As a global organization, the IDA is committed to updating our glossary with terminology and definition variances as they occur regionally or by country.  If your region/country utilizes a term listed here differently than as defined, please submit your term/definition alternatives via this form, Industry Standards: Global Terminology, for possible inclusion in the glossary.

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Air Ride System – Motorcycle air suspension is an adjustable suspension system that allows you to raise and lower your motorcycle at the push of a button.  Air suspension replaces your factory suspension with air shocks, a compressor, and an inflation switch to complete the system.

Acetone – A colorless and flammable liquid solvent that can break down and dissolve other substances.

Aluminum Alloy – A metal made by combining two or more metallic elements.  An aluminum alloy is an alloy in which aluminum (Al) is the predominant metal.

Anodized Aluminum (Anodic Coating) – An AL O2 coating chemically bonded to an aluminum surface.  The objective is to prevent oxidation of normal aluminum.  Anodized aluminum usually looks as if it has a satin or colored finish.  A magnet will not attract to any anodized or other aluminum surface.

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Belly Pan – The belly pan fits below the engine, providing some degree of defense against dust and small debris and on some designs acts to protect the bottom of the exhaust inlet.  It may also improve the bike's aerodynamics by redirecting airflow and reducing lift.  Other terms used to describe this motorcycle part can be sump pan, sump plate, engine guard, belly panel, or skid plate.

Belt Drive – This setup comprises of a driving pulley towards the gearbox output shaft and a driven pulley at the wheel.  The two pulleys are connected by a belt which has teeth, or grooves on the inner side, matching the grooves on the outer side of the pulleys.

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Carbon Fiber – A material consisting of thin, strong crystalline filaments of carbon, essentially carbon atoms bonded together in long chains.

Carbureted Motorcycle – A Carburetor is the most basic and, until recent times, the most prevalent fueling system used in two-wheelers.  To explain the basic working of a carburetor, think of it as the mechanism that combines fuel and air to create a combustible mixture that is ignited in the cylinders to create power.

Center Stand – Intended primarily for maintenance work, not for routine parking of a bike.  It allows you to get one of the wheels off the ground to enable chain maintenance or removing one or both of the wheels.

Chain Drive – The most common type of final drive.  As the name implies, this type of motorcycle uses a chain mounted on sprockets to link its rear wheel and transmission.  As the output shaft spins, so does the chain, and thus the wheel.  Can also be referred to as "Chain driven".

Chrome – The chrome layer is a hard, corrosion-resistant, thin layer of metal that acts as a barrier to prevent the nickel from tarnishing or becoming dull.

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Fork – Connects a motorcycle's front wheel and axle to its frame, typically via a yoke, also known as a triple clamp, which consists of an upper yoke joined to a lower yoke via a steering stem, a shaft that runs through the steering head, creating the steering axis.  Most forks incorporate the front suspension and front brake.  Modern motorcycle forks can also have hydraulic dampers.

Frame Sliders – Frame sliders are a device designed to absorb impact and keep the motorcycle frame and engine parts off the ground in the event of a drop or slide.  They can also be known as "crash bungs" or "crash bobbins".

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Kill Switch – A simple emergency-off switch that turns off the machine with a click.  On motorcycles they are usually bright red, and it acts as a simple safety mechanism enabling the driver to turn off the bike when it cannot be done manually.  It shuts down all the running systems without causing any damage to the system.  Can also be referred to as an "isolator switch" or "shut-down switch".

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Motorcycle Fairing (or just ‘Fairing’) – A shell placed over the frame of a motorcycle, especially racing motorcycles and sport bikes, to deflect wind and reduce air drag.

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Plexiglas – Brand name for acrylic.  Acrylic is a commonly used name for Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA), which is produced by numerous manufacturers around the world.  Each manufacturer then brands their sheets, also known as Perspex, Policril, Acryglas, Acrycast, and – the most well-known – Plexiglas.

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Rack – Usually a seat rack that is mounted in place or behind the passenger seat.  It makes the attaching of luggage on motorcycles possible or provides additional storage space during long-distance journeys.  Often the design and fit of luggage is perfectly coordinated to the silhouette of the bike.  Some racks can also be part of the sissy bar.

Rubber – A strong, waterproof, elastic substance made from the juice of a tropical tree or produced chemically.

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Saddlebag / Tour Pack – Most commonly used to carry luggage on a motorcycle.  There are two major kinds of motorcycle saddlebags: throw-over saddlebags and hard-mount saddlebags.  The concept of hard-mount saddlebags originated from throw-over saddlebags, which were used in early 1950 for the first time.  These can also be called "Panniers" or "Side Cases".

Shaft (or Cardan) Drive – In a shaft-driven system, a shaft connects a gear inside the gearbox to another gear inside a hub on the rear wheel.  When the engine runs, power is transferred along the chain or shaft to the rear wheel, and the bike moves forward.

Sissy Bar – Also known as a "sister bar", a sissy bar is a backrest at the back of your bike that supports the passenger or rider.  The sissy bar enables you or your passenger to recline as you ride for enhanced comfort and back support.  A motorcycle sissy bar typically connects to the back fender struts.

Stainless Steel – Like all other kinds of steel, stainless steel is made primarily from iron and carbon in a two-step process.  What makes stainless steel different is the addition of chromium (Cr) and other alloying elements such as nickel (Ni) to create a corrosion-resistant product.

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Triple Tree – A triangle-like structure that connects the entire front end of a bike to the frame.  Can also be known as "Triple Clamp" or "Yoke".

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Wheel Chock – A motorcycle wheel chock works by securely holding the front wheel of a motorcycle in order to store or transport the machine upright.  Also known as a "Paddock Stand" in the UK.