In the market there are several categories of motorcycles regardless of their performance, classified into two main classes:
- Road (road use only).
- Campo / Off Road (Valid for both road and to travel on the field).
Within the category “Road” there are several subtypes:
Scooter (Scooter): Although they were initially urban models of 49 cc scooter there are currently several displacements that can reach even the 839 cc, are called “Maxi scooters”, its most significant feature:
- Have a body.
- Having a flat floor where footrest.
- Generally use an automatic (no gears).
- Have holes for storing objects, in fact under the seat usually have a large enough space to store at least a helmet.
- Using smaller wheels than motorcycles.
Tourist (Touring): They are designed to travel with some comfort, salient characteristics:
- Engines using medium or large displacement.
- They fairing and windshield for improved aerodynamics.
- They have a comfortable driving position for long journeys.
- They carry a large fuel tank capacity for extended life.
- They have bags on the sides and center back (Some models like the Honda NT700V Deauville feature integrated panniers) but really the bags you can put virtually any type of bike, but on Touring models usually carry the standard.
Custom: These are models that allow “Customization” (Personalization) from the owner albeit from classic and / or retro design models (Noted for their teardrop tank, plenty of chrome and cylinder engines in V) manufacturers greater recognition in this category are Harley-Davidson (Founded in 1903) and Indian (Founded in 1901, but has gone bankrupt several times) but now the Japanese manufacturers (Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha are not far behind precisely) within the custom models there are several types:
- Cruiser: They are long motor and downs that can travel long distances at speed “cruise”, have a long wheelbase (The front axle is somewhat in advance) have wraparound fender, the driving position is comfortable for trips roughly long, fuel tanks typically have large and admit lots of accessories (Some bikes can take standard) including: saddle / leather bags, windshield, auxiliary lights, foot platforms instead of footrests,… Currently the Custom Most belong to this category.
- Bobber: They appeared in the 40s, are long and low (Long & Low), both wheels (Front and rear) have the same diameter and in many cases thickness, your tires are usually radios, are the predecessors of Choppers.
- Chopper: They appeared in the late 60s, are models with long narrow chassis, have very long front forks often with springs (What is called Springer), the rear suspension is lowered or even nonexistent (The latter is what called Hard tail) have a fuel tank smaller than the bike home, often airbrushed and have lots of chrome.
- Dresser: They emerged in the mid-60s, consists of replacing or adding accessories (Dresser means dressing in English) to improve the aesthetics or functionality of the bike to make it “toured” but not long trips do with it; in many cases usually Baroque style.
- Rat-Bike: bikes are created from pieces of rusty scrap, really not a well-known variant; in fact maybe they can be related to motorcycles Mad Max movie.
- Street Fighter: Appeared in the late 80s, used as a base a sports bike which will remove the fairing (providing them with high power and torque), using current materials like aluminum, fiberglass, … They have a rear tail pretty elevation (They are usually car models), wear thick tires have some chrome parts, the front headlamp is smaller than the original (On some models small windshield mount for improved aerodynamics), are often airbrushed painting.
- Show Bike: exposure models are not typically available to the merchant market, typically created for contests.
- Special Construction: bikes are built to suit the client (You can tell they are an evolution of the previous Bikes Show), use an engine manufacturer, but the other parts (tank, fork, dampers, …) need not be the same manufacturer, in fact the chassis usually be tailored to the client. The manufacture is handmade but must meet minimum quality in construction and materials.
Naked usually based on sports models that were removed leaving the engine cowling uncovered within this category there are several subtypes:
- Roadster: They have large displacement and some wind protection.
- Street fighter: They have great power and sportier than conventional Naked skills.
- Scrambler: They have a classic look with wheels adapted to run on land.
Sports (Sport): They are high performance motor cycle (Great acceleration and top speed of 250 km / h or even more) suitable for use on the road, is the closest thing to a race bike (In fact many come from the world of racing although with certain modifications) have an aggressive image, take a fairing improves its aerodynamic resistance, the driving position is very advanced (Not advisable bikes for long trips).
Speed / Careers: the models used in competition (A few of the most popular are: world championship motorcycle racing (currently with 125cc, Moto2 and Moto), and racing Superbikes) are, are characterized by: stability high speed (both straight and cornering), great acceleration, excellent braking, easy to maneuver and low weight.
Within the category “Campo / Off Road” there are several subtypes:
Cross: They are designed for motocross, have great acceleration (although low speed, really off-road speed is a secondary factor), carry suspensions great ride often used in competition (lack of light and cannot be registered by urban) areas. Within this type would also be Super cross bikes (It’s similar to motocross sport, although in this case the bikes have some adjustments in terms of engine and suspensions).
Trial: motorcycles are used primarily for competition; no seat, have knobby tires with lower pressure (This helps to better overcome obstacles) and use shorter than motocross or other bikes suspensions. Initially trial tests were outside, but from a few years ago the tests are held indoors (e.g. Fields), resulting in the so-called Indoor Trial.
SUV (also called Trail): Combines motocross with the trial, bikes are involved in racing Rally Raids (e.g. Paris – Dakar Rally Pharaohs,) these competitions usually last several days and circuits they are opened, an example of this type of bikes are KTM 990 Adventure who participated in a Dakar Rally. Keep in mind that these bikes can circulate in urban areas because they have lights (including intermissions) and may enroll.
Also outside the category of motorcycle, moped called there which usually have less than 80 cc (usually 49 cc) and can be of any subtype of the above (Given the limitations of corresponding benefits due to their engines very low capacity), as there mopeds with “look” of bike: Cross, Sport, Custom … Even there Quads (quads, 4 wheel) with 49 cc engines; the moped has certain limitations ,: cannot exceed 45 km / h by construction or circular motorway / highway (The minimum speed in Spain for a highway is 60 Km / h).