Technology / Motorcycle Glossary

Arenacross: Arenacross is a variant of Supercross performed inside athletic arenas. These shows are promoted by large companies and attract large audiences and TV coverage. The jumps are more spectacula . . . View Full Definition

Arlen Ness: Motorcycle customizing owes much to the talents of Arlen Ness. He started out in 1967 by customizing his own Harley-Davidson Knucklehead. It won first place in the first custom show he enter . . . View Full Definition

Armor: Protective padding used to reinforce motorcycle apparel. It is designed to absorb energy on impact to help protect the rider in the event of a crash. Armor is available to better protect a . . . View Full Definition

Asphalt Sealer: A tar-like substance used by road maintenance crews to fill cracks in the pavement. It can be very slick and should be avoided by motorcycles.

Atmospheric-Automatic Inlet Valve (AIS): System used on early engines in which the inlet valve is held shut by a weak spring and opens by atmospheric pressure when the falling piston creates a vacuum in the cylinder.

Autocycle: A 98cc moped.

Automatic-On Headlamp: An automatic-on headlamp, or a daytime running lamp (DRL), is a motorcycle’s headlamp that automatically turns on when the bike is started. It’s mandatory on all street bikes in North Americ . . . View Full Definition

Automatics: Riders of motorcycles are used to shifting gears and using a clutch. However, some new riders would like to do away with shifting and clutching since they may have become used to automatic t . . . View Full Definition

Back Marker: A slow rider marking the back of a pack of motorcyclists.

Backing It In: Going into a corner with the rear of the motorcycle sliding while the rider is counter-steering. This is a way for a rider to scrub off speed and set the motorcycle up for a fast exit from t . . . View Full Definition

Bagger: A Bagger is a motorcycle that is fitted with saddlebags to allow the rider to carry items for a trip. Many start riding with no particular way to carry anything of any size. Some will resort . . . View Full Definition

Balaclava: A Balaclava is a thin pull-over head and neck cover with eye slits for winter usage under a motorcycle helmet.

Bash Plate: A protective plate fitted under the engines of off-road machines to prevent damage caused by grounding.

Basketcase: A Basketcase is a pile of parts usually bought as a whole and supposedly from a single bike model. Basketcases are bought especially by motorcycle restorers to help finish out a restoration.

Bathtub: Bodywork resembling an upside-down bathtub used on rear of some Triumph motorcycles. It was introduced in 1957 and dropped in the early 1960s

Battery: A Battery is an electrical storage device that forms the central core of a motorcycle's electrical system. Most modern batteries are 12 volts. Many riders use trickle chargers to maintain th . . . View Full Definition

Beanie: A beanie, also called a shortie, is a small helmet that sits on the top of the head providing less protection than other helmets. Some beanies are not made to safety standards and used mainl . . . View Full Definition

Beater: Beginning riders should not attempt to buy a new motorcycle as their first bike. Almost always, a new rider will take a spill or two on their first bike and cause some physical damage. It's . . . View Full Definition

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