Any choppers are not motorcycles for everyone . This class of motorcycles seems to be out of time, and does not lose popularity, despite its inherent archaism. Modern technologies are practically not being introduced, except for the most necessary ones, and the appearance still resembles bikes from the 60s of the last century. Indeed, why change something that is already beautiful? What is a chopper anyway? Many fans of this style will confidently answer that this is not just a class of motorcycles. It is an ideology, a lifestyle and practically a religion.
Chopper history
For the first time, bikes that can be classified in this class appeared in the USA about 60 years ago. The word “chopper” itself comes from the English verb “chop,” which means “to chop.” Does it sound strange? Not at all! It’s just that after World War II, America found itself with a huge number of demobilized soldiers, some of whom, due to the sharply jumping unemployment rate, turned to crime. Heavy Harley-Davidson motorcycles were the most affordable transport at that time, which is why the first bikers formed gangs on two wheels, regularly terrorizing local residents. And to make it easier to escape from the police, they often removed everything from their bikes except what was needed for direct movement. Such a cruiser that had undergone the “ axe treatment ” became a chopper, losing a lot of weight and thereby increasing the maximum speed available to it . Here is a basic list of changes that were usually made to the design:
- Silencers were cut or replaced with shorter ones
- The passenger seat was removed and the rear fender was often cut off
- Even mirrors and turn signals , and sometimes taillights,
- A small teardrop-shaped gas tank instead of the standard one
- was thrown out .
A typical American chopper can be seen in the movie Easy Rider. This is the bike that Peter Fonda's character Captain America rides, and it has become an inspiration for tens of thousands of customizers around the world.
Regal Raptor 50cc
This mini-chopper receives good reviews for its quality, which remains excellent from year to year. This is a unique chopper in terms of appearance, which is small in size, but at the same time reaches speeds of up to 80 km/h while maintaining low fuel consumption. Of the minuses, users note the lack of a fuel sensor. The suspension is not made in the most successful way. It is noteworthy that when creating this mini-chopper, the manufacturer was based on the design of the Japanese Honda Jazz moped, and the engine was borrowed from the Honda Super Cub.
Difference between chopper and cruiser
There are enough differences between these classes. The models offered by dealers are mostly cruisers. And the chopper is a stripped cruiser from which a whole bunch of spare parts have been removed. Serial choppers are found on sale, and they come in a variety of varieties; there are even Chinese mopeds, but these are rare. So if these beautiful bikes do not leave you indifferent, and you want to ride a chopper, then go ahead - your happiness is in your hands. Buy a cruiser, drive it into the garage, invite your friends and turn an ordinary production motorcycle into a unique masterpiece of customization, the photos of which will be drooled over by thousands of other motorcyclists floating around the Internet.
The choice of Chinese enduro
A Chinese motorcycle is no longer just a moped or scooter. The enduro class is a tough and patient vehicle designed for crossing rural areas. Enduro is further divided into heavy and light. The first ones are intended for long trips on moderate off-road conditions, alternating with well-paved roads.
250 cubes
A Chinese 250cc motorcycle can hardly be called a very easy vehicle to drive.
Rating of the best 250cc motorcycles:
Minsk R250, despite the name, it has nothing in common with Soviet motorcycles. It is assembled in Belarus, but calling it Chinese can only be conditional. Only components are supplied from China. Among the advantages:
- Frame. A similar one is installed on Ducati;
- Aluminum swingarm, similar in appearance to Benelli.
The liquid-cooled engine is capable of squeezing out 26 horsepower. The vehicle is equipped with petal brake discs only at the front with a diameter of 300 millimeters.
The company from Izhevsk offers a worthy model, the Patron Sport 250. This model once again confirms that the Chinese moto industry has firmly established itself in the global market. Among the advantages:
- The presence of brake discs on both wheels;
- 4-stroke engine with one cylinder.
The sporty design of the unit also attracts attention. Power was 15.7 horsepower
- Lifan LF250. This is a full-fledged cruiser that meets the requirements of reliability and comfort. Torque is evenly distributed by a 5-speed transmission. Review and operation of the motorcycle brought it to the top of the best in its segment. Many note the good build quality, stability, and classic design. An additional advantage: in the event of a breakdown, spare parts are easy to find.
- An old-timer in the domestic market – Zongshen Winner ZS250GS. The motorcycle of this brand is a little outdated in comparison with previous models, but has not lost its relevance. The bike has optimal sporting characteristics with a low engine power of 17.7 horsepower.
A spacious 20-liter gas tank allows you to cover long distances without refueling. Like other sportbikes, the ZS250GS has a stylish design, excellent dynamics, and economical fuel consumption.
300 cubes
Chinese motorcycle manufacturers have long been looking at producing units with an increased number of cubes. Previously, they produced mostly equipment within 150 cubic meters or less.
- The resource exceeds the mark of 70 thousand kilometers;
- In case of breakdown, you can always find spare parts;
- 300 cc motorcycles made in China are much cheaper than their European or Japanese counterparts.
400 cubes
You can choose 400 cc units.
Help: Chinese 400 cc motorcycles are easier to buy in the CIS countries than “Japanese” ones with similar performance, since Japanese-made 400 cc motorcycles are intended only for the domestic market. In China, it is very difficult to find equipment with large cubic meters; such bikes are intended strictly for export.
The main advantage is power, but they are also popular for their brutal appearance. In this class and not only in it, the weight of the motorcycle is important.
Among the additional nuances when buying a first motorcycle for beginners, it is important to remember that a motorcycle with a large cubic capacity has a fast take-off. Among the advantages is the possibility of high-speed driving
Some models can accelerate to 200 kilometers per hour.
The main models have two-cylinder engines. But, a definite plus is the stable price in its segment.
450 cubes
450 – cc bikes are not very different from the previous category. These can be crossovers, touring motorcycles or sportbikes. You can look at them in the photo and not see any differences. The cubic capacity is usually indicated in the characteristics of the equipment.
Road motorcycles
Among the variety of motorcycles, a separate class of motorcycles stands out - road motorcycles. This is the most budget segment, characterized by low fuel consumption and good maneuverability.
Under their auspices you can find:
- Cruisers, distinguished by chrome parts, low landing;
- Choppers are classic motorcycles that have undergone tuning;
- Bobbers with large blown wheels, which lost their relevance after the advent of choppers;
- Baggers, the main difference of which is the presence of built-in luggage cases and special wind protection;
- Cafe racers are a lightweight version of a cruiser with a narrow fuel tank, clip-ons instead of a steering wheel and a flat seat that looks more like a bench.
Touring enduro
Motorcycles with small cubes are practically not found in this class. For long journeys, you need to choose more powerful equipment. They are capable of both asphalt roads and off-road conditions.
The class has been formed for several decades and is divided into subclasses. Initially, touring enduros were distinguished by the width of the handlebars and a raised muffler. Now these differences are much greater. They show cross-country lines and elements of cruisers. This is both a rigid design and a full-fledged bike that is pleasant to ride.
Each enduro model intended for tourism has its own technical and operational characteristics. When producing them, manufacturers rely on the needs of their potential buyers.
Sportbikes
A modern sportbike can be purchased thanks to a combination of large selection and high-tech features. Most often, these are two or four-cylinder units. Injection engines have already reached their perfection and operate without any complaints.
The number of cubes in them can be completely different. A 300cc sports bike can be chosen for sprinting and so on. A special feature of this class are light alloys. They come from the factory with a steering damper, which controls steering and prevents the unit from falling during the slightest maneuver.
Due to the development of high dynamics and speed, high-performance brakes are installed in them. The exhaust system can be straight or semi-direct. Due to this, the sportbike has a very loud exhaust.
Chopper bikes
As mentioned above, choppers are unique motorcycles that have their own individuality and originality. Due to this, they are quite popular among bikers. After all, it’s no secret that for a biker a motorcycle is a source of pride, part of his lifestyle, practically a member of the family. And therefore, among bikers, chopper bikes have earned great respect.
In addition to the fact that the chopper is distinguished by its design, it also differs from many other bikes in its technical characteristics, which determine the clear goals of purchasing or independently producing a chopper.
First of all, a chopper bike is an excellent vehicle that is easy to use. Thanks to its low-speed, powerful engine and massive dimensions, this chopper bike is designed for leisurely riding along the highway over fairly long distances. In this regard, you can often see bikers riding choppers along the highway, moving from one settlement to another. After all, the entire design, consisting of a stepped saddle, forward footrests for the biker, soft suspension and a steering wheel located close to the person, makes riding a chopper bike comfortable and enjoyable. However, one should take into account the fact that this type of motorcycle is unlikely to be suitable as a main one. After all, taking into account all the characteristics, we can safely say that driving along the highway over long distances is the main purpose of a chopper bike, so in urban conditions this vehicle will be a bit cramped to move around.
Chopper production
Today there are three directions in the production of choppers:
- Old school. Old-school choppers are distinguished by a rake steering column that remains virtually unchanged, a “horned” steering wheel, a teardrop-shaped gas tank, and a standard-sized rear wheel. These choppers can also be recognized by their rather specific coloring, representing geometric shapes and thin intersecting lines.
- Production of show stoppers. You won't go far on these bikes. This is not because they are not designed to be ridden due to their technical characteristics, but rather due to their style. After all, such choppers are made as objects that can attract attention and promote a company or an individual. Show-stoppers are usually presented at various exhibitions.
- Modern custom school. Such choppers can be recognized by the elongated base of the motorcycle, created by strongly tilting the steering column, which makes them unique in their own way. This school is also characterized by the absence of rear suspension, a narrow front wheel of large diameter along with a wide rear wheel.
It is worth noting that for many years, workshops have been operating and developing in Russia that manufacture choppers and other custom bikes. However, the bulk of custom builds are still born in the garages of amateurs. There are two reasons for this: the first is the peculiarities of motorcycle culture, and the second is explained by the high cost of parts and a large waste of time.
However, if you still want to have your own personal chopper bike, then you need to properly weigh all the pros and cons, determine the advisability of using it in certain conditions, taking into account all the characteristics and features.
What is a chopper motorcycle?
Chopper is a type of cruiser.
The first chopper motorcycle was born in 1948 in California. The name "chopper" comes from the English. “chop”, which means to chop, i.e. deprive a finished motorcycle of certain parts, thereby changing its appearance and design. Due to the fact that each owner independently made a decision about what exactly to remove from the motorcycle, each chopper is unique and individual. Given this approach to the creation of motorcycle choppers, any mass-produced motorcycle cannot be called a chopper. The ancestor of the chopper is considered to be the bobber, a converted motorcycle for street racing. However, despite the similarities, there are very clear differences between these two types of motorcycles.
Initially, production models of motorcycles such as Harley Davidson or Indian were used to create the chopper. Future choppers were made as light as possible by removing “extra” parts from them, sometimes even at the expense of the front brake. The frame itself also changed its appearance, which cannot be said about bobbers. As a rule, the chopper was equipped with a very high, outrageous steering wheel and a large wide rear wheel. And, of course, motorcycle choppers do not have to deal with chrome parts, the abundance of which choppers are famous for.
An example of a canonical chopper is the Captain America motorcycle shown in the film Easy Rider.
Russian motorcyclists often use Ural and Dnepr motorcycles to create choppers. They also like to use car engines from Oka or Zaporozhets for conversion. The latter are even called “ZAZocycles” accordingly.
Design Features
The basis for the creation was the “Ural” classic model.
Most of the components were left unchanged, but some elements were used on the Ural for the first time .
Thus, the load-bearing part of the Voyage was a tubular frame with welded joints.
At the front, a duplex telescopic fork was installed as a suspension.
An 18-inch spoked wheel was supposed to give the “chopper” look at the front. For the first time, front disc brakes were installed on Voyage .
At the top of the fork there was a small round headlight.
The steering wheel is high, but the dashboard could not be placed on the tank , as is done on American choppers; it was installed above the headlights, and it protrudes somewhat forward.
The tank has a teardrop shape and is located at an angle. The seat, although covered in leather, did not particularly look like a “chopper” seat; rather, the seat was a so-called “bench”.
Behind the seat there was a backrest with a soft cushion . Under the seat there were pads that covered the frame and at the end formed the wing.
The rear suspension of the motorcycle is a classic pendulum with two shock absorbers. The rear wheel has wide-profile tires and measures 16 inches.
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Review of one of the reliable types of motorcycle equipment:
The first models used drum brakes at the rear, but they were later replaced by disc brakes .
The Voyage was equipped with an opposed 4-stroke power unit with two cylinders. Moreover, at different times the power unit had a different working volume .
Initially, the motorcycle was equipped with a 720 cc engine, later – 650 cc and 825 cc engines.
The engine could be started using either a kickstarter or an electric starter - installed for the first time on Ural motorcycles.
The power system remained the same - carburetor, separate for each cylinder, but the carburetors were of Czech production .
The exhaust system was also revised. The pipes coming out of the cylinders went under the engine, and then came out on the sides and went up.
The gearbox is 4-speed and with reverse gear. Drive to the rear wheel is via a cardan transmission.
