Which Type of Motorcycle Is Right for Me?
Buying a motorcycle is an exciting time! You’re about to upgrade your lifestyle with speed, adventures, and adrenaline. However, with so many types of motorcycles available, it can be tough to know where to start. Below, we’ve broken down the many categories of motorcycles to help you know which route you wish to go down.
Cruiser Motorcycles
Cruiser bikes are what most people picture when they think of a motorcycle. As their name suggests, cruisers are designed for high-speed cruising down the highway. Beginners find them easy to handle while veterans love their nostalgia.
Performance
The engines on cruisers often surpass 1,000 ccs. Combine this raw power with quick acceleration and your rides are sure to be adrenaline-filled. The high performance comes at the cost of lower fuel efficiency and sacrificed rider comfort. But for many, that tradeoff is well worth it.
Style
Cruiser motorcycles are modeled after bikes built between 1930 and 1960, which gives them a classic retro style. Riders sit upright, leaning forward, and low (often beneath the fuel tank). This is an attitude-filled stance. Cruiser bikes boast sleek chrome, powder coating, or black anodized colors. Features such as ape handlebars do little to improve performance, but they are an aesthetic bonus.
Sport Bikes
Sport motorcycles are made around one idea: build the best-performing bike possible. These are the bikes you’ll find on a racetrack.
Performance
Speed, agility, and quick turning are the names of the game with sport bikes. Advanced suspensions turn a bumpy route into a smooth ride. The front and back tires are wider to get more contact with the road, giving you easier navigation of tight corners at high speeds.
Style
In their pursuit of speed, sport motorcycles are built with lightweight frames. They utilize a front-leaning riding position. The foot pegs are higher than normal to bring the legs close to the body. It’s not the most comfortable arrangement, but it makes reaching the controls much easier.
Touring Motorcycles
Touring motorcycles are made for long-distance travel. The priority here is rider comfort and making those long rides as enjoyable as possible.
Performance
A touring bike is built with rider endurance in mind. Features like fairings and screens reduce wind fatigue. Mid-frame air deflectors guard legs against the hot engine air. The frame of a touring bike is much heavier than other motorcycles. This improves stability and reduces the effects of drag from other motorists.
Style
A touring bike isn’t going to have aesthetic features just for the sake of style. Everything is meant to improve comfort. Riders enjoy an upright posture on padded seating. Most seats offer enough room to fit another passenger to make long rides even better.
It’s great to read about the different types of motorcycles, but to make an informed decision, you’ll want to see the options in person. Visit SoCal Honda Powersports to check out our selection of motorcycles for sale. We are your premier motorcycle dealership in Carson, California, and we also serve Los Angeles and Long Beach.