What do the letters mean???

[Griffin]

Ok this may earn :first: for the dumbest question of the month but Ive been riding for 6 months and I thought I would eventually work it out by myself but so far I am still no wiser.

Can someone tell me what the letters in a bikes name represent. The numbers obviously reflect the engine capacity. Do the letters actually have a meaning or are they just to make it sound cooler?

[Ixion]

BSA: Initial letter indicates engine type (not necessarily size) A=parallel twin, B is big single C= small sinle four stroke D=bantam series, M=sidevalve etc. DBDnn indicates a Gold Star :love:

Triumph : number followed by letter (6T , 5T), indicates touring tune. T followed by a number (T120, T100) indicates sports tune. Except for the Tiger Cub, T20, which should be 2T. Trailing R, SS etc not very meaningful . TRW is trail series.

Matchless: Dunno really , basically indicates engine series

Norton. Didnt use letters much. ES2 is 500 single.

Velocette : M is OHV , other letter sindicate size and tune. K is OHC

Renfield Gawd only knows

Hope that helps

[James Deuce]

What ever the manufacturer wants them to.

XV has always been used on Yamaha's V-Twins. Similarly, XS has been used on Yamaha's parallel twins, transverse triples, and transverse 4s.

Z has been used on Kawasaki's street bikes, GPX on their sports tourers, KLX on their dual purpose bikes, and ZX on their sports bikes.

GSX is a Suzuki nomenclature for standards and sports tourers. Make it GSXR and it's a sports bike, GSXxxxR is reserved for the Hayabusa and a bunch of street oriented 250s and 400s.

[Griffin]

:doh: So there isnt a 'national standard' then - it is dependant on the manufacturers own set of criteria...

I had been looking at the Suzuki Boulevards and had figured that for instance in C50T - C = Cruiser, T = Touring; M50 - M = Muscle; S83 - S = Sports but wasnt 100% sure that I was correct... and then assuming I was correct I would look at a Honda CBX250RS and couldnt work out how the 'C' could stand for Cruiser (considering it def no cruiser) or the 'S' for sport and it was getting a bit confusing.

[johan]

Ducati Superbikes usually comes in five flavors

Simplified explanation:

xxx - base model
xxxs - upgraded suspension etc
xxxr - street version of the race bikes to comply with the homologation rules
xxxrs - race bike, not road legal, used by selected satellite teams
xxxf-08 - factory race bike, Ducati corse (Baylis et al)

The difference between the base model and the rs or f is like night and day, can't really compare them.

[rainman]

So is anyone going to explain the naming standards for Harley models? :eek:

[Maha]

Ok this may earn :first: for the dumbest question of the month but Ive been riding for 6 months and I thought I would eventually work it out by myself but so far I am still no wiser.

Can someone tell me what the letters in a bikes name represent. The numbers obviously reflect the engine capacity. Do the letters actually have a meaning or are they just to make it sound cooler?


Have a squiz through this thread, I asked the same question a few weeks ago, some good replies and the normal wanky ones....:lol:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=72896

[McJim]

Ducati Continued.......

And then there's the Mxxx (Monster Desmodue)
and the xxxSS (Supersport Desmodue)

[Griffin]

Have a squiz through this thread, I asked the same question a few weeks ago, some good replies and the normal wanky ones....:lol:


Gee it is REALLY hard to start an 'original' thread around here - but Im glad to know Im not the only one who was wondering :)

[Whynot]

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_does_cbr_stand_for_in_honda_motorcycles&alreadyAsked=1&rtitle=What_does_cbr_stand_for

just so everyone who posted in the other thread knows how wrong they actually are ....

[hellkat]

Its easier to just look at the bike and ignore the letters, and go:
"I want that one"

[MSTRS]

So is anyone going to explain the naming standards for Harley models? :eek:

Or more to the point...explain their existence at all?:chase:

[sunhuntin]

So is anyone going to explain the naming standards for Harley models? :eek:

harleys are the easiest to understand [from my point of view] but ive only got like 1gb of brain storage, so new info is always replacing the old. as such, its been so long since ive thought of harley initials, that its been replaced.

but yeh, bike initials, and what they stand for, is totally company dependant.

[The Pastor]

RR stands for race replica. Or race ready lol

[xwhatsit]

The `RS' in my bike's name CB250RS stands for `Rigid Schlong'.

[Whynot]

The `RS' in my bike's name CB250RS stands for `Rigid Schlong'.

so are you trying to tell us that you enjoying riding something that has a "Rigid Schlong" ... ?

[imdying]

Apparently C in a Honda model designation means 'rider is a homo' :0

[gunnyrob]

[QUOTE=Griffin;1593142]:doh: So there isnt a 'national standard' then - it is dependant on the manufacturers own set of criteria...

Pretty much!

The stoopidest one thus far is the new BMW F650GS, which is actually an 800cc engine!!!!!

[Griffin]

so are you trying to tell us that you enjoying riding something that has a "Rigid Schlong" ... ?

:rofl::rofl: Gee I guess that self appreciating post backfired huh??? :rofl::rofl:

[Shadows]

So is anyone going to explain the naming standards for Harley models? :eek:

Simple....

DYNA Glide
FX: Superglide, Kick start
FXB: Sturgis Belt (80,81&82)
FXD: Dyna Super Glide
FXDB: Dyna Sturgis (1991)
FXDC: Dyna Super Glide Custom
FXDG: Dyna Glide/Sturgis
FXDL: Dyna Low Rider
FXDS-CON: Dyna Convertible
FXDWG: Dyna Wide Glide
FXDX: Dyna Super Glide Sport
FXDXT: Super Glide T-Sport
FXE: Superglide Electric Start
FXEF: Fatbob
FXLR: FX Lower Rider/Evolution
FXR: Rubber Mount Super Glide
FXRDG - Disc Glide
FXRP - Police or pursuit - Defender
FXRS: FXR Sport
FXRS-CON: FXR Sport Convertible
FXRS-SP: Low Rider Sport Edition
FXRT: FXR Touring
FXS: Low Rider/Shovelhead
FXSB: Low Rider Belt

Softail
FXST: Softail Standard
FXSTB: Night Train
FXSTBI: Night Train EFI
FXSTC: Softail Custom
FXSTD: Softail Deuce
FXSTS: Springer Softail
FXWG: Wide Glide
FLST: Heritage Softail
FLSTC: Heritage Classic
FLSTF: Fat Boy
FLSTFI: 15th anniversary Fat Boy
FLSTN: Nostalgia and 2005 Softail Deluxe
FLSTS: Heritage Springer
FLSTSC: Springer Softail Classic

Touring
FL: 4-Speed Dresser
FLH: 4-Speed Electra Glide
FLHS: FLT with windshield and less goodies S = Sport
FLHPI: Road King police model
FLHR: Road King
FLHRCI: Road King Classic
FLHS: Electra Glide Sport
FLHT: Electra Glide Standard
FLHTC: Electra Glide Classic
FLHTCSE: Screamin Eagle Electra Glide
FLHTPI: Electra glide police model
FLHTCUI: Ultra Classic Electra Glide
FLHTCUSE: Screamin Eagle Ultra Classic
FLT: Rubber Mount Dresser
FLTC: Rubber Mount Dresser Classic
FLTCU: Rubber Mount Dresser Classic Ultra
FLTR: Road Glide
FLTRI: Road Glide EFI
FLTRSEI: Screamin Eagle Road Glide

VRSC: (V-TWIN Racing Street Custom)
VRSC: CVO: 1250cc adds 14 percent more displacement and only 9 pounds than the standard VRSCA: 1st model of the V-ROD family.
VRSCB: Same as VRSCA except: Adjustable tubular handlebars, minimalist instrumentation, black painted frame, calipers, hand controls, shock springs and engine highlights.
VRSCD: Night Rod
VRSCR: Roadster-inspired street rod.

Sportsters:
XL: Sportster 883
XL883: Sportster Hugger
XL883C: Sportster 883 Custom
XL 883L: Sportster (specifically designed to fit smaller riders)
XL883R: Dirt track-inspired
XL1100: Sportster 1100
XL1200: Sportster 1200
XL1200C: Sportster 1200 Custom
XL1200R: 1200 Roadster
XL1200S: Sportster 1200 Sport
XLCH: 4-Speed Sportster, Kick start
XLCR: Cafe Racer 1000
XLH: Sportster 883
XLH883: Sportster 883 Hugger
XLH883R: Sportster 883R
XLH1200: 1200
XLH1200S: Sport
XLS: 4-Speed Sportster Roadster
XLX: 4-Speed 1000cc Ironhead
XR1000: XLH with XLR Heads (XR750 heads - completely different)

X - Sportsters. These descend from the K series, 1952-56
XL- Series started in 1957. They are "unit construction" (engine & transmission share a common case).
L - High compression (7.5:1 in 1957). :lol:
H - Starting in 1958 came the XLH, meaning Higher-power or High-compression (9:1) or Hot . :lol::lol:
C - Also in 1958 was the XLCH. The C was intended to mean "Competition".
CR- Cafe racer style, with bikini fairing.
LT- Touring, with bigger tank, thicker seat, and hard bags.

The first letter of the model designator reveals the engine series:
First character:
G - Servicar three wheeler, 1937 to 1972
E - Overhead valve 61 cubic inch "big twin" (Engine/trans separated)
F - Overhead valve 74,80 or 88 cubic inch "big twin"
FL - 80 to 88 cubic inches and a fat front tire. (Also 74" 1941-82)
K - Side valve 45 and 55 cubic inch sports bike that replaced the WL in
1953 and was replaced by the Sportster in 1957. It had many design
features that were carried over to the Sportster.
U - Side valve 74 or 80 cubic inch "big twin"
V - Side valve 74 cubic inch 1930-36. (Also 1935-36 VLH, VHS 80)
W - Side valve 45 cubic inch made 1937 to 1952
X - Sports and special construction. Applied to 1918-1922 opposed twin
Sport, 1944 military opposed twin, and 1957 to present Sportster.

The second letter of the model designator reveals the Front end (except sportsters):
X - Narrow tire and sport forks.
L - Wide front tire and Hydra-Glide front forks.

The third letter of the model designator reveals the frame style:
D - "Dyna" frame (with the rubber mounted motor)
HT - "Highway Touring" frame
ST - "Softail" frame

The next letter(s) indicates the model bike within the frame family:
A - Military (Army) version (except GA, Servicar without tow bar)
B - Battery start (early models), Belt drive (early 80's) Black paint.(1995-6 model, the Bad Boy)
C - Classic, Competition, Custom, various others meanings.
D - Dyna, the newest frame and engine mount design.
DG - Disc Glide
E - Electric start
F - Foot shift (when the standard was hand-shift) and now "Fat Boy®"
H - varied between High performance, hand shift and Heavy duty.
I - Signifies Fuel Injection.
L - Big fat front tire
LR- Low Rider (though many Low Riders don't include LR in the model ID)
N - Nostalgia
P - Police version
R - Rubber mounted engine (some models) racing version (other models)
ST- Soft Tail
S - Springer
S - (without following T) Sports version
T - Touring
WG - Wide Glide
X - Sportster or sportster-type front end and Skinny front tire.

Got it?

[xwhatsit]

:rofl::rofl: Gee I guess that self appreciating post backfired huh??? :rofl::rofl:
Bahaha, pretty much! :girlfight:

Perhaps, as she's a girl, RS=Readily Swallows? CB250RS=Cunnilingus Brings Two-Hundred-and-Fifty Risqué Strokes?

[James Deuce]

Simple....

*Fucking Enormous SNip*
But, but, you left out the Street Bob, and the Crossbones, and the Nightster, and my personal wet dream, the Rocker.

I may have to shoot myself now.

[Storm]

Dont do it Jim, who''ll be our big grumpy bear then?
Think of your fans :D:D

[rainman]

But, but, you left out the Street Bob, and the Crossbones, and the Nightster, and my personal wet dream, the Rocker.


I would never have guessed you to be a Rocker fan. :)

[Coyote]

VFR stands for V-Four Racer and VTR is V-Twin racer, amirite?

The KTM SX I think means Super Cross.

[Griffin]

But, but, you left out the Street Bob, and the Crossbones, and the Nightster, and my personal wet dream, the Rocker.

I may have to shoot myself now.


I have a gun your welcome to borrow, as long as someone is able to return it once your done :blip:

[James Deuce]

I would never have guessed you to be a Rocker fan. :)
More than a fan I think. (http://http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=72907&highlight=rocker)

[James Deuce]

I have a gun your welcome to borrow, as long as someone is able to return it once your done :blip:
You'll keep fella :)

[mouldy]

The `RS' in my bike's name CB250RS stands for `Rigid Schlong'.

It actually stands for Race Services HRC's predecessor . Honda should rerelease the mighty CB250RS for commuter purposes ,they rock .

[xwhatsit]

It actually stands for Race Services HRC's predecessor . Honda should rerelease the mighty CB250RS for commuter purposes ,they rock .
I've heard that from a couple of people now, but I can't find anything to back it up. Racing Services Corporation (RSC) was turned into HRC in 1982 (so the timeline was right for it to be RSC, not HRC), and AFAIK did have its hand in a couple of road bikes, but I haven't seen the CB250RS mentioned anywhere.

Would explain the alloy rims, lack of electric starter, emphasis on light weight and handling.

Anyway, thanks for that BT45 mate, I keep scraping pegs now :D

[Griffin]

You'll keep fella :)

I'll take that as a no then?:mellow:

[James Deuce]

Ahhh, that's right, I disagreed with you on another issue, didn't I?

I forgot the cardinal rule; "Never disagree with anyone about anything discussed or suggested on an Internet Forum", didn't I?

Yes, the punishment for that is definitely a death threat.

[Griffin]

Awesome... we have the same cardinal rule book !!! :niceone:

Seriously though... a death threat?!? :shit: I think you'll find it was just a friendly offer of the implement you would require to carry out your own suggestion :shifty:

[Wufnik]

The GS in the BMW GS range of bikes stands for Gelande Strasse i.e. country/street i.e. dual purpose.

[scumdog]

so, while the Harley lineage is long-winded it IS sort of easy to follow- and fairly logical..:yes: