Motorcycles
Motorcycle is a generic term for many types of vehicles, most often on two wheels and colloquially referred to as motorcycles. Motorcycles can also have three or four wheels. It is important to familiarise yourself with the characteristics of the motorcycle because different license categories apply to different sizes, as stated on the Icelandic Transport Authority's website.
Safety:
Wear appropriate protective equipment, clothing, helmet, gloves, shoes, and body armour if you are off-roading.
Warm up in the spring before heading out into the summer of cycling. We all get stiff after winter. Braking, steering, reverse steering. If it's been a long time since you last rode a motorcycle, it's a good idea to take one or two lessons from a driving instructor.
Be careful driving through intersections and trust only yourself.
Watch out for gravel and other dirt on the road. Manhole covers and surface markings can become slippery and sometimes oil and dirt accumulate in roundabouts.
Be careful where there is newly laid paving or asphalt, as the grip may be low.
A diverse vehicle category:
Motorcycles are a very diverse vehicle category with a variety of license levels. If you are unsure what category your motorcycle is in or what rights you have, call the Icelandic Transport Authority or check their website.
Category 1 light motorcycles are designed for speeds up to 25km/h. Light motorcycles in category 2, often referred to as motorbikes, have a design speed of 45km/h.
So-called heavy motorcycles are then classified into small motorcycles and large motorcycles according to a certain calculation formula regarding the ratio of the bike's weight to power and maximum horsepower.
Did you know?
The first Harley Davidson motorcycle reached a speed of 40km/h.
The speed record for a motorcycle is 605.69 km/h.
The first motorcycle arrived in Iceland in 1905.
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