| Style of Bike | What You Want in a Bike | What Bike Should I Buy |
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Power,
maximum speed and adrenaline rush. Comfort for you and your passenger
is not important. Distances per day usually under 200km on tar and
no dirt roads please! Racing appearance with full fairings . Physically
compact. Space for luggage is not important. Close ratio 6 speed
gear box for maximum acceleration. Highly manoeuvrable, almost unstable.
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A
Sportbike.
Between 650cc and 1000cc. Purely designed for speed with a riding
position, frame, adjustable suspension and fairings designed to
minimise air resistance and weight. These bikes need to be ridden
aggressively. The Honda Super Hawk is an example of a sport bike
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Comfort
for you and your passenger is a big factor. Want to travel greater
distances. Physically big. Want to travel short distances on dirt
road. Want room for luggage. Bigger, wrap around fairings to maximize
comfort on long trips. |
A
Tourer.
Around 1000cc with a more up-right driving position. Decide how
much performance you want against the distances you want to travel.
Lean toward 'Sport Tourer' or 'Tourer' accordingly. The Honda ST1100
is an example of a sport tourer.
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When
performance comes second to style. When individuality comes second
to efficiency and practicality. When the grunty sound of the pipes,
customisation, style and attitude are everything. Physically big
and heavy. Some cruisers make excellent tourers as well while others
do not. See dedicated Cruiser page for more.
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A
Cruiser.
Between 650 and 1400cc with a relaxed laid back position. Decide
on how much noise you are comfortable with. Take care that the weight
is not too excessive. Budget for accessories and individualisation
that may exceed the value of the bike. The Honda motorcycle Valkyrie
is an example.
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That special style and attitude that comes from riding a one-of-a-kind,
customised and accessorized motorcycle. Seldom need to carry a passenger. |
A
Custom Cruiser.
Either cannibalise an available model or build you own with off-the-shelf
components. Ensure that the tail end is not too hard for the distances
you want to travel. Most of these cruisers have big bore V twin
engines which are low revving with a lot of torque.
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General
purpose bike with a traditional appearance. Good value for money
while still offering power and speed. Easy DIY maintenance. Want
tried and tested technology rather than the hi-tech stuff. Want
the option of travelling distances on sand roads or touring (if
fitted with an aftermarket fairing)
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Standard
Motorbike.
no fairings (naked). Between 750cc and 1200cc These bikes with a
traditional look have one of two orientations i.e. Speed, Touring.
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Country
and city bike. The trip is more important than the speed. Want to
explore on both tar and all tyres of sand roads and well defined
paths. Comfort is a factor, also room for luggage, camping gear
etc. Big trail bikes are more like tourers while the smaller ones
are more capable off road.
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Trail
bike.
Also called a dual sport or Enduro motorbike. Has a more up-right
driving position. Choose your tyres to match either "mainly tar"
or "mainly sand roads". Trail bikes come in two sizes i.e. Big,
Small.
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Power
and adrenaline off road, comfort is not a factor. Want to explore
in rough, untamed conditions or participate in Motocross competitions
(track). A bike that can be dropped without pieces breaking off.
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Motocross.
(MX) bike. Around 300cc and less. The only type of bike nowadays
that may still use a two stroke engine to save on weight. Probably
not street legal (flickers, stop lights, headlamp etc)
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Economical commuter with a payload and power to spare. Want the
option of travelling distances on sand roads.
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Standard
Street Bike.
You will need to invest in some panniers, topbox or a back pack
for your stuff. Around 400cc offers a good mix of economy and power.
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Stylish and economical commuter with convenient built-in storage.
Easy to ride and light weight. Protection from the elements. A bike
for town use only.
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Scooter.
The new generation of scooters between 250 and 650cc make excellent
commuters. They are quick, trendy, light on petrol and have ample
storage space under the saddle. Automatic gearboxes and a low centre
of gravity make them easy to ride.
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