Motorcycles

Motorcycles are motorised vehicles steered by the rider from a saddle-style seat, and powered by an internal combustion engine. They are commonly used for transportation in low and middle income countries. They are cheaper to purchase and operate than cars, and take up a fraction of the space. They are also faster, with some able to accelerate from 0-60 in less than three seconds, and get better gas mileage. However, they are more dangerous than other vehicles because of their heightened risk of accidents.

The most basic motorbikes have nothing more than a small engine, two wheels, steering, and brakes. Riding a bike requires a lot of practice and skill. The technique is not the same as driving a car, but it is similar in that you need to look where you want to go, and press on the handlebar or handgrip in the direction that you are turning.

Most modern motorcycles have steel or aluminium frames, telescopic forks to hold the front wheel, and a swingarm to hold the rear wheel. A petrol engine with one to four cylinders drives the rear wheel via a chain or shaft, and most have disc brakes.

Sport genre motorcycles are made for speed and agility, with forward-leaning ergonomics to help the rider carve through corners. They are lightweight with a lot of aluminum and lighter materials to increase side-to-side maneuverability, and have taller seat heights to let the rider lean farther without scraping their feet on foot pegs or fairings. This type of motorcycle is often the choice of new riders or those looking to upgrade from a scooter or older, larger machine.