling

Subcultures

Around the world, motorcycles have historically been associated with subcultures. Motorcycling is the act of riding a Motorcycle. A variety of subcultures For the term in biology see Subculture (biology. For the song by New Order see Sub-culture (song. Some of these subcultures have been loose-knit social groups such as the cafe racers of 1950s Britain, and the Mods and Rockers of the 1960s. A Café racer, originally pronounced "caff" (as in Kaff racer is a type of Motorcycle as well as a type of motorcyclist Mod (originally modernist, sometimes capitalised is a Subculture that originated in London in the late 1950s and peaked in the early to mid 1960s A few are believed to be criminal gangs.

Social motorcyclist organisations are popular and are sometimes organised geographically, focus on individual makes, or even specific models. Example motorcycle clubs include: American Motorcyclist Association, Harley Owners Group, Moto Guzzi National Owners Club, Gold Wing Road Riders (GWRRA), and BMW MOA. The American Motorcyclist Association is an American not-for-profit organization of more than 280000 motorcyclists that organizes numerous motorcycling activities and campaigns The Harley Owners Group (HOG is a club for Harley-Davidson Motorcycle owners Moto Guzzi (also known as "Guzzi" is an Italian Motorcycle manufacturer that has endured from the industry's infancy to its place today as the oldest European The BMW Motorcycle Owners of America (BMW MOA is a private nonprofit membership association for owners and admirers of BMW motorcycles.

Many motorcycle organisations raise money for charities through organised events and rides. The definition of charitable organization, and of charity varies according to the country and in some instances the region of the country in which the charitable organization operates Some organisations hold large international motorcycle rallies in different parts of the world that are attended by many thousands of riders. A motorcycle rally is a gathering of motorcycle enthusiasts. A rally can range from the mild corporate-sponsored Honda Hoot to the infamous Hollister riot

Some other motorcycle organisations exist only for the direct benefit of others. Bikers Against Child Abuse (BACA) is one example. BACA assigns members to individual children to help them through difficult situations, or even stay with the child if the child is alone or frightened. ^[11]

In recent decades, motorcyclists have formed political lobbying organisations in order to influence legislators to introduce motorcycle-friendly legislation. One of the oldest such organisations, the British Motorcycle Action Group, was founded in 1973 specifically in response to helmet compulsion, introduced without public consultation. ^[12] In addition, the British Motorcyclists Federation (BMF), originally founded in 1960 as a reaction to the public perception of motorcyclists as leather-jacketed hooligans, has itself moved into political lobbying. The British Motorcyclists Federation (BMF is a United Kingdom based riders' rights group

Likewise, the U. S. has ABATE, which, like most such organisations, also works to improve motorcycle safety, as well as running the usual charity fund-raising events and rallies, often for motorcycle-related political interests. State Motorcyclist's Rights Organizations (abbreviated SMRO exist in the United States, many of which call themselves ABATE of (State name Motorcycle safety concerns many aspects of vehicle and equipment design as well as operator skill and training that are unique to Motorcycle riding Some other lobbying organisations are listed in Category:Motorcyclists organizations.

Mobility

While the reasons for people choosing to ride motorcycles are many and varied, those reasons are increasingly practical, with riders opting for a powered two-wheeler as a cost-efficient alternative to infrequent and expensive public transport systems, or as a means of avoiding or reducing the effects of urban congestion. ^[13] In places where it is permitted, lane splitting, also known as filtering, allows motorcycles to use the space between vehicles to move through stationary or slow traffic. Lane splitting is a form of Lane sharing in which the rider of a relatively narrow single-track vehicle (i ^[14]

In the UK, motorcycles are exempt from the £8 per day London congestion charge other vehicles must pay to enter the city during the day. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located The London congestion charge is a fee for some motorists travelling within those parts of London designated as the Congestion Charge Zone (CCZ Motorcycles are also exempt from toll charges at some river crossings, such as the Severn Bridge, Dartford Crossing, and Mersey Tunnels. For the Ontario community see Severn Bridge Ontario Not to be confused with Second Severn Crossing The The Dartford Crossing joins Dartford and Thurrock across the River Thames, to the east of London. The Mersey Tunnels connect Liverpool with the Wirral Peninsula, under the River Mersey. Some cities, such as Bristol, allow motorcycles to use bus lanes and provide dedicated free parking. Bristol ( ˈbrɪstəl is a city, Unitary authority and ceremonial county in South West England, west of London A bus lane or bus only lane is a lane on a road restricted to Buses and generally used to speed up public transport otherwise held up by traffic congestions In the United States, those states that have high-occupancy vehicle lanes also allow for motorcycle travel in them. In Transportation engineering and Transportation planning, a high-occupancy vehicle lane (or HOV lane) is a lane reserved for Vehicles with Other countries have similar policies.

In many cultures motorcycles are the primary means of motorised transport. According to the Taiwanese government, for example, "the number of automobiles per ten thousand population is around 2,500, and the number of motorcycles is about 5,000. "^[15]

Safety

Main articles: Motorcycle safety and Motorcycle safety clothing

Motorcycles have a higher rate of fatal accidents than automobiles. Motorcycle safety concerns many aspects of vehicle and equipment design as well as operator skill and training that are unique to Motorcycle riding To improve Motorcycle safety many countries mandate the wearing of Protective clothing by motorcyclists especially An accident is a specific identifiable unexpected unusual and unintended external event which occurs in a particular time and place without apparent or deliberate United States Department of Transportation data for 2005 from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System show that for passenger cars, 18. The United States Department of Transportation ( DOT) is a federal Cabinet department of the United States government concerned with Transportation Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS was created in the United States by NHTSA (the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to provide an overall measure 62 fatal crashes occur per 100,000 registered vehicles. For motorcycles this figure is higher at 75. 19 per 100,000 registered vehicles – four times higher than for cars. ^[16] The same data show that 1. 56 fatalities occur per 100 million vehicle miles travelled for passenger cars, whereas for motorcycles the figure is 43. 47 – 28 times higher than for cars. Furthermore for motorcycles the accident rates have increased significantly since the end of the 1990s, while the rates have dropped for passenger cars.

The two major causes of motorcycle accidents in the United States are: motorists pulling out or turning in front of motorcyclists and violating their rights-of-way and motorcyclists running wide through turns. The former is sometimes called a SMIDSY, an acronym formed from the motorists' common response of "Sorry mate, I didn't see you". The Acronym SMIDSY, short for "sorry mate I didn't see you", is used by British and Australian motorcyclists and cyclists to describe ^[17] The latter is more common when motorcyclists mix drinking with riding. ^[18] Motorcyclists can anticipate avoid these crashes with proper training, increasing their conspicuousness to other traffic, and separating alcohol and riding.

The United Kingdom has a number of organisations which are dedicated to improving motorcycle safety by providing advanced rider training over and above what is necessary to pass the basic motorcycle test. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located These include the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA). The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM is a charity based in the United Kingdom (but also serving Ireland) whose objective is to improve car driving The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA- is a leading UK safety organisation Along with increased personal safety, riders with these advanced qualifications often benefit from reduced insurance costs.

Motorcycle Safety Education is offered throughout the United States by a number of organisations ranging from state agencies to non-profit organisations to corporations. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The courses, designed by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF), include a Basic Rider Course, an Intermediate Rider Course and an Advanced Rider Course. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF is a United States national Not-for-profit organization sponsored by the U

In the UK and some Australian jurisdictions, such as New South Wales,^[19] the Australian Capital Territory^[20] and the Northern Territory,^[21] it is compulsory to undertake a rider training course before being issued a Learners Licence. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. } The Australian Capital Territory (ACT is the Capital territory of the Commonwealth of Australia and its smallest self-governing internal territory The Northern Territory is a federal territory of Australia, occupying much of the center of the mainland continent as well as the central northern regions

In Canada, motorcycle rider training is compulsory in Quebec and Manitoba only, but all provinces and territories have Graduated Licensing programs which place restrictions on new drivers until they have gained experience. Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page Quebec (kwɨˈbɛk Manitoba (English ˌmænɨˈtoʊbə French /manitoba/ is a province of Canada, spanning 647797 square kilometres (250116  sq mi of North America Eligibility for a full motorcycle license or endorsement for completing a Motorcycle Safety course varies from province to province. The Canada Safety Council (CSC), a non-profit safety organisation, offers the Gearing Up program across Canada and is endorsed by the Motorcycle and Moped Industry Council. The Canada Safety Council is a national Non-profit, Charitable organization dedicated to Safety. ^[22] Training course graduates may qualify for reduced insurance premiums.

Types of motorcycles

Main article: Types of motorcycle

There are three major types of motorcycle: street, off-road, and dual purpose. Within these types, there are many different sub-types of motorcycles for many different purposes.

Street

• Choppers: Highly customised motorcycles based on a cruiser-style frame with long rake (longer front forks) and wild paint jobs. A chopper is a radically customized Motorcycle, archetypal examples of which are the customized Harley-Davidsons seen in the 1969 Many are created more for show than rideability.

• Cruisers: A range of small to large motorcycles designed for comfort and looks with a relaxed upright or reclined seating position. Cruiser is the term for Motorcycles that mimic the design style of American machines from the 1930s to the early 1960s including those made by Harley-Davidson They often use lots of chrome and may be highly customised.
• Electric motorcycles: Nearly silent, zero-emission electric motor-driven vehicles. Electric Motorcycles and scooters are vehicles with two or three wheels that use electric motors to attain locomotion Zero emission refers to an Engine, Motor, or other energy source that emits no waste products that pollutes the environment or disrupts the climate Operating range and top speed suffer because of limitations of battery technology. Fuel cells and petroleum-electric hybrids are also under development to extend the range and improve performance of the electric motors.
• Mini bikes: Very small bikes designed to be simple run-around fun for both children and adults. A minibike, also recently known as a mini moto or pocketbike, is a miniature Motorcycle. Generally they have no hand-operated clutch or gearbox to simplify operation. Also known as Mini Motos. Not street-legal in most countries and jurisdictions. May be used for racing by all age levels. Pocketbike racing, also known as Minimoto or Mini GP racing is a category of Racing where miniature racing motorcycles (known as pocketbikes or minimoto
• Mopeds: Small, light, inexpensive, efficient rides for getting around town. Mopeds are a class of low-powered (typically under 50 cc displacement) motorized vehicle generally two or three wheeled Usually started by pedalling (motorcycle + pedals = moped). Mopeds typically have an engine mouted to the frame with a chain supplying the drive force to the wheel.
• Naked bikes/Standard/Street bikes: Naked bikes have a riding position midway between the forward position of a sports bike and the reclined position of a cruiser. Naked bike refers to a class of road Motorcycles without fairings. Unlike touring bikes, naked bikes often have little or no fairing (hence the title). Luggage capabilities are often an optional extra. Naked bikes are popular for commuting and other city riding as the upright riding position gives greater visibility in heavy traffic (both for the rider and to other road users) and are more comfortable than the hunched over sport bikes. Note that naked bike and standard are not fully interchangeable terms. Naked refers to the lack of bodywork and standard refers to the upright riding position.
• Scooters: Motorbikes with a step-through frame, generally smaller wheels than those of a traditional motorcycle and an engine mounted near the rear wheel on the swingarm. A scooter is a style of two-wheeled motor vehicle traditionally defined by characteristics such as a step-through frame wheels less than 16" in diameter and an engine located Can be ridden without straddling any part of the bike and usually features a floorboard. Available in sport, commuter, and touring models and wide variety of engine sizes from the standard 50 cc to 850 cc.

• Sport bikes: Fast, light, sleek motorcycles designed to give maximum performance for racing or spirited road riding while conforming to FIM rules. ( is an international corporation based in Japan. It has headquarters in both Chūō-ku, Kobe and Minato Tokyo. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation groups motorcycles into the following three separate classes street, off-road, and dual-sport. They are distinguishable by their racing style fairings and the rider's tipped-forward seating position. They are also called "race replicas" because of their connection to the racing category for production motorcycles known as Superbike racing, and earlier similar race series (the term arose in the 1980s). Superbike racing is a category of Motorcycle racing that employs modified production motorcycles The power to weight ratio of the 900 cc+ models typically matches or exceeds one bhp of power for every one kg of mass.
  • Racing bikes: Motorcycles designed for circuit or road racing, including mass-production motorcycles modified for motorcycle racing or sport riding. Motorcycle racing (also known as Moto racing and Bike racing) is a Motorcycle sport involving Racing Motorcycles. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation groups motorcycles into the following three separate classes street, off-road, and dual-sport.
  • Street customs: Highly customised motorcycles with wild paint jobs also built for show, but constructed from a sport bike frame instead of a cruiser-style frame.

• Touring motorcycles: Touring bikes are designed for rider and passenger comfort, luggage carrying capacity, and reliability. BMW Motorrad, a division of BMW, is a German Motorcycle manufacturer A touring motorcycle is a type of Motorcycle designed for long-distance touring and heavy commuting Cruisers, sport bikes and some dual-sports can also be used as touring bikes with the addition of aftermarket luggage and sometimes seats. Common throughout the touring market are usually large-displacement fairings and windshields (for weather and wind protection), large-capacity fuel tanks (for long-range travel), engines optimised for progressive torque rather than highest possible power, and a more relaxed, basically upright seating position.
  • Sport touring motorcycles: Sport-tourers combine attributes of a sport bike and a touring motorcycle. Sport touring refers to either a style of Motorcycle design or a philosophy of riding They are built for comfortable long-distance travel while maintaining a forward-leaning riding position, good handling, and high performance.
• Underbones: Small motorcycle which is a crossover between a scooter and a true motorcycle with step-through frame, popular in Southeast Asia. Underbones or Underbone Motorcycles are a class of small Motorcycles (also known as Mopeds in Western countries that are halfway between true scooters While the fuel tank for most motorcycles are tear-shaped and located at the top and just behind the instrument panel, the fuel tank for an underbone motorcycle is located under the seat.

Off-road

• Motocross bikes: Motorcycles designed for racing over closed circuits, often with jumps, over varied terrain of gravel/mud/sand. () is a Multinational corporation, engine Manufacturer and engineering corporation headquartered in Japan. Motocross is a form of Motorcycle sport or All-terrain vehicle racing held on enclosed Off road circuits Motocross is a form of Motorcycle sport or All-terrain vehicle racing held on enclosed Off road circuits Sometimes simply called "dirt bikes" when not being raced, they can also be used for informal off-road recreation, or "mudding".
• Supermotos: Beginning in the mid-1990s, motocross machines fitted with street wheels and tyres similar to those used on Sport bikes began to appear. Supermoto or Supermotard is a cross-over or evolution of Motocross and Road racing. These are known as "Supermotards", and riders of these machines compete in specially organised rallies and races.
• Trials motorcycles: Motorcycles made as light as possible, with no seat (as they are designed to be ridden standing up), in order to provide maximum freedom of body positioning and stunt capability for use in observed trials competition. Motorcycle trials, also termed observed trials, is a non-speed event on specialized Motorcycles The sport is most popular in the UK and Spain Motorcycle trials, also termed observed trials, is a non-speed event on specialized Motorcycles The sport is most popular in the UK and Spain

Dual-purpose

• Dual-sports: Road-legal machines offering a compromise in highway and off-road performance, durability and comfort. The Kawasaki KLR650 is a dual-purpose Motorcycle intended for use on both paved and unpaved roads A dual-sport, colloquially known as "dualie" or an "on-off road bike" is a type of street-legal Motorcycle that is designed for both on and Since the requirements are often conflicting, the manufacturer has to choose one or the other, resulting in a great variety of bikes in this category.
• Enduros: Road-legal versions of a motocross machine, i. Enduro is a form of Motorcycle sport run on courses that are predominantly Off-road. Motocross is a form of Motorcycle sport or All-terrain vehicle racing held on enclosed Off road circuits e. , featuring high ground clearance and copious suspension with minimal creature comforts. Highly unsuitable for long distance road travel. The features that differ from the motocross versions are the silencers, the flywheel weights and the presence of features necessary for highway use.
• Adventure Touring: Closely related to dual-sports, adventure tourers are motorcycles with lighter weight than just about any other bike considered a tourer, but heavier than any traditional dual-sport. Adventure tourers can handle with aplomb rough dirt paths such as fire roads however, for their weight they are generally not suited for anything more strenuous than that. The advantage is their increased number of luxury features and larger engines which make on-road riding much more enjoyable.

Motorcycle rider postures

The motorcyclist's riding position depends on rider body-geometry (anthropometry) combined with the geometry of the motorcycle itself — falling along a spectrum of three basic postures. Anthropometry ( Greek άνθρωπος man and μέτρον measure literally meaning "measurement of humans" in Physical anthropology, refers to the ^[23]

• Standard: In this position the rider sits roughly upright, in a neutral position, neither leaning forward nor rearward, knees lower than the hips, and feet roughly below the riders centre of gravity. The rider has excellent visibility and a higher seat height—but with greater wind resistance, a higher centre of gravity, and potentially more difficulty flat-footing—having the ability, when stationary, to put both feet flat on the ground for safety and comfort, keeping the machine upright.

• Sport: In this position the rider leans forward with the upper torso, supporting the upper-body weight with the back, stomach and leg muscles thereby keeping the forearms loose and relaxed providing smooth steering input/feedback at the handlebars. Knees are at hip height or below and squeezed against the tank to help support the upper body with the feet positioned on the balls of the foot on the footpegs. The position offers the advantage of decreased wind resistance but an otherwise cramped position that may be difficult to sustain for longer periods (some hours). The Sport riding position offers good flat-footing.

• Cruiser: In this position the rider sits at a lower seat-height with the upper torso upright to slightly rearward. Knees are near hip height and legs extended forward. This position offers the advantage of comfortable circulation to the legs and ease of flat-footing—though with a lower field of visibility. In this position the rider may have difficulty lifting off the seat (when crossing an obstacle for example).

Important factors of a motorcycle's ergonomic geometry that determine the seating posture include the height, angle and location of footpegs, seat and handlebars. Ergonomics is the Scientific discipline concerned with Designing according to the human needs and the profession that applies theory principles data and methods Likewise, factors in a rider's physical geometry that contribute to seating posture include torso, arm, thigh and leg length, and overall rider height.

Legal definitions and restrictions

See also: Restrictions on motorcycle use on freeways

A motorcycle is broadly defined by law in some countries for the purposes of registration, taxation or licensing riders as a two-wheel motor vehicle "fit to drive. The concept of a Freeway (a public way intended primarily for high speed travel over long distances has resulted in a set of highways with engineering features such as long sight distances " Other countries distinguish between mopeds and other small bikes and the larger, more powerful vehicles. Mopeds are a class of low-powered (typically under 50 cc displacement) motorized vehicle generally two or three wheeled In Canada and some U. S. jurisdictions, three-wheeled motor vehicles fall under the auspices of motorcycle regulations. A tricycle (often abbreviated to trike) is a three-wheeled vehicle

In the United Kingdom, the rules on which motorcycle may be ridden by whom are complex. A tricycle (often abbreviated to trike) is a three-wheeled vehicle The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located ^[24] A "moped", which can be ridden at age 16, has a maximum design speed not exceeding 50 km/h (31 mph) and engine capacity no greater than 50 cc. A "learner motorcycle", which can be ridden from age 17, has an engine up to 125 cc with a power output not exceeding 11 kW (15 hp). Only a Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) licence is needed to ride a learner motorcycle with an L plate. In the United Kingdom, the term Compulsory Basic Training (abbreviated to CBT) is a preliminary vehicular training course which must be completed by learner-civilians A "large restricted motorcycle" has a power output of not more than 25 kW (34 hp). Riders are restricted to riding large restricted motorcycles or smaller for two years after passing their initial motorcycle test. A "large motorcycle" has a power output of at least 25 kW.

For riders over age 21 there is a direct access route to gaining a licence to ride a large motorcycle, which allows somebody with no motorcycle experience to train and pass a test in around five days. All motorcycle riders in the UK must first take a one-day CBT course, regardless of which class of motorcycle they intend to ride. In addition a theory test must be taken prior to taking a practical test for any type of motorcycle licence.

In New Zealand, "learner" and "restricted" motorcycles may only have a 250 cc engine capacity. This distinction draws some criticism, as it allows 15-year-old learner riders to operate bikes capable of reaching speeds in excess of 250 km/h (160 mph).

The legal age to be eligible to apply for a New Zealand motorcycle licence is 15 years and over. New Zealand employs a three stage system for motor vehicle licensing. At age 15, an individual can gain their first licence known as their "learner licence". They must hold this for at least 6 months before they are able to move on to their "restricted licence". They must then hold this "restricted licence" for one and half years. After a period of 6 to 18 months, depending on age and additional training, a holder of a restricted licence may sit the third and final stage known as the "full licence". Until an individual has their "full licence" they are only able to ride a motorcycle which has an engine capacity of 250 cc or less. ^[25]

The laws of some countries allow anyone with a car licence to legally ride mopeds not exceeding 50 cc in capacity, meaning that they do not need to show any competency in handling such a vehicle.

The laws and regulations for legal moped usage in the U. S. vary by state. ^[26] The specifics of the motorcycle and moped laws in the U. S. can be obtained from each individual state's Department of Motor Vehicles' websites. ^[27]

See also

• Electric motorcycles and scooters
• List of motorcycle deaths in U.S. by year
• List of motorcycle manufacturers
• Mopeds
• Motorcycle lift
• Motorcycle Loan
• Motorised bicycle
• Motorised scooter
• Motor scooter

References

External links

• American Motorcyclist Association - the governing body for motorcycle sport in the U. S. The AMA lobbies for the rights of motorcyclists through the AMA-PAC. The American Motorcyclist Association is an American not-for-profit organization of more than 280000 motorcyclists that organizes numerous motorcycling activities and campaigns In the US, a Political Action Committee, or PAC, is the name commonly given to a private group regardless of size organized to elect political candidates
• Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme - the governing body for international motorcycle sport. The FIM also lobbies for the rights and interests of motorcyclists. The Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM International Motorcycling Federation) is the governing body of motorcycle racing
• Motorcycle Glossary - definitions of motorcycle terms
• Motorcycle Safety Foundation - an internationally recognised developer of comprehensive, research-based, motorcycle rider education and training.
• Motorcycles at the Open Directory Project

The Open Directory Project ( ODP) also known as dmoz (from directory

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