Motorcycle front suspension that is similar to the leading link design, except the layout is reversed: the links pivot forward of the axle.
Motorcycle trials, also termed observed trials, is a non-speed competition on specialized motorcycles. Trial motorcycles are distinctive in that they are extremely lightweight, and since they are designed to be ridden standing up, they have no seats. Also, their suspension travel is shorter than other off-road bikes, such as motocross or enduro motorcycles. In trials competitions, the riders surmount obstacles and points are deducted if the rider puts his feet on the ground, goes outside the marked course, or fails to clear an obstacle. The sports of trials is administered internationally by the FIM.
Inspired from modern tattoo culture, tribal designs are patterns of lines and curves that represent a unique form of abstract art and may, or may not, include any ancient imagery. Tribal designs can be seen painted on motorcycles, helmets, motorcycle accessories, and motorbike apparel.
For examples see Tribal Designs for Motorcycles
A two-piece motorcycle part that attaches the fork tubes to the frame and makes steering possible.
An annual motorcycle racing event held on the Isle of Man for over 100 years. The event is run on 37¾ miles of public roads that are closed for the competition. The first race was held on the May 28, 1907 on a 15.8-mile circuit. The Isle of Man is located in the Irish Sea at the geographical center of the British Isles and is a self-governing British Crown dependency.
A tire without an inner tube. The tire and the rim of the wheel form an airtight container to seal the air. The valve is directly mounted on the rim. If a tubeless tire gets punctured, air escapes only through the hole created by the nail, thus giving substantial time between a puncture and a flat tire.
Slang term for a Harley rider, referring to $20,000 to purchase a Harley Davidson motorcycle and another $20,000 to buy a pickup truck to transport it around.
An earlier two-stroke engine with two pistons and two cylinders that share a single combustion chamber with one sparkplug. Known as a split-single engine in the UK.
A cylinder head design in which there are two exhaust ports.
Motorcycle frame in which the steering head and the swingarm pivot are connected by two metal sections, usually alloy members, that wrap around the engine.
This is the minimum spacing in seconds between moving motorcycles. While in formation, maintain a 2-second interval from the rider in front of you. It is measured by counting “one-thousand one, one-thousand two” as you see the rider in front of you pass a sign or landmark. Stop counting when you pass the same marker. Under poor weather conditions, maintain longer intervals consistent with safety.
A once-common type of engine now found almost exclusively in off-road motorcycles. A two-stroke motor fires once with every two strokes of the piston.
- Once fired, the downward stroke of the piston delivers power and then draws in a mixture of fuel, air and oil which displaces the exhaust gases in the combustion chamber
- The upward stroke compresses the mixture for ignition
(Compare Four Stroke Engine)
