Difference between revisions of "Category:Motorcycle types"

Most are capable of speeds up to 100 mph (~160 km/h), and many of speeds in excess of 125 mph (~200 km/h).

Most are capable of speeds up to 100 mph (~160 km/h), and many of speeds in excess of 125 mph (~200 km/h).

Road motorcycles are themselves broken down into several sub-categories.

Road motorcycles are themselves broken down into several sub-categories.

Sportbikes, sometimes called performance bikes, are typically much smaller and lighter than cruisers, and are essentially consumer versions of the motorcycles used in [[motorcycle racing]], which they are generally only a few years behind in technology. The meaning of the term "Superbike" has changed over time since it was coined to describe Honda's CB750 of 1969. Nowadays the definition is drawn from the production racing series, World Superbike where engines are limited to 1000cc. The term "Supersport" is also derived from racing with a 600cc limit for four cyclinder engines and a 750cc limit for twins.  

Sportbikes, sometimes called performance bikes, are typically much smaller and lighter than cruisers, and are essentially consumer versions of the motorcycles used in [[motorcycle racing]], which they are generally only a few years behind in technology. The meaning of the term "Superbike" has changed over time since it was coined to describe Honda's CB750 of 1969. Nowadays the definition is drawn from the production racing series, World Superbike where engines are limited to 1000cc. The term "Supersport" is also derived from racing with a 600cc limit for four cyclinder engines and a 750cc limit for twins.  

Sportbikes are almost invariably capable of very high speeds as compared to most vehicles, with great stability in corners. Large-[[engine displacement|displacement]] sports bikes offer large [[power-to-weight ratio]] with explosive acceleration; most bikes reach 100 km/h from stand still at or about 3 seconds and can do a [[quarter mile]] under or about 10 seconds. They are difficult to manage by those not experienced in their operation; for the less-experienced or who have requirements of a smaller, lighter vehicle, smaller-displacement, sub-75 horsepower (56 kW) motorcycles are also manufactured. The 2006 [[Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14]] (stock) can reach 100 km/h (62 mph) under 2.5 seconds and does a quarter mile in 9 seconds flat with an experienced rider, however top speed is restricted to 300 km/h (186 mph).The many engine-sizes available often reflect the difference professional and amateur racing classes which adhere to strict engine-size and weight rules. The late 1990s saw "power wars" between various motorcycle manufacturers that culminated in [[Suzuki]]'s 1300 cc [[Suzuki GSX1300R|GSX-1300R Hayabusa]], the first production motorcycle to exceed 300 km/h (186 mph) , and [[Kawasaki motorcycles|Kawasaki]]'s [[Kawasaki ZX-12R|ZX-12R]], designed to exceed 320 km/h (200 mph). The Japanese manufacturers have allegedly had "[[gentlemen's agreement]]s" to limit production motorcycle engines to a maximum output of 125bhp in the 90s & later a maximum speed of 300 km/h (186 mph) in an effort to promote safety - typically accomplished with an electronically-controlled speed governor.  Aftermarket manufacturers, however, do not hesitate to satisfy the need for even greater speeds - several produce  parts or systems designed to defeat the factory-installed speed limits.

Sportbikes are almost invariably capable of very high speeds as compared to most vehicles, with great stability in corners. Large-[[engine displacement|displacement]] sports bikes offer large [[power-to-weight ratio]] with explosive acceleration; most bikes reach 100 km/h from stand still at or about 3 seconds and can do a [[quarter mile]] under or about 10 seconds. They are difficult to manage by those not experienced in their operation; for the less-experienced or who have requirements of a smaller, lighter vehicle, smaller-displacement, sub-75 horsepower (56 kW) motorcycles are also manufactured. The 2006 [[Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14]] (stock) can reach 100 km/h (62 mph) under 2.5 seconds and does a quarter mile in 9 seconds flat with an experienced rider, however top speed is restricted to 300 km/h (186 mph).The many engine-sizes available often reflect the difference professional and amateur racing classes which adhere to strict engine-size and weight rules. The late 1990s saw "power wars" between various motorcycle manufacturers that culminated in [[Suzuki]]'s 1300 cc [[Suzuki GSX1300R|GSX-1300R Hayabusa]], the first production motorcycle to exceed 300 km/h (186 mph) , and [[Kawasaki motorcycles|Kawasaki]]'s [[Kawasaki ZX-12R|ZX-12R]], designed to exceed 320 km/h (200 mph). The Japanese manufacturers have allegedly had "[[gentlemen's agreement]]s" to limit production motorcycle engines to a maximum output of 125bhp in the 90s & later a maximum speed of 300 km/h (186 mph) in an effort to promote safety - typically accomplished with an electronically-controlled speed governor.  Aftermarket manufacturers, however, do not hesitate to satisfy the need for even greater speeds - several produce  parts or systems designed to defeat the factory-installed speed limits.