No matter what kind of motorcycle your ride, or how long you’ve been riding, you should know these 5 fundamental motorcycle facts! Test your knowledge below:
5 Basic Motorcycle Facts Every Rider Should Know.
Motorcycle engine size (or “displacement”) is typically expressed in terms of cubic centimeters (CCs). The cubic centimeter measurements refer to the total volume of air and fuel being pushed through the engine by the cylinders. The higher the number of CC’s that a bike has, the larger the engine size — but this does not necessarily mean that it has more power.
Engine configuration, fuel injection, bike weight, and more factor into the actual horsepower output of a motorcycle. For example, the Honda CB600F (600cc’s) has a maximum output of about 100hp, while the Harley Davidson Fab Bob (1,745cc) has a maximum output of about 82.3hp despite having over twice the displacement.
When it comes to handling, total weight isn’t as important as weight placement. Older bikes tend to have higher centers of gravity, making them feel less stable at low speeds. For example, four-cylinder motors initially were installed in a more upright position, over time manufacturers began sloping them forward to lower weight. Today, modern four-cylinder motors are almost laying flat.
Most modern bikes will have a low center of gravity, though some types, like Dual Sports, and some models like the Suzuki V-Strom, and still labeled as “top-heavy.” Ultimately good clutch and throttle control can overcome most weight displacement concerns.
There are 2 very distinct types of riders when it comes to ABS — those that love it, and those that hate it.
ABS stands for “anti-lock braking system,” and it works by using speed sensors on both wheels to determine when the wheel is about to “lock up” (slide) during past-threshold braking, causing a dangerous loss of stability and traction. On an ABS bike, the braking hydraulic pressure flows through an ABS module-controlled pump with solenoid valves. The valves can open and close quickly, creating a “skid” braking effect which increases traction, brake application precision, and overall stability.
In the early days of its development, ABS was unfortunately not as reliable or accurate as it has since become (causing many people not to trust it). Today ABS technology has advanced past those problems, and according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), ABS function was associated with a 31% reduction in the rate of fatal motorcycle crashes.
At some point every motorcycle needs to be worked on, whether you’re repairing after a crash or simply customizing your bike or changing the oil. Motorcycle maintenance ease and part availability will vary greatly between brands. For example, rear fairing for a Honda CB600F may cost $50.00 USD, while on for a Ducati Panigale could cost closer to $800.
Additionally, some bikes may be much easier to work on than others. Metric carbureted bikes like Hondas or Suzukis can be great “starter” bikes for the mechanically inclined or at-home mechanic, while more complex or high-end models like Harleys or BMWs may require you to drop off the bike at a dealership for maintenance and repairs.
Image: The Bike Market
Motorcycle body positioning is one of the most variable things about riding. Some riders feel more comfortable upright in a bicycle position, while others feel more at ease sitting further back in a more traditional cruiser seat. Typically as your body positioning becomes more aggressive (forward) the fork rake angle of the bike decreases. This means the bike will have “faster” steering, turning more quickly under you.
Different body positions can change your ability to move with the bike and can stress different body parts as well. For example, aggressive positioning like most sportbikes feature can be uncomfortable for long distances, while most cruiser or touring positions aren’t suited to dual sport or ADV rides.
Having a good foundation in motorcycling knowledge is key to making good choices, staying safe, and enjoying the ride. Every rider, regardless of age or experience, should always be striving to continue to learn.
Check out our Top Safety Drills and Best Motorcycle Safety Gear blogs for more crucial riding information, and sign up below to get great motorcycling content like this and product news delivered straight to your inbox!
The Arrive Alive online initiative seeks to increase road safety awareness and reduce the carnage on our roads. We report on road crashes and offer recommendations and advice on how these crashes can be prevented.
In recent weeks we have received numerous reports of road crashes involving motorcycles / motorbikes and scooters. Admittedly many of these crashes are caused by other road users not sharing the road safely with motorcyclists. We should however also confess that bikers are not without blame – they too often go on the road with the wrong attitude towards safety and the capabilities of both the rider and his/her bike!
Not everyone should be on a motorcycle – are you one of those who belong? We approached Hein Jonker from the Motorcycle Safety Institute for guidance on the most important characteristics of a safe motorcyclist:
Riding a motorcycle is a unique experience. Riding is fun and invigorating, yet the skills needed for safe riding, combined with the lack of car-like crash protection on a motorcycle, can cast doubts on whether a person should choose to ride a motorcycle. Some potential riders lack the ability to execute skilled and timely actions in a complex traffic environment; others lack keen judgment or don’t have a firm grasp of the concept of risk management.
We believe that motorcycling isn’t for everyone. If you’re considering becoming a rider, however, here are some questions for you to use as a self-assessment of the physical capabilities and mental attitude required to safely operate a motorcycle on the street:
1. Are you a higher risk-taker than others you know? If you tend to need a thrill while driving a car and have aggressive or risky tendencies (following too closely, turning without signalling, talking on a cell phone, getting angry at other drivers, etc.), motorcycling may not be for you. While motorcycling improves the overall quality of life for many, for some it can lead to disaster. Thinking that an accident only happens to others is an attitude that will get you in trouble.
2. Can you ride a bicycle? This is a prerequisite for enrolling in our Motorcycle Rider Course for Beginners, and generally a good gauge of your ability to manoeuver a motorcycle. Bicycling, like motorcycling, is a physical activity that involves balance and coordination. And speaking of coordination …
3. Can you drive a manual transmission car? This is not a requirement, but it may make learning to ride easier because almost all motorcycles have manual transmissions. If you can’t get the hang of changing gears but still want to enjoy a powered two-wheeler, you might want to start out on a scooter. Scooters generally have automatic transmissions and come in many sizes, from simpler models with an engine size of 110cc to powerful 650cc models.
4. Do you see well? Riding a motorcycle requires special perceptual skills that rely on good vision. Have you had an eye examination recently? Do you tend to see things that are far away later than other people you know? The ability to see well ahead is important for safe riding.
5. Are you mechanically inclined? Today’s motorcycles are very reliable machines, but with all the bolts, nuts, and mechanisms out in the open, and only two tyres connecting you to the road, you need to be able to inspect your equipment and make the occasional minor adjustment. You don’t need to be a master mechanic, but it helps to know your way around a tyre pressure gauge and a wrench. Almost everything a rider needs to know is in the motorcycle owner’s manual, and if you’ve never read your car owner’s manual, which could be a sign that motorcycling is not for you.
6. Are you safety-minded? If you routinely find yourself bandaged up after doing simple do-it-yourself projects around the house, or think it’s acceptable to operate a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, the unique challenges of motorcycle riding may not be compatible with your decision-making. Riders can control their situation only if safety is a high priority. Millions of motorcyclists have ridden for long periods of time without incident, and they likely take safety seriously.
7. Do you respect machinery and other equipment that has risk? For example, when using a lawn mower or chainsaw, do you maintain it properly and wear eye/ear/hand protection when needed? If you’re not serious about safety in connection with simple machinery and equipment whose improper use can lead to serious injury, you may not respect motorcycling enough to follow safety precautions. Successful riders know that safety isn’t a matter of luck, but a matter of doing the right things to minimize risk.
8. Can you focus? Lack of focus/attention is a major cause of accidents. Safe motorcycling requires dedicated attention to the immediate task and a keen awareness of everything going on 360 degrees around you. Rush-hour traffic aboard a motorcycle is not the place to be daydreaming. For instance, if you find yourself overusing your brakes because you were caught off-guard, or are often surprised by a passing car or truck you didn’t see, your situational awareness could be less than adequate.
9. Can you handle your car in an emergency? Drivers don’t often have the need to brake hard or swerve to avoid an accident, but it’s important to have the skills to be able to do so when needed. On a motorcycle, having these types of skills is essential because other road users tend not to see motorcyclists in traffic, especially around intersections.
10. Are you willing to invest some time in learning to ride the right way before hopping on a bike? Your best “first ride” is on a Motorcycle Rider Course for Beginners where you can familiarize yourself with the safe operation of a motorcycle. You can even take the course as an experiment, to help you better understand the dynamics of good riding and to determine if motorcycling is right for you.
Now go and think long and hard about this, don’t just take advice from a sales person, friend or family member, speak to an expert. When you decide, do it the right way from the start – Get Trained!
[A word of Appreciation to Hein Jonker from the Motorcycle Safety Institute]
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