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The most complete and accurate compilation of motorbike component vocabulary
Motorbikes are one of the most common means of transportation. Have you ever researched the configuration and operating principle of the motorbike we are using in English? In this article, PREP will help you learn some of the most common motorbike component vocabulary. Let's check it out together!
I. A compilation of English motorbike component vocabulary
In the below tables, PREP has compiled a list of motorbike component vocabulary. In addition, PREP has provided meanings, parts of speech, and examples so that you can understand the meaning of these words better!
1. External components
Let's learn with PREP about how the external components of a motorcycle are called through the phonetic transcriptions provided below!
Motorbike component vocabulary |
Pronunciation |
Word class |
Meaning |
accelerator |
/əkˈseləreɪtər/ |
Noun |
the pedal (= a part that you push with your foot) in a vehicle that makes it go faster |
handlebar |
/ˈhæn.dəl.bɑːr/ |
Noun |
a bar with a curved end that you hold when riding a bicycle or motorcycle and use to turn the front wheel so that it points in a different direction |
clutch pedal |
/klʌtʃ ˈpedəl/ |
Noun |
a component in a manual transmission vehicle that is pressed down by the driver to disengage the engine from the transmission |
speedometer |
/spɪˈdɑː.mə.t̬ɚ/ |
Noun |
a device in a vehicle that shows how fast the vehicle is moving |
temperature gauge |
/ˈtemprətʃər ɡeɪdʒ/ |
Noun |
an instrument in a vehicle that measures the temperature of the engine coolant |
brake lever |
/ˈhændˌbreɪk/ |
Noun |
a lever on the handlebar that connects to the brake cable and thus operates the braking mechanism |
brake pedal |
/breɪk ˈpedəl/ |
Noun |
the pedal that you press with your foot in order to make a vehicle go slower or stop |
disk brake |
/ˈdɪskˌbreɪk/ |
Noun |
a type of brake where two pieces of material are pressed against a metal disc that is attached to a wheel |
drum brake |
/drʌm breɪk/ |
Noun |
a brake that uses friction caused by a set of shoes or pads that press outward against a rotating bowl-shaped part |
view mirror |
/vjuː ˈmɪrər/ |
Noun |
mirror mounted on the side, windshield, or instrument panel of an automobile or other vehicle to provide the driver with a view of the area behind the vehicle |
warning light |
/ˈwɔːrnɪŋ laɪt/ |
Noun |
a light that indicates danger |
brake light |
/breɪk laɪt/ |
Noun |
one of the red lights at the back of a motor vehicle, that light up when the brakes are used |
headlamp |
/ˈhedlæmp/ |
Noun |
a large, powerful light at the front of a vehicle, usually one of two |
turn signal |
/ˈtɝːn ˌsɪɡ.nəl/ |
Noun |
one of the lights at the front and back of a road vehicle that flash to show which way the vehicle is turning |
Tail light |
/ˈteɪl ˌlaɪt/ |
Noun |
a red light on the back of a road vehicle that makes it possible for the vehicle to be seen in the dark |
number plate |
/ˈnʌm.bɚpleɪt/ |
Noun |
a sign on a road vehicle that shows its registration number |
shock absorber |
/ˈʃɑːk əbˌzɔːr.bɚ/ |
Noun |
a device on a vehicle, especially a car or an aircraft, that reduces the effects of travelling over rough ground or helps it to land more smoothly |
seat |
/siːt/ |
Noun |
a piece of furniture or part of a train, plane, etc. that has been designed for someone to sit on |
2. Internal components
We have just covered the external components of the motorcycle. How about the internal parts? Let’s join PREP to check out internal-part-of-motorcycle vocabulary in the below table
Motorbike component vocabulary |
Pronunciation |
Word class |
Meaning |
engine |
/ˈendʒɪn/ |
Noun |
a machine that uses the energy from liquid fuel or steam to produce movement |
ignition |
/ɪɡˈnɪʃən/ |
Noun |
the electrical system in an engine that causes the fuel to burn or explode in order to start the engine |
battery |
/ˈbætəri/ |
Noun |
a device that produces electricity to provide power for electronic devices, cars, etc. |
clutch |
/klʌtʃ/ |
Noun |
a device that allows turning movement to be sent from one part of a machine to another |
exhaust pipe |
/ɪɡˈzɔːst paɪp/ |
Noun |
the pipe at the back of a vehicle or on a machine through which waste gas escapes from the engine |
fuel tank |
/fjuːl tæŋk/ |
Noun |
a safe container for flammable fluids, often gasoline or diesel fuel |
petrol tank |
/ˈpetrəl tæŋk/ |
Noun |
a safe container for flammable fluids, often gasoline or diesel fuel |
tyre |
/ˈtaɪər/ |
Noun |
a thick rubber ring, often filled with air, that is fitted around the outer edge of the wheel of a vehicle, allowing the vehicle to stick to the road surface and to travel over the ground more easily |
wheel |
/wiːl/ |
Noun |
a circular object connected at the centre to a bar, used for making vehicles or parts of machines move |
spokes |
/spoʊks/ |
Noun |
any of the rods that join the edge of a wheel to its center to strengthen it |
chain |
/tʃeɪn/ |
Noun |
a series of things of the same type connected in a line, or a series of people standing in a line |
gear box |
/ˈɡɪərbɒks/ |
Noun |
a mechanical device which uses gears to change the speed or direction of rotation in a machine |
3. Motorcycle engines
What are some of the key terms related to motorcycle engines? Let's join PREP to discover that segment of motorbike component vocabulary in the below table!
Word |
Pronunciation |
Word class |
Meaning |
Piston |
/ˈpɪstən/ |
Noun |
a short, solid piece of metal that moves up and down inside a cylinder in an engine to press the fuel into a small space and to send the power produced by it to the wheels |
Piston ring |
/ˈpɪstən rɪŋ/ |
Noun |
a metallic split ring that is attached to the outer diameter of a piston in an internal combustion engine or steam engine |
Carburetter |
/ˈkɑːrbjʊˌreɪtər/ |
Noun |
a device used by a gasoline internal combustion engine to control and mix air and fuel entering the engine |
Valve |
/vælv/ |
Noun |
a device that opens and closes to control the flow of liquids or gases |
Throttle Valve |
/ˈθrɑːtəl vælv/ |
Noun |
a mechanical device whose function is to regulate and maintain the downstream pressure so that the inlet conditions for the expansion are constant |
Exhaust Valve |
/ɪɡˈzɔːst vælv/ |
Noun |
a valve that releases burned gases from a cylinder |
Connecting rod |
/kəˈnektɪŋ rɒd/ |
Noun |
an engine component that transfers motion from the piston to the crankshaft and functions as a lever arm |
Gear driven camshaft |
/ɡɪər ˈdrɪvn ˈkæmʃæft/ |
Noun |
a system where the cam and crank gear are meshed together directly or are meshed to an idler gear or gears |
Crankshaft |
/ˈkræŋkʃæft/ |
Noun |
a long metal rod, especially one in a car engine, that helps the engine turn the wheels |
Flywheel |
/ˈflaɪˌwil/ |
Noun |
a heavy wheel in a machine that helps the machine to work at a regular speed |
Cylinder |
/ˈsɪlɪndər/ |
Noun |
a solid or hollow tube with long straight sides and two circular ends the same size, or an object shaped like this, often used as a container |
Sparking Plug |
/ˈspɑːrkɪŋ plʌɡ/ |
Noun |
an electrical device used in an internal combustion engine to produce a spark which ignites the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber |
Clutch |
/klʌtʃ/ |
Noun |
a device that allows turning movement to be sent from one part of a machine to another |
4. Motorcycle specifications
PREP has provided English vocabulary related to speed and diameter of the motorcycle. Let's join PREP to discover that segment of motorbike component vocabulary in the below table!
Motorbike component vocabulary |
Pronunciation |
Word class |
Meaning |
Displacement |
/dɪsˈpleɪsmənt/ |
Noun |
the weight of liquid that is forced out of position by an object that is floating on or in it |
Engine type |
/ˈendʒɪn taɪp/ |
Noun |
The type of machine that uses the energy from liquid fuel or steam to produce movement |
Max Power |
/mæks ˈpaʊər/ |
Noun |
how much power the engine can be through |
Compression ratio |
/kəmˈpreʃən ˈreɪʃioʊ/ |
Noun |
the ratio between the volume of the cylinder with the piston in the bottom position |
Max Torque |
/mæks tɔːrk/ |
Noun |
the highest amount of rotational force that an engine can produce at a specific engine speed |
Bore & Stroke |
/bɔːr & stroʊk/ |
Noun |
Bore: The measurement of the inside diameter of a cylinder Stroke: The distance a piston travels from either tip of the cylinder to the bottom or vice versa |
Piston Top speed |
/ˈpɪstən tɑp speed/ |
Noun |
The max speed |
Valves per cylinder |
/ˈvælvz pər ˈsɪlɪndər/ |
Noun |
The number of Valves in each cylinder |
Fuel system |
/fjuːl ˈsɪstəm/ |
Noun |
the combination of parts needed to carry fuel into and out of the engine |
Fuel control |
/fjuːl kənˈtroʊl/ |
Noun |
The device to solve those problems by acting as an intermediary between the operator's controls and the fuel valve |
Lubrication system |
/ˌluːbrɪˈkeɪʃən ˈsɪstəm/ |
Noun |
controlling the volume and pressure of the lubricant to be applied to the surfaces of the moving machine parts in contact |
Cooling system |
/ˈkuːlɪŋ ˈsɪstəm/ |
Noun |
keeping the engine running at its designed operating temperature |
Rake |
/reɪk/ |
Noun |
a garden tool with a long handle and long, pointed metal parts sticking out in a row at the bottom, used for making the earth level or for collecting leaves, etc. |
Dry weight |
/draɪ weɪt/ |
Noun |
The weight without the excess fluid that builds up between dialysis treatments |
Overall height |
/ˈoʊvərˌɔːl haɪt/ |
Noun |
The distance from the highest point to the ground |
Overall length |
/ˈoʊvərˌɔːl leŋθ/ |
Noun |
The distance from the front point to the back point |
Overall width |
/ˈoʊvərˌɔːl wɪdθ/ |
Noun |
The distance from left point to right point |
Ground clearance |
/ɡraʊnd ˈklɪərəns/ |
Noun |
the least distance between the lower end of the vehicle body or chassis and the road |
Seat height |
/siːt haɪt/ |
Noun |
The distance from seat to the ground
|
Wheelbase |
/ˈwilbeɪs/ |
Noun |
the distance between the front and the back wheels of a motor vehicle |
Fuel capacity |
/fjuːl kəˈpæsɪti/ |
Noun |
the total amount of fuel that can be contained |
5. Other components
Besides the identifiable components, do you know any English name of other components? Let's join PREP to discover that segment of motorbike component vocabulary in the below table!
Motorbike component vocabulary |
Pronunciation |
Word class |
Meaning |
automatic |
/ˌɔːtəˈmætɪk/ |
Adjective |
An automatic machine or device is able to operate independently of human control |
central locking |
/ˈsentrəl ˈlɒkɪŋ/ |
Noun |
an electrical door locking mechanism that enables drivers to secure every door in their vehicle from one device |
manual |
/ˈmænjuəl/ |
Adjective |
done with the hands |
tax disc |
/tæks dɪsk/ |
Noun |
a small, round sign that you put in the corner of the front window of your car or other vehicle to show that you have paid the tax to use it |
sat nav (satellite navigation) |
/ˈsæt næv/ |
Noun |
a system of artificial satellites capable of providing geospecific positioning everywhere in the world |
start |
/stɑːrt/ |
Verb |
Begin to operate |
accelerate |
/əkˈseləreɪt/ |
Verb |
When a vehicle or its driver accelerates, the speed of the vehicle increases |
brake |
/breɪk/ |
Verb |
a device that makes a vehicle go slower or stop, or a pedal, bar, or handle that makes this device work |
turn |
/tɜːrn/ |
Verb |
to (cause to) change the direction in which you are facing or moving |
ride |
/raɪd/ |
Verb |
to sit on something such as a bicycle, motorbike, or horse and travel along on it controlling its movements |
stop |
/stɑːp/ |
Verb |
to not move any more or to make someone or something not move any more |
park |
/pɑːrk/ |
Verb |
to put a vehicle in a place where it can stay for a period of time, usually while you leave it |
overtake |
/ˌoʊvərˈteɪk/ |
Verb |
to go past something by being a greater amount or degree |
repair |
/rɪˈper/ |
Verb |
to put something that is damaged, broken, or not working correctly, back into good condition or make it work again |
maintain |
/meɪnˈteɪn/ |
Verb |
to keep a road, machine, building, etc. in good condition |
check |
/tʃek/ |
Verb |
to make certain that something or someone is correct, safe, or suitable by examining it, him, or her quickly |
refuel |
/riːˈfjuːəl/ |
Verb |
to put more fuel into an aircraft, ship, etc. so that it can continue its journey |
change gears |
/tʃeɪndʒ ɡɪərz/ |
Verb |
Change into another power mode |
balance |
/ˈbæləns/ |
Verb |
to be in a position where you will stand without falling to either side, or to put something in this position |
steer |
/stɪr/ |
Verb |
to control the direction of a vehicle |
signal |
/ˈsɪɡnəl/ |
Noun |
an action, movement, or sound that gives information, a message, a warning, or an order |
clean |
/kliːn/ |
Verb |
to remove dirt from something |
customize |
/ˈkʌstəmaɪz/ |
Verb |
to make or change something according to the buyer's or user's needs |
upgrade |
/ʌpˈɡreɪd/ |
Verb |
to improve the quality or usefulness of something, or change it for something newer or of a better standard |
ride pillion |
/raɪd ˈpɪljən/ |
Verb |
travel seated behind a motorcyclist |
II. Exercises on English motorbike component vocabulary with detailed answers
1. Exercises
Exercise 1: Give the definition of the following words then make an example for each:
- Accelerate
- Brake
- Turn
- Ride
- Stop
Exercise 2: Name the following pictures
Picture |
Word |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2. Answer keys
Exercise 1:
Motorbike component vocabulary |
Meaning |
Example |
Accelerate |
When a vehicle or its driver accelerates, the speed of the vehicle increases |
The rocket engines started to accelerate, propelling the spacecraft into space. |
Brake |
a device that makes a vehicle go slower or stop, or a pedal, bar, or handle that makes this device work |
The driver applied the brakes to slow down the car before reaching the intersection. |
Turn |
to (cause to) change the direction in which you are facing or moving |
She turned the steering wheel sharply to make a right turn onto the main road. |
Ride |
to sit on something such as a bicycle, motorbike, or horse and travel along on it controlling its movements |
They rode their bicycles along the scenic trail, enjoying the beautiful views. |
Stop |
to finish doing something that you were doing |
The traffic light turned red, and all the vehicles came to a stop at the intersection. |
Exercise 2:
Picture |
Word |
|
Number plate |
|
Gear box |
|
Handlebar |
|
Turn signal |
|
Seat |
III. Master IELTS Skills for a High Band Score
Hopefully, this article from PREP has provided you with a comprehensive list of English motorbike component vocabulary. If you’re ready to boost your IELTS band score, check out our expert-led courses!
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