From electric models to supersport crotch rockets to laidback cruisers, I want to take you on a tour of the remarkable range of 17 different motorcycle types out there.
As an avid rider and motorcycle data analysis nerd, I‘ve dug deep into spec sheets and history books to showcase everything these machines have to offer. Fasten your brain helmet and get ready for a wild ride!
Street Motorcycles – Kings of the Road
Roaring down wide open highways or cruising urban avenues, street motorcycles make up the majority that rule roadways.
Cruisers – The Easy Riders
Cruisers put comfort first with their feet-forward design and heavy V-twin engines made for highway cruising power. The low seat heights provide that classic, chilled-out riding feel.
Harley-Davidson has reigned over cruisers for decades. Since 1903 when William S. Harley and brothers Walter and Arthur Davidson started tinkering and testing prototypes in a Milwaukee shed, H-D has gone onto become the iconic American motorcycle brand. Their early inverted motor design with cylinders projecting downward would evolve into the classic V-twin we now associate with cruisers.
Today Harley leads U.S. street motorcycle sales with 48.7% market share, though competitors like Indian Motorcycles have been clawing back ground.
Some top-selling cruiser models:
| Model | Engine (cc) | Torque (Nm) |
|---|---|---|
| Harley-Davidson Fat Boy 114 | 1868cc | 155.5 |
| Indian Chief Dark Horse | 1769cc | 178 |
| Yamaha Star Venture TC | 1854cc | 170.2 |
Touring – Built for the Long Haul
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Electric Motorcycles – The Future is Here
Electric motorcycles dispense with the noise and emissions of gas engines, delivering near-silent operation with instant torque response when you twist the throttle.
While the scene is still fairly small, electric models are expanding quickly. Zero Motorcycles first started producing e-motos in 2006 when founder Neal Saiki left sport bike racing to pursue cleaner transportation. Other players like Energica soon followed.
Now in 2022, even the old guard is getting electrified with Harley-Davidson spinning off their EV program into a new division called LiveWire. This public company focuses squarely on next-gen mobility using H-D‘s iconic styling.
Electric bikes make up over 2% of total U.S. motorcycle sales as of mid-2022 and some predict this share rising to over 8% by 2030.
Early models struggled with range anxiety, but the latest batteries provide enough power for most riding needs:
| Model | Range City/Hwy (Mi/Km) | Recharge Time (Lvl 2) |
|---|---|---|
| Zero SR/F 14.4 | 161/259 | 3 hrs |
| Energica Experia | 85/137 | 3.5 hrs |
| Harley LiveWire One | 146/235 | 3 hrs |
Now electrics can truly compete with gas bikes in day-to-day use. And with high performance torque measured in the 100+ ft-lb range, they certainly won‘t leave you lacking thrill! The smooth power delivery makes them surprisingly easy to handle too.
Off-Road – Dirty Fun Guaranteed!
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Scooters – Urban Runabouts
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3-Wheelers – More Points of Contact
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Well my motorcycle friend, that wraps our engine-revving tour from electric to cruisers!
Which type speaks to your riding soul? Or maybe you need a whole stable spanning street, dirt, and electric. With so many awesome options, every biker can now customize to their exact adventure needs.
Ride on into the future my friend! I hope this guide serves you miles and miles of happy road (or trail) time. Now if you‘ll excuse me, my dual sport calls…time to get down and dirty!
