Pros and cons of different types of motorcycles

Whether you’ve seen them filtering their way through rush-hour traffic or riding the winding roads of Tasmania, motorcycles are one of the easiest and increasingly popular ways to travel.

Now more than ever, thrill-seeking Australians are trading in their cars for compact two-wheelers, with 52,838 motorcycles having already been sold from January to June 2020 ^[1].

There are many reasons to ditch your car for a motorcycle; they use less fuel, can be easily parked and the overall cost of owning a motorcycle is low.

But with so many different motorcycles on today’s market, uncovering which type of motorcycle is the best fit for you is no easy feat. Are you looking for a bike to commute to the office? Or something more adventurous that you’d only ride on the weekends?

To give you a better idea of the types of motorcycles out there we’ve compiled a pros and cons list to help you make the purchase decision best suited to you.

The standard or “naked” motorcycle as it’s known is suited to all purposes. Standard models have variations from 125cc up to 1000cc and are typically sought out by riders looking for a starter bike or a daily commute.

While this model doesn’t come outfitted with fairings (panels) or a windscreen you can still add luggage, a tank bag and a different seat.

The bike positions the rider in an upright position with the handlebar and footpegs also placed comfortably underneath their feet. This allows the rider to sit at a comfortable height and the bike ergonomics to remain neutral.

Canstar Blue surveyed 800 Australian motorcycle riders in a 2019 review of motorcycle brands, across a range of categories, and found that riders who were after a motorcycle for the daily commute are best suited to BMW bikes. Not only did the brand achieve a five-star rating for technology but also four stars in all other categories; handling, comfort and overall satisfaction.

Cruisers are large, heavy bikes that were historically made for “cruising”. The bike was designed for longer trips prioritising comfort over functionality.

The engine sizes vary, and an engine can range up to 1000cc or more depending on the brand of bike. No matter the size of the engine, this bike is still a great option for new and experienced riders.

Cruiser motorbikes have extended front ends, modified frames, swingarms and custom petrol tanks. Their V-twin engine delivers a powerful movement and a large amount of force. Adding luggage can make the cruiser a great weekend rider.

Canstar Blue’s 2019 review of motorcycle brands found that Harley Davidson remains a popular choice for riders after a cruiser motorbike. Harley Davidson scored five stars for comfort, reliability, style value for money and point of sale service.

Sportbikes are built for performance and put a premium on power. Made for experienced and highly skilled riders, sport bikes are designed with maximum speed and agility in mind.

This lightweight motorcycle is designed using aerodynamics; allowing the rider to lean forward while riding and increase side to side manoeuvrability.

The seat height is tall in size and is better suited to riders of that height. This also means that the riding position can be uncomfortable and is not suitable for longer off-road trips.

Suzuki is credited as the originator of this type of motorcycle in the 1980’s. Canstar Blue’s 2019 review found that Suzuki offers sports models for both the motorcycle veteran and the beginner. Suzuki achieved four stars for reliability and overall satisfaction.

Touring motorbikes are a larger model designed for touring and long-distance trips. This bike is meant to make long distance trips more comfortable and with a large amount of storage and great bike ergonomics you can ride for hours.

Due to the nature of trips, touring motorbikes come fully equipped with a large fuel tank and engine, comfortable upright seating and a protective windscreen for wind and weather as standard.

The seats on a touring motorcycle are some of the most comfortable and the handlebars are placed at an optimal height. You could even make further modifications to the windscreen, storage and seat to increase comfort.

Canstar Blue found that Honda offers traditional Sport models for all types of riders. Honda offers full specifications on bikes on its website allowing you to compare which engine sizes, transmission and wheelbases are best for a long-distance trip.

Overall Honda scored four stars for comfort, reliability, handling, style and overall satisfaction.

This type of motorcycle combines the best of sport and touring– just as the name suggests. It’s designed for both short and long-distance rides with middle to large engines available.

Sport touring motorcycles have more comfortable, taller seats than touring motorcycles and better luggage options than sport motorcycles.

Make sure to choose the right equipment to fit your riding style. This may include additional luggage for extra gear or a larger engine size for extra power while cruising.

Of the 800 surveyed Australians, Canstar Blue’s 2019 review found that Yamaha offers on-road enthusiasts a range of sport touring models for all types of riders. Yamaha earned four stars for comfort, reliability, handling, value for money, and overall satisfaction.

Dual motorbikes (also known as dual-purpose or adventure bikes) can be used on and off-road fulfilling the true meaning of dual purpose. They are an offshoot of the late Enduro bike; a motocross with a headlight, tail light, no brake light and a wide-ratio transmission.

These motorcycles are designed for beginners and have enough power for on and off-road trips. This means that dual-sport motorcycles can be a great middle-ground option for riders.

Dual sport motorcycles are equipped with street-legal lights, a speedometer, mirrors, horn and muffler. While they are street legal they often have more aggressive off-road suspension and rough off-road tyres.

Adventure bikes are a major part of Triumph’s motorcycle range. Canstar Blue’s 2019 review of motorcycle brands found that Triumph’s adventure bikes are suitable for those looking to take their fun off-road. Triumph scored five stars for overall satisfaction, reliability, handling and style.

Off-road motorbikes are lightweight models made for rides on off-road trails through dirt, grass, woods, sand and uneven roads. This model isn’t street legal so this bike must only be ridden off-road.

Off-road motorbikes have a taller seat height to accommodate a deeper brush and the agile nature of this motorcycle also makes manoeuvring much easier on an off-road trail.

Beginners can even use this bike! But be careful though, most makes typically won’t have any lights or turn signals so you must transport the bike via trailer to your favourite off-road trail. Additional experience riding will also minimise the risk of an accident off-road.

Canstar Blue’s 2019 review of motorcycle brands found that Kawasaki produces bikes best suited to off-road adventuring. Kawasaki was rated four stars in value for money, reliability and overall satisfaction.

Scooters are lightweight, more affordable two-wheeler suitable for metropolitan areas with lower speeds. Each vehicle is lightweight, lower to the ground and powered by a small engine that ranges from 50cc to 500cc. In some states you can legally ride a scooter (max 50cc) with a car licence.

On the road, scooters are much more manoeuvrable and easier to control when riding at a slower speed. Commonly mistaken for mopeds, scooters have a larger engine and a slightly heavier frame than their moped counterparts.

Each scooter has a step-through chassis (base frame), a footrest platform, smaller panels and limited storage for when you’re on a ride.

Scooter insurance is also there for when you lose or damage your scooter. You can even choose between Comprehensive scooter insurance, Third Party Fire & Theft scooter insurance, Third Party Property Only scooter insurance to determine what you are covered for.

Motorcycle Insurance plays an important part in keeping your motorcycle safe; whether it’s damaged, broken or beyond repair as a result of an insured event. The type of insurance policy you choose will determine how you are protected in case of an accident.

Make sure to also have a valid motorcycle license before purchasing insurance.

If you’re a beginner rider, who also needs to obtain a licence, then you’ll also want to  check out our state-to-state guide on how to get your motorbike licence.

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