Motorcycles are two-wheeled motor vehicles for transporting one or more riders. They don’t have a full enclosure for the rider, so they’re smaller and lighter than cars, and typically use low-torque, high-revving engine designs that can generate lots of peak horsepower.
They are generally much cheaper than cars, both to buy initially and in terms of maintenance and fuel costs. They also take up less space, needing just a fraction of the room that a car does to park. And they are incredibly agile, with the ability to lean into corners and accelerate very quickly.
But there’s more to motorcycles than just their practicality. They’re an incredibly dynamic and involving experience to ride, with the bike feeling almost like an extension of the rider. And the heightened connection that riders have with their machines has given them an image of danger and freedom, fueled by a sub-culture of extreme biking.
The earliest motorcycles were hardtails, meaning they had no rear suspension. But that soon changed, as riders got tired of getting their spines realigned by potholes and started to add springs to the back wheels.
Motorcycles can be used for a variety of purposes, from commuting to work to going on long rides and even competing in races. But whatever the reason, riders need to keep their bikes in good working order. That includes lubricating their drive chains after every ride, and making sure to cover them when they’re not in use to keep the elements off of them.