Motorcycle-Glossary.com » D

The Dakar

admin — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 20:00:23 +0000

Formerly known as “The Paris Dakar” and now as “The Lisbon Dakar Rally,” or “Dakar Rally,” and also simply referred to as “The Dakar.” It is an off-road competition comprised of cars, motorcycles, and trucks held annually in January. The race is open to amateur and professional entries and amateurs typically make up about eighty percent of the participants. Founded in 1978, this endurance race runs from Europe into Africa over several thousand miles along remote routes that include hostile dunes, rocks and mud. The competition is gruelling and a number of participants have died due to injuries sustained in the race. Originally, the competition was from Paris, France to Dakar, Senegal. However, due to politics and other factors, the course, including origin and destination, have varied over the years.

Damper

admin — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 20:00:40 +0000

Means of controlling speed of movement of the steering or suspension.

Daytona Bike Week

admin — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 20:00:42 +0000

A motorcycle event and rally held annually in Daytona Beach, Florida. Approximately 500,000 people make their way to the rally area for the 10-day event. The festivities include motorcycle racing, concerts, parties, and street festivals. The event is usually held on the first full week of March and contends with the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally as the most popular motorcycle rally in the United States.

Desmodromic

admin — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 20:00:28 +0000

Valve gear operation in which the camshaft actively closes as well as opens the valves.

Diamond Frame

admin — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 20:00:38 +0000

Tubular frame design common until World War II and derived from the bicycle layout. The engine cases often form part of the structure. In profile it resembles a diamond shape

Die-Cast Controlled-Fill Aluminum Frame

admin — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 20:00:54 +0000

Alloy frames featuring large one-piece sections constructed with a high-vacuum mold process, reducing porosity and eliminating air pockets that can result when pouring molten aluminum. These large sections are then combined with a minimum of welds, or even bolted together, to create the frame. The result is a lighter, more rigid, more finely tuned frame of higher production quality.

Displacement

admin — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 20:00:05 +0000

The size of the engine; specifically, the total volume found in the cylinders. This is usually expressed in cc (cubic centimeters) or ci (cubic inches). Generally, the larger the displacement, the more powerful the motor.

Distributor

admin — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 20:00:21 +0000

An internal combustion engine device which distributes high voltage in the ignition system to the spark plugs, in the correct firing order.

DOHC: Double Overhead Cam

admin — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 20:00:24 +0000

Designation for engines that utilize one camshaft to open the engine intake valves and another to open the exhaust valves. This optimizes valve timing for better performance. (Compare SOHC).

Dope

admin — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 20:00:33 +0000

Highly combustible alcohol/methanol-based fuel mixture.