Choosing the Right Bike – 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
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
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
maneuverable 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 esthetic choices for paint, seat fabric and so on. Saddlebags, though,
always look a little odd on sportbikes 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.