Whether you’re commuting to work, enjoying the camaraderie of a group ride on the weekend or enjoying the vistas of off-pavement riding, motorcycles are an exciting way to travel. But just like cars and trucks, they can be dangerous if you don’t follow basic safety procedures.
The first motorcycles were essentially bicycles with gasoline engines added to them. Inventors such as Gottlieb Daimler, Wilhelm Maybach and Nicolaus Otto all built prototypes in the late nineteenth century. But it would be a few more decades before the first true motorcycles made their debut.
Most modern motorcycles are built on a steel frame. They also have aluminium wheels and spokes, and are often designed for a specific purpose. Cruisers, for example, have upright riding positions and low power-to-weight ratios that make them easy to ride. Sport bikes have similar characteristics but are designed for higher speeds and more agility.
Motorcycle engines use aluminium for the outer case, crankcases and cylinder heads; they have cast or forged aluminium crankshafts and cylinders, with stainless steel pistons and aluminium valves. Some high-end motorcycles use magnesium alloys and composite materials for even lower weight.
Motorcycling has a rich culture with tight-knit social groups, such as the cafe racers of 1950s Britain and the Mods and Rockers of the 1960s. Many countries have motorcycle clubs that focus on a particular brand or model. Some even have gangs that are known to engage in criminal activity. However, if you’re smart and follow the rules of the road, there’s nothing to fear about motorcycles.