Author Topic: When does a motorcycle become a car? (Read 4178 times)

333 · « **on:** September 14, 2009, 12:51:15 PM »

I'm on the second leg of vacation in Southern Maryland. I was noticing a higher than normal number of trikes. Cool. I sort of like them. One would be included in my stable if I had a stable.

So, about the third one I noticed turned off the road I was on, and I looked at it from behind and noticed that it was not a trike, but a quad. It had the stock front and rear motorcycle wheels, AND two (looked like car tires. Not that uncommon)tires parallel to the rear wheel. But clearly four wheels. Now, in Virginia, legally, this is a car. A motorcycle in VA is defined as a vehicle with 3 or less wheels in contact with the ground. I'd bet you could beat a helmet violation on one of those 4 wheelers.

But what do you guys/gals think?

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #1 on:** September 14, 2009, 01:03:18 PM »

License fees and insurance costs would be car-like also, wouldn't they?

333 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 14, 2009, 01:34:13 PM »

Well, here in VA, tags and title are pretty much the same, + or - a couple bucks. I wouldn't know about insurance, as my bike gets the bare minimum(cause of age) and the cars get full coverage(new cars).

HavocTurbo · « **Reply #3 on:** September 14, 2009, 02:34:27 PM »

Around here they are a cheaper alternative to a full blown 3 wheeler.

Still classified as a motorcycle as the title doesn't change. So all the standard rules apply.

Steve F · « **Reply #4 on:** September 14, 2009, 05:23:35 PM »

Personally, I think they're dumb. It's a bike on "training wheels".

HavocTurbo · « **Reply #5 on:** September 14, 2009, 05:46:40 PM »

Quote from: Steve F on September 14, 2009, 05:23:35 PM

Personally, I think they're dumb. It's a bike on "training wheels".

Had a friend who was handicapped after a bad accident in a car... couldn't afford a full blown 3 wheeler rebuild on his wing, so these seemed to fill the void to let him ride.

Look stupid they do.... But if it works..... so be it.

mgbgt89 · « **Reply #6 on:** September 15, 2009, 12:41:39 AM »

I saw a moped the other day with training wheels on it. I remember the first time i saw a four wheeled motorcycle. It was a goldwing with what looked like a trailer axle attached to the swingarm, with trailer wheels sticking out about a foot on either side.

Those contraptions can't be that safe, i think you could flip them pretty easily. A trike i think would have more weight down low in the back.

tramp · « **Reply #7 on:** September 15, 2009, 03:08:04 AM »

never saw one here
a motorcycle with training wheels?

Steve F · « **Reply #8 on:** September 15, 2009, 06:38:35 AM »

Quote from: tramp on September 15, 2009, 03:08:04 AM

never saw one here
a motorcycle with training wheels?

This is what we're talking about....
http://www.tabortrikesusa.com/?gclid=CO6fi_Hd85wCFSBN5QodGyW3rQ

But over $4K

sorry, but I just don't get it. I can see a true "trike" but this? Training wheels.

Inigo Montoya · « **Reply #9 on:** September 15, 2009, 07:47:50 AM »

That would be more for the tourer that has a fairly heavy trailer. A good idea really instead of putting all that weight on the back tire and shocks.

333 · « **Reply #10 on:** September 15, 2009, 08:00:13 AM »

I didn't get that good a look at it. It was coming in the opposite direction I was, and it turned so I only got a glimpse. I think there was less from behind, so it was easier to see. But that is the sort of thing I saw. And at 4k, it doesn't sound that economical.

Inigo Montoya · « **Reply #11 on:** September 15, 2009, 08:22:28 AM »

Definitely not economical unless you NEED it I suppose. I have seen a few "bikes" with 2 car tires up front and a bike tire in the back but I have no idea what they are called.

Inigo Montoya · « **Reply #12 on:** September 15, 2009, 08:32:14 AM »

Read more on that trike kit. It allows up to a 12 degree lean of the bike. Regular trikes do not. I cant get into a lot of their links though to find out more. Still expensive though.

seaweb11 · « **Reply #13 on:** September 15, 2009, 10:21:23 AM »

Saw this on at Sturgis. Not my cup of tea, but.................

Duke McDukiedook · « **Reply #14 on:** September 15, 2009, 10:22:50 AM »

When it sprouts a bonnet, boot and two extra wheels.

HavocTurbo · « **Reply #15 on:** September 15, 2009, 10:28:38 AM »

Thoroughbred? Or something like that?

Ford 2liter I-4 in a trike chassis. I think you still need a bike license to ride/drive it. At least here in IL anyway.

Fastest thing on 3 wheels until the Can-Am Spyder came out. Handles great... but that is mostly because of the car tire up front.

Quote from: seaweb11 on September 15, 2009, 10:21:23 AM

Saw this on at Sturgis. Not my cup of tea, but.................

Inigo Montoya · « **Reply #16 on:** September 15, 2009, 10:50:28 AM »

I think the spyder is what I have been seeing around here.

HavocTurbo · « **Reply #17 on:** September 15, 2009, 10:55:17 AM »

Frankenkit · « **Reply #18 on:** September 15, 2009, 11:01:01 AM »

I could see those being great for folks who were in "bad wrecks" and might not have all their original parts...

Inigo Montoya · « **Reply #19 on:** September 15, 2009, 12:45:52 PM »

I think they would be kinda fun anyways. Certainly different.

tramp · « **Reply #20 on:** September 15, 2009, 05:18:08 PM »

just saw the kit for 4 grand
why would you put that on a perfectly good motorcycle?

BLUE71TURBO · « **Reply #21 on:** September 15, 2009, 08:23:28 PM »

One reason is some people just don't have good balance. 2ND is you don't have to have a motorcycle license.
3RD is some bodies are great for foul weather.

Zaipai · « **Reply #22 on:** September 15, 2009, 08:29:18 PM »

IMO if it has 4 wheels its stops being a motorcycle. In fact some of the trikes I am seeing I would not classify as a motorcycle either since they really don't embody the true spirit of the motorcycle. However I may be alone on this.

BLUE71TURBO · « **Reply #23 on:** September 15, 2009, 08:36:04 PM »

Your not alone, i agree with you. To me a motorcycle is a two wheeled vehicle. A trike is a trike.

HavocTurbo · « **Reply #24 on:** September 15, 2009, 08:52:47 PM »

Quote from: BLUE71TURBO on September 15, 2009, 08:23:28 PM

One reason is some people just don't have good balance. 2ND is you don't have to have a motorcycle license.
3RD is some bodies are great for foul weather.

What are we talking about again?

The hitch is a cheap alternative for people who can no longer ride a bike on only two wheels. If you cannot afford a full blown conversion but still have the need to ride.... isnt a way to get on the bike a good way no matter what it is?

News:

Author Topic: When does a motorcycle become a car? (Read 4178 times)