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Motorcycles can be a more budget-friendly option for people wanting to commute—like these young Richmond professionals—or enjoy the ride. There are six categories of motorcycle, including sport bikes as pictured here.

Photo courtesy Quintin Sim

Hitting the open road

By Samuel Cheng

Published 10:33 PDT, Wed April 27, 2022

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Now that spring is here, many people are hoping to get outside and enjoy the weather.

For those looking for a different way to get around, motorcycles might be the perfect mode of transportation for a daily commute, a weekend getaway, or perhaps touring across Canada.

Familiar motorcycles include the Kawasaki ZX900 from Top Gun, Ducati 996 from Matrix Reloaded, or Harley-Davidson Fat Boy from Terminator 2.

However, the world of motorcycles expands beyond what is seen in movies or on television. Motorcycles can be broken down into six different categories: sport, standard, cruising, touring, dual-sport, and dirt bike.

Speed, acceleration, and dragging your knees through corners are characteristics of sport bikes. Sport bikes tend to have high-performance engines and powerful braking systems that allow riders to enjoy the thrill of speed at the expense of comfort and fuel economy.

With a low and tucked-in riding position, these bikes provide riders with the best ergonomics and the lowest amount of air resistance. They allow riders to push bikes to their limits and be the first to pass the finish line at a race.

Kawasaki ZX900, Ducati 996, and Yamaha YZF-R6 are some of the models within the class. If beating the clock or attending track days is your passion, then look no further than a sport bike.

A standard motorcycle, also known as a naked or a roadster, offers a versatile and street-oriented purpose. A naked bike can be easily identified by its muscular and exposed elements. Often, you will be able to visibly see the frame, the engine, and more from the side of the bike.

With an upright and natural body position, riders can travel in and out of a city with ease. A standard motorcycle’s moderate power output and all-around characteristics make it the perfect type of bike for beginners. Its moderate power output and all-around characteristics make it the perfect type of bike for beginners.

KTM Duke 390, Yamaha MT-09, and Husqvarna Svartpilen 701 are some popular examples of naked bikes. The next time you’re heading to Whistler or Harrison Hot Springs, hop on a roadster and experience the joy of the ride for yourself.

Cruiser riders can often be spotted wearing black leather jackets, blue jeans, half face helmets, and sunglasses. One of the oldest types of motorcycle, it was made popular by brands like Indian and Harley-Davidson.

Allowing riders to lean back with their arms slightly up, a cruiser is perhaps the most comfortable type of motorcycle to ride. With engines designed for small to medium displacement, the low-end torque saves riders the hassle of having to frequently shift gears.

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy, Indian Scout Bobber Sixty, and Honda Rebel 1100 are a great starting point for cruisers.

Touring motorcycles may look similar to cruisers at first glance, but they serve a somewhat different purpose. Unlike cruisers, which are meant for shorter rides, touring bikes have a large displacement engine, a huge gas tank, a windscreen, and often saddlebags..

These machines are the heaviest type of motorcycle. Some touring motorcycles can weigh upwards of 385 to 431 kilograms (850 to 950 pounds), not including the weight of the rider and their gear and luggage.

Nonetheless, touring motorcycles like the Moto Guzzi California Touring 1400, Honda Gold Wing, and Harley-Davidson Road Glide are some of the best.

A dual-sport or adventure motorcycle excels at travelling on city roads, in off-road environments, and on other varied terrains.

Adventure bikes have an above-average seat height and centre of gravity, allowing more room for the suspensions to do their work on rocky, rough, and uneven surfaces. But a dual-sport motorcycle is more than capable of travelling on concrete and pavement as well, hence the name “dual-sport.”

BMW R 1250 GS, Suzuki V-Strom 1050XT, and Triumph Tiger are some of the most popular choices when it comes to taking your adventure to the next level.

Dirt bikes are wild, entertaining, and sensational machines designed for off-road use. They can travel across rough terrains such as gravel, sand, mud, snow, and even water.

Dirt bikes weigh significantly less than other on-road motorcycles. Their ground clearance is much higher, making it easier to travel and ride over uneven surfaces and terrains. And dirt bike tires are much chunkier, resembling a rolled-up chocolate bar.

Husqvarna FC450, KTM 450SX-F, and Kawasaki KX450 can reignite your childhood dreams of racing or riding through the woods and dirt. Maybe one day you will see yourself participating at popular racing events like Motocross or Enduro.

Whether you’re looking to race, go on an adventure, or simply cruise around the city, you can find a motorcycle that suits your needs. A tip before hopping on any motorcycle: always wear full gear.

“Wearing proper motorcycle gear will give you the best odds of walking away when things go wrong,” says Lee “RideFar” Heaver, owner and instructor at 1st Gear Motorcycle School & Training which has three locations including one in Richmond.