Components

touring motorcycle
Touring motorcycles.
Motorcycles are produced with both two-stroke- and four-stroke-cycle engines and with
up to four cylinders. Most are air-cooled, though a few are water-cooled. Engines are
generally limited to displacements of about 1,800 cc. The smallest designs,
termed mopeds (from “motor pedal”), have very small engines (50 cc) with fuel
economies of as much as 2.4 litres per 100 km (100 miles per gallon). Such units are not
permitted on limited-access public roads because of their low speed capability. In order
of increasing power capacity and engine displacements, the other five classifications are
child bikes, trail bikes, road bikes, touring bikes, and racing bikes. A subcategory of
racing bikes is known as superbikes. These are motorcycles that displace more than 900
cc and in which the seat is tilted forward so that the rider is hunched over the frame,
creating a more aerodynamic profile.

The 2004 model of the Harley-Davidson Sportster, a road bike introduced in 1957.
The motorcycle frame is often of steel, usually a combination of tubes and sheets. The
wheels are generally aluminum or steel rims with spokes, although some cast wheels are
used. Graphite, composite, and magnesium parts are increasingly in use because of their
high strength-to-weight characteristics. Tires are similar to those used on automobiles
but are smaller and rounded to permit leaning to lower the centre of gravity in a turn
without losing traction. The gyroscopic effect of motorcycle wheels rotating at high
speed significantly improves stability and cornering ability. Inertia and steering
geometry are also significant factors. Front-wheel suspension is provided by coil springs
on a telescopic fork; rear-wheel springs are often mounted on shock absorbers similar to
those used in automobiles.