page_title: Motorcycle
section_title: Dynamics
hierarchical_section_title: Motorcycle / Technical aspects / Dynamics
caption_attribution_description: English: Motorcycle racing - Infineon Raceway, AMA Superbike Challenge 2004 Downloaded from&#160;: [1] Credits&#160;: Dennis Mojado
context_page_description: A motorcycle, often called a motorbike, bike, or cycle, is a two-wheeled, or less commonly three-wheeled, motor vehicle. Motorcycle design varies greatly to suit a range of different purposes: long-distance travel, commuting, cruising, sport including racing, and off-road riding. Motorcycling is riding a motorcycle and related social activity such as joining a motorcycle club and attending motorcycle rallies.
  The 1885 Daimler Reitwagen made by Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach in Germany was the first internal combustion, petroleum fueled motorcycle. In 1894, Hildebrand & Wolfmüller became the first series production motorcycle.
  In 2014, the three top motorcycle producers globally by volume were Honda, Yamaha, and Hero MotoCorp. In developing countries, motorcycles are considered utilitarian due to lower prices and greater fuel economy. Of all the motorcycles in the world, 58% are in the Asia-Pacific and Southern and Eastern Asia regions, excluding car-centric Japan.
  According to the US Department of Transportation, the number of fatalities per vehicle mile traveled was 37 times higher for motorcycles than for cars.
context_section_description: 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. 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 –  and even many experienced motorcyclists.
  With such short 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 wheelies and stoppies (or endos) respectively.
caption: Racing motorcycles leaning in a turn.
exif: {}