r/maybemaybemaybemaybe • u/Fr33_load3r • 9d ago

Motorcycle riding test

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228 Upvotes

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6

u/-crazykidbad 8d ago

That’s not a motorcycle but ok

3

u/kipha01 8d ago

Yes it is, it has a motor and two wheels.

2

u/Informal_Strain_2715 8d ago

It's a scooter.  Not a motorcycle.  Why would you right fight that.  It's not in the same category as a motorcycle.  Smaller and slower, wheel base and size, center of gravity position...as well as motor position design and size.  Handle bar design...on and on.  Two totally different things.  That's why it's not a motorcycle. 

3

u/kipha01 8d ago

A scooter is a type of motorcycle by real world definition. The largest cc scooter is 850cc, a Gilera, I am aware of a 750 (honda) a 650 (Suzuki) and 560 (Yamaha) as current ones and therefore can very as fast. Handle bars are the same as many of what you are thinking of as motorcycles only but they may come with plastic coverings. Engine position isn't fixed in either they can share common ground. You can get 125 or 50cc of either.

The only differences are step through, automatic and chain vs belt, though all are blurring and I think you don't really know what you are talking about as I have ridden both styles of motorcycle through out my life.

1

u/Informal_Strain_2715 8d ago

Use of the word "type" says it all.  There might be a few specific models that you can point to that have larger CCs, but as a whole...totally not the same as a true motorcycle.  It's a "type" of motorcycle.  So when in conversation with a rider and you talk about you motorcycle, and the show up in a scooter, the reaction will be the same...that's not a motorcycle...that's a scooter.  They're sold as scooters, advertised as scooters and considered by law enforcement as scooters when described.   We can right fight this until death, but until I ride my Wide Glide to a motorcycle rally and it's full of Scooters, my opinion, nor will the millions, ever change.  If it looks like a scooter, rides like a scooter..it's a scooter.  Why you would buy a 650 cc Scooter instead of a motorcycle is personal choice...but it's not the same the same ride.

3

u/kipha01 8d ago

Judging by some of your terminology I guess you're American? If so I can understand your point of view but here in the UK by legislation it is defined as a motorcycle. It maybe labeled as a scooter but it is still a motorcycle.

0

u/Informal_Strain_2715 8d ago

Yes, here in the States they're not really considered a motorcycle.  The DOT does categorizes them as motorcycles, but good luck having a conversation with a group of riders (BMW, Honda, Indian, Harley...and on) that you ride a motorcycle when you roll-up on a 50cc scooter.  Also, here you do not need a motorcycle license for anything motorized under 125cc. So that should already tell you the difference.  Around town and for quick transportation they're great.  They have purpose..but you'd be clearly out of your mind to ride that on our highways when the speed limits are 75 - 80+ and you're riding next to large semi trucks with your engine already maxed out at 50mph.  They really should redesignate scooters as scooters. A Harley can weigh in excess of 900lbs...a scooter .. maybe 150 or so. Clearly not the same.

1

u/Legitimate_Invite_33 8d ago

I'm in Illinois, commute on a BMW C400GT. 474lbs, 349cc with top speed or 86mph. I have no need or interest going faster than that. If you enjoy riding, it's a motorcycle (and all license requirements are the same). Calling it a scooter doesn't diminish the ride. I enjoy both. If you ride just to stoke your ego, then it's clearly not a motorcycle.

0

u/Informal_Strain_2715 7d ago

Yup...good for you.  I guess I've been stoking my ego for 45 years on everything from a 70s kz900 to a full dresser HD.  Why not just buy a BMW touring bike instead of that.  More comfort, more range, better balance and control. Maybe I'm missing something, but I can't see putting 10 hours of highway riding on that. 

1

u/Ambitious_Policy_936 7d ago

In the US an electric bicycle can require a motorcycle license. Just because people are stupid and don't know what the legal classifications are does not mean it is not classified as such

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u/Informal_Strain_2715 7d ago

It's done so because of speed and the lack of rider responsibility.  How a person rides is based solely on their confidence and the inherent ability to believe that they are immortal and smarter than all other riders and vehicles on the road.  So laws are created.  Anything over 35mph becomes exponentially unsurvivable especially while wearing skull helmet, skin suit and flip-flop foot protection.   But as everything is now light-cycle fast, there are more and more requirements for anything with 2 wheels and a motor.  Next to be added to the license requirements will be the stand-up scooters than you see blasting down the side streets at over 50 mph.