Basic Motorcycle Terminology, Part One
By: Michael Kabel


So you want to ride a bike, huh? Good for you. There are few kinds of pure freedom left in the world, and there's almost nothing like the raw exhilaration of getting your bike out on a blue sky, sunny day. Like the thrill of baseball, or the importance of gourmet cooking, it's not something that can be explained. You really do have to experience it for yourself. Once you do, though, you'll know what drew you to your bike in the first place, and how some men and women devote their entire lives and fortunes into riding. But first, before you even take your first ride, there's an obstacle to cross:

You don't know a damn thing about riding.

That's all right, though, and we can help you, at least in learning your way around a bike. The mechanical parts of a bike aren't that much different from the parts of a car: they both have shock absorbers, mufflers, and the several different parts of the internal combustion engine that spins the wheels. They both have headlights, and taillights, although there's a vast, difference in size. And they both have seats. You knew all this,already, huh? Well, here are a few other parts you might not know:

The sissie bar: This is the loop or rectangle of metal at the back of the rider's seat, just above and before the saddlebags and rear wheel hood. Its sometimes coated in leather, sometimes in chrome, but it's invaluable for newbie riders: it's what they hold onto when the bike goes forward. Seriously. Biker parlance tells you that holding on is for sissies, hence the name.

Throttle, clutch, and brake handles: On most motorcycles, the throttle - or ignition - is mounted on the right side handlebar, and is turned either backwards or forwards to achieve thrust. The brake is on the left hand side and also depends on a foot pedal. The clutch, which shifts gears much like a standard transmission, is mounted on either side (again depending on the model). Steering - and this is important - is achieved by turning the handlebars and leaning to either side. Not to patronize, but again, the throttle is on the right, the brakes on the left. Please don't ever confuse them.

Leathers: The leather jackets, riding chaps, and sometimes caps or hats worn by bikers to protect them from the elements and provide a certain amount of protection in the event of a crash. After the bike itself, the leathers are almost always a true biker's most cherished possession, and a kind of record keeping: you can tell the rider's history by the scuffs, marks, and tears of his leather. In recent years, certain synthetic leathers have come very, very close to approximating the real thing, but they may never be a true substitute.


About the author: Mike Kabel is Creative Content Editor for MotoLeather. MotoLeather.com has a complete selection of motorcycle accessories, including a wide variety of leather goods, apparel, gifts, and accessories. For a complete look at their catalog, we invite you to visit their website, at www.motoleather.com.

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