Biker or
bikie may refer to:
- a rider of a bicycle
- a rider of a motorcycle, i.e., one who participates in motorcycling
- a member of an outlaw motorcycle club
Motorcycle
A motorcycle (also called a motorbike, bike, moto or
cycle) is a two or three wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycle design varies
greatly to suit a range of different purposes: long distance travel, commuting,
cruising, sport including racing, and off-road riding. Motorcycling is riding a
motorcycle and related social activity such as joining a motorcycle club and attending
motorcycle rallies.
In 1894, Hildebrand & Wolfmüller became the first
series production motorcycle, and the first to be called a motorcycle. In 2012,
the three top motorcycle producers globally by volume were Honda, Bajaj Auto,
and Hero MotoCorp.
Motorcycles are mainly a luxury good in the developed
world, where they are used mostly for recreation, as a lifestyle accessory or a
symbol of personal identity. In developing countries, motorcycles are
overwhelmingly utilitarian due to lower prices and greater fuel economy. Of all
the motorcycles in the world, 58% are in the Asia Pacific and Southern and
Eastern Asia regions, excluding car-centric Japan.
First motorcycle companies
In 1894, Hildebrand & Wolfmüller became the first
series production motorcycle, and the first to be called a motorcycle (German:
Motorrad). Excelsior Motor Company, originally a bicycle manufacturing company
based in Coventry, England, began production of their first motorcycle model in
1896. The first production motorcycle in the US was the Orient-Aster, built by
Charles Metz in 1898 at his factory in Waltham, Massachusetts.
In the early period of motorcycle history, many producers
of bicycles adapted their designs to accommodate the new internal combustion
engine. As the engines became more powerful and designs outgrew the bicycle
origins, the number of motorcycle producers increased. Many of the nineteenth
century inventors who worked on early motorcycles often moved on to other
inventions. Daimler and Roper, for example, both went on to develop
automobiles.
At the turn of the century the first major
mass-production firms were set up. In 1898, Triumph Motorcycles in England
began producing motorbikes, and by 1903 it was producing over 500 bikes. Other
British firms were Royal Enfield, Norton and Birmingham Small Arms Company who
began motorbike production in 1899, 1902 and 1910, respectively. Indian began
production in 1901 and Harley Davidson was established two years later. By the
outbreak of the First World War, the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the
world was Indian, producing over 20,000 bikes per year.
Motorcycle rider postures
The motorcyclist's riding position depends on rider
body-geometry (anthropometry) combined with the geometry of the motorcycle
itself. These factors create a set of three basic postures.
Sport – the rider leans forwards into the wind and the
weight of the upper torso is supported by the rider's core at low speed and air
pressure at high speed (e.g., above 50 mph (80 km/h)). The footpegs are below
the rider or to the rear. The reduced frontal area cuts wind resistance and
allows higher speeds. At low-speed this position throws the weight of the rider
onto the arms, which can tire the rider's wrists.
Standard – the rider sits upright or leans forward
slightly. The feet are below the rider. These are motorcycles that are not
specialised to one task, so they do not excel in any particular area.
The standard posture is used with touring and commuting as well as dirt and
dual-sport bikes, and may offer advantages for beginners.
Cruiser – the rider sits at a lower seat height with the
upper torso upright or leaning slightly rearward. Legs are extended forwards,
sometimes out of reach of the regular controls on cruiser pegs. The low seat
height can be a consideration for new or short riders. Handlebars tend to be
high and wide. The emphasis is on comfort, while compromising cornering ability
because of low ground clearance and the greater likelihood of scraping foot
pegs, floor boards, or other parts if turns are taken at the speeds other
motorcycles can more readily accomplish.
Factors of a motorcycle's ergonomic geometry that
determine the seating posture include the height, angle and location of
footpegs, seat and handlebars. Factors in a rider's physical geometry that
contribute to seating posture include torso, arm, thigh and leg length, and
overall rider height.
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