Facts about Motorcycle
According to the Taiwanese government, for example, "the number of automobiles per ten thousands population is around 2,500, and the number of motorcycles is about 5,000.
Until the First World War, the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world was Indian, producing over 20,000 bikes per year.
The courses, designed by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF), include a Basic Rider Course, an Intermediate Rider Course and an Advanced Rider Course.
Motorcycles are also exempt from toll bridge charges at some crossings, such as the Severn Bridge and Dartford Crossing.
The specifics of the motorcycle and moped laws in the U.S. can be obtain from each individual state's Department of Motor Vehicles Websites.
Exotic engines, such as a radial piston engine, sometimes appear in custom built motorcycles.
Motorcycles have a far higher rate of crippling and fatal accidents per unit distance than automobiles.
Motorcycle fuel economy benefits from the relatively small mass of the vehicle, compared to its passengers and to other motor vehicles, and subsequent small engine displacement.
Later, some motorcycles, especially British, used foot shift levers that were located on the right side of the transmission.
Motorcycles from a number of manufacturers now have electric windshields, which raise and lower the windshield with the push of a button to the optimum height for conditions.
A motorcycle (or motorbike) is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle powered by an engine.
Short wheelbase motorcycles, such as sport bikes, can generate enough torque at the rear wheel and enough stopping force at the front wheel in order to flip longitudinally.
In 1894, Hildebrand & Wolfmьller became the first motorcycle available for purchase.
Motorcycle engines range from less than 50 cc (cubic centimeters), commonly found in many small scooters, to 5735 cc, a Chevrolet V8 engine, currently used by Boss Hoss in its cruiser style motorcycle.
The chassis (or frame) of a motorcycle is typically made from welded aluminium or steel (or alloy) struts, with the rear suspension being an integral component in the design.
Modern fairings on touring and sport-touring motorcycles dramatically improve a rider's comfort and attention on long rides by reducing the effect of the wind and rain on the body.
The United Kingdom has a number of organizations which are dedicated to improving motorcycle safety by providing advanced rider training over and above what is necessary to pass the basic motorcycle test.
By 1920, this honor went to Harley-Davidson, with their motorcycles being sold by dealers in 67 countries, until 1928, when DKW took over as the largest manufacturer.
Motorcycle Safety Education is offered throughout the United States by a number of organizations ranging from state agencies to non-profit organizations to corporations.
A motorcycle is generally provided with various standard or optional attachments.
Liquid-cooled motorcycles have a radiator (exactly like the radiator on a car) which is the primary way their heat is dispersed.
A trailer hitch or tow hitch is a device mounted on a motorcycle that enables it to tow a motorcycle trailer, usually in order to haul additional gear.
ABS is normally found on motorcycles of 500 cc or greater engine capacity, although it is available on motor scooters down to 49 cc.
Buell motorcycles employ a similar design—the oil is held in the swingarm, while the fuel is held in the frame.
A motorcycle trunk is a storage compartment in the vicinity of the seat, other than panniers or saddlebags.
A motorcycle is broadly defined by law in some countries for the purposes of registration, taxation or licensing riders as a two-wheel motor vehicle "fit to drive."
The weight of these motorcycles, in excess of 360 kg (800 lbs), means that they cannot effectively be pushed backwards in some situations by a seated rider.
Due to their mobility and economic benefits, governments of some nations have encouraged their use, such as by allowing them access to car pool lanes or having dedicated lanes for motorcycles alone.
Modern designs have the two wheels of a motorcycle connected to the chassis by a suspension arrangement, however "chopper" style motorcycles often elect to forgo rear suspension, using a rigid frame.
Today, shifting on the world's motorcycles has been standardized to the left-side foot-operated shift lever.
After the Second World War, the BSA Group became the largest producer of motorcycles in the world, producing up to 75,000 bikes a year in the 1950s.
Products BV Holland announced that the first commercially available diesel-powered motorcycle, its Track T-800CDI, achieved production status.
Early sidecars were intended to be removable devices that could be detached from the motorcycle.
Styles of motorcycles vary, depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.
Around this time, slaves in other parts of the world, aided by abolitionists, also began their struggle for independence.
Motorcycles have mostly, but not exclusively, been produced with one to four cylinders, and designers have tried virtually every imaginable layout.
Brakes can either be drum or disc based, with disc brakes being more common on large, modern or more expensive motorcycles for their far superior stopping power, particularly in wet conditions.
Performance racing motorcycles often use carbon-fiber wheels, but the expense of these wheels is prohibitively high for general usage.
A common emergency room term for motorcycle is "donor cycle," which refers to fatal crashes where the motorcyclist's organs are donated for use in transplants.
At one time, motorcycles all used spoke wheels built up from separate components, but, except for dirt bikes, one-piece wheels are more common now.
The construction of modern motorcycles has been standardized mainly on the following key components.
A motorcycle fork is the portion of a motorcycle that holds the front wheel and allows one to steer.
The combination of rake and trail determines how stable the motorcycle is.
Many motorcycle organizations raise money for charities through organized events and rides.
Motorcycles have exhibited many social aspects that go beyond their obvious practical uses.
Cast magnesium disks, produced by one-step hot forging from magnesium alloys ZK60 and MA-14, are also used for many motorcycle wheels.
Drag is the major factor that limits motorcycle speed, as it increases at the square of the velocity, with the resultant required power increasing with the cube of velocity.
Liquid cooled motorcycles have the potential for greater power at a given displacement, tighter tolerances, and longer operating life, whereas air cooled motorcycles are potentially cheaper to purchase, less mechanically complex, and lighter weight.
Within these types, there are many different types of motorcycles for many different purposes.
Air-cooled motorcycles rely on air blowing past fins on the engine case to disperse heat.
A sidecar is a one-wheeled device attached to the side of a motorcycle, producing a three-wheeled vehicle.
Some motorcycles include the engine as a load-bearing (or stressed) member; this has been used all through bike history but is now becoming more common.
Nevertheless, all motorcycle riders in the UK must first take a one-day compulsory basic training (CBT) course, regardless of which class of motorcycle they intend to ride.
From the 1960s through the 1990s, small two-stroke motorcycles were popular worldwide, partly as a result of East German Walter Kaaden's engine work in the 1950s.
Only the largest touring motorcycles and a few models that are routinely used with a sidecar or converted to tricycle configuration are fitted with a reverse gear.
Today, the Japanese manufacturers, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Yamaha dominate the motorcycle industry, although Harley-Davidson still maintains a high degree of popularity in the United States.
By 1920, this honor went to Harley-Davidson, with their motorcycles being sold by dealers in 67 countries, until 1928, when DKW took over as the largest manufacturer.
Other manufacturers have since also adopted this technology, although Harley Davidson only offers it on some police motorcycles and not on civilian motorcycles.
According to the U.S. Highway Safety Authority, in 2004 15.0 cars out of 100,000 ended up in fatal crashes while the rate for motorcycles is 69.3 per 100,000.
The forecar comprised a two-wheeled attachment attached to the front of the motorcycle; the trailer was just that, leaving the passenger to be hauled along behind the vehicle.