Types of Motorcycles or Motorbikes

Please be informed that motorcycles are now the third most registered vehicles next to cars at 66.3 percent in the Philippines. The estimated number of motorcycles operate in the whole country is  3.5 million. I think with huge number of bikes running on the road, you are interested to know what are the different types of motorcycles. Each type has a lot of configurations, others are almost the same and also others are different. In this new world of motorcycle design creation, it is built for a purpose. I will describe below the different types of motorcycles as short description as I can.

Sport Bikes

Honda CBR 1000RR

•  Most of these bikes start at 400cc to 1200cc or higher displacement. It has multi-cylinder engines with very high torque, fast acceleration, and powerful. It has a nice tire that can handle very low banking angle.  It has an advance suspension with disk brakes front and rear. It has a bulky and robust look tank and the handlebars will make the rider to lean forward to reduce air pressure drag especially in very fast speed. Very popular model are Yamaha R6, R1 & YZF, FZ, TZR, Suzuki GSX-R,  Hayabusa, Honda CBR, Kawasaki Ninja, BMW S1000RR, Truimph Daytona and others.

·         Street Bikes

Honda Gold Wing - image via Wikipedia



Yamaha V-Max - image via wikipedia

• Most of these bikes start at 400cc to 1200cc or higher displacement. It has two types; the touring and cruising bikes. The touring bike was designed for long distance travel. It is equip with whole body fairings, wind shield above the headlight to reduce air pressure drag and could protect the rider from flying insects, saddlebags and very comfortable seat for the driver and passenger. Cruiser type bikes has an exposed engine (usually v-type engine), low ground clearance, forward driver footpegs, and commonly it has a higher handlebars that will laid back the driver. Very popular model are Yamaha V-Max, YBRG, FZ16, FZS, Honda CB400, 110 and others.

·         Naked Bikes

Ducati Monster - image via wikipedia

•  Most of this bike has a very high displacement. The design was from the sport bikes with no body fairings. A very head turner because it was customized to be a street warrior bike. The most popular of this type are the Ducati Monster,  Suzuki Gladius, GSX,  Yamaha FZ , XJR, Kawasaki ZRX, Aprilla Mana, BMW K 1200R, KTM 990 Super Duke, Moto Guzzi Breva and many many more.

·         Off-road Bikes

Honda CRF - image via wikipedia

• Most of these bikes start at 40cc to 500cc displacement. It is only used in Motocross competition and not designed to be used on the street. It also called motocross or dirt bikes. It has very nice suspension. It has a higher ground clearance and the swing-arm was designed to handle higher bumps. Popular model in the Philippines are Honda CRF, Kawasaki KLX 150S, Kawasaki KMX 125, Yamaha DT 125 and many more.

·         Dual Purpose Bikes

Kawasaki KLX 250S

•   It has the same design with off-road bikes but it has a legal accessories like lights, muffler, and side mirrors because it will be used both in city driving and off-road. Popular model in the Philippines are Honda XR200, Honda XLR, Kawasaki KLX 150S, Kawasaki KMX 125, Yamaha DT 125 and many more.

·         Traditional Bikes

Honda TMX 155 - image via honda motor philippines

• Has a very simple design.  This is referred to us as a classic motorcycle built in the year of 1970’s until now. The common term was motorcycle for business purposes. Popular model in the Philippines are Honda TMX 155, Kawasaki Bajaj, Kawasaki CT100, Yamaha STX and many more.

·         Underbone Bikes

Suzuki Raider 150 - image via wikipedia

• Most of these bikes start at 50cc to 250cc. The body is U-shaped and conventionally the fuel tank was found below the passenger set. This is very popular in Asia.  It has a storage compartment below the driver set and the old design has a basket on the front. There looks was almost identical to scooter design.  Popular model in the Philippines are Honda XRM, Yamaha Sniper, Yamaha Vega Force, Suzuki Raider 150R, Suzuki Shogun Pro and many more.

·         Scooter Bikes

Yamaha Mio - image via wikipedia

• Most of these bikes start at 50cc to 800cc. The most popular old design  are Vespa and  Lambretta. The common design identity of this bike is the driver feet platform on the front and not on the side. The most popular model in Asia are Yamaha Mio, Yamaha Fino, Honda Beat, Suzuki Step and others.