Motorcycles are built for very different jobs: city commuting, crossing continents, racing on a track or climbing rocks. Here are the main families, what makes each one special and who it suits.
01
The all-rounder with no fairing
A naked bike is a road motorcycle without a big plastic fairing: you see the engine and frame.
Example models: Yamaha MT-07Kawasaki Z650Honda CB650RKTM 390 Duke
02
Race-track DNA for the road
Sport bikes are designed for speed and handling.
Example models: Kawasaki Ninja 500Yamaha R7Honda CBR1000RR-RDucati Panigale V4
03
Fast, comfortable, ready for long days
A sport-tourer mixes a sporty engine and chassis with a more relaxed position, a good windscreen and space for luggage.
Example models: Kawasaki Ninja 1000SXYamaha Tracer 9 GTBMW R 1250 RS
04
A living room on two wheels
Touring motorcycles are made to cross countries in total comfort: big fairings, large seats for two, heated grips, audio systems and huge luggage cases.
Example models: Honda Gold WingBMW K 1600 GTLHarley-Davidson Road Glide
05
Low, relaxed, full of torque
Cruisers have a low seat, feet-forward controls and lots of torque at low revs.
Example models: Honda Rebel 500Kawasaki Vulcan SIndian ScoutHarley-Davidson Softail
06
Custom style above everything
Choppers have a long, stretched front fork and a raked-out look; bobbers are stripped-down with short fenders and a solo seat.
Example models: Triumph Bonneville BobberHarley-Davidson Street BobCustom choppers
07
Old-school looks, modern tech
Modern classics look like bikes from the 1960s–70s but have fuel injection, ABS and modern reliability.
Example models: Triumph Bonneville T120Kawasaki Z900RSRoyal Enfield Continental GT 650Ducati Scrambler
08
Go anywhere — asphalt, gravel, desert
Adventure bikes are tall, comfortable motorcycles with long-travel suspension, big fuel tanks and room for luggage.
Example models: BMW R 1300 GSHonda Africa TwinYamaha Ténéré 700Royal Enfield Himalayan
09
Street-legal dirt bike
A dual-sport is a light off-road motorcycle with lights, mirrors and a licence plate, so you can ride it on the street and on trails.
Example models: Honda CRF300LKawasaki KLX300Suzuki DR650
10
Hard-core off-road, sometimes road-legal
Enduro bikes are competition-grade off-road machines built for forest trails, rocks and mud.
Example models: KTM 300 EXCHusqvarna TE 300Beta RR 350
11
Pure track racing machine
Motocross bikes are built only for closed dirt tracks with jumps.
Example models: Yamaha YZ250FKTM 450 SX-FHonda CRF450R
12
A dirt bike on street tyres
A supermoto takes a light off-road bike and fits 17-inch wheels with road tyres and bigger brakes.
Example models: KTM 690 SMC RHusqvarna 701 SupermotoSuzuki DR-Z4SM
13
Balance and precision, not speed
Trial bikes are ultra-light machines (about 70 kg) for climbing over rocks, logs and obstacles at walking pace.
Example models: Montesa Cota 4RTGasGas TXT RacingBeta Evo
14
Twist-and-go city transport
Scooters have small wheels, a step-through frame, an automatic transmission (CVT) and storage under the seat.
Example models: Vespa PrimaveraHonda PCX 125Honda Forza 350Yamaha TMAX
15
Small wheels, big smiles
Minibikes like the Honda Grom or Monkey have small wheels and 125 cc engines.
Example models: Honda GromHonda MonkeyKawasaki Z125
16
Silent, instant torque
Electric motorcycles use a battery and an electric motor.
Example models: Zero SR/FLiveWire OneKawasaki Ninja e-1
Ratings are general guidelines out of 5 — individual models can differ a lot.
