Choosing the Right Type of Motorcycle

There are a lot of different types of motorcycles, and the availability of such extensive choices might make prospective buyers wonder what the differences are. Picking out a new motorcycle is one of the most enjoyable parts of any rider’s experience, let alone newcomers. Delving into the classifications of motorcycles will help you make a good choice for your first bike and acquaint yourself with an important part of the overall motorcycle culture. That’s why we here at Crossroad Powersports have put together this short guide to the most common classifications for motorcycles. Read on for more information, or if you’re ready to take a look at a great new or used motorcycle, head into our showroom in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania.

Cruisers

Fortunately you can get a hint of what a motorcycle class if best at by its name, and cruisers are truly best at cruising. If you’re after short-distance city riding or just a awesome looking motorcycle to hit the road with, then look no further than these street-eating machines. Cruisers often pull on classic designs from the 60s and 70s, feeding into a nostalgic aesthetic that’s just about impossible to beat. If you associate motorcycles with Easy Rider or the chopped-up garage bikes of yesteryear, then you’re thinking cruisers. You can either get a bike that has the most modern styling features or uses a throwback look to create a nostalgic aesthetic, or you can buy the basics and then upgrade as you like. No matter what you’re looking for, cruisers are the best way to put your own style on display for everyone to see.

Touring

Cruising city streets aren’t your thing. We get it. Perhaps your individual spirit can’t be caged or controlled and you’re at your best when the wind is whipping past and the road is open and clear. Where do you go when you receive the call to adventure? That’s right: touring bikes! Designed for long-distance riding, touring bikes offer ergonomic comfort, generous cargo capacity compared to other motorcycles, and enough power to get you to your destination and back without letting the smile fade from your face.

Touring bikes aren’t for everyone, though. These are machines built for those who want to spend as much time in the saddle as possible, and touring trips can be physically taxing experiences. However, if you know you’re going to make good use of a touring bike, then you won’t be disappointed by what it has to offer.

Sport

No motorcycle is built for speed like a solid sportbike. There’s no shame is the absolute desire for power and performance, and you’ll find plenty of both every time you pull back the throttle on one of these devilish bikes. Whether you’re looking for opening on the freeway or a finish on the race track, sport bikes are where you’ll find the absolute best in engineering and design meant to push you forward faster and with more control.

Off-Road

Not all riding is done on the road, and that’s why the off-road category is so expensive in its own right! Dirt bikes and motocross are both popular styles of off-road motorcycle, while dual-sport are street legal bikes designed to also be able to enter off-road situations. They typically have dirt bike chassis with added lights, mirrors, signals, and other instruments and components to make them street legal. Motocross bikes are almost exclusively for short obstacle racing with long-travel suspension for taking jumps at high speeds. Other bikes like the enduro, rally, trail, and trial are all purpose-built for different trails or tracks. If you’re more into kicking up dirt than chewing on pavement, an off-road bike is what you want.

This isn’t the end-all-be-all list of motorcycle types. The ever-expanding culture sees new classes and class-bending concept bikes all the time, and there are even certain manufacturers that play fast and loose with some of these terms. Don’t fret, because your friends at Crossroad Powersports are always here to answer all your questions and help you find the motorcycle you’re looking for. Call ahead for a test ride or head into our showroom in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia, where we have the best new and used motorcycles around. We proudly serve Wilmington, Delaware and Deptford Township, New Jersey. Come in today and let our team of courteous experts show you the true meaning of customer satisfaction.