Cruiser, sportbike, ADV, bobber, trike… what do they all mean? I went from style to style to style before my first bike. Here are all 17 types of motorcycles in plain English, with real specs and which one fits you.
You know the two-fingers-down wave? That’s the easy one. There’s a whole language out here: 3 hand signals the law requires, 14 the MSF standardized for group rides, and a few that riders argue about at every gas stop. Here’s all of them, myths included.
It took me 30 years to get on a motorcycle, so learning to ride is personal for me. The honest version: the MSF course, the gear, the friction zone, shifting, and your first six months, from a guy who did all of it at 50.
How much does a motorcycle weigh? Most run 300 to 900 pounds, and the type matters way more than the engine size. My Harley sits at about 680. Here is the weight by type and by real model (in lbs and kg), wet vs curb weight explained, and why the number you can actually hold up is the one that counts.
When I bought my Night Train at 30,000 miles, that number scared me. Turns out it shouldn’t have. Most well-kept motorcycles last 50,000 to 200,000 miles, and some hit a million. Here’s what “high mileage” really means before you buy a used bike.
Most motorcycle batteries last 2 to 5 years. A conventional lead-acid battery usually gives you 2–3 years, an AGM (sealed) battery 3–5 years, and a lithium (LiFePO4) battery anywhere from 5 to 10.
Are motorcycles dangerous? Yes, but the data shows most of the risk comes down to a few choices you control. An honest answer from a late-starting rider.
A new motorcycle costs $5,000-$30,000+, but gear, insurance, and upkeep add more. Here is the real 2026 cost breakdown for new riders.
Not all motorcycle communication systems work the same in a group. Here’s what riders actually need to know before buying — and which systems hold up when the pack gets moving.
The best scenic motorcycle rides near you probably aren’t on Google Maps. Here’s exactly how riders find the routes worth riding — and how to discover more of them.
