What the technical terms on this page mean.
- Anti-lock braking system. It stops a wheel locking up during hard braking so the rider can keep steering. A single-channel system works on one wheel, usually the front; a dual-channel system works on both.
- Coolant circulates through the engine and a radiator, keeping temperatures steadier than air alone, especially in traffic or under load.
- The assist part makes the clutch lever lighter. The slipper part eases the rear wheel's tendency to hop when you shift down hard.
- The throttle grip sends an electronic signal instead of pulling a cable, which allows features such as ride modes and cruise control.
- A single rear shock absorber that does the work of a pair.
- A front fork mounted the opposite way round to a conventional one, with the thicker tubes at the top. It is typically stiffer under braking and cornering.
- Tyres with no inner tube. A small puncture usually loses air slowly, which makes roadside repair easier.
- The weight of the bike ready to ride, with its fluids and fuel, but without a rider or luggage.
- The cylinder's width and the piston's travel. A larger bore relative to stroke tends to favour revs; a longer stroke tends to favour low-speed pull.
- How much the fuel-air mixture is squeezed before it is ignited. It is one of the factors behind an engine's efficiency and power.
