Choosing the Right Motorcycle - Part I

Choosing the right motorcycle is probably even more complicated than picking the family car. Sedan, Truck or SUV and pick a brand, then haggle about price.

You're done. But there are a dozen 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.

So, divide and conquer. Consider how much of the time you'll want to do one kind of riding versus another. Look at your budget. You might decide you want to pay a little more for one kind, less for a second so you can actually buy two.

Standard Motorcycles

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.

With those specs, you get moderate power and good gas mileage along with dozens of styling options over a several major brands. Fine for commuting around town, but you probably aren't going to take it for a long road trip. You also don't want to take these types for more than very moderate hill climbing and certainly no motocross activity.

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

Sportbike Motorcycles

The next step up for speed, with maybe a slight compromise of comfort, is the sportbike. With 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.

On the downside, for anyone looking to use it for a commuting vehicle, sportbikes are swept for speed, not comfort. The riding position is more crouched and the wrists get a real workout.

The wheelbase is typically shorter - around 140cm (55 inches) and the seat is a little lower to the ground. But the lines are aerodynamic and the bike 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, some are even less manoeuvrable on dirt than a standard motorcycle. It's important not to get crazy and to ride within the limitations of the design. Otherwise, safety margins are easily exceeded.

Once again Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda, Kawasaki and a few others all make several different models for this category. It's common to find strong opinions about which make is better, but objectively they vary a lot by specific model and year.

Either type can be gussied up with a variety of gadgets, carrying options and aesthetic choices for paint, seat fabric and so on. Saddlebags, though, always look a little odd on sport bikes and large mirrors would definitely ruin the streamlined styling.

Think carefully before you buy either one of these types of motorcycle, since one doesn't serve the purpose of the other very well. They also won't be good choices for those who want to cruise the boulevard or take that cross-country trip with the gang.

Choosing the Right Bike – Part II