Beginners Biking - How to choose the right Motorcycle

So many choices how do you choose the right Motorcycle for you?

Choosing the right motorcycle is probably even more complicated than picking the family car. There are dozens of different basic types of motorcycle before you even get to the stage of looking for a brand or add-ons.

Sportbikes, tourers, cruisers, motocross and several more basic types are available in as many varieties as the number of motorcycle gang movies.

You need to consider the amount of time you willl want to do one kind of riding versus another. We hope the following information will help you with your decision.

Standard Motorcycle

The most versatile choice is probably the standard motorcycle. Nothing to knock the neighbor's socks off usually, but available today with clean lines, good power and reasonable comfort.

Bikes of this type usually weigh less than 200 kg (440 lbs) and have a wheel base less than 150cm (5 feet). Engine capacity is typically less than 750cc. Horsepower runs anywhere as low as 50bhp up to about 80bhp.

Moderate power, reasonable comfort, good gas mileage and lots of styling options over several major brands. Fine for commuting around town, but not for long road trip. Only suitable for very moderate hill climbing and certainly no motocross activity.

Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda, Kawasaki plus a few others all make several different models for this category.

Sportbike

This Motorcycle is not a commuting vehicle, sportbikes are built for speed, not comfort. The riding position is more crouched and the wrists get a real workout.  Engine sizes between 650cc to 1000cc you get plenty of acceleration for that perfect riding rush. You also get pretty good maneuverability and stopping power.

The seat on a sportbike is a little lower to the ground. Looks good moving and feels solid at high speed. Horsepower on this type is 20%-40% higher than on standard models.

Made for speeding along asphalt and concrete, it is important not to get crazy and to ride within the limitations of the design. Otherwise, safety margins are easily exceeded.

Again Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda, Kawasaki plus a few others all make several different models for this category.

Touring Motorcycle

Generally larger than standard motorcycles, touring bikes weigh more and have longer wheelbases. 500 lbs is average and bikes hover just shy of five feet long. Seats are designed with those long periods in the saddle in view, for both driver and passenger.

Comfort in seating is key, but the position of the handlebars, pegs and the overall ergonomic configuration is made as a complete package. Fairing is common, as is a larger gas tank. 'Fairing' is the flared composite that surrounds the front of the bike. It reduces drag by a modest amount, but at lower speeds it does little other than make the bike look stylish.

Windscreens are essential, even though a helmet is standard head gear. Better to have bugs on the windscreen than on your faceplate.

BMW is famous for their touring models, but Honda has made heavier bikes since the 1980s that are often used for this purpose. And those two have lots of competition.

The Cruiser Motorcycle

This Motorcycle is big, heavy and solid. 600 lbs is common and the seat is generally lower, with engines that are larger than other types. The wheelbase is longer than average and the forks are raked at a greater angle.

Cruisers are definitely not for off-road, though many have seen a lot of dirt. They're built for stability, but often have high top speeds. They usually have lots of room for extras, like saddlebags and even a sidecar. 1400cc engines are common and the pipes are made to rumble.

Harley Davidson is the king of the category, but they have lots of competition. Indian has made a lot of models over the decades, but they have been going in and out of business for a hundred years. Suzuki and Kawasaki make 1500cc bikes that display all the features of a traditional cruiser.

A cruiser can, and has been, used for touring but for those long road trips the touring bike will be more comfortable. Here, style is everything.

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