Editing Motorcycle (section)

==Technical aspects==
[[File:1997SuzukiGS500E-001.jpg|thumb|A [[Suzuki GS500]] with a clearly visible frame, painted silver ]]

===Construction===
{{See also|Motorcycle components|Motorcycle design}}
Motorcycle construction is the engineering, manufacturing, and assembly of components and systems for a motorcycle which results in the performance, cost, and aesthetics desired by the designer. With some exceptions, construction of modern mass-produced motorcycles has standardised on a [[steel]] or [[aluminium]] [[Motorcycle frame|frame]], [[motorcycle fork|telescopic forks]] holding the front wheel, and [[disc brake]]s. Some other body parts, designed for either aesthetic or performance reasons may be added. A petrol-powered [[motorcycle engine|engine]] typically consisting of between one and four [[cylinder (engine)|cylinders]] (and less commonly, up to eight cylinders) coupled to a [[manual transmission|manual]] five- or six-speed [[sequential gearbox|sequential transmission]] drives the [[swingarm]]-mounted rear wheel by a [[Chain drive|chain]], [[driveshaft]], or [[Belt (mechanical)|belt]]. The repair can be done using a [[motorcycle lift]].

===Fuel economy===
Motorcycle fuel economy varies greatly with engine displacement and riding style.<ref name="Motorcycle Fuel Consumption & Real World Performance Guide">{{cite web |title = Motorcycle Fuel Consumption & Real World Performance Guide |website = MFC Website |url = http://www.motorcyclefuelconsumption.com/ |access-date = 13 June 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080718204925/http://www.motorcyclefuelconsumption.com/ |archive-date = 18 July 2008 |url-status = dead }}</ref> A streamlined, fully faired Matzu Matsuzawa Honda XL125 achieved {{convert|470|mpgus|abbr=on}} in the [[Craig Vetter Fuel Economy Challenge]] "on real highways{{spaced ndash}} in real conditions".<ref name="Doing More with Less Energy">{{cite web|last=Vetter|first=Craig|author-link=Craig Vetter|title=Doing More with Less Energy|work=The Craig Vetter Fuel Economy Contests – 1980 through 1985|url=http://www.craigvetter.com/pages/470MPG/470MPG%20Main.html |access-date=15 August 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060822071250/http://www.craigvetter.com/pages/470MPG/470MPG%20Main.html|archive-date=22 August 2006}}</ref>
Due to low engine displacements ({{cvt|100|–|200|cc|cuin}}), and high power-to-mass ratios, motorcycles offer good fuel economy. Under conditions of fuel scarcity like 1950s Britain and modern developing nations, motorcycles claim large shares of the vehicle market. In the United States, the average motorcycle fuel economy is 44 miles per US gallon (19&nbsp;km per liter).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://afdc.energy.gov/data/10310|title=Alternative Fuels Data Center: Maps and Data - Average Fuel Economy by Major Vehicle Category|access-date=2 March 2021|archive-date=4 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304222456/https://afdc.energy.gov/data/10310|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Electric motorcycles====
{{Main|Electric motorcycles and scooters}}
Very high fuel economy equivalents are often derived by electric motorcycles. Electric motorcycles are nearly silent, [[zero emission|zero-emission]] electric motor-driven vehicles. Operating range and top speed are limited by battery technology.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.solomotoparts.com/blog/?p=3050957472978646094 |title=Electric Motorcycles |publisher=Solo Moto |access-date=15 May 2016 |archive-date=11 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170511125256/https://www.solomotoparts.com/blog/?p=3050957472978646094 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Fuel cell vehicle|Fuel cells]] and petroleum-electric [[hybrid vehicle|hybrids]] are also under development to extend the range and improve performance of the electric drive system.

===Reliability===
A 2013 survey of 4,424 readers of the US ''[[Consumer Reports]]'' magazine collected reliability data on 4,680 motorcycles purchased new from 2009 to 2012.<ref name=ConsumerReports2013/> The most common problem areas were [[Motorcycle accessories|accessories]], [[Motorcycle brakes|brakes]], electrical (including [[Starter (engine)|starters]], [[Alternator#Automotive alternators|charging]], [[Ignition system|ignition]]), and [[Fuel tank|fuel system]]s, and the [[types of motorcycles]] with the greatest problems were touring, off-road/dual sport, sport-touring, and cruisers.<ref name=ConsumerReports2013/> There were not enough sport bikes in the survey for a [[statistically significant]] conclusion, though the data hinted at reliability as good as cruisers.<ref name=ConsumerReports2013/> These results may be partially explained by accessories including such equipment as fairings, luggage, and auxiliary lighting, which are frequently added to touring, adventure touring/dual sport and sport touring bikes.<ref name=Bartlett2013/> Trouble with fuel systems is often the result of improper winter storage, and brake problems may also be due to poor maintenance.<ref name=ConsumerReports2013/> Of the five brands with enough data to draw conclusions, Honda, [[Kawasaki Heavy Industries|Kawasaki]] and Yamaha were statistically tied, with 11 to 14% of those bikes in the survey experiencing major repairs.<ref name=ConsumerReports2013/> Harley-Davidsons had a rate of 24%, while BMWs did worse, with 30% of those needing major repairs.<ref name=ConsumerReports2013/> There were not enough Triumph and [[Suzuki]] motorcycles surveyed for a statistically sound conclusion, though it appeared Suzukis were as reliable as the other three Japanese brands while Triumphs were comparable to Harley-Davidson and BMW.<ref name=ConsumerReports2013/> Three-fourths of the repairs in the survey cost less than US$200 and two-thirds of the motorcycles were repaired in less than two days.<ref name=ConsumerReports2013/> In spite of their relatively worse reliability in this survey, Harley-Davidson and BMW owners showed the greatest owner satisfaction, and three-fourths of them said they would buy the same bike again, followed by 72% of Honda owners and 60 to 63% of Kawasaki and Yamaha owners.<ref name=ConsumerReports2013/>

===Dynamics===
[[File:Aleix Espargaró leads the pack 2021 Sachsenring.jpg|thumb|Racing motorcycles leaning in a turn]]
{{Main|Bicycle and motorcycle dynamics}}

Two-wheeled motorcycles stay upright while rolling due to a physical property known as [[conservation of angular momentum]] in the wheels. Angular momentum points along the axle, and it "wants" to stay pointing in that direction.

Different types of motorcycles have different dynamics and these play a role in how a motorcycle performs in given conditions. For example, one with a longer wheelbase provides the feeling of more stability by responding less to disturbances.{{sfn|Gaetano|2004|pp=34-25|ps=&nbsp;"[W]ith the same disturbance, the rider with a longer wheelbase will feel less oscillating movement on the handlebars, and therefore, will have a perception of greater stability on the motorcycle."}} [[Motorcycle tyres]] have a large influence over handling.

Motorcycles must be leaned in order to make turns. This lean is induced by the method known as [[countersteering]], in which the rider momentarily steers the handlebars in the direction opposite of the desired turn. This practice is counterintuitive and therefore often confusing to novices{{spaced ndash}} and even many experienced motorcyclists.<ref name="Steering in bicycles and motorcycles">{{cite journal |journal = American Journal of Physics |volume = 68 |issue = 7 |pages = 654–59 |date = July 2000 |author = Joel Fajans |title = Steering in bicycles and motorcycles |url = http://socrates.berkeley.edu/~fajans/pub/pdffiles/SteerBikeAJP.PDF |doi = 10.1119/1.19504 |bibcode = 2000AmJPh..68..654F |access-date = 4 August 2006 |archive-date = 1 September 2006 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060901081011/http://socrates.berkeley.edu/~fajans/pub/pdffiles/SteerBikeAJP.PDF |url-status = live  |issn = 0002-9505}}</ref><ref name="Hurt">{{Cite web |first1= H.H. |last1=Hurt |last2= Ouellet |first2=J.V. |last3=Thom |first3= D.R. |author1-link=Harry Hurt |publisher=U.S. Department of Transportation, NHTSA |title=Motorcycle Accident Cause Factors and Identification of Countermeasures, Volume 1: Technical Report |date=January 1981 |url=http://isddc.dot.gov/OLPFiles/NHTSA/013695.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140823225106/http://isddc.dot.gov/OLPFiles/NHTSA/013695.pdf|archive-date=23 August 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last = Crouch |first = Tom D. |title = The Bishop's Boys | year = 1989| publisher = W. W. Norton| location = New York| isbn = 0-393-30695-X| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=ytw11Bmxcz8C&pg=PA170 | page = 170}}</ref>

With such short [[Bicycle and motorcycle geometry#Wheelbase|wheelbase]], motorcycles can generate enough torque at the rear wheel, and enough stopping force at the front wheel, to lift the opposite wheel off the road. These actions, if performed on purpose, are known as [[wheelie]]s and [[stoppie]]s (or endos) respectively.

===Accessories===
{{Main|Motorcycle accessories}}
Various features and accessories may be attached to a motorcycle either as [[Original equipment manufacturer|OEM]] (factory-fitted) or [[Aftermarket (automotive)|aftermarket]]. Such accessories are selected by the owner to enhance the motorcycle's appearance, safety, performance, or comfort, and may include anything from [[automotive electronics|mobile electronics]] to [[sidecar]]s and [[motorcycle trailer|trailers]].