TYPES

There are two classes of two-wheeled motor vehicle: scooters/mopeds and motorcycles. But there are several different styles in each category.

Scooters
These have a step-through design and are used mainly for nipping about town. They usually have some under-seat luggage space for storing shopping or a helmet, and normally have automatic gears.

Electric scooters
There's no petrol cost, no road tax and it's exempt from congestion charging. Electric scooters have been around for a while but they've always had a problem with limited range and performance.

Retro scooters
Retros have the performance of a modern scooter but are designed to look like traditional bikes from years ago. Because the classic Vespa and Lambretta designs have endured in popularity for so very long and continue to sell well even today, there have been recent attempts to market essentially modern scooters with classically styled frames.

Chopper, mod and rat scooters
Because most Lambretta scooters feature a tubular frame, it is very easy to make them look like miniature Harley chopper motorcycles, and many scooterists have done this. These are called "chopper" scooters. So-called "mod" scooters typically feature lots of chrome accessories, and lots of mirrors and lights. Finally, "rats" are simply very unattractive running scooters, either because they have been crashed, had their paint stripped for restoration or simply never been maintained. Many "rat" owners purposely parade these scooters to generate amusement.

Tourers
Designed for comfort and distance, these usually have a fairing to protect the rider from the worst of the elements, built-in luggage carriers and big engines.

Sports bikes
Sports models are designed for speed and handling. They're lightweight and agile, and are the best-selling models in the UK.

Cruisers
Sometimes called custom bikes, these are the classic American-style motorbikes like Harley-Davidsons. They're low-slung, with a laid-back riding style and stable handling. If you're short, the low seating may suit you.

Off-roaders
Also known as trail bikes, these are ideal around town. They're tall and narrow - the high riding position gives good visibility, and wide handle bars make them manoeuvrable.