Motorcycle terms and definitions: All you wanted to know (but were afraid to ask)

[LiN Mae]

Not sure if there is a thread on this stuff but...
This is in no way the official moto slang dictionary as people's definition will vary. This thread's purpose is to help provide some clarity and a general idea to the moto jargon without feeling like you will get flamed for asking what you think is an commonly understood term. If you have any additions or have any suggestions for incorrectly defined terms, please feel free to post up. But please, keep it on topic and keep it accurate.

Squid: Acronym, SQUirrely kID. 1. In reference to younger MC riders with little respect to posted speed limit laws, self safety or safety of others. 2. Inexperienced newcomer, someone trying to ride beyond his skill level with arms flailing (like a squid) to try not to fall. This may be just a Southern term. 3. Stupidly Quick, Underdressed, Imminantly Dead. 4 Any SportBike Rider - seems this term got twisted along the way and has many meanings. 5 Sportbike riders who wear tennis shoes or flip flops, shorts, tshirts, etc. on their nice shiny new sport bikes. 6 Anyone that rides without all proper gear , rides recklessly, or rides beyond their limits.

Blipping the throttle: When racing, it is necessary to downshift very quickly while braking hard. To match the rear wheel speed to the engine speed, riders will "blip" the throttle, thereby increasing the RPM's slightly. "Blipping" the throttle simply means a quick rev. If you don't blip the throttle, the rear wheel may momentarily lock up, increasing the possibility of losing control.

On the street, it is not necessary to blip the throttle in most instances. A slight opening of the throttle will usually allow the gears to mesh smoother, however. One thing that is important, is that you let out the clutch lever between each downshift. This allows you to take advantage of engine braking, and also assures you of being in the right gear should you need to accelerate quickly. Click here for more info. (http://www.sportrider.com/ride/RSS/146_0402_shift_blip_throttle/)

[BioHazard]

Good idea!

[brownbrown4]

LOWSIDE= losing traction in a turn, resulting in your motorcycle laying down and sliding. BAD
HIGHSIDE= When you lose traction on the rear wheel, then it catches traction out of alignment with the front wheel. Resulting in you getting catapulted over the bike. WORSE
good enough description?

[Remus6]

I like that highside definition.

[brownbrown4]

Can i get a good description of a TANK SLAPPER? i think it could be two different things.

[melonheadR6]

tank slapper = massive headshake where the handlebars "slap" back and forth from side to side. usually getting on the throttle will get you out of the situation... that is if your hands are still on the controls...

[05GSXR600]

Not sure if there is a thread on this stuff but...
This is in no way the official moto slang dictionary as people's definition will vary. This thread's purpose is to help provide some clarity and a general idea to the moto jargon without feeling like you will get flamed for asking what you think is an commonly understood term. If you have any additions or have any suggestions for incorrectly defined terms, please feel free to post up. But please, keep it on topic and keep it accurate.

Blipping the throttle: When racing, it is necessary to downshift very quickly while braking hard. To match the rear wheel speed to the engine speed, riders will "blip" the throttle, thereby increasing the RPM's slightly. "Blipping" the throttle simply means a quick rev. If you don't blip the throttle, the rear wheel may momentarily lock up, increasing the possibility of losing control.

On the street, it is not necessary to blip the throttle in most instances. A slight opening of the throttle will usually allow the gears to mesh smoother, however. One thing that is important, is that you let out the clutch lever between each downshift. This allows you to take advantage of engine braking, and also assures you of being in the right gear should you need to accelerate quickly. Click here for more info. (http://www.sportrider.com/ride/RSS/146_0402_shift_blip_throttle/)

Awwww, now it is starting to make sense.. :thumbsup:

[brownbrown4]

tank slapper = massive headshake where the handlebars "slap" back and forth from side to side. usually getting on the throttle will get you out of the situation... that is if your hands are still on the controls...
Oh so it's what happens B4 the high side!!!.

[brownbrown4]

Oh so it's what happens B4 the high side!!!.
i would've called it the OH Sh***!

[melonheadR6]

Oh so it's what happens B4 the high side!!!.

nope. high sides and tank slappers are independent/different.

high side is the rear losing traction and not being parallel to the front, then when it regains traction out of alignment, it snaps back to being parallel with the front. that causes the rider to be thrown off the bike.

[brownbrown4]

nope. high sides and tank slappers are independent/different.

high side is the rear losing traction and not being parallel to the front, then when it regains traction out of alignment, it snaps back to being parallel with the front. that causes the rider to be thrown off the bike.
gotcha ,i've just seen some tank slappers to High sides on AMA tapes..

[Bryant]

Here's some more for you guys to define:

- Chicken Strips
- Hero pegs/feelers
- Boogers
- Duck foot
- Stoppies vs. endos
- "roost" <- more of a dirtbike thing

[brownbrown4]

Chicken strips= SIDE Part of the motorcycle wheels that have never seen pavement. Regularly found on the majority my navy compadres 1000cc bikes
(USS NIMITZ)!
please some one tell me what hero pegs are. Are they the little bolts that are on the bottom of the stock rear sets? the ones that should be taken off?

[melonheadR6]

i likes boogers.

[shichyea]

i likes boogers.

me too.

cruiser enthusiasts come up with funny words... lol

http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/dictionary/S.htm

[cbrsmurf]

Here's some more for you guys to define:

- Chicken Strips
- Hero pegs/feelers
- Boogers
- Duck foot
- Stoppies vs. endos
- "roost" <- more of a dirtbike thing

hero pegs are footpeg feelers, which are located on the ends of stock footpegs, usually to signify that you are about to scrape hard parts

a duck foot is half of what a certain species of aviary uses to walk with when it's not flying -- also eaten by Chinese people

[BontaKun]

This allows you to take advantage of engine braking, and also assures you of being in the right gear should you need to accelerate quickly. Click here for more info. (http://www.sportrider.com/ride/RSS/146_0402_shift_blip_throttle/)

So what exactly is the advantage of engine braking? Aren't MotoGP riders always trying to reduce engine braking to make their bikes more akin to their 2-stroke predecessors? Is it simply because they grew up on 2 strokes so they're used to it or is there some other advantage?

And don't slipper clutches reduce engine braking when downshifting? i.e. if you jam one too many gears down and disenguage the clutch the slipper clutch prevents the chassis from getting quite as upset?

[MrCrashRR]

So what exactly is the advantage of engine braking? Aren't MotoGP riders always trying to reduce engine braking to make their bikes more akin to their 2-stroke predecessors? Is it simply because they grew up on 2 strokes so they're used to it or is there some other advantage?

And don't slipper clutches reduce engine braking when downshifting? i.e. if you jam one too many gears down and disenguage the clutch the slipper clutch prevents the chassis from getting quite as upset?
no real advantage....

its there....so people use it,....but the less there is the smoother you can be and smoother is faster..

[SkyTension]

i like duck foot :D yummmmmmmmies

[brownbrown4]

Lin Mae started up a really good thread, it's been slow though, Why arent we posting more on it? i know there are many many more terms out there.

[chrissycreme]

ohhh dumn question, how do most riders like to be greeted??? what i usually notice is ppl thrownign " 9 " looking hand gestures. or maybe it's an upside down OK.

[mr01000101]

ohhh dumn question, how do most riders like to be greeted??? what i usually notice is ppl thrownign " 9 " looking hand gestures. or maybe it's an upside down OK.
A simple "hi" usually works for me... :cheers:

[TIFOSO]

or a wave :)

[Dissident]

Seriously, WTF is duck foot? It is what happens cause of the ducati suicide stand (aka a sidestand that retracts as soon as yuou lift the bikes weight off it)?

Backing it in -- Sliding the rear of the bike during a corner entry, used more by guys with dirt backgorund or in supermoto racing. Ususally done by NOT letting the clutch out between gears and dumping it at the end of a serioues of downshifts... Often results in highsiding if done improperly.

Supermotard, aka supermoto -- dirt bike with street tires, bigger brakes, and sometimes modified suspension that can turn normally safe riders into complete retards.

And, while we're on the subject....
Husqvarna -- For the last time, YES they make chainsaws/lawnmowers/sewing machines, tho that's actually a different company now (so does Honda, thank you). a brand used by several companies, all related to Husqvarna Vapenfabrik (Husqvarna weapons factory), founded in 1689 to produce muskets for the Swedish military. The Husqvarna logo is based on a cross section through a gun barrel and sight. he Husqvarna motorcycle division was sold to Italian motorcycle manufacturer Cagiva in 1987. The motorcycles (affectionately known as "Huskys") are now produced in Italy. A group of former Husqvarna employees started a new motorcycle company named Husaberg that won the 500cc Motocross World Championship 3 times in the 1990s.

Thumper -- a four-stroke single-cylinder motorcycle.

2-stroke -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2_stroke
4-stroke -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four-stroke_cycle

Can-O-Tuna -- Suzuki Katana, a bike that was hot sh1t in the 80s, but is now known for being impossibly heavy given it's size and lack of power. Pros; makes a great beginner bike. You won't cry when you drop it. Cons; you'll cry when you try picking it up.

Frame sliders -- cylindrically shaped objects you may have seen attached to the sides of
any popular sportbike. They are designed to protect the side of the bike in the event of a
crash or drop. Often made of Delrin (aka fancy plastic)

Speed channel (stolen from wiki, but modified -- SPEED Channel, based in Charlotte, was launched on New Year's Day 1996, by Roger Werner, as SpeedVision. The network is primarily devoted to things that have four (or two) wheels, a motor, and move fast. Occaisionally, the motor is optional. Content is 96.9% NASCAR, 3.1% other (over 1% of which is worth watching!)

LEDs -- Light Emitting Diodes, lights that are used for decoration and can often be used to spot squids at night (cause sometimes you can't see the flip-flops and shorts in the dark)

Common hand signals:
Tapping top of helmet - COPS! Slow down, and don't ride so close to me with your expired-tag, mirrorless, wake-the-dead-race-exhaust ticket machine.
Others? Can't think of any at the moment.

Here are some slightly less useful but perhaps entertaining definitions:
http://www.hypercycles.org/forums/showthread.php?p=127774#post127774

[Dissident]

ohhh dumn question, how do most riders like to be greeted??? what i usually notice is ppl thrownign " 9 " looking hand gestures. or maybe it's an upside down OK.

Well, if you're female and hot, then n/m, I won't go there ;)

[Dissident]

Naked bike -- A bike without fairings and bodywork (cruisers not included). Not sure qwhere the line between naked and "standard" bikes is....

Street Fighter -- What most guys turn their bikes into when they can't afford replacement bodywork; sportbike with no plastics, usually involves a goofy headlight.

[TreAdidas]

ohhh dumn question, how do most riders like to be greeted??? what i usually notice is ppl thrownign " 9 " looking hand gestures. or maybe it's an upside down OK.

I generally respond best to "What's up."

I dunno who is throwing those hand gestures but whatever it is, that is not a biker thing.... adn to be honest if I saw it, I'd probably run because I saw Menace to Society... I know what happens next.

[IslandGirl]

Dissident....you are a walking motorcycle encyclopedia. Are you writing manuals in your spare time????

As for acknowledging another rider, I usually just put up two finger and nod my head. If it is a string of riders coming the other way, I hold out my hand until they all pass. If it is a really hot guy standing next to his bike, then I wave. LOL!! Just kidding. Ok...maybe not.

[Dissident]

Here's a proposal for a new term: Octo*****: female squid.

[DrunkenEskimo]

Supermotard, aka supermoto -- dirt bike with street tires, bigger brakes, and sometimes modified suspension that can turn normally safe riders into complete retards.



:roflmao:

[Fixcinater]

HyCy: New nickname for the group.

CyCy: OG status.

[LiN Mae]

HyCy: New nickname for the group.

CyCy: OG status.

I like "cycy" as the nickname for "Hypercycles."

"HyCy" sounds too much like "highside." :-p

[shaggy]

cycy only works if you've been around long enough to know where the term came from...:)
hence the OG status...

[Irk]

http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/dictionary/motorcycle-dictionary-index.htm

[Fixcinater]

Yah...Bex and I decided to split it up that way 2 weekends ago.

Working at Buymoto gave me the inside scoop, so I'm a poseur-OG.

[247BlackOut]

What's a slingshot?

No wheelies, no stopies, and no slingshots.