What kind of bike better to take?

Been thinking about getting into motorcycling? Hey, who isn’t these days? One of the first questions you’ll need to answer is what kind of motorcycle is right for you. Most people have a clear idea of what they want to ride, but if you’re undecided, here’s a primer on the primary types of two-wheelers.

For decades, most motorcycles fell into two primary camps: street bikes and dirt bikes. Many even looked somewhat the same. But around about 1982, bike makers began to tailor their bikes to different kinds of riding and the motorcycle world fractured into several specialized segments. That trend continues to evolve today. So which kind of bike sounds like the most fun to you? Keep in mind that some bikes fit in more than one (or two or three) categories.

Sport bike: Sport bikes are the speed machines of the motorcycle world. High-powered with sophisticated suspension systems and high-performance brakes, sport bikes typically are stuffed with the latest and greatest technology you can find on two wheels (or four). A common sentiment about sport bikes is that they are not comfortable unless you’re going over 100 mph, at which point they become very comfortable because they are in their element. While most sport bikes are not designed for distance riding, that hasn’t stopped many riders from adding some soft bags and a better seat so they can ride to distant stretches of challenging roads or racetracks. Sport bikes are typically not the best choice for a beginner due to their hair-trigger nature and prodigious power, but a lower-powered, middle-weight sport bike or a “sport bike lite” might be a good choice to start with if this is the kind of bike you definitely want to ride.

Examples: Ducati Pinagale, Honda CBR models, Kawasaki ZX series, Yamaha R1 or R6, Triumph Daytona, Suzuki GSX-R models, Aprilia RSV4 to name just a few.

Pros:

• Lots of power, great brakes, adjustable suspension

• Actual racecar levels of acceleration and top speed (depending on the bike)

• Stylish good looks, highest tech available

• Thrilling to ride fast – if you have the skills

Cons:

• Typically not very comfortable for distance riding

• Can exceed most worldwide speed limits in 1^st or 2^nd gear (of 6 gears)

• Requires a very high level of skill to ride competently

• Tickets (see 2^nd Con point)