CLASSFICATION OF MOTORCYCLE

CLASSFICATION OF MOTORCYCLE

RELEASE DATE:2021-07-01 16:03
BriefMotorbikes as a common form of transport have good performance in maneuverability and off-road performance. At the same time, motorcycles also have extremely high entertainment and appreciation value, have been popular with many people. Motorcycles have been invented for more than 130 years, and with motorcycle manufacturers continue to introduce new models, the market for motorcycles has been gradually refined. This article will give you a brief overview of the types of motorcycles currently on the market and how they are defined in the regulations.



CURRENTLY COMMON TYPES OF MOTORCYCLE 
Common motorcycles are roughly divided into eight types, as follows:

Eight Common Motorcycle Classifications
Photo
人骑着摩托车

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男人骑着摩托车在路上行驶

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摩托车停在地上

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摩托车停在地上

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Category
Street
Sports Bike
Touring Motorcycle
Cruiser
Introduction
Naked, also known as NK, is the most common motorcycle on the road. The main feature is the exposed engine and mechanical structure. The design of the appearance is more muscular, in line with the public's aesthetics, and the riding position is upright and comfortable. It is named for its suitability for daily street style.
It is mainly used for road driving, and its design style is more attractive. Sports cars are generally divided into imitation racing and street running. Imitation racing is a civilian version of a racing car, which is generally equipped with the ultimate frame technology and engine technology, which represents the highest technology of a manufacturer in the market. Street running and imitation racing are the same in appearance, both have fairings, and the body design is relatively streamlined, but the design is more focused on comfort, and the power performance is slightly worse than that of imitation racing.
It is mainly designed for long-distance motorcycle travel and long-term riding. The main feature is that the riding posture will be more comfortable, and it will generally have a large power reserve, and the model configuration is rich and high-end.
The typical feature is that the riding position places the feet forward and the hands are up relatively high, so that the spine is erect or leaning back slightly, which is what we often call "riding while lying down". Common models include Harley X48, Ducati Devil, etc.
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沙漠中骑摩托车

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骑着摩托车和自行车

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人骑着摩托车

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银色的摩托车

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Category
Rally Raid
Motocross
Scoote
Retro Motorcycle
Introduction
Or "rallies", A rally raid is a motorcycle designed for the purpose of participating in a rally (RALLY). It is a race on dirt, gravel, asphalt and even desert roads. It is a long-distance race that tests the performance and quality of vehicles and also tests driving skills. The famous Dakar is just such a rally.
Motocross are divided into professional racing vehicles and ordinary civilian vehicles. The racing vehicles do not have rearview mirrors and headlights. All components such as shock-absorbing wheels and exhausts use race-level components. The license is not available in countries and regions, and the civilian car is an improved version of the racing car, which meets the requirements of laws and regulations for safety and environmental protection, and can be licensed. According to the division of use, off-road vehicles are divided into: field off-road, forest road off-road and tire skid.
The main feature of a scooter is that it has a pedal and storage space under the seat, and the front and the seat are not connected. Modern scooters have automatic clutches and continuously variable transmissions (CVT), which makes them easier to learn on and to ride.
Retro motorcycle include a wide range of models, the common ones are European retro, Japanese retro, and American retro. Common models are Cafe and Scrambler.
*The picture comes from the Internet

MOTORCYCLE CLASSIFICATION IN REGULATION (EU) No 168/2013

Category
Category name
Common classification criteria
L1e-L7e
All L-category vehicles
length ≤ 4 000 mm or ≤ 3 000 mm for a L6e-B vehicle or ≤ 3 700 mm for a L7e-C vehicle, and
width ≤ 2 000 mm, or ≤ 1 000 mm for a L1e vehicle, or ≤ 1 500 mm for a L6e-B or a L7e-C vehicle and
height ≤ 2 500 mm and

Category
Category name
Common classification criteria
L1e
Light two-wheel powered vehicle
 two wheels and powered by a propulsion as listed under Article 4(3) and
engine capacity ≤ 50 cm3 if a PI internal combustion engine forms part of the vehicle’s propulsion configuration and
maximum design vehicle speed ≤ 45 km/h and
maximum continuous rated or net power ≤ 4 000 W and
 maximum mass= technically permissible mass declared by the manufacturer and
Sub-categories
Subcategory name
Supplemental sub-classification criteria
L1e-A
Powered cycle
cycles designed to pedal equipped with an auxiliary propulsion with the primary aim to aid pedalling and
output of auxiliary propulsion is cut off at a vehicle speed ≤ 25 km/h and
maximum continuous rated or net power ≤ 1 000 W and
 a powered three- or four-wheel cycle complying with supplemental specific sub-classification criteria (9) to (11) is classified as being technically equivalent to a two-wheel L1e-A vehicle.
L1e-B
Two-wheel moped
any other vehicle of the L1e category that cannot be classified according to the criteria (9) to (12) of a L1e-A vehicle

Category
Category name
Common classification criteria
L2e
Three-wheel moped
three wheels and powered by a propulsion as listed under Article 4(3) and
engine capacity ≤ 50 cm3 if a PI internal combustion engine or engine capacity ≤ 500 cm3 if a CI combustion engine forms part of the vehicle’s propulsion configuration and
maximum design vehicle speed ≤ 45 km/h and
maximum continuous rated or net power ≤ 4 000 W and 
mass in running order ≤ 270 kg and
equipped with a maximum of two seating positions, including the seating position for the driver and
Sub-categories
Subcategory name
Supplemental sub-classification criteria
L2e-P
Three-wheel moped for passenger transport
 L2e vehicle other than those complying with the specific classification criteria for a L2e-U vehicle.
L2e-U
Three-wheel moped for utility purposes
exclusively designed for the carriage of goods with an open or enclosed, virtually even and horizontal loading bed that meets the following criteria:
  1. . lengthloading bed × widthloading bed ≥ 0.3 × Lengthvehicle×maximum Widthvehicle or
  2. . an equivalent loading bed area as defined above in order to install machines and/or equipment and
  3. . designed with a loading bed area which is clearly separated by a rigid partition from the area reserved for the vehicle occupants and
  4. . the loading bed area shall be able to carry a minimum volume represented by a 600 mm cube.

Category
Category name
Common classification criteria
L3e
Two-wheel motorcycle
two wheels and powered by propulsion as listed under Article 4(3) and
maximum mass= technically permissible mass declared by the manufacturer and
two-wheel vehicle that cannot be classified as category L1e
Sub-categories
Subcategory name
Supplemental sub-classification criteria
L3e-A1
Low-performance motorcycle
engine capacity ≤ 125 cm3 and
maximum continuous rated or net power ≤ 11 kW and
power /weight ratio ≤ 0,1 kW/kg.
L3e-A2
Medium-performance motorcycle
maximum continuous rated or net power ≤ 35 kW and
 power/weight ratio ≤ 0,2 kW/kg and
not derived from a vehicle equipped with an engine of more than double its power and
L3e vehicle that cannot be classified under supplemental sub-classification criteria of a L3e-A1 vehicle.
L3e-A3
High-performance motorcycle
 any other L3e vehicle that cannot be classified according to the classification criteria of a L3e-A1 or L3e-A2 vehicle.
L3e-AxE (x = 1, 2 or 3)
Enduro motorcycles
seat height ≥ 900 mm and
ground clearance ≥ 310 mm and
overall gear ratio in highest gear (primary gear ratio × secondary gear ratio in the highest speed × final drive ratio) ≥ 6,0 and
mass in running order plus the mass of the propulsion battery in case of electric or hybrid electric propulsion ≤ 140 kg and
no seating position for a passenger.
L3e-AxT (x = 1, 2 or 3)
Trial motorcycles
seat height ≤ 700 mm and
ground clearance ≥ 280 mm and
fuel tank capacity ≤ 4 litres and
overall gear ratio in highest gear (primary gear ratio × secondary gear ratio in the highest speed × final drive ratio) ≥ 7,5 and
mass in running order ≤ 100 kg and 
no seating position for a passenger.

Category
Category name
Common classification criteria
L4e
Two-wheel motorcycle with side-car
 base powered vehicle complying with the classification and subclassification criteria for a L3e vehicle and
 base powered vehicle equipped with one side-car and
with a maximum of four seating positions including the driver on the motorcycle with side car and
 a maximum of two seating positions for passengers in the side car and
maximum mass= technically permissible mass declared by the manufacturer.

Category
Category name
Common classification criteria
L5e
Powered tricycle
three wheels and powered by a propulsion as listed under Article 4(3) and
 mass in running order ≤ 1 000 kg and
 three-wheel vehicle that cannot be classified as a L2e vehicle and
Sub-categories
Subcategory name
Supplemental sub-classification criteria
L5e-A
Tricycle
L5e vehicle other than those complying with the specific classification criteria for a L5e-B vehicle and
with a maximum of five seating positions, including the seating position of the driver.
L5e-B
Commercial tricycle
designed as a utility vehicle and characterised by an enclosed driving and passenger compartment accessible by maximum three sides and
equipped with a maximum of two seating positions, including the seating position for the driver and
exclusively designed for the carriage of goods with an open or enclosed, virtually even and horizontal loading bed that meets the following criteria:
1). lengthloading bed × widthloading bed ≥ 0.3 × Lengthvehicle×maximum Widthvehicle or
2). an equivalent loading bed area as defined above in order to install machines and/or equipment and
3). designed with a loading bed area which is clearly separated by a rigid partition from the area reserved for the vehicle occupants and
4). the loading bed area shall be able to carry a minimum volume represented by a 600 mm cube.

Category
Category name
Common classification criteria
L6e
Light quadricycle
four wheels and powered by a propulsion as listed under Article 4(3) and
 maximum design vehicle speed ≤ 45 km/h and
the mass in running order ≤ 425 kg and
engine capacity ≤ 50 cm3 if a PI engine or engine capacity ≤ 500 cm3 if a CI engine forms part of the vehicle’s propulsion 
configuration and
 equipped with a maximum of two seating positions, including the seating position for the driver and
Sub-categories
Subcategory name
Supplemental sub-classification criteria
L6e-A
Light on-road quad
L6e vehicle not complying with the specific classification criteria for a L6e-B vehicle and
maximum continuous rated or net power ≤ 4 000 W.
L6e-B
Light quadri-mobile
enclosed driving and passenger compartment accessible by maximum three sides and
maximum continuous rated or net power ≤ 6 000 W and
Sub-sub-categories
Sub-sub-category name
Sub-sub-classification criteria in addition to the sub-classification criteria of a L6e-B vehicle
L6e-BA
Light quadri-mobile for passenger 
transport
 L6e-B vehicle mainly designed for passenger transport and
maximum continuous rated or net power ≤ 4 000 W.
L6e-BU
Light quadri-mobile for utility purposes
exclusively designed for the carriage of goods with an open or enclosed, virtually even and horizontal loading bed that meets the following criteria::
1). lengthloading bed × widthloading bed ≥ 0.3 × Lengthvehicle×maximum Widthvehicle or
2). an equivalent loading bed area as defined above in order to install machines and/or equipment and
3). designed with a loading bed area which is clearly separated by a rigid partition from the area reserved for the vehicle occupants and
4). the loading bed area shall be able to carry a minimum volume represented by a 600 mm cube.

Category
Category name
Common classification criteria
L7e
Heavy quadricycle
four wheels and powered by a propulsion as listed under Article 4(3) and
 mass in running order:
a. ≤ 450 kg for transport of passengers;
b. ≤ 600 kg for transport of goods.
L7e vehicle that cannot be classified as a L6e vehicle and
Sub-categories
Subcategory name
Supplemental sub-classification criteria
L7e-A
Heavy on-road quad
L7e vehicle not complying with the specific classification criteria for a L7e-B or a L7e-C vehicle and
vehicle designed for the transport of passengers only and
maximum continuous rated or net power ≤ 15 kW and
Sub-sub-categories
Sub-sub-category name
Supplemental sub-classification criteria
L7e-A1
A1 heavy on-road quad
maximum two straddle seating positions, including the seating position for the rider and
handlebar to steer.
L7e-A2
A2 heavy on-road quad
L7e-A vehicle not complying with the specific classification criteria for a L7e-A1 vehicle and
maximum two non-straddle seating positions, including the seating position for the driver.
Sub-categories
Subcategory name
Supplemental sub-classification criteria
L7e-B
Heavy all terrain quad
L7e vehicle not complying with the specific classification criteria for a L7e-C vehicle and
ground clearance ≥180 mm and
Sub-sub-categories
Sub-sub-category name
Supplemental sub-classification criteria
L7e-B1
All terrain quad
maximum two straddle seating positions, including the seating position for the rider and
equipped with a handlebar to steer and
maximum design vehicle speed ≤ 90 km/h and
wheelbase to ground clearance ratio ≤ 6.
L7e-B2
Side-by-side buggy
 L7e-B vehicle other than a L7e-B1 vehicle and
 maximum three non-straddle seats of which two positioned side-by-side, including the seating position for the driver and
maximum continuous rated or net power ≤ 15 kW and
wheelbase to ground clearance ratio ≤ 8
Sub-categories
Subcategory name
Supplemental sub-classification criteria
L7e-C
Heavy quadri-mobile
 L7e vehicle not complying with the specific classification criteria for a L7e-B vehicle and
 maximum continuous rated or net power ≤ 15 kW and
maximum design vehicle speed ≤ 90 km/h and
enclosed driving and passenger compartment accessible via maximum three sides and
Sub-sub-categories
Sub-subcategory name
Supplemental sub-classification criteria
L7e-CP
Heavy quadri-mobile for passenger 
transport
 L7e-C vehicle not complying with the specific classification criteria for a L7e-CU vehicle and
maximum four non-straddle seats, including the seating position for the driver
L7e-CU
Heavy quadri-mobile for utility purposes
exclusively designed for the carriage of goods with an open or enclosed, virtually even and horizontal loading bed that meets the following criteria:
1). lengthloading bed × widthloading bed ≥ 0.3 × Lengthvehicle×maximum Widthvehicle or
2). an equivalent loading bed area as defined above in order to install machines and/or equipment and
3). designed with a loading bed area which is clearly separated by a rigid partition from the area reserved for the vehicle occupants and
4). the loading bed area shall be able to carry a minimum volume represented by a 600 mm cube.
maximum two non-straddle seats, including the seating position for the driver.

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MOTORCYCLE CERTIFICATION PLEASE CONTACT 

Aiden
Aiden Chen
Senior Sales Engineer
Graduated from Chang'an University with a major in vehicle engineering and served for well-known bus company in vehicle testing positions. 
In ATIC, Aiden is now committed to improve customer experience and relationship with systematic, professional and digitalized methods and practices
Phone: +86 020-82510156
Mail: cs@atic-cn.com