A motorcycle is a powered two-wheeled vehicle with a seat or saddle for the operator. It also has an internal-combustion engine that drives the wheels via a chain or belt. Motorcycles have a much smaller footprint than cars, taking up a fraction of the space and using significantly less fuel. They are very cheap to buy initially and maintain, and are far cheaper to park than a car.
A wide range of different bikes exist for a variety of purposes, including long-distance travel, commuting to work or school, cruising, and sport (including racing). Some are designed specifically for off-road use. Specialized motorcycles include ambulances, police motorcycles, and military and firefighting vehicles. Others are designed for specific jobs, such as scooters, which are used in cities to help reduce traffic congestion and noise, or sidecars, which allow a passenger to ride along with the driver.
One of the most common reasons people ride motorcycles is for the fun and excitement. The experience is far more dynamic and involving than driving a car: the rider’s body is an integral part of the bike, and movement of the body affects handling, acceleration, and braking. This is a lot of fun to experience, but it’s important that riders wear protective clothing and are fully aware of the risks involved in motorcycling.
A motorcycle is the most popular form of transportation in many countries, especially in developing ones, where it is used mainly to get from home to work or school. Motorcycles are also a popular mode of recreation, with a large following among the “rubbies”, rich urban businessmen who bought Harley cruisers late in life and now spend most of their time parked in three-car garages, or in their living rooms, where they take them out only for brief rides during warm weather.