Motorcycle accessories

Last updated

Motorcycle accessories are features and accessories selected by a motorcycle owner to enhance safety, performance, or comfort, and may include anything from mobile electronics to sidecars and trailers. An accessory may be added at the factory by the original equipment manufacturer or purchased and installed by the owner post-sale as aftermarket goods. The term Farkle (a portmanteau of the words functional and sparkle) is used within the motorcycle community, originally to denote useful add-ons, such as GPS or other upgraded components. Now also used at times in a humorous or mildly derogatory way to describe bling, such as anodized or chromed parts that add no functionality.

Contents

Fairing

Touring fairing on a Honda Gold Wing GoldWing.jpg
Touring fairing on a Honda Gold Wing

The most prominent of the plastic or fibreglass shells covering parts of the motorcycle is the "fairing". In practice, this may blend almost seamlessly with engine panels or wheel covers/mudguards (which in some cases will be painted or plated metal). These systems act to protect the rider from some or all of the weather, may improve aerodynamics (reducing drag), and are an important styling element.

Modern fairings, mostly designed specifically for each motorcycle and fitted as original equipment by the manufacturer, have eliminated the aerodynamic and structural failings of early add-on fairings. Both sports and tourer versions improve (sometimes very considerably) the rider's comfort in cold and wet weather and even "bikini" versions protect the vulnerable crotch region from water ingress.

Windscreen

Aerodynamic sports fairing on a Honda CBR1000F HondaCBR1000F.jpg
Aerodynamic sports fairing on a Honda CBR1000F

Also called windshields or screens, windscreens can be built into a fairing or be attached to an otherwise unfaired bike. They are usually made from transparent high-impact polycarbonate or acrylic plastic. They may be shaped specifically to direct air flow over or around the head of the rider even if they are much shorter than the seated rider. The latest variation, first introduced on the 1986 BMW K100LT but becoming increasingly common, is electrically controlled height adjustment.

Heating

Heated handgrips and saddle controls on a BMW Heated-handgrips.jpg
Heated handgrips and saddle controls on a BMW

Since motorcycles lack climate control or full protection from the wind, some manufacturers offer heated seats or hand grips to relieve the discomfort of low temperatures experienced during night riding or the colder months. They can also be added on as aftermarket accessories and are powered by the bike's electrical system.

Some touring motorcycles, such as the Honda Gold Wing, have louvred vents in the fairing which redirect warm air from around the engine or exhaust toward the rider. [1] These motorcycles may also feature vents for cooling the rider. [2]

Sidecar

IMZ-Ural motorcycle with a "sports" sidecar Ural-sidecar-600.jpg
IMZ-Ural motorcycle with a "sports" sidecar

A sidecar turns a motorcycle into a three-wheeled vehicle. Their peak popularity (160,000 in the UK in 1955, [3] pre-World War II in the United States) came about when powerful motorcycles were available, but there were relatively few cars about. Sidecars such as the British Watsonian were coach-built in wood and had doors, sliding windows and even a sun-roof, but modern sidecars may be fibreglass or aluminium. Alignment of the sidecar is critical and the mountings come under considerable stress, making a quickly-detachable version largely impractical. In any case, the special sidecar tyres are poorly-suited to solo riding.

The cornering of "an outfit" is partly controlled by the throttle and this makes for interesting effects: A sidecar wheel brake — usually a pedal side-by-side with the motorcycle rear brake — helps considerably. Sidecars place a heavy strain on wheel bearings, wheel-spokes and suspension components; even frames and engines may suffer. A banking false-sidecar known as the "Sidewinder" became available in the UK in the 1980s, intended to overcome learner-driver licensing requirement restrictions of 125 cc introduced in 1983, [4] but its carrying capacity was restricted, being approximately equivalent to a tool box.

Trailer and tow hitch

A trailer being towed by a motorcycle Goldwing and trailer.jpg
A trailer being towed by a motorcycle

A trailer hitch or tow hitch is a device mounted on a motorcycle that enables it to tow a motorcycle trailer. Legislation often restricts them to carrying baggage and not passengers. [5]

Hitch carrier

A Bike mounted on the back of a car with Motorcycle Hitch Carrier Versahaul Single Motorcycle Carrier.jpg
A Bike mounted on the back of a car with Motorcycle Hitch Carrier

Car or truck carriers, usually for lighter motorcycles, can mount in the vehicle's draw bar receiver, in place of some types of detachable tow hitches. [6]

Storage

Various options exist to transport items, other than the riders and passenger, on a motorcycle.

Panniers (saddlebags)

Panniers and topbox fitted to a BMW R1200GS Adventure BMW R1200GS fully kitted.jpg
Panniers and topbox fitted to a BMW R1200GS Adventure
XL Series III throwover saddlebags on 2005 Harley Sportster XL Series on Harley Sportster.jpg
XL Series III throwover saddlebags on 2005 Harley Sportster

Modern touring motorcycles often have panniers or saddlebags fitted as standard or available as options. They normally come in pairs but may be used individually.

Panniers mount on either side of the rear of the motorcycle roughly underneath (but not interfering with) the seating position of the pillion passenger. "Hard" panniers commonly come in an injection molded plastic such as ABS, and "soft" panniers come in some form of textile (e.g. Cordura) or leather. Panniers are nearly always detachable and often lockable, both of their mountings and their closure. Suitcase-like panniers, side-loading, are ideal for carrying clothing into hotel rooms while top-loading hard panniers are more suitable for shopping trips.

Utility top-loading soft panniers may come in a "throw-over" form without mountings. They can be firmly located by the yoke portion under the rider or pillion or may simply be loose. Increasingly, the bag portion is attached to the yoke with zips, making their use as luggage more convenient.

Trunk

Motorcycle with a removable trunk BMW R1150RT.jpg
Motorcycle with a removable trunk

A trunk or top-box is a storage compartment fitted behind the seat, often complementing panniers or saddlebags. Original equipment versions may be removable or an integral part of the bike e.g. as fitted to the Honda Goldwing or BMW K1200LT, and may be fitted with the motorcycle rear lights, and a backrest for a passenger. The top box may also be an aftermarket fitment.

Trunk may also refer to the under-seat storage space built into a motorcycle or scooter.

Luggage rack

A common addition to many bikes is an attachment onto which bags or other luggage can be fastened. This removes the need for rider backpacks and is generally a more secure and safer way to add carrying capacity to a motorcycle. In the 1950s the popular British motorcycle Triumph often came with a tank-mounted carrier. Load-security was better, but they lost popularity over the unproven, but keenly felt, danger to the rider in the event of a front-end collision.

Tank and tail bags

A tank bag held to the gas tank with magnetic fasteners Leather tank bag produced by Oaks & Phoenix Denmark - Oct 2018.jpg
A tank bag held to the gas tank with magnetic fasteners

A tank bag is a storage compartment attached to the top of the gas tank. Many mounting options exist, with straps and/or magnets being the most common. Other options include rigid collars that bolt to the tank around the fuel filler cap, a large pad fastened to the gas tank which serves as a mounting point for the bag using zippers or straps, and suction cups. Most tank bags are designed to be quickly removed to facilitate refueling.

Tail bags are typically soft bags mounted over the pillion seat via straps, and are available in various sizes. Due to the mounting location, a motorcycle with a tail bag cannot also carry a passenger on the pillion seat.

Crash damage protection

Sliders

A motorcycle with sliders protecting the fork, the handle bar ends, and the frame Frame sliders, bar end sliders and fork sliders.jpg
A motorcycle with sliders protecting the fork, the handle bar ends, and the frame

Various kinds of sliders, called frame sliders, frame protectors, fairing protectors, or crash bobbins, are attached to motorcycles with the intention of minimizing damage to the bike's fairings, frame, engine, and other parts, in the event of a crash, or an accidental tip over. They are made of plastics, such as Delrin, acetal, or nylon, or sometimes aluminum. Frame sliders are usually located and installed on the engine bolts on both sides of the fairings. [7] [8] [9] Front or rear axle sliders, also called fork sliders and swing-arm spool sliders provide some potential damage reduction for the suspension components, wheels, and other parts by making contact with the ground before the rest of the bike. Hard-mounted foot pegs, which do not fold upward can also serve as a buffer between the ground and the bike's frame and components. [10]

Crash bar

A Moto Guzzi Ambassador sidecar rig with a crash bar. Moto Guzzi Ambassador with sidecar and crash bars.jpg
A Moto Guzzi Ambassador sidecar rig with a crash bar.

Crash bars aim to protect motorcycle engines and body panels and are believed to protect the rider. The Hurt Report (1981) found that "Crash bars are not an effective injury countermeasure; the reduction of injury to the ankle-foot is balanced by increase of injury to the thigh-upper leg, knee, and lower leg". [11]

They are less popular now than they used to be; [9] vulnerable engines and fairings are sometimes protected by frame sliders instead.

A common arrangement of crash bar is a loop of chrome-plated steel tubing mounted each side of a motorcycle's lower frame. As well as their supposed protective function, they are valuable as a mount point for accessories like highway pegs, lights and, on police motorcycles, sirens, cameras and radar guns. One variation is the sump-guard, primarily for off-road riding.

Custom tires

Specialized tires based on the purpose of the bike are common. Bikes meant for drag racing will have fatter, thicker tires, cross country bikes will often have whitewalls or lettering on their tires, and high end bikes will often have custom spokes as well - this can vary in quantity of spokes as well as the spoke material, plating or coating. Common materials include steel and stainless steel. Plating can include chrome, nickel and others, and powder coating allows any custom color desired. Snow tires for motorcycles provide better handling in snowy conditions. Motorcycles raced on ice have studs protruding from the tread to supply the necessary traction for racing.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Motorcycle</span> Two- or three-wheeled motor vehicle

A motorcycle is a two or three-wheeled motor vehicle steered by a handlebar from a saddle-style seat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sidecar</span> One-wheeled device attached to a two wheeled vehicle to make the whole a three wheeled vehicle

A sidecar is a one-wheeled device attached to the side of a motorcycle, scooter, or bicycle, making the whole a three-wheeled vehicle. A motorcycle with a sidecar is sometimes called a combination, an outfit, a rig or a hack.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pannier</span> One of a pair of baskets, bags, boxes, or similar containers

A pannier is a basket, bag, box, or similar container, carried in pairs either slung over the back of a beast of burden, or attached to the sides of a bicycle or motorcycle. The term derives from a Middle English borrowing of the Old French panier, meaning 'bread basket'.

The Honda ST series, also known as the Pan-European in Europe, is a duo of Sport Touring motorcycles comprising the ST1100 and the later ST1300.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Softail</span> Type of motorcycle

A softail motorcycle intentionally looks like vintage motorcycles with a rigid hard-tail frame that has a triangle of steel tubes at the rear axle, as on a bicycle frame, but on a Softail these tubes are actually a triangular swingarm, with the shock absorber(s) hidden, as opposed to clearly visible regular twin shocks on both sides of the rear wheel on standard bikes. Since the introduction of the Harley-Davidson FXST Softail in 1983 as a registered trademark of the Motor Company, softail has become a genericized trademark for other models of cruiser motorcycles with rear suspensions hidden for retro style reasons. This was done even though the rear wheel was often hidden behind bags or exhaust pipes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Types of motorcycles</span> Types of motorcycles

The six main types of motorcycles are generally recognized as standard, cruiser, touring, sports, off-road, and dual-purpose. Sport touring is sometimes recognized as a seventh category or integrated with the touring category.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saddlebag</span>

Saddlebags are bags that are attached to saddles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fender (vehicle)</span> Part of an automobile, motorcycle or other vehicle body that frames a wheel well

Fender is the American English term for the part of an automobile, motorcycle or other vehicle body that frames a wheel well. Its primary purpose is to prevent sand, mud, rocks, liquids, and other road spray from being thrown into the air by the rotating tire. Fenders are typically rigid and can be damaged by contact with the road surface.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMW R1200RT</span> Type of motorcycle

The BMW R1200RT is a touring or sport touring motorcycle that was manufactured from 2005 to 2019 by BMW Motorrad to replace the R1150RT model. It features a 1,170 cc (71 cu in) flat-twin engine with a six-speed gearbox and shaft drive.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Touring motorcycle</span> Type of motorcycle

A touring motorcycle is a type of motorcycle designed for touring. Although almost any motorcycle can be used for this purpose, manufacturers have developed specific models designed to address the particular needs of these riders. Touring motorcycles commonly have large displacement fairings and windshields that offer a high degree of weather and wind protection, large-capacity fuel tanks for long ranges between fill-ups, engines with a great deal of low-end horsepower, and a more relaxed, upright seating position than sport bikes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMW R60/2</span> Type of motorcycle

The R60 and R60/2 are 600 cc boxer-twin that were manufactured from 1956 to 1969 in Munich, Germany, by BMW.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMW R69S</span> Type of motorcycle

The R69S, R69US, and R69 are motorcycles, fitted with 594 cc boxer twin engines, that were manufactured by BMW in Munich, Germany.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMW R68</span> Type of motorcycle

The BMW R68 is a 594 cc (36.2 cu in) sport version of the pre-1955 BMW motorcycles. A total of 1,452 models were manufactured from 1952 to 1954, making it one of BMW's rarest production motorcycles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Motorcycle stunt riding</span> Motorcycle acrobatic sport

Streetbike freestyle is a motorsport which involves wheelie, stoppie, acrobatics, burnout and drifting. Motorcycles are modified to do multiple tricks

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harley-Davidson FL</span> HD FL 1200 Lowrider

Harley-Davidson FL is a model designation used for Harley-Davidson motorcycles since 1941, when F referred to the new large capacity 74 cui (1200cc) variant of the V-2 Overhead valve engine (″Knucklehead″) that was introduced in 1936 as Model E with 61 cui (1000cc). The presence of an additional letter L indicated higher compression, offering more power but requiring higher octane gasoline. In 1950s, the low compression version was discontinued, and in 1952 also the low capacity EL, making FL the standard engine and model designation for decades to come.

Motorcycle components and systems for a motorcycle are engineered, manufactured, and assembled in order to produce motorcycle models with the desired performance, aesthetics, and cost. The key components of modern motorcycles are presented below.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Motorcycle fairing</span> Motorcycle shell

A motorcycle fairing is a shell placed over the frame of a motorcycle, especially racing motorcycles and sport bikes, to deflect wind and reduce air drag. The secondary functions are the protection of the rider from airborne hazards and wind-induced hypothermia and of the engine components in the case of an accident. A motorcycle windshield will usually be integrated into the design of the fairing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMW R65</span> Type of motorcycle

The BMW R65 is a light touring motorcycle introduced by BMW in 1978 to add a mid-size motorcycle to its product line. The original R65, contrary to the views of some commentators, has the same sized frame as the larger R series motorcycles. The R65 does however have a shorter swingarm than its siblings and therefore a shorter bolt-on rear sub-frame; this, along with the shorter front forks and 18" front wheel, gives the illusion that the R65 frame is smaller. The initial model R65 was manufactured until 1984. In 1985 the R65’s engine was put into the same frame and suspension as the R80 which featured a single rear shock absorber (mono-shock). Additionally, between 1981 and 1984, the R65LS was manufactured. This R65 variant has a small triangular fairing that was designed by Hans Muth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMW R80G/S</span> Motorcycle

The BMW R 80 G/S is a motorcycle that was manufactured in Berlin, Germany, by BMW Motorrad from 1980 to 1987. Production totalled 21,864 bikes. It was the first in the BMW GS family of specialised dual-sport bikes, of which over 500,000 have been produced, and is often considered the world's first "Adventure Bike" able to be equally capable on and off road. The designation G/S stands for the German words Gelände/Straße, which mean offroad/road – highlighting the bike's dual sport design.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Player Norton</span> Type of motorcycle

The John Player Norton, also referred to as JPN and JPS Norton, were a series of Formula 750 racers manufactured by Norton Motorcycle Company from 1972 to 1974 and sponsored by cigarette manufacturer John Player. The engine for these machines was derived from the unit used in the Norton Commando, which was a development of the 1948 Bert Hopwood designed 500 cc Dominator. The lack of power from the engine, compared with other manufacturers, led designer and rider Peter Williams to a adopt a radical approach to chassis design. Riders of the bikes included Williams, Phil Read, Tony Rutter, Mick Grant, John Cooper, Dave Aldana and Dave Croxford.

References

  1. Russell, David. "Touring Bikes Comparison – Long Rangers". Motorcyclist magazine . Retrieved 2011-03-05.
  2. "Honda Gold Wing vs. BMW K1200 LT". motorcycle.com. 22 March 2000. Retrieved 23 January 2010.
  3. 160,000 sidecar outfits on the road Archived 2009-06-09 at the Wayback Machine in 1955 in the UK. Watsonian-Squire sidecars
  4. Chronology of Motorcycle Legislation in Britain: The First Century Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine Motorcycle Action Group, Retrieved 27 January 2018
  5. "Trailer Information". British Motorcyclists Federation. Archived from the original on 27 October 2010. Retrieved 9 May 2010.
  6. "VersalHaul Sport Motorcycle Carrier; Transport your sport bike", Cycle World , p. 62, January 2010
  7. Seeley, Alan (2004), The Motorcycle Book, MotorBooks/MBI Publishing Company, p. 117, ISBN   978-0-7603-1745-7
  8. Brasfield, Evans (2004), 101 Sportbike Performance Projects, 101 Projects Workshop Series, MotorBooks/MBI Publishing Company, p. 231, ISBN   978-0-7603-1331-2
  9. 1 2 Falloon, Ian (2004), Suzuki GSX-R Performance Projects, MotorBooks/MBI Publishing Company, p. 199, ISBN   978-0-7603-1546-0
  10. Larson, Kent (2005). Motorcycle Track Day Handbook. MotorBooks/MBI Publishing Company. p. 57. ISBN   978-0-7603-1761-7.
  11. Hurt, Harry, Motorcycle Accident Cause Factors and Identification of Countermeasures, Volume 1: Technical Report (PDF), US Department of Transportation, pp. 101–108, 418, archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-08-23