The parts of a motorcycle and their functions
Anatomy of a motorcycle
To the average bystander, motorcycles may appear to be nothing more than bicycles with engines. In fact, motorcycles are complex, finely tuned machines with many mechanical parts.
There are several different kinds of motorcycles, and most of them share the same basic foundational design. Here are the five main categories of motorcycle types:
- Standard bikes: general use motorcycles with upright seating positions
- Cruisers: large bikes with vintage designs and low-slung profiles
- Touring bikes: heavy bikes with large engines and luggage storage
- Sportbikes: lightweight motorcycles that prioritize performance
- Dirt bikes: lightweight motorcycles designed for offroad use
Any motorcycle you ride has an engine, a chassis, a transmission and a set of wheels. By changing the sizes and features of these components, you can customize your motorcycle to produce different performance and riding results.
Below, we break down these basic motorcycle parts and the roles they each play in making your bike function.
Engine
The beating heart of any motorcycle is its engine, even if the bike is an electric vehicle with a motor and battery.
Chassis
The chassis is the skeletal structure of a motorcycle.
Front fork
Your motorcycleโs steering and handling are made possible by the front fork. The handlebars connect to fork tubes on either side of the front wheel that house hydraulic springs in the suspension;
Frame
Arguably the most important part of the chassis is the frame, the central element of the chassis upon which the rest of the motorcycle sits.
Suspension
Keeping your motorcycle grounded and your ride smooth is the job of the suspension. Both front and rear suspension setups are common.
Transmission
For power to flow from the engine through the drivetrain, a transmission is needed. The transmission is activated via the hand clutch when shifting gears, propelling the bike forward with torque produced by the engine. T
Other parts of the transmission that help your bike get going and stay moving include:
- Ignition switch: a handlebar-mounted, key-operated switch that controls the flow of power to the rest of the motorcycle
- Starter pedal: once the ignition switch is activated and power is released through the bike, this pedal allows the rider to start the bike
- Foot shifter: allows the rider to shift gears up or down with a foot control thatโs located near the footrests
- Hand clutch: handlebar-located control that disconnects the clutch from the engine, allowing the rider to safely proceed with a gear shift
Wheels
The wheels and tires on your motorcycle will significantly affect its capabilities and performance. Tire ratings exist for street use, high-speed riding, off-road adventures and more riding scenarios.
Instrument display
The display, or instrument cluster, is the central computer system on your motorcycle