"TVS Apache RTR 180" An Indian Racing Bike
TVS Motors has recently rolled out RTR 180! The much waited and anticipated of its award winning Apache series. APACHE RTR 180 which was being developed under the project code known as Menace was launched recently creating a big revolution in the world of racing.
So i collected a some terminologies and name of some parts and technology which help you to understand what your bike have and what it need and what features TVS Apache RTR 180 posses Which make him ac omplete racing bike and successful in Indian roads.ABS: Antilock Brake System : A component added to the motorcycle braking system that detects wheel lock up. The system rapidly modulates the brakes to prevent skidding (and attendant loss of traction), allowing the rider more braking control and increased riding safety.
Aerodynamics :Motorcycle aerodynamics refers to bike designs that have as little air resistance as possible to achieve greater speeds or to improve rider comfort. Wind tunnels aid manufacturers in their development of improved aerodynamic motorcycle models which result in the different configurations of windshields, fairings, body work and other components.
Air Cooling :
A method of dissipating heat from a motorcycle engine to keep it at operating temperature by way of air flow. In practice, cooling is effected by air rushing around a moving motorcycle engine and is aided by the use of small engine fins to facilitate heat transfer into the passing air. Compare Water Cooling.
Armor :
Protective padding used to reinforce motorcycle apparel. It is designed to absorb energy on impact to help protect the rider in the event of a crash. Armor is available to better protect a rider’s back, shoulders, chest, elbows, hips and knees.
Backing It In : Going into a corner with the rear of the motorcycle sliding while the rider is counter-steering. This is a way for a rider to scrub off speed and set the motorcycle up for a fast exit from the corner. “I was trying so hard I was backing it in to almost every corner.”
Bagger :A motorcycle with touring accessories like saddlebags, top box, a trunk, etc.
Balaclava : A thin pull-over head and neck cover with eye slits for winter usage under a motorcycle helmet.
Bash Plate (aka Skid Plate) : A protective plate fitted under the engines of off-road machines to prevent damage caused by grounding.
Bcom : Bluetooth Intercom headset for motorcycle helmets.
BDC: Bottom Dead Center : he point during crankshaft rotation at which the piston is in its lowest possible position.
Berm : Built-up dirt on the outside of a turn, either created with a bulldozer or as riders continually go through the turn. A berm helps a rider take the turn much faster because it acts as banking.
Bevel : The angle that one surface makes with another when they are not at right angles.
Bevel Gears : A pair of gears with faces cut at an angle of 45°, allowing drive to be turned through 90°.
Big Dog Rider : An experienced and aggressive motorcyclist known for feats of daring and skill, such as riding at high speeds on public roads, without apparent fear of accident or arrest.
Binders : Motorcycle brakes
Blind Corner or Blind Turn : A turn in the road that is visually obstructed and prevents the rider from seeing the path of the road around the corner. This makes the rider blind to the turning radius, approaching traffic, and road condition until after the rider has entered the turn and can then see around the trees, hillside, etc.
Block Pass : Going into a turn, a rider attempting a block pass will accelerate before the apex and slip his motorcycle on the inside of the leader, then quickly pivot and make the turn directly in front of the other rider. The rider being passed must brake because his line is now blocked.
Body English : A method used by motorcycle riders to help control lean angle or direction independent of the handlebars by moving body position on the motorcycle.
Bore : The measurement of a cylinders diameter
Bottom Out : When the suspension runs out of travel and bumps against its internal stops. “My rear suspension bottomed out over the big bump after turn five.”
Brake Horsepower (BHP) : The measure of an engine’s horsepower without the loss in power caused by the gearbox, generator, differential, water pump, and other auxiliary components. Horsepower delivered to the rear wheel of a motorcycle is less than at the engine. “Brake” refers to where the power is measured: at the engine’s output shaft, as on an engine dynamometer. The term “brake” refers to the original use of a band brake to measure torque during the test (which is multiplied by the engine RPM and a scaling constant to give horsepower).
Cage : A car, truck, van, RV or other vehicle that confines the inhabitants within an enclosed space.
Cager : The driver of a car, truck, van, RV or other vehicle that confines the inhabitants within an enclosed space.
Cam : An eccentrically shaped rotor that converts rotational movement into linear movement. Cams are used in the operation of valves, contact breaker points, and drum brakes.
Camshaft : A metal shaft with two or more cams (oval “lobes”) that rotates to operate inlet and/or exhaust valves in a four-stroke engine.
Carbon Fiber : A high-tech material available in many motorcycle applications due to its high rigidity and low weight which can allow improvements in the power-to-weight ratio and suspension response of the bike. Additionally, the distinctive look of the material has become trendy.
Carburetor : A mechanical device found on the intake side of the engine which mixes fuel and air to create the volatile mixture that gets ignited in the engine.
CC: Cubic Centimeters : A common engine size measurement for motorcycles.
CE Armor : A European system of grading motorcycle protective armor that encompasses both energy absorption capability as well as pad shape and size. The armor or pads are designed to offer added protection to a rider going down on a motorcycle, particularly in the event of sliding or lesser impacts. CE armor is made of hard foam pieces encapsulated in softer foam which compresses on impact. In other words, it’s like a helmet: if you land on it, you must replace it.
Centerstand : A mechanism that pivots down from the center of the motorcycle frame to support the bike vertically with the rear wheel off the ground.
Chain Drive : A common motorcycle drive system that uses a multi-link steel chain and toothed sprockets to transfer engine power to the rear wheel.
Chair (Sidecar) : A one-wheeled carriage for a single passenger attached to the side of a motorcycle, producing a three-wheeled vehicle.
Chaps : Motorcycle clothing accessory designed for leg protection. They’re usually made of leather and are fastened around the waist, with an open back. They snap at the ankles and zip down the legs.
Chassis : The frame and suspension systems of a motorcycle.
Chicane : A part of the track consisting of back-to-back left and right turns. Chicanes can be a part of the original track, or can be created, using cones and hay bales, to slow the riders down for safety.
Chopper : A cruiser style bike that has a lot of the pieces of the bike “chopped off.” The riders of the ’60s did everything they could to customize their bikes and make them go faster. Thus, much of the existing bikes they bought were chopped off. The bikes in the movie “Easy Rider” are examples.
Clip-Ons : Handlebars that are clamped around the top of the fork tubes, rather than bolted to the top triple-tree. This lowers a rider’s upper body on the front of the motorcycle for a racier body position.
Clutch : A mechanism for transmitting rotation, which can be engaged and disengaged. There are many different vehicle clutch designs but most are based on one or more friction discs, pressed tightly together or against a flywheel using springs. On most motorcycles, the clutch is operated by the clutch lever, located on the left handlebar. No pressure on the lever means that the clutch plates are engaged (driving), while pulling the lever back towards the rider will disengage the clutch plates, allowing the rider to shift gears.
Compression Ratio : In an internal combustion engine, the measurement of the difference between cylinder volume at BDC and TDC. This is the ratio of the maximum-to-minimum volume within the cylinder, between the piston and cylinder head, containing a combination of fuel and air being compressed. A high compression ratio results in more mechanical energy that an engine can squeeze from its air-fuel mixture. High ratios place increased oxygen and fuel molecules into a reduced space; thus, they allow increased power at the moment of ignition. Compression ratio is a single number that can be used to predict engine performance.
Contact Breaker : The spring switch in the low-tension ignition circuit that controls the timing of the spark in the high-tension circuit. Operated by a cam, contact breakers are sometimes called points.
Contracting-Band Brake\ : A brake in which a band is tightened around a rotation drum.
Counter Balancer : A weight in the engine that spins with the rpm to smooth out engine vibrations.
Counter Steering : The input a motorcyclist gives to the handlebars in order to steer: push the right handlebar to go right, or push the left handlebar to go left.
Cradle Frame : Motorcycle frame with two tubes passing under the engine
Crankshaft : The main rotating shaft running through the length of the engine. As the pistons move up and down, they work together to spin the crankshaft. The rotating motion of the crankshaft is transmitted to the gear cluster which is eventually used to rotate the rear wheel of the motorcycle.
Crash Padding : A motorcyclist’s protective clothing, especially abrasion-resistant and impact absorbing riding gear and helmet.
Crotch Rocket : A term some people use to describe a high performance sport-bike motorcycle.
Cruiser : A style of motorcycle generally equipped with a low seat and pullback handlebars. This style of bike predominantly stems from the customizing of standard American motorcycles in the ’60s and ’70s.
Cush Drive : A transmission shock absorber, usually a rubber cushion in the rear hub.
Custom Motorcycles : For many motorcyclists, the choices provided by the motorcycle manufacturers do not provide enough variety to match the personalities of the riders. For this reason, many customize their bikes or hire customizers to do the work for them. Many of these customs are entered in shows and win prizes. Customs can easily cost twice the selling price of the original bike.
Cylinder :The tube-shaped sleeves that house the pistons in an engine and where the fuel/air mixture is drawn for combustion.
Cylinder Head :A casting that caps the cylinder and contains the valves and combustion chamber.
Darker Rally : Formerly known as “The Paris Dakar” and now as “The Lisbon Dakar Rally,” or “Dakar Rally,” and also simply referred to as “The Dakar.” It is an off-road competition comprised of cars, motorcycles, and trucks held annually in January. The race is open to amateur and professional entries and amateurs typically make up about eighty percent of the participants. Founded in 1978, this endurance race runs from Europe into Africa over several thousand miles along remote routes that include hostile dunes, rocks and mud. The competition is gruelling and a number of participants have died due to injuries sustained in the race. Originally, the competition was from Paris, France to Dakar, Senegal. However, due to politics and other factors, the course, including origin and destination, have varied over the years.
Damper : Means of controlling speed of movement of the steering or suspension.
Daytona Bike Week : A motorcycle event and rally held annually in Daytona Beach, Florida. Approximately 500,000 people make their way to the rally area for the 10-day event. The festivities include motorcycle racing, concerts, parties, and street festivals. The event is usually held on the first full week of March and contends with the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally as the most popular motorcycle rally in the United States.
Desmodromic : Valve gear operation in which the camshaft actively closes as well as opens the valves.
Diamond Frame : Tubular frame design common until World War II and derived from the bicycle layout. The engine cases often form part of the structure. In profile it resembles a diamond shape
Die-Cast Controlled-Fill Aluminum Frame : Alloy frames featuring large one-piece sections constructed with a high-vacuum mold process, reducing porosity and eliminating air pockets that can result when pouring molten aluminum. These large sections are then combined with a minimum of welds, or even bolted together, to create the frame. The result is a lighter, more rigid, more finely tuned frame of higher production quality.
Displacement : The size of the engine; specifically, the total volume found in the cylinders. This is usually expressed in cc (cubic centimeters) or ci (cubic inches). Generally, the larger the displacement, the more powerful the motor.
Distributor : An internal combustion engine device which distributes high voltage in the ignition system to the spark plugs, in the correct firing order.
DOHC: Double Overhead Cam : Designation for engines that utilize one camshaft to open the engine intake valves and another to open the exhaust valves. This optimizes valve timing for better performance.
Druid Forks : Side-sprung girder forks. Druid were the original makers.
Dry Clutch : As opposed to a “wet clutch” which is immersed in a cooling, lubricating fluid, which also keeps the surfaces clean and gives smoother performance and longer life, a “dry clutch,” is not bathed in fluid that robs it of some energy. Since the surfaces of a wet clutch can be slippery (as with a motorcycle clutch bathed in engine oil), stacking multiple clutch disks can compensate for slippage. A Dry Clutch is more like the clutch found on an automobile that separates the engine from the transmission. There is a dry connection between the engine and transmission.
Dry Sump : An oil lubrication system for four-stroke and two-stroke internal combustion engines that incorporates an additional oil reservoir as compared to a wet sump system. Rather than the oil being collected in a conventional oil pan, or sump, for engine lubrication, oil is pumped into a secondary reservoir and then pumped to the engine bearings, effectively eliminating the oil starvation a wet sump system suffers when subjected to high-performance acceleration, braking, and cornering.
Dual Sport : Street legal motorcycles that provide varying levels of off-road capabilities. Not as focused as pure off-road or pure street motorcycles. Also known as dual-purpose.
Dump The Clutch : This is when a rider revs up the engine and quickly releases the clutch, launching the bike off the line.
ECU: Engine Control Unit : Controls various aspects of an internal combustion engine’s operation. ECUs control the quantity of fuel injected into each cylinder, with each engine cycle, by monitoring the engine through sensors. ECUs also control ignition timing and other peripherals. A special category of ECUs are those which are programmable. These units do not have a fixed behavior, but can be reprogrammed by the user.
EFI: Electronic Fuel Injection : A means of metering fuel into an internal combustion engine. EFI replaces carburetors as a method to meter fuel. (See Fuel Injection).
Enduro : Off-road competition against the clock and usually over long distances.
Engine Cut Off Switch : Usually located on the right handlebar switch housing, this switch allows the motorcyclist to turn off the engine without removing his or her hand from the handlebar. Also known as the “kill switch.”
Epicyclic Gear : A gear that operates around the circumference of another.
Ergonomics : The study of body posture, and the positioning of instruments, to create a good human-to-machine interface. “Good ergonomics” refers to how well a motorcycle fits a rider for its intended use.
Esses : A series of turns with quick left and right transitions.
Fairing : An enclosure on the front of the bike containing the windshield and affording wind protection to the rider. Can be attached to the frame and not move or be attached to the fork and move as the handlebars are turned.
Farkles : Motorcycle enthusiasts may install accessories, called farkles (also spelled farkels), to customize their machine. The word is generally accepted to mean a combination of “function” and “sparkle”, hence, farkle. The term is well known in the North American sport touring community. Radar detectors, Global Positioning System receivers, heated grips, and satellite radios are some of those farkles. Other accessories could be aftermarket seats or bar risers, which make the motorcycle more suitable for long miles.
Featherbed Frame : Famous Norton frame design by the McCandless brothers. It was introduced in 1950 and was given its name by factory rider Harold Daniell.
FIM: Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme The governing body of the international motorcycle sport. Originally founded in 1904, it represents 90 national motorcycle federations that are divided into six regional continental unions.
There are five motorcycle-racing disciplines that FIM covers, encompassing 34 world championships and prizes:
1. road racing
2. motocross
3. trials
4. enduro
5. track racing (combining Grass Track and Speedway)
FIM is also involved in many non-racing activities that promote the sport, its safety, and support relevant public policy.
Final Drive : Means of transmitting power to the driven wheel, usually by chain, shaft, or belt.
Fore-and-Aft Flat Twin : A flat-twin engine mounted with cylinders positioned in line with the frame.
Fork : The metal tubes that connect the front wheel to the motorcycle frame via the triple tree. For handling, the front fork is a critical motorcycle component as it allows the rider to steer. The fork, along with its attachment points on the frame establish the critical motorcycle geometry parameters of rake and trail, which in turn contribute to wheelbase.
Four Stroke Engine : The most common engine design found in street motorcycles. It refers to the number of times a piston moves up and down through each power cycle.
1. A downward stroke brings in the fuel/air mixture
2. an upward stroke compresses the fuel/air mixture
3. a downward stroke results when that mixture is ignited and expands (also known as the Power Stroke)
4. and finally an upward stroke expels the exhaust gases
Fuel Injection : A device that serves the same function as a carburetor, but uses computer-controlled jets to inject atomized fuel and air into the air stream going into the engine. (See EFI).
Gear Ratio : The gear ratio is the relationship between the number of teeth on two gears that are meshed or two sprockets connected with a common roller chain, or the circumferences of two pulleys connected with a drive belt.
Girder Forks : Type of forks common on early machines, comprising rigid beams attached to the steering head by parallel links that allowed movement.
Grand Prix Motorcycle Racing : Established in 1949 by the FIM, it is the oldest motorsport World Championship that is still in existence. Competition is held in well over a dozen countries in 5 continents. Grand Prix motorcycle racing is currently divided into three distinct classes: 125 cc, 250 cc and MotoGP. Grand Prix is French, meaning “Grand Prize.”
Greasy Track : A slippery racetrack.
Green Track : A new road-racing course with no rubber on the surface, which can be slippery. “I had to be careful during that practice session because the track was really green.”
Gypsy Tour : A motorcycle road event, usually several days in duration, in which the participants travel through the countryside and stop at a different destination each night. The implication is that you are traveling without time or distance constraints.
Hairpin : A very slow, tight, sometimes 180-degree, turn.
Helical Gear : The leading edges of the teeth are not parallel to the axis of rotation, but are set at an angle. Since the gear is curved, this angling causes the tooth shape to be a segment of a helix. The angled teeth engage more gradually than do spur gear teeth. This causes helical gears to run more smoothly and quietly than straight-cut gears. Helical gears also offer the possibility of using non-parallel shafts.
High Side : A type of motorcycle crash that occurs when the rear wheel starts to slide in a turn (sometimes due to a locked brake and the resulting skidding tire), and then suddenly grips the pavement (which could occur when letting off the brake) flipping the bike sideways. The name derives from the side of the motorcycle that the rider will separate from. If forcibly thrown over the bike, the rider is said to have dismounted on the high side.
Riders are usually advised to do a lowsider rather than a highsider if neither can be avoided. The highsider has the additional disadvantage of the rider often being catapulted into the air by the sudden jerking motion of the motorbike and the increased possibility of the motorbike sliding behind the rider with the potential of striking him or her.
Because highside accidents are so much more deadly than lowside accidents, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation recommends that if a rider locks the rear brake, it should be kept locked until the motorcycle comes to a stop. If necessary, locking the front brake to deliberately cause a lowside is recommended.
Horsepower : A unit of measurement used to describe an engine’s strength. Typically, the more horsepower an engine produces, the faster the motorcycle can potentially go. The term “horsepower” was invented by James Watt in 1782 to help market his steam engine and refers to the power exerted by a horse in pulling.
Hub-Center Steering : One of several different types of front-end suspension/steering mechanisms used in motorcycles. Hub-center steering is characterized by a swingarm that extends from the bottom of the engine/frame to the center of the front wheel instead of two forks.
The advantages of using a hub-center steering system instead of a more conventional motorcycle fork are that hub-center steer separates the steering, braking, and suspension functions. With a fork the braking forces are put through the suspension, a situation that leads to the suspension being compressed, using up a large amount of suspension travel which makes dealing with bumps and other road irregularities extremely difficult. Also, having the steering working through the forks also causes problems with stiction, decreasing the effectiveness of the suspension.
Its complicated assembly is only one of the reasons hub-center steering is implemented in relatively few motorcycle models. The telescopic fork steering system is much more commonly used.
Ignition Timing : The process of setting the time that a spark will occur in the engine combustion chamber (during the power stroke) relative to piston position or crankshaft rotation. Setting the correct ignition timing is crucial in the performance of an engine. The ignition timing affects many variables including engine longevity, fuel economy, and engine power. Modern engines that are controlled by an engine control unit use a computer to control the timing throughout the engine’s RPM range. Older engines that use mechanical spark distributors rely on inertia (by using rotating weights and springs) and manifold vacuum in order to set the ignition timing throughout the engine’s RPM range.
Knobbies : The type of tires used by supercross and motocross racers. These tires have large square knobs of rubber tread that are designed and arranged in various ways to best grab the dirt. Sometimes mechanics take knobby tires and carve them even more with a hot tire cutter–in order to help the tire pattern best match the terrain.
Low Side : A motorcycle crash that results from a wheel losing traction, allowing the bike to fall sideways. The name derives from the fact that it is usually the inward side that the motorcycle will fall on, or the side that points downward in a curve, the low side. Riders are usually advised to do a lowsider rather than a highsider if neither can be avoided. The lowsider has the advantage of the motorcycle sliding before the rider, placing it out of harm’s way.
Mag Alloy : Magnesium alloy, a strong lightweight metal used for many components, particularly wheels.
Megaphone : An outwardly tapered high-performance exhaust.
Mesh Jacket : An open-weave, protective apparel for motorcycle riders that allows air to circulate through the garment offering ventilation and cooler riding for hot, summer temperatures. Most notably used in motorcycle jackets, although also available as construction for protective motorcycle pants.
Monocoque Frame : A motorcycle frame in which the structure is made as one unit from a sheet material (ie alloy or steel). It may also include bodywork or fuel container in the structure. A Grand Prix motorcycle racing monocoque motorcycle was developed in 1967 by Ossa, a Spanish motorcycle brand. Honda also experimented with a monocoque motorcycle in 1979 with its NR500. More recently the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14 sport bike was introduced for the 2006 US model year with an aluminum monocoque frame.
Motocross : Off-road motorcycle racing held on enclosed, rough circuits. Motocross is derived from the French, and traces its origins to British Scrambling competitions. The name “motocross” is a contraction derived from the words “Motorcycle” and “Cross Country.” (Also known as MX or MotoX).
MotoGP : The premier class of Grand Prix motorcycle racing. The sport combines high-speed motorcycles, which feature revolutionary technology, piloted by some of the most skillful riders in the world. It costs millions of dollars to get a MotoGP bike on the track. The bikes are purpose-built, racing machines - prototypes - that are neither available for general purchase nor can they be legitimately ridden on public roads. Engines for current MotoGP race bikes must be four-strokes with no more than 800 cc’s.
Naked Bikes : Sport or standard motorcycles with minimum bodywork, fairings or windshields. This is a motorbike in its most basic form. The emphasis is on functionality and ergonomics rather than aerodynamic body panels and exaggerated riding positions that are most common on sport bikes.
OHC: Overhead Camshaft : A camshaft in an internal-combustion engine that is mounted within the cylinder heads, above the combustion chambers, and drives the valves or lifters directly instead of using pushrods.
OHV: Overhead Valve : A type of piston engine that places the camshaft in the cylinder block and uses pushrods or rods to actuate rocker arms above the cylinder head to actuate the valves. Lifters or tappets reside in the engine block between the camshaft and pushrods.
This contrasts with an overhead cam (OHC) design which places the camshafts above the cylinder head and drives the valves directly or through short rocker arms. In an OHC engine, the camshafts are normally part of the cylinder head assembly, while in an OHV engine the camshaft (rarely more than one) is part of the main engine block assembly. Also called “pushrod engine” or “I-head” engine.
Open Cradle Frame : Motorcycle frame without tubes running under the engine. The engine unit bolts into place between the front downtube and the swingarm pivot area as a semi-stressed or stressed member.
Open Frame : Motorbike frame layout with a low structure between the seat and the steering head often associated with scooters. Also known as a Step-Thru.
Over Square : An engine with a greater cylinder bore than piston stroke.
Parallel Twin : A two-cylinder engine configuration in which both cylinders are mounted side-by-side and across the frame.
Pinion : A small gear
Pin It : To go full throttle: Reference to pinning the tachometer and/or the speedometer needle all the way to the right of the gauge. “Coming out of the last corner, I just pinned it and won.”
Pit Board : A large sign a mechanic writes on and shows to his rider as he goes past. Pit board signs can be used to show a rider’s position, how far he’s ahead or behind, to encourage him or even to remind him to breathe.
Pit Lane : The lane on the inside of the track, usually adjacent to the main straight, where riders come in to have quick work or tire changes on their motorcycles.
Pits : Where the racing teams park their trucks and set up makeshift garages to work on the bikes and house the riders.
Primary Drive : The system of transferring power from the motorcycle engine to the gearbox. Usually achieved by chain or gear.
Racing Flags : Checkered Flag - First across wins: race over
Black Flag - Rider disqualified or problem with motorcycle
Green Flag - Race start signal, race in progress when all is “go”
Red Flag - Race stopped, sometimes to be restarted
White Flag - One lap left to race
Yellow Flag - Caution, do not pass if flag is waving
Yellow and Red Striped Flag - Caution, indicates debris, fluid or hazard
Rear Sets : Racing-style footrests fitted towards the rear of the machine to allow the rider to adopt a racing crouch.
Rocker Arm : A centrally pivoted lever that transmits the motion of the camshaft to open and close the valves.
RPM: Revolutions Per Minute : A term used to describe how fast a motor is spinning. Also known as “revs.”
Sipes : One of many small incisions on a tire’s surface for the purpose of improving traction.
Slicks : Racetrack-only tires, so named because they have no tread at all, just a smooth surface so that the maximum amount of rubber grips the asphalt.
Slipper Clutches : Specialized clutches developed for racing motorcycles to mitigate the effects of engine braking when riders would decelerate as they entered corners. They are designed to partially disengage or “slip” when the rear wheel tries to drive the engine faster than it would normally. The engine braking forces in conventional clutches will normally be transmitted back along the drive chain causing the rear wheel to hop, chatter or lose traction. This is especially noted on larger displacement four-stroke engines, which have greater engine braking than their two-stroke or smaller displacement counterparts. Slipper clutches eliminate this extra loading on the rear suspension giving riders a more predictable ride and minimize the risk of over-revving the engine during downshifts. Slipper clutches can also prevent a catastrophic rear wheel lockup in case of engine seizure or transmission failure. Generally, the amount of force needed to disengage the clutch is adjustable to suit the application.
Spine Frame : A motorcycle frame with a single main structural member from which the engine is suspended. Also known as a backbone frame.
Step-Thru : Motorbike frame layout with a low structure between the seat and the steering head often associated with scooters. On early machines it was commonly called an open frame.
Stoppie : A motorcycle trick in which the rear wheel is lifted and the bike is ridden for a short period on the front wheel. Front brake control during the stoppie is essential.
Stroke : Measurement of length of piston travel in the bore, usually expressed in millimetres.
Subframe : Any auxiliary framework attached to the main body of a motorcycle frame. Typically, this refers to the rear section of the frame which supports the seat, etc. The principal purpose of using a subframe is to isolate vibration and harshness from the rest of the frame.
Superbike : A high-performance sport bike with a big engine (generally 1000cc and larger)
Supercharger : An air compressor used to force more air into the combustion chambers of an internal combustion engine which allows it to burn more fuel and results in more power. (Also known as a Blower). When the blower is driven by exhaust gas instead of an air compressor the device is called a turbocharger.
Supercross : Motorcycle racing sport incorporating high performance, off-road motorcycles on artificially created dirt tracks that include obstacles and steep jumps. Professional Supercross racing events are held within large sports stadiums.
Suspension : The system of components that reduce the impact of surface bumps and serves to keep the wheels in better contact with the road or ground, thereby improving control and traction. A typical motorcycle suspension includes a pair of fork tubes for the front, as well as a swingarm with one or two shock absorbers for the rear suspension.
Swingarm : The one- or two-sided arm (often made of aluminum or steel) that connects the rear wheel to the frame and moves up and down with the rear suspension. A two-sided swingarm could be described as a pivoted fork, as the wheel is supported at both sides.
Tachometer : A gauge that measures how fast an engine is spinning. The measurement is usually expressed in revolutions per minute
Telescopic Forks : Front suspension system on a motorcycle comprised of two fork tubes which contain coil springs. The tubes “telescope” up and down to absorb road bumps. This is the most common form of motorcycle fork commercially available.
Timing : Measurement of the exact instant when the valves open or close in an internal-combustion engine, or when the spark occurs. It is normally expressed in degrees or millimetres before TDC
Torque : A unit of measure describing the twisting force, or leverage, an engine can exert on the rear wheel. Typically, an engine with a lot of torque will have the potential to speed up faster at lower RPM’s.
Track Day : Organized events in which members of the public are allowed to ride motorcycles around established racing circuits. Criteria for being eligible to participate is usually the holding of a motorcycle licence and the payment of a fee.
Trail : The distance from the front axle’s vertical position on the ground, to the spot in front of it created by drawing a straight line from the angle of the forks. (Compare Rake). Trail is often cited as an important determinant of motorcycle handling characteristics.
Upside-Down Forks : Telescopic forks that are installed inverted compared to typical forks. In this case the slider tubes are at the bottom and the heavier bodies are at the top. This decreases the unsprung weight of the motorcycle and improves its handling. Also known as inverted telescopic forks.
Valves (Intake and Exhaust) : Poppet valves within a four-stroke cylinder head that open and close to allow fuel/air into the combustion chamber, and open and close to vent the burned gas. Four-valve cylinder heads can more efficiently pump fuel/air in and pump spent gas out, increasing performance.
V-Twin : Two-cylinder engine layout in which the cylinders form a “V.”
Water Cooling : Also known as “liquid cooling,” this system includes a radiator and fluid to dissipate heat. Liquid is constantly circulated between the radiator and motorcycle engine cylinders when the engine is operating. A small fan (controlled by a thermostat) has a cooling effect on the liquid passing through the radiator. Water-cooled bikes are less likely to overheat, compared to air cooled engines, especially when traffic may be slow or jammed, which minimizes the heat transfer of rapid air circulation that air cooling provides.
Wet Clutch : A clutch that contains many plates that are in the oil spray of the transmission and the oil gets between the plates. The plates on wet clutches have a tendency to stick together when the bike sits. So, when you start the bike in the morning, before you put it in first gear to move off, depress the clutch lever for about 30 seconds to allow the oil on the plates to drain off and the plates to separate. Otherwise, you’ll get a decided clunk and slight movement forward when you put it in first.
Wet Sump : As part of the lubricating system of an internal combustion engine, a wet sump is a built-in oil reservoir at the base of the engine. From there oil is pumped into various engine bearings and then drained back down to the sump.
A benefit of a wet sump, as compared to a dry sump, is its simple internal design, using a single pump with no external reservoir or connecting hoses or tubes which may leak. On the other hand a wet sump is unsuitable for high-perfomance applications, such as racing through corners, where the oil may slosh around inside the sump and briefly deprive the system of oil which could damage the engine.
Wheelbase : The horizontal distance between the ground contact points of the front and rear wheels. Wheelbase is a function of motorcycle frame length, steering axis angle, and fork offset. Wheelbase has a major influence on the longitudinal stability of a bike (along with the height of the center of gravity). Short bikes are much more likely to perform wheelies and stoppies and have the quickest handling characteristics. On the other hand, a motorcycle’s straight-line stability improves with longer wheelbase. For example, sport bikes have a shorter wheelbase and tourers have longer wheelbases.
Wheelie : An act of raising the front wheel of a motorcycle off the ground and keeping it in the air while continuing to ride the bike.
Aerodynamics :Motorcycle aerodynamics refers to bike designs that have as little air resistance as possible to achieve greater speeds or to improve rider comfort. Wind tunnels aid manufacturers in their development of improved aerodynamic motorcycle models which result in the different configurations of windshields, fairings, body work and other components.
Air Cooling :
A method of dissipating heat from a motorcycle engine to keep it at operating temperature by way of air flow. In practice, cooling is effected by air rushing around a moving motorcycle engine and is aided by the use of small engine fins to facilitate heat transfer into the passing air. Compare Water Cooling.
Armor :
Protective padding used to reinforce motorcycle apparel. It is designed to absorb energy on impact to help protect the rider in the event of a crash. Armor is available to better protect a rider’s back, shoulders, chest, elbows, hips and knees.
Backing It In : Going into a corner with the rear of the motorcycle sliding while the rider is counter-steering. This is a way for a rider to scrub off speed and set the motorcycle up for a fast exit from the corner. “I was trying so hard I was backing it in to almost every corner.”
Bagger :A motorcycle with touring accessories like saddlebags, top box, a trunk, etc.
Balaclava : A thin pull-over head and neck cover with eye slits for winter usage under a motorcycle helmet.
Bash Plate (aka Skid Plate) : A protective plate fitted under the engines of off-road machines to prevent damage caused by grounding.
Bcom : Bluetooth Intercom headset for motorcycle helmets.
BDC: Bottom Dead Center : he point during crankshaft rotation at which the piston is in its lowest possible position.
Berm : Built-up dirt on the outside of a turn, either created with a bulldozer or as riders continually go through the turn. A berm helps a rider take the turn much faster because it acts as banking.
Bevel : The angle that one surface makes with another when they are not at right angles.
Bevel Gears : A pair of gears with faces cut at an angle of 45°, allowing drive to be turned through 90°.
Big Dog Rider : An experienced and aggressive motorcyclist known for feats of daring and skill, such as riding at high speeds on public roads, without apparent fear of accident or arrest.
Binders : Motorcycle brakes
Blind Corner or Blind Turn : A turn in the road that is visually obstructed and prevents the rider from seeing the path of the road around the corner. This makes the rider blind to the turning radius, approaching traffic, and road condition until after the rider has entered the turn and can then see around the trees, hillside, etc.
Block Pass : Going into a turn, a rider attempting a block pass will accelerate before the apex and slip his motorcycle on the inside of the leader, then quickly pivot and make the turn directly in front of the other rider. The rider being passed must brake because his line is now blocked.
Body English : A method used by motorcycle riders to help control lean angle or direction independent of the handlebars by moving body position on the motorcycle.
Bore : The measurement of a cylinders diameter
Bottom Out : When the suspension runs out of travel and bumps against its internal stops. “My rear suspension bottomed out over the big bump after turn five.”
Brake Horsepower (BHP) : The measure of an engine’s horsepower without the loss in power caused by the gearbox, generator, differential, water pump, and other auxiliary components. Horsepower delivered to the rear wheel of a motorcycle is less than at the engine. “Brake” refers to where the power is measured: at the engine’s output shaft, as on an engine dynamometer. The term “brake” refers to the original use of a band brake to measure torque during the test (which is multiplied by the engine RPM and a scaling constant to give horsepower).
Cage : A car, truck, van, RV or other vehicle that confines the inhabitants within an enclosed space.
Cager : The driver of a car, truck, van, RV or other vehicle that confines the inhabitants within an enclosed space.
Cam : An eccentrically shaped rotor that converts rotational movement into linear movement. Cams are used in the operation of valves, contact breaker points, and drum brakes.
Camshaft : A metal shaft with two or more cams (oval “lobes”) that rotates to operate inlet and/or exhaust valves in a four-stroke engine.
Carbon Fiber : A high-tech material available in many motorcycle applications due to its high rigidity and low weight which can allow improvements in the power-to-weight ratio and suspension response of the bike. Additionally, the distinctive look of the material has become trendy.
Carburetor : A mechanical device found on the intake side of the engine which mixes fuel and air to create the volatile mixture that gets ignited in the engine.
CC: Cubic Centimeters : A common engine size measurement for motorcycles.
CE Armor : A European system of grading motorcycle protective armor that encompasses both energy absorption capability as well as pad shape and size. The armor or pads are designed to offer added protection to a rider going down on a motorcycle, particularly in the event of sliding or lesser impacts. CE armor is made of hard foam pieces encapsulated in softer foam which compresses on impact. In other words, it’s like a helmet: if you land on it, you must replace it.
Centerstand : A mechanism that pivots down from the center of the motorcycle frame to support the bike vertically with the rear wheel off the ground.
Chain Drive : A common motorcycle drive system that uses a multi-link steel chain and toothed sprockets to transfer engine power to the rear wheel.
Chair (Sidecar) : A one-wheeled carriage for a single passenger attached to the side of a motorcycle, producing a three-wheeled vehicle.
Chaps : Motorcycle clothing accessory designed for leg protection. They’re usually made of leather and are fastened around the waist, with an open back. They snap at the ankles and zip down the legs.
Chassis : The frame and suspension systems of a motorcycle.
Chicane : A part of the track consisting of back-to-back left and right turns. Chicanes can be a part of the original track, or can be created, using cones and hay bales, to slow the riders down for safety.
Chopper : A cruiser style bike that has a lot of the pieces of the bike “chopped off.” The riders of the ’60s did everything they could to customize their bikes and make them go faster. Thus, much of the existing bikes they bought were chopped off. The bikes in the movie “Easy Rider” are examples.
Clip-Ons : Handlebars that are clamped around the top of the fork tubes, rather than bolted to the top triple-tree. This lowers a rider’s upper body on the front of the motorcycle for a racier body position.
Clutch : A mechanism for transmitting rotation, which can be engaged and disengaged. There are many different vehicle clutch designs but most are based on one or more friction discs, pressed tightly together or against a flywheel using springs. On most motorcycles, the clutch is operated by the clutch lever, located on the left handlebar. No pressure on the lever means that the clutch plates are engaged (driving), while pulling the lever back towards the rider will disengage the clutch plates, allowing the rider to shift gears.
Compression Ratio : In an internal combustion engine, the measurement of the difference between cylinder volume at BDC and TDC. This is the ratio of the maximum-to-minimum volume within the cylinder, between the piston and cylinder head, containing a combination of fuel and air being compressed. A high compression ratio results in more mechanical energy that an engine can squeeze from its air-fuel mixture. High ratios place increased oxygen and fuel molecules into a reduced space; thus, they allow increased power at the moment of ignition. Compression ratio is a single number that can be used to predict engine performance.
Contact Breaker : The spring switch in the low-tension ignition circuit that controls the timing of the spark in the high-tension circuit. Operated by a cam, contact breakers are sometimes called points.
Contracting-Band Brake\ : A brake in which a band is tightened around a rotation drum.
Counter Balancer : A weight in the engine that spins with the rpm to smooth out engine vibrations.
Counter Steering : The input a motorcyclist gives to the handlebars in order to steer: push the right handlebar to go right, or push the left handlebar to go left.
Cradle Frame : Motorcycle frame with two tubes passing under the engine
Crankshaft : The main rotating shaft running through the length of the engine. As the pistons move up and down, they work together to spin the crankshaft. The rotating motion of the crankshaft is transmitted to the gear cluster which is eventually used to rotate the rear wheel of the motorcycle.
Crash Padding : A motorcyclist’s protective clothing, especially abrasion-resistant and impact absorbing riding gear and helmet.
Crotch Rocket : A term some people use to describe a high performance sport-bike motorcycle.
Cruiser : A style of motorcycle generally equipped with a low seat and pullback handlebars. This style of bike predominantly stems from the customizing of standard American motorcycles in the ’60s and ’70s.
Cush Drive : A transmission shock absorber, usually a rubber cushion in the rear hub.
Custom Motorcycles : For many motorcyclists, the choices provided by the motorcycle manufacturers do not provide enough variety to match the personalities of the riders. For this reason, many customize their bikes or hire customizers to do the work for them. Many of these customs are entered in shows and win prizes. Customs can easily cost twice the selling price of the original bike.
Cylinder :The tube-shaped sleeves that house the pistons in an engine and where the fuel/air mixture is drawn for combustion.
Cylinder Head :A casting that caps the cylinder and contains the valves and combustion chamber.
Darker Rally : Formerly known as “The Paris Dakar” and now as “The Lisbon Dakar Rally,” or “Dakar Rally,” and also simply referred to as “The Dakar.” It is an off-road competition comprised of cars, motorcycles, and trucks held annually in January. The race is open to amateur and professional entries and amateurs typically make up about eighty percent of the participants. Founded in 1978, this endurance race runs from Europe into Africa over several thousand miles along remote routes that include hostile dunes, rocks and mud. The competition is gruelling and a number of participants have died due to injuries sustained in the race. Originally, the competition was from Paris, France to Dakar, Senegal. However, due to politics and other factors, the course, including origin and destination, have varied over the years.
Damper : Means of controlling speed of movement of the steering or suspension.
Daytona Bike Week : A motorcycle event and rally held annually in Daytona Beach, Florida. Approximately 500,000 people make their way to the rally area for the 10-day event. The festivities include motorcycle racing, concerts, parties, and street festivals. The event is usually held on the first full week of March and contends with the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally as the most popular motorcycle rally in the United States.
Desmodromic : Valve gear operation in which the camshaft actively closes as well as opens the valves.
Diamond Frame : Tubular frame design common until World War II and derived from the bicycle layout. The engine cases often form part of the structure. In profile it resembles a diamond shape
Die-Cast Controlled-Fill Aluminum Frame : Alloy frames featuring large one-piece sections constructed with a high-vacuum mold process, reducing porosity and eliminating air pockets that can result when pouring molten aluminum. These large sections are then combined with a minimum of welds, or even bolted together, to create the frame. The result is a lighter, more rigid, more finely tuned frame of higher production quality.
Displacement : The size of the engine; specifically, the total volume found in the cylinders. This is usually expressed in cc (cubic centimeters) or ci (cubic inches). Generally, the larger the displacement, the more powerful the motor.
Distributor : An internal combustion engine device which distributes high voltage in the ignition system to the spark plugs, in the correct firing order.
DOHC: Double Overhead Cam : Designation for engines that utilize one camshaft to open the engine intake valves and another to open the exhaust valves. This optimizes valve timing for better performance.
Druid Forks : Side-sprung girder forks. Druid were the original makers.
Dry Clutch : As opposed to a “wet clutch” which is immersed in a cooling, lubricating fluid, which also keeps the surfaces clean and gives smoother performance and longer life, a “dry clutch,” is not bathed in fluid that robs it of some energy. Since the surfaces of a wet clutch can be slippery (as with a motorcycle clutch bathed in engine oil), stacking multiple clutch disks can compensate for slippage. A Dry Clutch is more like the clutch found on an automobile that separates the engine from the transmission. There is a dry connection between the engine and transmission.
Dry Sump : An oil lubrication system for four-stroke and two-stroke internal combustion engines that incorporates an additional oil reservoir as compared to a wet sump system. Rather than the oil being collected in a conventional oil pan, or sump, for engine lubrication, oil is pumped into a secondary reservoir and then pumped to the engine bearings, effectively eliminating the oil starvation a wet sump system suffers when subjected to high-performance acceleration, braking, and cornering.
Dual Sport : Street legal motorcycles that provide varying levels of off-road capabilities. Not as focused as pure off-road or pure street motorcycles. Also known as dual-purpose.
Dump The Clutch : This is when a rider revs up the engine and quickly releases the clutch, launching the bike off the line.
ECU: Engine Control Unit : Controls various aspects of an internal combustion engine’s operation. ECUs control the quantity of fuel injected into each cylinder, with each engine cycle, by monitoring the engine through sensors. ECUs also control ignition timing and other peripherals. A special category of ECUs are those which are programmable. These units do not have a fixed behavior, but can be reprogrammed by the user.
EFI: Electronic Fuel Injection : A means of metering fuel into an internal combustion engine. EFI replaces carburetors as a method to meter fuel. (See Fuel Injection).
Enduro : Off-road competition against the clock and usually over long distances.
Engine Cut Off Switch : Usually located on the right handlebar switch housing, this switch allows the motorcyclist to turn off the engine without removing his or her hand from the handlebar. Also known as the “kill switch.”
Epicyclic Gear : A gear that operates around the circumference of another.
Ergonomics : The study of body posture, and the positioning of instruments, to create a good human-to-machine interface. “Good ergonomics” refers to how well a motorcycle fits a rider for its intended use.
Esses : A series of turns with quick left and right transitions.
Fairing : An enclosure on the front of the bike containing the windshield and affording wind protection to the rider. Can be attached to the frame and not move or be attached to the fork and move as the handlebars are turned.
Farkles : Motorcycle enthusiasts may install accessories, called farkles (also spelled farkels), to customize their machine. The word is generally accepted to mean a combination of “function” and “sparkle”, hence, farkle. The term is well known in the North American sport touring community. Radar detectors, Global Positioning System receivers, heated grips, and satellite radios are some of those farkles. Other accessories could be aftermarket seats or bar risers, which make the motorcycle more suitable for long miles.
Featherbed Frame : Famous Norton frame design by the McCandless brothers. It was introduced in 1950 and was given its name by factory rider Harold Daniell.
FIM: Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme The governing body of the international motorcycle sport. Originally founded in 1904, it represents 90 national motorcycle federations that are divided into six regional continental unions.
There are five motorcycle-racing disciplines that FIM covers, encompassing 34 world championships and prizes:
1. road racing
2. motocross
3. trials
4. enduro
5. track racing (combining Grass Track and Speedway)
FIM is also involved in many non-racing activities that promote the sport, its safety, and support relevant public policy.
Final Drive : Means of transmitting power to the driven wheel, usually by chain, shaft, or belt.
Fore-and-Aft Flat Twin : A flat-twin engine mounted with cylinders positioned in line with the frame.
Fork : The metal tubes that connect the front wheel to the motorcycle frame via the triple tree. For handling, the front fork is a critical motorcycle component as it allows the rider to steer. The fork, along with its attachment points on the frame establish the critical motorcycle geometry parameters of rake and trail, which in turn contribute to wheelbase.
Four Stroke Engine : The most common engine design found in street motorcycles. It refers to the number of times a piston moves up and down through each power cycle.
1. A downward stroke brings in the fuel/air mixture
2. an upward stroke compresses the fuel/air mixture
3. a downward stroke results when that mixture is ignited and expands (also known as the Power Stroke)
4. and finally an upward stroke expels the exhaust gases
Fuel Injection : A device that serves the same function as a carburetor, but uses computer-controlled jets to inject atomized fuel and air into the air stream going into the engine. (See EFI).
Gear Ratio : The gear ratio is the relationship between the number of teeth on two gears that are meshed or two sprockets connected with a common roller chain, or the circumferences of two pulleys connected with a drive belt.
Girder Forks : Type of forks common on early machines, comprising rigid beams attached to the steering head by parallel links that allowed movement.
Grand Prix Motorcycle Racing : Established in 1949 by the FIM, it is the oldest motorsport World Championship that is still in existence. Competition is held in well over a dozen countries in 5 continents. Grand Prix motorcycle racing is currently divided into three distinct classes: 125 cc, 250 cc and MotoGP. Grand Prix is French, meaning “Grand Prize.”
Greasy Track : A slippery racetrack.
Green Track : A new road-racing course with no rubber on the surface, which can be slippery. “I had to be careful during that practice session because the track was really green.”
Gypsy Tour : A motorcycle road event, usually several days in duration, in which the participants travel through the countryside and stop at a different destination each night. The implication is that you are traveling without time or distance constraints.
Hairpin : A very slow, tight, sometimes 180-degree, turn.
Helical Gear : The leading edges of the teeth are not parallel to the axis of rotation, but are set at an angle. Since the gear is curved, this angling causes the tooth shape to be a segment of a helix. The angled teeth engage more gradually than do spur gear teeth. This causes helical gears to run more smoothly and quietly than straight-cut gears. Helical gears also offer the possibility of using non-parallel shafts.
High Side : A type of motorcycle crash that occurs when the rear wheel starts to slide in a turn (sometimes due to a locked brake and the resulting skidding tire), and then suddenly grips the pavement (which could occur when letting off the brake) flipping the bike sideways. The name derives from the side of the motorcycle that the rider will separate from. If forcibly thrown over the bike, the rider is said to have dismounted on the high side.
Riders are usually advised to do a lowsider rather than a highsider if neither can be avoided. The highsider has the additional disadvantage of the rider often being catapulted into the air by the sudden jerking motion of the motorbike and the increased possibility of the motorbike sliding behind the rider with the potential of striking him or her.
Because highside accidents are so much more deadly than lowside accidents, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation recommends that if a rider locks the rear brake, it should be kept locked until the motorcycle comes to a stop. If necessary, locking the front brake to deliberately cause a lowside is recommended.
Horsepower : A unit of measurement used to describe an engine’s strength. Typically, the more horsepower an engine produces, the faster the motorcycle can potentially go. The term “horsepower” was invented by James Watt in 1782 to help market his steam engine and refers to the power exerted by a horse in pulling.
Hub-Center Steering : One of several different types of front-end suspension/steering mechanisms used in motorcycles. Hub-center steering is characterized by a swingarm that extends from the bottom of the engine/frame to the center of the front wheel instead of two forks.
The advantages of using a hub-center steering system instead of a more conventional motorcycle fork are that hub-center steer separates the steering, braking, and suspension functions. With a fork the braking forces are put through the suspension, a situation that leads to the suspension being compressed, using up a large amount of suspension travel which makes dealing with bumps and other road irregularities extremely difficult. Also, having the steering working through the forks also causes problems with stiction, decreasing the effectiveness of the suspension.
Its complicated assembly is only one of the reasons hub-center steering is implemented in relatively few motorcycle models. The telescopic fork steering system is much more commonly used.
Ignition Timing : The process of setting the time that a spark will occur in the engine combustion chamber (during the power stroke) relative to piston position or crankshaft rotation. Setting the correct ignition timing is crucial in the performance of an engine. The ignition timing affects many variables including engine longevity, fuel economy, and engine power. Modern engines that are controlled by an engine control unit use a computer to control the timing throughout the engine’s RPM range. Older engines that use mechanical spark distributors rely on inertia (by using rotating weights and springs) and manifold vacuum in order to set the ignition timing throughout the engine’s RPM range.
Knobbies : The type of tires used by supercross and motocross racers. These tires have large square knobs of rubber tread that are designed and arranged in various ways to best grab the dirt. Sometimes mechanics take knobby tires and carve them even more with a hot tire cutter–in order to help the tire pattern best match the terrain.
Low Side : A motorcycle crash that results from a wheel losing traction, allowing the bike to fall sideways. The name derives from the fact that it is usually the inward side that the motorcycle will fall on, or the side that points downward in a curve, the low side. Riders are usually advised to do a lowsider rather than a highsider if neither can be avoided. The lowsider has the advantage of the motorcycle sliding before the rider, placing it out of harm’s way.
Mag Alloy : Magnesium alloy, a strong lightweight metal used for many components, particularly wheels.
Megaphone : An outwardly tapered high-performance exhaust.
Mesh Jacket : An open-weave, protective apparel for motorcycle riders that allows air to circulate through the garment offering ventilation and cooler riding for hot, summer temperatures. Most notably used in motorcycle jackets, although also available as construction for protective motorcycle pants.
Monocoque Frame : A motorcycle frame in which the structure is made as one unit from a sheet material (ie alloy or steel). It may also include bodywork or fuel container in the structure. A Grand Prix motorcycle racing monocoque motorcycle was developed in 1967 by Ossa, a Spanish motorcycle brand. Honda also experimented with a monocoque motorcycle in 1979 with its NR500. More recently the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14 sport bike was introduced for the 2006 US model year with an aluminum monocoque frame.
Motocross : Off-road motorcycle racing held on enclosed, rough circuits. Motocross is derived from the French, and traces its origins to British Scrambling competitions. The name “motocross” is a contraction derived from the words “Motorcycle” and “Cross Country.” (Also known as MX or MotoX).
MotoGP : The premier class of Grand Prix motorcycle racing. The sport combines high-speed motorcycles, which feature revolutionary technology, piloted by some of the most skillful riders in the world. It costs millions of dollars to get a MotoGP bike on the track. The bikes are purpose-built, racing machines - prototypes - that are neither available for general purchase nor can they be legitimately ridden on public roads. Engines for current MotoGP race bikes must be four-strokes with no more than 800 cc’s.
Naked Bikes : Sport or standard motorcycles with minimum bodywork, fairings or windshields. This is a motorbike in its most basic form. The emphasis is on functionality and ergonomics rather than aerodynamic body panels and exaggerated riding positions that are most common on sport bikes.
OHC: Overhead Camshaft : A camshaft in an internal-combustion engine that is mounted within the cylinder heads, above the combustion chambers, and drives the valves or lifters directly instead of using pushrods.
OHV: Overhead Valve : A type of piston engine that places the camshaft in the cylinder block and uses pushrods or rods to actuate rocker arms above the cylinder head to actuate the valves. Lifters or tappets reside in the engine block between the camshaft and pushrods.
This contrasts with an overhead cam (OHC) design which places the camshafts above the cylinder head and drives the valves directly or through short rocker arms. In an OHC engine, the camshafts are normally part of the cylinder head assembly, while in an OHV engine the camshaft (rarely more than one) is part of the main engine block assembly. Also called “pushrod engine” or “I-head” engine.
Open Cradle Frame : Motorcycle frame without tubes running under the engine. The engine unit bolts into place between the front downtube and the swingarm pivot area as a semi-stressed or stressed member.
Open Frame : Motorbike frame layout with a low structure between the seat and the steering head often associated with scooters. Also known as a Step-Thru.
Over Square : An engine with a greater cylinder bore than piston stroke.
Parallel Twin : A two-cylinder engine configuration in which both cylinders are mounted side-by-side and across the frame.
Pinion : A small gear
Pin It : To go full throttle: Reference to pinning the tachometer and/or the speedometer needle all the way to the right of the gauge. “Coming out of the last corner, I just pinned it and won.”
Pit Board : A large sign a mechanic writes on and shows to his rider as he goes past. Pit board signs can be used to show a rider’s position, how far he’s ahead or behind, to encourage him or even to remind him to breathe.
Pit Lane : The lane on the inside of the track, usually adjacent to the main straight, where riders come in to have quick work or tire changes on their motorcycles.
Pits : Where the racing teams park their trucks and set up makeshift garages to work on the bikes and house the riders.
Primary Drive : The system of transferring power from the motorcycle engine to the gearbox. Usually achieved by chain or gear.
Racing Flags : Checkered Flag - First across wins: race over
Black Flag - Rider disqualified or problem with motorcycle
Green Flag - Race start signal, race in progress when all is “go”
Red Flag - Race stopped, sometimes to be restarted
White Flag - One lap left to race
Yellow Flag - Caution, do not pass if flag is waving
Yellow and Red Striped Flag - Caution, indicates debris, fluid or hazard
Rear Sets : Racing-style footrests fitted towards the rear of the machine to allow the rider to adopt a racing crouch.
Rocker Arm : A centrally pivoted lever that transmits the motion of the camshaft to open and close the valves.
RPM: Revolutions Per Minute : A term used to describe how fast a motor is spinning. Also known as “revs.”
Sipes : One of many small incisions on a tire’s surface for the purpose of improving traction.
Slicks : Racetrack-only tires, so named because they have no tread at all, just a smooth surface so that the maximum amount of rubber grips the asphalt.
Slipper Clutches : Specialized clutches developed for racing motorcycles to mitigate the effects of engine braking when riders would decelerate as they entered corners. They are designed to partially disengage or “slip” when the rear wheel tries to drive the engine faster than it would normally. The engine braking forces in conventional clutches will normally be transmitted back along the drive chain causing the rear wheel to hop, chatter or lose traction. This is especially noted on larger displacement four-stroke engines, which have greater engine braking than their two-stroke or smaller displacement counterparts. Slipper clutches eliminate this extra loading on the rear suspension giving riders a more predictable ride and minimize the risk of over-revving the engine during downshifts. Slipper clutches can also prevent a catastrophic rear wheel lockup in case of engine seizure or transmission failure. Generally, the amount of force needed to disengage the clutch is adjustable to suit the application.
Spine Frame : A motorcycle frame with a single main structural member from which the engine is suspended. Also known as a backbone frame.
Step-Thru : Motorbike frame layout with a low structure between the seat and the steering head often associated with scooters. On early machines it was commonly called an open frame.
Stoppie : A motorcycle trick in which the rear wheel is lifted and the bike is ridden for a short period on the front wheel. Front brake control during the stoppie is essential.
Stroke : Measurement of length of piston travel in the bore, usually expressed in millimetres.
Subframe : Any auxiliary framework attached to the main body of a motorcycle frame. Typically, this refers to the rear section of the frame which supports the seat, etc. The principal purpose of using a subframe is to isolate vibration and harshness from the rest of the frame.
Superbike : A high-performance sport bike with a big engine (generally 1000cc and larger)
Supercharger : An air compressor used to force more air into the combustion chambers of an internal combustion engine which allows it to burn more fuel and results in more power. (Also known as a Blower). When the blower is driven by exhaust gas instead of an air compressor the device is called a turbocharger.
Supercross : Motorcycle racing sport incorporating high performance, off-road motorcycles on artificially created dirt tracks that include obstacles and steep jumps. Professional Supercross racing events are held within large sports stadiums.
Suspension : The system of components that reduce the impact of surface bumps and serves to keep the wheels in better contact with the road or ground, thereby improving control and traction. A typical motorcycle suspension includes a pair of fork tubes for the front, as well as a swingarm with one or two shock absorbers for the rear suspension.
Swingarm : The one- or two-sided arm (often made of aluminum or steel) that connects the rear wheel to the frame and moves up and down with the rear suspension. A two-sided swingarm could be described as a pivoted fork, as the wheel is supported at both sides.
Tachometer : A gauge that measures how fast an engine is spinning. The measurement is usually expressed in revolutions per minute
Telescopic Forks : Front suspension system on a motorcycle comprised of two fork tubes which contain coil springs. The tubes “telescope” up and down to absorb road bumps. This is the most common form of motorcycle fork commercially available.
Timing : Measurement of the exact instant when the valves open or close in an internal-combustion engine, or when the spark occurs. It is normally expressed in degrees or millimetres before TDC
Torque : A unit of measure describing the twisting force, or leverage, an engine can exert on the rear wheel. Typically, an engine with a lot of torque will have the potential to speed up faster at lower RPM’s.
Track Day : Organized events in which members of the public are allowed to ride motorcycles around established racing circuits. Criteria for being eligible to participate is usually the holding of a motorcycle licence and the payment of a fee.
Trail : The distance from the front axle’s vertical position on the ground, to the spot in front of it created by drawing a straight line from the angle of the forks. (Compare Rake). Trail is often cited as an important determinant of motorcycle handling characteristics.
Upside-Down Forks : Telescopic forks that are installed inverted compared to typical forks. In this case the slider tubes are at the bottom and the heavier bodies are at the top. This decreases the unsprung weight of the motorcycle and improves its handling. Also known as inverted telescopic forks.
Valves (Intake and Exhaust) : Poppet valves within a four-stroke cylinder head that open and close to allow fuel/air into the combustion chamber, and open and close to vent the burned gas. Four-valve cylinder heads can more efficiently pump fuel/air in and pump spent gas out, increasing performance.
V-Twin : Two-cylinder engine layout in which the cylinders form a “V.”
Water Cooling : Also known as “liquid cooling,” this system includes a radiator and fluid to dissipate heat. Liquid is constantly circulated between the radiator and motorcycle engine cylinders when the engine is operating. A small fan (controlled by a thermostat) has a cooling effect on the liquid passing through the radiator. Water-cooled bikes are less likely to overheat, compared to air cooled engines, especially when traffic may be slow or jammed, which minimizes the heat transfer of rapid air circulation that air cooling provides.
Wet Clutch : A clutch that contains many plates that are in the oil spray of the transmission and the oil gets between the plates. The plates on wet clutches have a tendency to stick together when the bike sits. So, when you start the bike in the morning, before you put it in first gear to move off, depress the clutch lever for about 30 seconds to allow the oil on the plates to drain off and the plates to separate. Otherwise, you’ll get a decided clunk and slight movement forward when you put it in first.
Wet Sump : As part of the lubricating system of an internal combustion engine, a wet sump is a built-in oil reservoir at the base of the engine. From there oil is pumped into various engine bearings and then drained back down to the sump.
A benefit of a wet sump, as compared to a dry sump, is its simple internal design, using a single pump with no external reservoir or connecting hoses or tubes which may leak. On the other hand a wet sump is unsuitable for high-perfomance applications, such as racing through corners, where the oil may slosh around inside the sump and briefly deprive the system of oil which could damage the engine.
Wheelbase : The horizontal distance between the ground contact points of the front and rear wheels. Wheelbase is a function of motorcycle frame length, steering axis angle, and fork offset. Wheelbase has a major influence on the longitudinal stability of a bike (along with the height of the center of gravity). Short bikes are much more likely to perform wheelies and stoppies and have the quickest handling characteristics. On the other hand, a motorcycle’s straight-line stability improves with longer wheelbase. For example, sport bikes have a shorter wheelbase and tourers have longer wheelbases.
Wheelie : An act of raising the front wheel of a motorcycle off the ground and keeping it in the air while continuing to ride the bike.
| Home | Posts RSS | Comments RSS | Edit
best bike in this range with gearing technology
ReplyDeletei think the sitting position is not good
ReplyDelete