What is a Motorcycle?

A motorcycle is a motorised two or three-wheeled vehicle with a steering wheel and a place for the rider to sit. It is powered by an internal combustion engine and has one or more cylinders, with the power delivered through a transmission system to the rear wheels. Its basic design has remained relatively unchanged since the first petrol-powered motorcycles were developed in the early 1900s. The first internal combustion petrol-powered motorcycles were designed and built by Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach, who called their invention the Reitwagen (riding car).

The modern motorcycle has a wide variety of designs, engine sizes and types, body styles, and accessories. However, the most common elements are a fuel tank, clutch, engine, transmission system, and rear wheel drive. The motorcycle’s frame is usually made of steel or aluminium, and it may have telescopic forks to hold the front wheel. The brakes are typically disc-operated and either on the front or the back of the motorcycle. Some models have linked brakes that are controlled by one lever.

While there are many practical reasons to ride a motorcycle, riding a motorcycle is also an exciting and fun experience. It is more interactive and dynamic than driving a car, because the rider’s body movements affect how the bike moves: leaning to one side or the other changes the direction of the steering wheel and shifts the weight of the bike, which in turn affects its acceleration and braking.