
If that’s your dream motorcycle type, 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 racecar-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.

But the question remains: “What kind of motorcycle should I get?” 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 riding styles. Prior to the ‘80s, motorcycles were broken down into two major categories: street bikes and dirt bikes.
