Category — bike guide

Modern sportbikes are a combination of high revving engines and lightweight construction.

Most sport bikes are four cylinders and 1000cc or less which makes them smaller and lighter. Their lightweight frame and complex adjustable suspension are inherited directly from the race track.

Customisation is common but only to increase speed. The quest for ultimate performance brings sportbike riders together and biker clubs are a common phenomena.

Motorcross bikes are lightweight bikes (80kg – 95 kg) built for speed and manageability. For this reason the bike engine may well still be a two stroke although four strokes are now quite common. Engine capacity falls between 125cc and 600cc with the bigger engines being more trail and enduro bikes than true motocross. The bikes are single cylinder because of the need for lots of torque at low revs.

Wheel rims are large and suspension travel long to soak up the rough terrain. Bikes seats are small and uncomfortable as they are mainly ridden standing up or for short periods of time. Fuel tanks are also very small at between 7 and 8 litres.

Motorbikes between 300cc and 650cc with single cylinder are better described as trail bikes rather than off-road motor cycles. They can easily handle sand roads but are too heavy for very uneven rocky terrain. In short, they can handle anything that a general purpose 4 x 4 vehicle can when ridden by an experienced rider.

A trip of 1500km or more should be done on a quiet bike with at least three cylinders. An engine capacity of around 1000cc is recommended along with a large windshield and comfortable saddle. The wheelbase should be more than 150cm to ensure a mooth ride.

If at all possible the bike frame should offer lots of space for panniers and other bike mounted storage.

Generally speaking the quieter the motorcycle the more relaxed the rider