Motorbikes are an exciting form of transport that allow the rider to get around quickly, cheaply and easily. They are also much easier to park than cars, as they only take up a fraction of the space needed by a car.
The history of the motorcycle dates back to the early 19th century when manufacturers began developing engines for the first time that were capable of replacing the human-powered pedals found on bicycles of the day. This allowed the bikes to start and accelerate more rapidly, allowing riders to go faster on hills and at slower speeds than the bicycles of the time.
Initially they were powered by small internal combustion engines, but the industry soon ramped up in sophistication as the cars of the day developed to be more powerful and reliable. The first commercial motorcycle was a three-wheeled machine built by Edward Butler in 1884, which featured a horizontal single-cylinder gasoline engine mounted between two steerable front wheels and connected to the rear wheel via a drive chain.
Today, motorcycles come in all shapes and sizes with a wide variety of power outputs. They are generally more compact than a car and use low-torque, high-revving engine designs to produce a great deal of peak horsepower.
Their power is typically higher than that of a similar-sized car, meaning they can out-accelerate it by up to four seconds at a 0-60mph speed. But their relatively poor aerodynamics mean that they aren’t as efficient at highway speeds as a car. They’re also more likely to experience issues with oil leaks, hoses and other potential maintenance problems as well. So it’s important to keep up with regular service checks to keep your bike running efficiently and safely.