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A motorcycle is a two-wheeled motorized vehicle, powered by an engine. The wheels are in-line, and the motorcyle remains upright when in motion by virtue of gyroscopic forces. The rider of a motorcycle sits astride the vehicle on a seat, with hands on a set of handlebars which are used to steer the motorcycle, and feet on a set of "footpegs" or "pegs" which stick out from the chassis. |
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A motorcycle is a two-wheeled motorized vehicle, powered by an engine. The wheels are in-line, and the motorcyle remains upright when in motion by virtue of [gyroscopic force]?s. The rider of a motorcycle sits astride the vehicle on a seat, with hands on a set of handlebars which are used to steer the motorcycle, and feet on a set of "footpegs" or "pegs" which stick out from the chassis. |
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The motorcycle's steering is controlled by the handlebars and the rider's positioning. At speed, the gyroscopic forces cause a phenomenon known as "counter-steer" to occur, where (for instance) pushing on the left handlebar an pulling on the right will cause the bike to lean to the left, and then execute a left hand turn. Turning can similarly be executed by changing body position, which causes the bike to lean and then turn. At speeds less than approximately 10km/h turning works in a fashion similar to a car or other two-track vehicle, with the motorcycle following the direction of the front wheel. |
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The motorcycle's steering is controlled by the handlebars and the rider's positioning. At speed, the gyroscopic forces cause a phenomenon known as "counter-steer" to occur, where (for instance) pushing on the right handlebar and pulling on the left will cause the bike to lean to the left, and then execute a left hand turn. Turning can similarly be executed by changing body position, which causes the bike to lean and then turn. At speeds less than approximately 10km/h turning works in a fashion similar to a car or other two-track vehicle, with the motorcycle following the direction of the front wheel. |
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The chassis of a motorcycle is typically made from welded aluminium or steel struts, with the rear suspension being an integral component in the design. Some motorcycles include the engine as a load bearing memeber, however this is not common. A fairing is often placed over the frame, to shield the rider from the wind and decrease drag. Drag is the major factor limiting motorcycle speed as it increases at the square of the velocity. Windshields are often also used to protect the rider from the wind. In the abscence of a fairing or windshield, a phenomenon known as the windsock effect occurs at speeds above 100 km/h, where the rider becomes a major source of drag and is pushed back from the handlebars, tiring the rider. |
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The chassis of a motorcycle is typically made from welded aluminium or steel struts, with the rear suspension being an integral component in the design. Some motorcycles include the engine as a load bearing member, however this is not common. A fairing is often placed over the frame, to shield the rider from the wind and decrease drag. Drag? is the major factor limiting motorcycle speed as it increases at the square of the velocity. In the abscence of a fairing or windshield, a phenomenon known as the windsock effect occurs at speeds above 100 km/h, where the rider becomes a major source of drag and is pushed back from the handlebars, tiring the rider. |
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The motor of a motorcycle typically sits immediately under the rider's seat, between the legs. Almost all commercially available motorcycles are piston driven internal combustion engines, with typical sizes between 50cc and 1500cc. Larger motorcycles (above 500cc) on the modern market are mostly four stroke engines, but there is a sizable minority of two stroke engines on smaller motorcycles. Fuel injection is widely available on commercially available motorcycles. Two and four cylinder engines are the most common available; single cylinder engines are common on off-road bikes and small scooters. Thethere are commercially availabe three cylinder designs, and even a few five and six cylinder and V8 motorcycles commercially available. Two cylinder engines are most commonly found in either a "V-twin" configuration or a "parallel-twin" configuration. Most four-cylinder engines are in-line rather than v-shaped and arranged transversely, that is, the crankshaft is at a 90 degree angle to the frame. Both water-cooled and air-cooled engines are common. |
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The motor of a motorcycle typically sits immediately under the rider's seat, between the legs. Almost all commercially available motorcycles are piston driven internal combustion engines, with typical sizes between 50cc and 1500cc. Larger motorcycles (above 500cc) on the modern market are mostly four stroke engines, but there is a sizable minority of two stroke engines on smaller motorcycles. [Fuel injection]? is widely available on commercially available motorcycles. Two and four cylinder engines are the most common available; single cylinder engines are common on off-road bikes and small scooters. Thethere are commercially availabe three cylinder designs, and even a few five and six cylinder and V8 motorcycles commercially available. Two cylinder engines are most commonly found in either a "V-twin" configuration or a "parallel-twin" configuration. Most four-cylinder engines are in-line rather than v-shaped and arranged transversely, that is, the crankshaft is at a 90 degree angle to the frame. Both water-cooled and air-cooled engines are common. |
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Transmisson/gearbox (don't know much about these - mention clutch. gearbox and final transmission belt/shaft/chain). |
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Transmisson?/gearbox (don't know much about these - mention clutch. gearbox and final transmission belt/shaft/chain). |
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The two wheels of a motorcycle are connected to the chassis by a suspension arrangement. The front suspension generally consists of oil [shock absorbers]?, however a variety of arrangements are used on the rear. The wheels use [pneumatic tires]?, generally characterised by a rounded surface, to ensure good traction while leaning as described above. Correct tire pressure and correct adjustment of suspension are essential to safe cornering, far more so than in a four wheeled vehicle, as any loss of grip will probably lead to loss of control of the motorcycle. |
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The two wheels of a motorcycle are connected to the chassis by a suspension arrangement. The front suspension generally consists of oil [shock absorbers]?, however a variety of arrangements are used on the rear. The wheels use [pneumatic tire]?s, generally characterised by a rounded surface, to ensure good traction while leaning as described above. Correct tire pressure and correct adjustment of suspension are essential to safe cornering, far more so than in a four wheeled vehicle, as any loss of grip will probably lead to loss of control of the motorcycle. |
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Road motorcycles are motorcycles designed for being ridden on the road. They feature smooth tyres, and engines generally in the 250cc and over range. Most are capable of speeds in excess of 100 km/h, and many of speeds in excess of 160km/h. |
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Road motorcycles are motorcycles designed for being ridden on the road. They feature smooth tires, and engines generally in the 250cc and over range. Most are capable of speeds in excess of 100 km/h, and many of speeds in excess of 160km/h. |
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Tourers and Sport Tourers. Touring motorcycles are characterised by wind protection for the rider (in the form of a fairing or windscreen) and the ability to carry some amount of luggage (usually in the form of panniers and/or a topbox mounted towards the rear of the motorcycle). Although any motorcycle can be so equipped and used to tour with, specialised touring motorcycles such as the Honda Goldwing have become increasingly popular. Sport tourers are a hybrid form between sporting bikes and tourers and allow long-distance riding at higher speeds - the first example of this type of motorcycle was the BMW R100RS. Another hybrid is the custom tourer, which combines cruiser and tourer characteristics - the original form of this type is the Harley-Davidson Electra-Glide. |
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Touring and Sport Touring. Touring motorcycles are characterised by wind protection for the rider (in the form of a fairing or windscreen) and the ability to carry some amount of luggage (usually in the form of panniers and/or a topbox mounted towards the rear of the motorcycle). Although any motorcycle can be so equipped and used to tour with, specialised touring motorcycles such as the Honda Goldwing have become increasingly popular. Sport tourers are a hybrid form between sporting bikes and tourers and allow long-distance riding at higher speeds - the first example of this type of motorcycle was the BMW R100RS. Another hybrid is the custom tourer, which combines cruiser and tourer characteristics - the original form of this type is the Harley-Davidson Electra-Glide. |
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Standard. Also known as the "naked" bike, this is the basic form of the motorcycle. No longer as popular as in earlier days, when this was the only form of motorcycle commercially available. This stule of motorcycle is however seeing a resurgance as at the end of 2000, with many manufacurers releasing new models with minimal fairings. |
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Standard. Also known as the "naked" bike, this is the basic form of the motorcycle. No longer as popular as in earlier days, when this was the only form of motorcycle commercially available. This style of motorcycle is however seeing a resurgence as at the end of 2000, with many manufacurers releasing new models with minimal fairings. |
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/Talk? |
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/Talk? |
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