Scooters and mopeds
Motorscooters are similar to motorcycles and are also designed for being ridden on the road. Scooters usually have the engine as part of the swingarm, i.e. their engines travel up and down with the suspension. They often have smaller wheels (generally less than 14 inch (357 mm) diameter), automatic transmissions, small (generally less than 125 cc) engines, and a step-through configuration allowing the rider to ride with both feet on a running-board and knees together.
Standard / Naked
This is the basic form of the motorcycle stripped down to its fundamental parts.
This style of motorcycle became the "norm" in the 1970s and early 1980s (with the advent of the Universal Japanese motorcycle), but fell out of favour as motorcycles evolved and niches developed for sport, touring, and cruising. The "naked" saw a resurgence at the end of the 1990s, driven in large part by the European market, with many manufacturers releasing new models with minimal or no fairings. Current naked bikes are usually given a modern, more-or-less sporting suspension, unless they are intended to have "retro" styling. The Ducati Monster, Triumph Speed Four, and Suzuki SV650 are popular examples of naked motorcycles. Large engine displacement versions of naked motorcycles, especially those built in Japan, are often referred to as "muscle" bikes, for example: Honda CB 1300 Super Four, Suzuki Bandit 1250.
Touring
Although any motorcycle can be equipped and used for touring, manufacturers have brought to market specific models designed to address the particular needs of long-distance touring and heavy commuting riders. Touring motorcycles commonly have large displacement engines, fairings and screens that offer a relatively high degree of weather and wind protection, large capacity fuel tanks for long ranges between fill-ups, and a more relaxed, upright seating position than sport-bikes. These motorcycles can be further subdivided into multiple sub-categories, which are commonly used terms within the motorcycle industry.
Sport Bike
Sport bikes emphasize speed, acceleration, deceleration, and manoeuvrability. Because of this, there are certain design elements that most motorcycles of this type will share. Sport bikes have comparatively high performance engines resting inside a lightweight frame. The combination of these help maintain structural integrity and chassis rigidity. Braking systems combine higher performance brake pads and multi-piston callipers that clamp onto oversized vented rotors. Suspension systems are advanced in terms of adjustments and materials for increased stability and durability. Front and rear tires are larger and wider than tires found on other types of motorcycles to accommodate higher cornering speeds and greater lean angles. Fairings may or may not be found on a sport bike. When used, the fairings are shaped to reduce aerodynamic drag as much as possible, and generally offer less wind protection for the rider. The performance of some stock sport bikes is so high that they can be used on a race track right off the showroom floor.
Street Motorcycles
Road motorcycles are motorcycles designed for being ridden on paved roads. They feature smooth tires with a light tread pattern and engines generally in the 125cc and over range. Most are capable of speeds up to 100 mpg (160 km/h), and many speeds in excess of 125 mpg (200 km/h).