| Motorcycles are cheap to run, exciting to ride and a | | | | arrangement, however 'chopper' style motorcycles |
| quick way to travel through traffic. Styles of | | | | often elect to forgo rear suspension, using a rigid |
| motorcycles vary depending on the task for which | | | | frame. As can be seen from the streamlined |
| they are designed, such as long distance travel, | | | | appearance of new performance motorcycles, there |
| navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and | | | | is much aerodynamic technology included in the design. |
| racing, or off-road conditions. | | | | Modern fairings on touring and sport-touring |
| In many parts of the world, motorcycles are among | | | | motorcycles dramatically improve a rider's comfort and |
| the least expensive and most widespread forms of | | | | attention on long rides by reducing the effect of the |
| motorised transport. After the Second World War, the | | | | wind and rain on the body. |
| BSA Group became the largest producer of | | | | While the reasons for people choosing to ride |
| motorcycles in the world, producing up to 75,000 bikes | | | | motorcycles are many and varied, those reasons are |
| a year in the 1950s. | | | | increasingly practical, with riders opting for a powered |
| Almost all commercially available motorcycles are | | | | two-wheeler as a cost-efficient alternative to |
| driven by conventional gasoline internal combustion | | | | infrequent and expensive public transport systems, or |
| engines, but some small scooter-type models use an | | | | as a means of avoiding or reducing the effects of |
| electric motor, and a very small number of diesel | | | | urban congestion. |
| models exist. Liquid-cooled motorcycles have a | | | | Motorcycles from a number of manufacturers now |
| radiator (exactly like the radiator on a car) which is the | | | | have electric windshields, which raise and lower the |
| primary way their heat is dispersed. Liquid cooled | | | | windshield with the push of a button to the optimum |
| motorcycles have the potential for greater power at a | | | | height for conditions. |
| given displacement, tighter tolerances, and longer | | | | In England, motorcycles are exempt from the £8 |
| operating life, whereas air cooled motorcycles are | | | | per day London congestion charge other vehicles |
| potentially cheaper to purchase, less mechanically | | | | have to pay to enter the city during the day. |
| complex and lighter weight. | | | | In many cultures, motorcycles are the primary means |
| Only the largest touring motorcycles and a few | | | | of motorized transport. |
| models that are routinely used with a sidecar or | | | | Electric motorcycles are emission free during operation, |
| converted to tricycle configuration are fitted with a | | | | producing the electricity that charges the batteries in |
| reverse gear. At one time, motorcycles all used spoke | | | | them can be a cause of pollution. Street customs: |
| wheels built up from separate components , but, | | | | Highly customised motorcycles with wild paint jobs also |
| except for dirtbikes, one-piece wheels are more | | | | built for show, but constructed from a sport bike frame |
| common now. Brakes can either be drum or disc | | | | instead of a cruiser-style frame. |
| based, with disc brakes being more common on large, | | | | The chassis (or frame) of a motorcycle is typically |
| modern or more expensive motorcycles for their far | | | | made from welded aluminum or steel (or alloy) struts, |
| superior stopping power, particularly in wet conditions. | | | | with the rear suspension being an integral component |
| Modern designs have the two wheels of a motorcycle | | | | in the design. |
| connected to the chassis by a suspension | | | | |