Motorcycles Buying Guide
If you're reading this, then you're probably past the initial fears involved with the act of riding a motorcycle. 
Now it's time to learn about them and choosing which one to buy. There is a lot to know about bikes. First, there are the manufacturers. Some tops ones right now: Honda, Harley-Davidson, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Ducati, BMW, Buell and of course, the list goes on. Then there are the styles: touring, sport-touring, sport, standard, cruisers, off-road, and of course, many more. Confused yet? Don't be, this guide will help you figure out what's what and, more importantly, what's out there so you can shop wisely.
The History
The first motorcycle was designed and built in 1885. Two Germans (Gottlieb Daimler and his assistant, Wilhelm Maybach) were the masterminds behind this now coveted invention. The first, technically a motorized bicycle, was a simply one wheel in front and one in back, which was constructed mostly of wood. In 1894, the first motorcycle became available for sale, built by Hildebrand & Wolfmuller. India was the predominant motorcycle manufacturer up until the World War I. Next up was Harley-Davidson, then DKW, and on it went being passed around from manufacturer to manufacturer. Today, the industry leading is the Japanese manufacturers, including Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha. BMW, Triumph and Ducati have crept back up on the scene in the last few years.
The Lingo
Once you are ready to go, you may also want to know the terms. Below are some of the basics.
- Apex: The middle or center point of a turn.
- Chopper: Originally, a bike that had its non-essentials "chopped off" to make it faster and lighter. Nowadays, it's really just a custom-made bike.
- Crotch Rocket: Term used to describe a high-performance bike.
- Cruiser: A style of motorcycle that has a lot seat and pullback handles. The style comes from the '60s and '70s.
- Daytona: March madness on motorcycles at Daytona's Bike Week.
- Dresser: A bike designed for long-distance touring, complete with luggage and a windshield.
- Four-Stroke Engine: The most common engine design in street bikes today. Refers to the number of times a piston moves up and down through each power cycle.
- Hell's Angels: A 1930s movie. A B-17 squadron in WWII. The name was later adopted by a group of motorcyclists for their club. There are now many chapters and their choice bike is the Harley-Davidson.
- High Side: Type of crash resulting when the real wheel starts to slide in a turn, then grips all of a sudden, resulting in the bike flipping sideways.
- Low Side: A crash when the wheel loses traction, allowing the bike to fall sideways.
- MSF: The Motorcycle Safety Foundation, which sponsors training courses to promote safety and well-being.
- Road Rash: A term to define the injuries to the skin when a rider falls or is thrown from the bike.
- Standard Bike: A no-frills bike, usually the most affordable, with no saddlebags, windshield, radio or trunk.
- Thumper: A single-cylinder, four-stroke bike engine.
Motorcycles by Manufacturer
Motorcycles by Style
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Cruisers - The "classic" style.
- Ride leaning back, feet forward with hands elevated.
- Great for long distance travel.
- Constrained turning.
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Sport
- Racing style.
- Ride leaning forward, feet back with hands low.
- Very fast (upwards of 186 mph), great at turns.
- Also known as "bullet" or "plastic" bikes.
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Off Road
- Encompasses competitive and recreational dirt bikes.
- Heightened suspension.
- Light, durable body.
- Ideal for dirt and muddy terrain.
- No standard street features (turn signals, etc.).
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Motocross
- A dirt bike suited specifically for closed circuit racing on natural terrain.
- Geared for high acceleration rather than high speeds.
- Illegal for street travel.
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Dual Purpose
- Dirt bike suitable for street driving.
- Off road suspension.
- Standard motorcycle equipment.
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External Links
- Howstuffworks.com: An overview of motorcycle types, with additional laymen's information about the mechanics of motorcycles.
- BikeZ.com: Motorcyle message board and forums.
- Wikipedia.com: A comprehensive overview of the history and more.
- AMA-cycle.org: American Motorcyclist Association is a great resource and organization for all things motorcyle.
