Types Of Motorcycle Categories You Should Know

Are you someone wanting to learn about a motorcycle, but you get confused betwee their various types? Some with thin tyres, some with fatter tyres, some with a tall stance, some with a low stance, some with a smaller engine, and some with a larger engine and so on.

In this story, we shall help you understand the various kinds and categories of motorcycles, but first, make sure to join the 91wheels WhatsApp Community to keep up with the latest news and automotive updates.

Also read: TVS-Norton 300-400cc Bike In Works To Rival Speed 400, RE Guerrilla 450

Types Of Motorcycle Categories

Commuters

These are probably the most common genre of motorcycles in our country. Commuters mostly cater to the economy-end of our market, focusing mainly on fuel efficiency, affordability, and reliability. These bikes are also capable of handling a lot of abuse, more than what their looks might suggest.

These bikes typically belong to the 100cc-125cc economy commuter segment, but it also spreads to the 150cc commuter category as well. The Hero Splendor Plus, Honda Shine 100, and the TVS Sport are examples of 100-110cc commuters. There are 125cc economy commuters like the Hero Super Splendor, Honda Shine, and the Bajaj Pulsar 125. Then there are performance commuters like the Hero Xtreme 125R, Bajaj Pulsar N125 and the TVS Raider, and lastly there are 150cc commuters like the Yamaha FZ and the Bajaj Pulsar 150.

Naked Streetfighters

These motorcycles are also fairly common in the country, particularly among youngsters. These bikes come with a naked body, with an exposed frame and mechanical parts, along with a tubular handlebar but with a slightly sportier riding stance, and slightly rear-set footpegs, depending on the segment. This is a very wide segment, and it covers anything between the 160cc to 1000cc category.

On the more affordable side of things, you have bikes like the TVS Apache RTR 160 4V, Bajaj Pulsar N160, Suzuki Gixxer 250, and the KTM 390 Duke, while the Kawasaki Z900 and the Triumph Speed 1200 RS are on the premium end of the category.

Faired Sportsbikes

Faired sportsbikes are fairly popular in India, though not popular as some of the other categories, due to the fact that these bikes come with clip-on handlebars, rear-set footpegs, an aggressive riding position, and a fully-faired body with fibre/plastic elements which are prone to breaking in case of a crash. Their engines also focus more on outright power, speed, and peaky accleration.

These motorcycles were reserved to the high-end segment for many years, until Yamaha launched the first-gen R15 back in 2008, and it looked like a proper mini-R1, which is probably what made it so famous back in the day, and it continues to be popular even today; it comes in at a relatively affordable price tag, it is refined and reliable, and it serves as a good entry point to people wanting to refine their riding skills.

The KTM RC 390, RC 200 and the TVS Apache RR310 are options at the affordable end of things, while the Kawasaki ZX-10R and the BMW S 1000 RR are on the more premium end of the segment.

Cruisers And Retro Motorcycles

These motorcycles carry a design language of motorcycles from the older days, but with completely new and modern underpinnings. Cruisers typically come with upswept handlebars, front-set or centre-set footpegs, with a more relaxed, laid-back riding position. Their engines are also usually tuned more for torque.

Motorcycles such as the Royal Enfield Meteor 350, Super Meteor 650, the Bajaj Avenger, and the Kawasaki Eliminator are some examples of cruisers, while retro motorcycle examples include the Triumph Speed 400, Royal Enfield Classic 350, Harley-Davidson X440 and the Honda H'ness CB350, featuring a conventional, upright riding position.

Adventure Tourers / ADVs

The Adventure Tourer/ADV category has also become increasingly popular over the last few years, which makes sense given the condition of our roads. However, adventure motorcycling culture has also become popular over the last few years. These motorcycles come with a tall stance and seat height, along with long-travel suspension, in order to be able to soak up ruts and bumps better, and also tackle off-road conditions.

Alternatively, these motorcycles also come with a balanced, decent spread of torque for a relaxed riding position over longer journeys. The Royal Enfield Himalayan, KTM 390 Adventure, KTM 250 Adventure, and the Hero Xpulse 210 are some entry-level examples, while the BMW R 1300 GS, Triumph Tiger 1200, and the Ducati Multistrada are on the more premium side of things.

Bobber

Technically, a bobber is not really a category, but rather a type of custom motorcycle, which focuses on weight reduction by removing anything and everything that could be unnecessary. This also gives the motorcycle a minimalistic look. However, things are rather different for the Bobber motorcycle in the Indian context.

Let us explain; bobber motorcycles are not very common in India, and in terms of examples, you have the Jawa Perak, Jawa 42 Bobber, Royal Enfield Shotgun 650, and the Triumph Bonneville Bobber. These motorcycles have a retro design, a low seat height, and they also usually come with a single seat only, with an optional pillion seat.

Also read: Royal Enfield 650cc Lineup Explained: Which One Suits You Best?

Cafe Racer

Similar to bobbers, cafe racers are also a kind of custom motorcycles, and this category also focuses on weight reduction by removing anything and everything that could be unnecessary. However, cafe racers receive clip-on handlebars and rear-set footpegs, with an almost sportsbike-like riding position. These bikes also come with a single seat.

While the Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 is a prime example of a cafe racer, Hero MotoCorp also flirted with the idea of one, with the Splendor Pro Classic; do you remember this name?

Baggers

A bagger motorcycle is essentially a really big cruiser motorcycle with some amount of fairing, along with saddlebags and top-boxes, which allow the rider to carry luggage over longer distances. These motorcycles are also called grand-tourers.

These motorcycles are not fairly common in India, and this segment is fairly restricted to high-end motorcycles. The BMW K 1600 range and the Honda Gold Wing are among a few well-known examples.