What is a Spyder. Bike or Motorcycle. Settle argument for me.

[speedbuggy]

I have a question for everyone. Our Spyders are 3 wheeled machines. Here in Ontario Canada, our Ministry of Transportation classifies the spyder and ALL 3 wheeled bikes as Motorised Tricycles.
Our drivers licence says - M -for motorcycle.

Now, some of us call our Spyders: Bikes, motorcycles, trikes, motor trikes, 3 wheeler. What is the standard everyone goes by?
I told my friend that it is still a bike. I am sure no drivers licence says - Spyder.
Am I wrong or right? Help me out here.
Everyone always says, Like your bike.

What do all you wise riders say.

Looking for answers.

[wyliec]

I say call it what you want. BRP calls it a roadster.

[one2doo]

In our state Tennessee it's a motorcycle .

[SpyderAnn01]

BRP calls it a roadster but it varies by state. In Nevada a motorcycle is defined as having a single drive wheel so the Spyder is a motorcycle. Put the 2 wheels in the rear and you do not need an M endorsement or a helmet.

[ARtraveler]

The big answer here is Yes! Different folks refer to them differently. Its like Coke, Soda, or Pop. Depends on where you are from.

Officially, in Alaska it is considered a trike. My motorcycle endorsement covers riding both two and three wheel vehicles.

[Colin]

Just to add to your discussion, In New Zealand the Spyder is registered as a Car and can be ridden/driven on a Car Licence.
I usually call mine a Spyder

[blitzkreig]

Where I come from anything that doesn't have a seat belt or air bags is a motorcycle.

[Chupaca]

Bike is short for bicycle. Somewhere along the line it was decided that it could also be used for motorcycles. The only reason bike is associated with spyders is that they are widely considered motorcycles hence bike...they are not and motorcycles are not bikes and a slingshot is no way in a bike...

[Dan_Ashley]

I call mine "Red Baron"

[garb55]

I am sure everyone here just calls it FUN

[Chupaca]

I call mine "Red Baron"

Snoopy may take offense...

[Deer Slayer]

I call mine Roadster, Spyder, and lastly Old Fart machine.

[Utah Geezer]

Have to have a motorcycle endorsement to drive one in Utah. Thus "Motorcycle".

[Dan_Ashley]

Snoopy may take offense...

Snoopy, the WWI flying ace, cannot shoot down the RedBaron...that's why he keeps shouting bad words.

[Flamewinger]

In California it's classified as a motorcycle but you don't need a Class M licence. All you need is a class C for car. 2 wheels requires motorcycle license, add a 3rd wheel (sidecar, trike) and the DMV is unable to test you so they don't. Weird. Have to wear a helmet though.

[lightnin leeRoy]

I am proud to tell anyone and everyone I ride a Spyder.
They are becoming more and more popular here in Montana.

[Tom in NM]

. . . will do.

As BRP calls it a Roadster ( a vehicle to be primarily driven on roads ) and named it Spyder ( The term Spyder (Spider in Italy) is a European term for a two-seater convertible or targa top (equivalent to "roadster" in American English) implying a more rugged ride and less space than in a saloon (equivalent to sedan in American English and usually does not have windows ). Given that the Spyder does not have axels like a car and its transmission and drive is belt and pulley based, it is mechanically a motorcycle. Cars, trucks, and motorcycles can have 3 wheels. But motorcycles, must have 3 or 2.

Personally, I like Roadster, but most people don't know what that really is, even fewer know what a Spyder type vehicle is. Motorcycle works in most cases.

Tom

[den1953]

Here in Ohio it's classified as a motorcycle and licensed as such. Three wheels makes it a trike, not a bike but the roadster name works for me. Whatever you call it, it's still fun on 3 wheels.

[daveinva]

I've never once called it a roadster, and doubt I ever will, seeing as that's just objectively meaningless BRP marketing-speak for "Well, we have to call it something."

I call it a motorcycle, a bike, or a trike, equally interchangeable. When chatting with those oh-so-pleasant riders who get stuck up about calling a trike a motorcycle or a bike, I'll do them the favor of calling it a trike, and then make a note to cease chatting with those pedants at the earliest opportunity.

[Dan McNally]

always remember, no horse is too dead to beat!

[den1953]

I've been on a lot of different forums over the years and every one of them has a herd of beaten horse carcasses on them. This one is no different, so what?? We have to keep our sense of humor.

[telespec]

I would call it a Spyder because that's it name and it looks like a Spyder. Just like you have names for the motorcycle and the trike.

[Bob Denman]

I am sure everyone here just calls it FUN

[blacklightning]

In N.C. it would be classified as a 3 wheeled motorcycle and is governed by the same rules and endorsements as a 2 wheeled motorcycle. I tell my grandkids that it is grandpas tricycle.

[Trbayth]

In New Jersey I have a class M endorsement with a 3-wheel only restriction.