But with so many different designs on the market, it can be difficult to know exactly which way of life you are buying into. Dpa teamed up with the German Federal Association of Motorcyclists to come up with an overview of the different bikes out there.
The naked bike
In today's market, some of the old favourites are becoming popular again, such as the retro-looking "naked" bike. This is a motorcycle design from over 30 years ago that comes without fairings, a windscreen and other accessories.
Some new models, such as the Triumph Speed Triple, Ducati Monster 1200 or Kawasaki Z 900, offer a contemporary twist on the design, while others - like the Honda CB 650 R, Yamaha XSR 700 or Husqvarna Svartpilen 701 - combine modern and retro elements.
Others still are true to the original trend, such as the Triumph Street Twin, the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 or the BMW R nineT.
The cafe racer
The retro revolution that is raging in the bike world also applies to cafe racers, which originate from 1960s England. Bikes in this class are often modified by lowering, and usually have a single seat and sometimes a small handlebar fairing.
Today the Kawasaki W 800 Cafe, Suzuki SV 650 X and Moto Guzzi's V7 III Racer are among the models flying the flag for this style.
The scrambler
In the US, the scrambler - which was also created in the 1960s - is another throwback gaining in popularity once again. Equipped with studded tyres and a high-level exhaust, the minimalist scrambler is basically a street motorcycle with off-road capability.
Nowadays, scramblers are back on trend, with Ducati offering three series and several versions for its Scrambler model.
Triumph also has two models in this style - the Scrambler 1200 XE and the Street Scrambler.
The enduro
The scrambler concept was further developed with the enduro in the 1970s, which was able to move on the road but, thanks to longer springs and better engine protection, could also hold its own on harder terrain.
Today's mid-range sport enduro bikes include the BMW F 850 ??GS, KTM 790 Adventure R and the Moto Guzzi V 85 TT.
Travel enduros for the big tour include the BMW R 1250 GS, Honda CRF 1000L Africa Twin or Yamaha XT 1200 Super Tenere.
The tourer
The tourer or bagger model is ready for the long haul, displaying a full fairing for long, relaxed rides, a sprawling luggage system and a comfortable pillion seat as typical features.
Today's examples are the Honda GL 1800 Gold Wing, the BMW K 1600 excavator, the Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide and the Yamaha FJR 1300.
The road racer
Much less durable, but incredibly fast, is the road racer.
The Aprilia RSV4 1100 Factory, BMW S 1000 RR, Ducati Panigale V4 R and Suzuki GSX-R 1000 are among the road racers capable of a top speed of up to 300 kilometres per hour.
The chopper
Such speed is of course not for everyone, which is why the popularity of slower but more characterful chopper from the 1960s is also rising.
Long fork, high handlebars, lower seat, narrower front tyre - these are the classic features that have made it one of the poster boys of motorcycling. A modern representative is the Harley-Davidson Breakout.
The cruiser
While the cruiser motorbike class is typically dominated by Harley and its US competitor Indian, the pure pleasure driving class is also coming under European pressure.
Classic cruisers such as the Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic and sport cruisers like the Indian Scout are also going head to head with Ducati's Power Cruiser XDiavel and Moto Guzzi's Audace, among others.
The bobber
Another comeback kid is the bobber, with its trademark shortened rear bumper, representing another minimalist design turning heads on the current market.
A low seating position with a single saddle and balloon tires dominate the appearance of the Honda CMX 500 Rebel, the Triumph Bonneville Bobber and the Harley-Davidson HD Street Bob.
