Motorcycles have two permanent functional wheels in contact with the ground, a seat for the rider and can reach speeds over 100 km/h. They are used by many as a means of transport in poor countries, as well as for recreation or sport in rich ones. They leave the driver exposed to road hazards and do not feature rollover protections or airbags, so safety is important.
Motorcycle riders should conduct a quick safety inspection before every ride to ensure several basic functions are working properly. They should also lubricate the drive chain after each ride to allow it to absorb more oil. They should also cover their bike when parked to prevent weather damage.
The word’motorcycle’ is a portmanteau of’motor’ and ‘bicycle’, and since bicycles can be shortened to bikes people often use the term motorcycle rather than the full name. This is a sensible approach since the terms are identical, and a shortened name can be more easily remembered.
When riding a motorcycle, the rider must maintain a proper posture. This is essential to avoid fatigue and injury. The rider must be aware of the surrounding traffic, and must be prepared to react to changes in speed or direction quickly. He or she must be able to turn without relying on the mechanical aid of a handlebar, but be able to control the throttle and brake with hand controls.
There are standard definitions for many things in life, such as quality standards, manufacturing specifications and measurement standards. There are even standard definitions for words and phrases. However, a new definition for the word “motorcycle” has recently been put forward by the U.S. Department of Transportation for inclusion in the Guidelines for Highway Accident Reporting (FARS). This new definition is aimed at standardizing the way States report data on accidents involving two-wheeled vehicles.