Most dual-sport bikes are designed to be ridden to the far corners of the earth and loaded with touring gear. All dual-sport bikes include long-travel suspension ( for riding off-road) coupled with a motor suitable for distance riding. Typically split into two categories, dual-sports are either lightweight “Enduro” style motorcycles that expand the versatility of a dirt bike to shorter on-road and longer off-road stints or “ADV/Adventure bikes” that lean on the comforts of a street bike while still boasting off-road capability. Not especially fast in terms of top speedĭual-Sport Kawasaki VERSYS X Bill Roberson/The Manualĭual-sport motorcycles are the Swiss army knife of the motorcycle world.Just don’t expect to win races against sportbikes - unless you buy a “power cruiser,” which is a cruiser with a more powerful engine and other performance upgrades … but probably not a great first choice for a beginner.Įxamples: Any Harley-Davidson or Indian, Honda Shadow, Yamaha (Star), Kawasaki Vulcan, Ducati Diavel (pretty much every major bike maker has a few cruiser models in their lineup) A light- or medium-weight cruiser makes a good beginner bike because they are easier to handle at low speeds and have a more relaxed power output. Cruisers can be stripped down, bobbed, painted - a cruiser is what you make of it. Comfortable to ride, cruisers can also make for good touring bikes with the addition of saddlebags, a windscreen, and maybe a backrest for the passenger. Cruisers feature a low seat height, a torque-rich engine (typically a V-twin), a fat rear tire, lots of styles, and, very often, a lot of chrome. If that’s your dream, you should be shopping for a cruiser. Many beginning riders picture themselves cruising city streets on a powerful, low-slung machine. Requires a very high level of skill to ride competentlyĬruiser Harley-Davidson Bill Roberson/The Manual.Can exceed most worldwide speed limits in first or second gear (of six gears).Typically not very comfortable for distance riding.Thrilling to ride fast - if you have the skills.Stylish good looks with the highest tech available.Actual race car-levels of acceleration and top speed (depending on the bike).Lots of power, great brakes, and adjustable suspension.Sportbikes are typically not the best choice for a beginner due to their hair-trigger nature and prodigious power, but a lower-powered, middle-weight sportbike or a “sportbike lite” might be a good choice to start with if this is the kind of bike you definitely want to ride.Įxamples: Ducati Panigale, Honda CBR models, Kawasaki ZX series, Yamaha R1 or R6, Triumph Daytona, Suzuki GSX-R models, Aprilia RSV4 While most sportbikes are not designed for distance riding, that hasn’t stopped many riders from adding some soft bags and a better seat so they can enjoy long stretches of challenging roads or racetracks. A common sentiment about sportbikes is that they are not comfortable unless you’re going over 100 mph, at which point they become very comfortable because they are in their element. High-powered with sophisticated suspension systems and high-performance brakes, sportbikes are typically stuffed with the latest and greatest technology you can find on two wheels (or four). ![]() ![]() If you’re looking for the fastest motorcycles, sportbikes are the speed machines of the motorcycle world. Sportbike Suzuki GSX-R750W Bill Roberson/The Manual If you’re a new rider who’s just starting out with a desire to learn the fundamentals, we’ve curated a dictionary of motorcycle slang to help you get a better understanding of the lingo. ![]() Some of the terms can be confusing if you’re just getting into the world of motorcycles. Today, there are more motorcycle types than ever before, which means even more options for riders. This, as one would expect, led to multiple segments, many of which are specialized. That changed decades ago when motorcycle companies began manufacturing motorcycles for different styles of riding. Prior to the ‘80s, motorcycles were broken down into two major categories: street bikes and dirt bikes.
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