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How to choose the right type of motorbike
Updated: Thursday, 14 March 2024
Choosing the right type of motorbike can be difficult, especially with so many motorbike brands and models on the market. Before you start thinking about motorbike finance, it’s a good idea to understand what suits your circumstances most.
In this guide, we explore the different types of motorbikes so you can find a bike that’s best for you and your budget.
What are the different types of motorbikes?
There are lots of different motorcycle types, but the most popular in the UK are:
How to find the most suitable motorbike type
To help you make the right choice, consider the following:
- Purpose: think about how and when you’ll use your bike. Will you use it for work, long-distance touring, track days, or off-roading?
- Budget: consider the type of bike you can afford, including the initial cost, bike insurance, maintenance, and fuel.
- Comfort: make sure the bike is comfortable to ride and matches your body type and riding position, paying particular attention to the seat height, handlebar position, and footpeg placement, as these can all impact comfort, especially during long distances.
- Experience: if you’ve only just passed your test, riding something smaller like a may be a good idea while you get used to the roads. Likewise, if you’re a seasoned rider, you may be more comfortable with a large bike.
- Features: you might want to buy a motorbike with safety features like anti-lock brakes or stability control if you plan on riding in challenging conditions.
What are the most popular UK motorbike types?
With over 1 million motorbikes on UK roads according to Statista, there’s plenty to choose from when considering a new bike. We’ll explore the different types of motorbikes available to you.
Sports bikes
Choosing the right type of motorbike can be difficult, especially with so many motorbike brands and models on the market. Before you start thinking about motorbike finance, it’s a good idea to understand what suits your circumstances most.
In this guide, we explore the different types of motorbikes so you can find a bike that’s best for you and your budget.
What are the different types of motorbikes?
There are lots of different motorcycle types, but the most popular in the UK are:
How to find the most suitable motorbike type
To help you make the right choice, consider the following:
- Purpose: think about how and when you’ll use your bike. Will you use it for work, long-distance touring, track days, or off-roading?
- Budget: consider the type of bike you can afford, including the initial cost, bike insurance, maintenance, and fuel.
- Comfort: make sure the bike is comfortable to ride and matches your body type and riding position, paying particular attention to the seat height, handlebar position, and footpeg placement, as these can all impact comfort, especially during long distances.
- Experience: if you’ve only just passed your test, riding something smaller like a may be a good idea while you get used to the roads. Likewise, if you’re a seasoned rider, you may be more comfortable with a large bike.
- Features: you might want to buy a motorbike with safety features like anti-lock brakes or stability control if you plan on riding in challenging conditions.
What are the most popular UK motorbike types?
With over 1 million motorbikes on UK roads according to Statista, there’s plenty to choose from when considering a new bike. We’ll explore the different types of motorbikes available to you.
Sports bikes
Road versions of racing bikes and sports motorcycles are loved for their high-performance specifications. Often associated with experienced riders, a sports bike will have a firm suspension and a lower riding position to increase aerodynamics and achieve higher speeds.
While these characteristics make sports bikes an exciting choice, the riding position can be uncomfortable and puts lots of pressure on your wrists and legs.
Sports bikes include the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade, Ducati Panigale, and Yamaha R1.
Road versions of racing bikes and sports motorcycles are loved for their high-performance specifications. Often associated with experienced riders, a sports bike will have a firm suspension and a lower riding position to increase aerodynamics and achieve higher speeds.
While these characteristics make sports bikes an exciting choice, the riding position can be uncomfortable and puts lots of pressure on your wrists and legs.
Sports bikes include the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade, Ducati Panigale, and Yamaha R1.
Touring motorcycles
Touring motorcycles
If you plan on putting some serious miles on the clock, a touring bike could be for you. With plenty of luggage capacity, modern touring motorcycles usually have heated grips and seats, so you and your pillion passengers can be comfortable while on long journeys.
The following types of motorbikes sit in the category of touring bikes:
- Adventure tourers: these bikes can be used on and off-roading and are designed to travel long distances with ease
- Sport touring bikes: these have more power and a sportier look combined with the comfort and feel of a touring motorcycle.
- Full-dress tourers: these bikes are fully dressed with saddle bags and feature larger fairing and windscreens than typical touring motorcycles.
Types of touring motorcycles include the BMW R 1250, Kawasaki Ninja, and Honda NT1100.
If you plan on putting some serious miles on the clock, a touring bike could be for you. With plenty of luggage capacity, modern touring motorcycles usually have heated grips and seats, so you and your pillion passengers can be comfortable while on long journeys.
The following types of motorbikes sit in the category of touring bikes:
- Adventure tourers: these bikes can be used on and off-roading and are designed to travel long distances with ease
- Sport touring bikes: these have more power and a sportier look combined with the comfort and feel of a touring motorcycle.
- Full-dress tourers: these bikes are fully dressed with saddle bags and feature larger fairing and windscreens than typical touring motorcycles.
Types of touring motorcycles include the BMW R 1250, Kawasaki Ninja, and Honda NT1100.
Dual-purpose bikes
Dual-purpose bikes
Also known as adventure bikes, these bikes are designed to drive on various surfaces, including getting off the beaten track. Adventure bikes tend to include wire-spoked wheels, thick tyres, and an upright seating position. This makes them a solid choice for longer journeys and use on off-road trails.
Dual sport bikes feature little fairing to optimise their off-road performance, making them lightweight and easy to manoeuvre.
The Suzuki DR-Z400S, Yamaha XT250, and Honda CRF450L are all popular types of dual-purpose motorbikes.
Also known as adventure bikes, these bikes are designed to drive on various surfaces, including getting off the beaten track. Adventure bikes tend to include wire-spoked wheels, thick tyres, and an upright seating position. This makes them a solid choice for longer journeys and use on off-road trails.
Dual sport bikes feature little fairing to optimise their off-road performance, making them lightweight and easy to manoeuvre.
The Suzuki DR-Z400S, Yamaha XT250, and Honda CRF450L are all popular types of dual-purpose motorbikes.
Off-road motorcycles
Off-road motorcycles
An off-road or enduro bike is typically not allowed to be driven on the road and is designed for motocross or enduro racing. Lightweight with impressive acceleration and high-spec suspension systems, off-road bikes are built for sport and performance instead of leisurely riding.
Because they’re only meant for off-road use, you won’t see these types of motorcycles on UK roads as they are usually not road legal. For example, a dirt bike typically won’t have indicator lights, headlights, or mirrors.
Types of off-road motorbikes include the KTM 350 EXC-F, Kawasaki KX250 and the Honda CRF250R.
An off-road or enduro bike is typically not allowed to be driven on the road and is designed for motocross or enduro racing. Lightweight with impressive acceleration and high-spec suspension systems, off-road bikes are built for sport and performance instead of leisurely riding.
Because they’re only meant for off-road use, you won’t see these types of motorcycles on UK roads as they are usually not road legal. For example, a dirt bike typically won’t have indicator lights, headlights, or mirrors.
Types of off-road motorbikes include the KTM 350 EXC-F, Kawasaki KX250 and the Honda CRF250R.
Street bikes
Street bikes
Street bikes are popular for new riders as they are a natural progression from smaller scooter models. Sometimes referred to as naked bikes, street bikes are popular with riders of all experience levels due to their comfortable riding positions and good levels of performance and agility. Naked bikes are popular in urban areas due to their nimble set-up and overall manoeuvrability.
Popular street bike models include the Aprilla RS660, BMW F900, and Honda CB100R.
Street bikes are popular for new riders as they are a natural progression from smaller scooter models. Sometimes referred to as naked bikes, street bikes are popular with riders of all experience levels due to their comfortable riding positions and good levels of performance and agility. Naked bikes are popular in urban areas due to their nimble set-up and overall manoeuvrability.
Popular street bike models include the Aprilla RS660, BMW F900, and Honda CB100R.
Cruiser motorcycles
Cruiser motorcycles
Harley-Davidson is synonymous with cruiser motorbikes. Characterised by their long bodies and low seats, cruisers are powerful bikes but are not designed for performance like a sports bike. Instead, they’re designed for laid-back, relaxing rides at weekends. You’re unlikely to see a cruiser used for everyday riding because of its larger, more cumbersome size and shape.
The Harley-Davidson Fat Boy is the most iconic cruiser motorcycle, but other types include the Yamaha VMAX and Kawasaki Vulcan.
Harley-Davidson is synonymous with cruiser motorbikes. Characterised by their long bodies and low seats, cruisers are powerful bikes but are not designed for performance like a sports bike. Instead, they’re designed for laid-back, relaxing rides at weekends. You’re unlikely to see a cruiser used for everyday riding because of its larger, more cumbersome size and shape.
The Harley-Davidson Fat Boy is the most iconic cruiser motorcycle, but other types include the Yamaha VMAX and Kawasaki Vulcan.
Custom motorcycles
Custom motorcycles
Popularised in the 1950s, choppers are one of the most iconic types of customs, and they have as much of the fairing removed as possible to expose the chrome engine, little to no rear suspension, and very high handlebars.
Like cruiser motorbikes, customs are typically harder to manoeuvre because they are larger, but they can be very powerful machines.
Honda’s Fury model, the Big Dog Ridgeback, and the American IronHorse Legend are all types of chopper motorbikes.
Popularised in the 1950s, choppers are one of the most iconic types of customs, and they have as much of the fairing removed as possible to expose the chrome engine, little to no rear suspension, and very high handlebars.
Like cruiser motorbikes, customs are typically harder to manoeuvre because they are larger, but they can be very powerful machines.
Honda’s Fury model, the Big Dog Ridgeback, and the American IronHorse Legend are all types of chopper motorbikes.
Find your ideal motorbike with finance from Moneybarn
With motorbike finance from Moneybarn, you can find the perfect new or used motorcycle.
With over 30 years of experience helping people get motorbike finance with bad credit, we could help you get on the bike of your dreams even if you’ve been refused finance in the past.
See what your agreement could look like with our motorbike finance calculator.
Representative 30.7% APR.
Find your ideal motorbike with finance from Moneybarn
With motorbike finance from Moneybarn, you can find the perfect new or used motorcycle.
With over 30 years of experience helping people get motorbike finance with bad credit, we could help you get on the bike of your dreams even if you’ve been refused finance in the past.
See what your agreement could look like with our motorbike finance calculator.
Representative 30.7% APR.
For a better road ahead
Moneybarn is a member of the Finance and Leasing Association, the official trade organisation of the motor finance industry. The FLA promotes best practice in the motor finance industry for lending and leasing to consumers and businesses.
Moneybarn is the trading style of Moneybarn No. 1 Limited, a company registered in England and Wales with company number 04496573, and Moneybarn Limited, a company registered in England and Wales with company number 02766324. The registered address for these companies is: Athena House, Bedford Road, Petersfield, Hampshire, GU32 3LJ.
Moneybarn’s VAT registration number is 180 5559 52.
Moneybarn Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Financial Services reference No. 702781)
Moneybarn No. 1 Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Financial Services reference No. 702780)
