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

[HedonismBot]

Of course it isn't a motorcycle but DMV's nation wide have to pigeon-hole it somewhere.

Why? Why isn't it a motorcycle?

Websters defines it as "a motor vehicle similar to a bicycle but usually larger and heavier, chiefly for one rider but sometimes having two saddles or an attached sidecar for passengers [thus 3 wheels present]."

Wikipedia: "A motorcycle (also called a motorbike, bike, moto or cycle) is a two or three wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycle design varies greatly to suit a range of different purposes: long distance travel, commuting, cruising, sport including racing, and off-road riding. Motorcycling is riding a motorcycle and related social activity such as joining a motorcycle club and attending motorcycle rallies."

Even Motorcycle Dynamics (Second Edition) includes a trike as a motorcycle.

Motorcycle is just an umbrella term of which trike is a specialty. In fact, most sources call it a motor [short for motorized or motorcycle] trike. It's the same principle as dementia is an umbrella term of which there are many types (such as Alzheimer's).

I never understood why people claim it isn't a motorcycle. It is. It just isn't a bike as bi = 2.

 

[Grandpaspeed]

It is a motorcycle

Why? Why isn't it a motorcycle?

Websters defines it as "a motor vehicle similar to a bicycle but usually larger and heavier, chiefly for one rider but sometimes having two saddles or an attached sidecar for passengers [thus 3 wheels present]."

Wikipedia: "A motorcycle (also called a motorbike, bike, moto or cycle) is a two or three wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycle design varies greatly to suit a range of different purposes: long distance travel, commuting, cruising, sport including racing, and off-road riding. Motorcycling is riding a motorcycle and related social activity such as joining a motorcycle club and attending motorcycle rallies."

Even Motorcycle Dynamics (Second Edition) includes a trike as a motorcycle.

Motorcycle is just an umbrella term of which trike is a specialty. In fact, most sources call it a motor [short for motorized or motorcycle] trike. It's the same principle as dementia is an umbrella term of which there are many types (such as Alzheimer's).

I never understood why people claim it isn't a motorcycle. It is. It just isn't a bike as bi = 2.

:agree::agree::agree:

 

[Nito]

Moto-trike?
Motortrike

I call mine bike/trike or spyder interchangeably. Noone really identifies with roadster.

Personally I hate spiders so the whole aftermarket arachnid thing just gives me the creeps and totally misses the point anyway! Spyder wouldn't have been my first choice but the three wheel Y block logo chassis thing is quite cool and works well for their marketing identifying this as a sort of open top (spider) Y chassi'd roadster. How about TrYke lol.

Moto Terza Ruota!

 

[SpyFun1]

A little girl at our church told her mom "Mommy look! He's got training wheels!". :roflblack:

 

[Youngblood]

Reverse Trike

Absolutely a motorcycle! it's a reverse trike!

 

[Rockwall]

Illinois considers it a motorcycle legally.

 

[13janice13]

it's a bike!!

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?:banghead:
I told my friend that it is still a bike. I am sure no drivers licence says - Spyder.:gaah:
Am I wrong or right? Help me out here.:chat:
Everyone always says, Like your bike.

What do all you wise riders say.:bowdown:

Looking for answers.

In Winnipeg, Manitoba, we call our spyders motorcycles- Most people agree or say cool bikes!!

 

[Dudley]

Doesn't seem to be an argument on this one. You bought it and paid for it. It is to you what you want it to be. You can't argument with the government as to what they want to call it. I usually refer our Spyder as our "bike". A lot of people would have no idea what you would be referring to using any other name but "bike". Even "bike" is vague as to it's look, but I least they could vision you as "riding a bike", aka. motorcycle. .

 

[mtdoragary]

expensive toy

 

[nakerr]

expensive toy

+1:trike:

 

[SpyderWingman]

I call it my Yellow Phoenix ... few of my 2 wheel friends call it a bass ackwards trike

But i just say see ya at the finish line as my toy is faster in the 1/4 than any of their 2 wheelers :yikes: :trike:

 

[Dubld]

In Iowa, it is registered and licensed as a motorcycle. I need a motorcycle license to ride it, so I would say it is a motorcycle. A very FUN and unique one!

 

[flaggerphil]

When most people comment on mine (including other riders) they say, "Nice bike!"

AFAIC, it's a motorcycle and a trike.

 

[Oldmanzues]

I call mine what comes to mind while talking about it, mostly Spyder, all fun and do not care what other people call it.
This has been going for lots of years. A couple (?) years ago, AMA tried to get a standar discription for a motorcyle for all states. partly because of a lot accident for the little scooter trucks a lot of cities/schools used. They gave up.
Ialmost hate to ask this, but is a Elio a car or a motorcycle? England used to have a lot of three wheel cars because of Road Taxes.
Have Fun
Oldmanzues

 

[Ivorspyder]

A motorcycle has always been referred to as a Harley,Goldwing a 2 wheel motorbike.All over the Western world it has been referred to as a motorbike.Bicycle meaning 2 wheels.You are not riding a motorcycle.You may like to think you are but you are not.You are riding a tricycle 3 wheels.A reverse trike at that.
BRP like to call it a roadster.That is equally wrong.A Slingshot could be referred to more accurately as a roadster.
its simple you are riding a trike.It would be nice if all those wannabe bike riders would get realistic and refer to the Spyder as a trike.If you really want to ride a bike get out there on two wheels.
Having said all the above the Spyder is a very cool machine and a lot of fun.

 

[SPYDERGUY1]

WHAT IS A SPYDER

I CALL IT MY RIDE. SIMPLE, EASY, TAKE IT FOR WHAT YOU WANT. The Government mandates it as a motorcycle, EITHER WAY IT IS MY RIDE AND I LOVE IT.:yes:

 

[thereverend]

TRI=

I CALL IT MY RIDE. SIMPLE, EASY, TAKE IT FOR WHAT YOU WANT. The Government mandates it as a motorcycle, EITHER WAY IT IS MY RIDE AND I LOVE IT.:yes:

To me, tri=3 Bi=2 so TRIKE, my spydie trike..

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Bike, by Merriam Webster definition includes bicycle, motorcycle, motorbike, and stationary bicycle. Motorcycle, by NHTSA definition includes three wheelers. So, by definition a Spyder is a motorcycle which means it is also a "bike". Besides, bike is only four letters to write and type, and motorcycle is 9 letters, and one syllable to speak. Motorcycle is four syllables! I'll stick to bike! :clap:

 

[SPYDERGUY1]

I will still STICK TO RIDE....:yes: