When is a motorcycle not a motorcycle?

When is a motorcycle not a motorcycle?

This year Yamaha released the 3-wheeled Niken. And I just shook my head. No. Just… no. Then, Why…? Who is this bike for? Why…? And back to: No. Just… no.

I was surprised at the strength of my reaction. But it does bring up the question of what is considered, nay, accepted, as a “motorcycle”?

There is a spectrum here and defining a motorcycle is subjective at the extreme ends.

Single wheeled vehicles, let’s face it, belong in the circus as part of a juggling act. The electric Uno even though looks like a unicycle, actually has two wheels, side by side.

The generally accepted wheel configuration is fore and aft, with the rear wheel putting power to the road and front wheel providing steering. (It’s important to be precise.)

Scooters, while having two wheels in the familiar fore-aft configuration, oddly, in some ways are not completely accepted as a “real” motorcycle. This prejudice is largely due to the unique seating/sitting position, rather than astride the machine. Also, small(ish) engine displacements. In North America, scooters are usually derided, however a viable mode of transportation they are on other continents. (Trivia note: Sarah Conner rides a Honda scooter in the original Terminator movie….so there!)

If smallish two-wheeled motorized transport faces such acceptance difficulties (note: mopeds are mocked even more than scooters, if that is possible), then three-wheeled motorcycle-like transport face an uphill battle also.

So, on to three-wheeled iterations: Motorcycles with sidecar rigs are still considered motorcycles – just with an enormous bolt-on accessory. Pushing the boundaries is the Ural, which has a fully live rear axle driving both rear wheels. We then edge into the realm of Trikes. Trikes differ from sidecar rigs in that the front wheel tracks in between the rear wheels. Once an expensive modification to Harley or Goldwing, the trike has become accepted and popular enough for Harley Davidson to have a production model. (I am ignoring the old, custom trikes which utilized the old VW Beetle rear end affixed to a motorcycle steering system.)

From two wheels at the rear we move to two wheels at the front. This is where the Yamaha Niken fits – sort of. One of the most popular options is the Can-Am Spyder – favoured by riders who feel past the ability to balance a massive tour bike. Think fully dressed Harley ultra-super-duper Glide (I can never keep the model names straight) or Honda Goldwing. Also, Spyders are inherently more stable than the aforementioned trikes. Yes, the Spyder is more snowmobile than motorcycle, but I still wave at them.

I consider myself open-minded, but the Yamaha Niken is still just a model too far. Just… no.

“Quad” bikes a.k.a. ATV’s, while upping the wheel count to four, are generally more accepted as a motorcycle version than three-wheeled varieties. They seem to have a niche all to their own but are not ostracized from the motorcycle community. It’s kind of odd when you think about it.

What, then, connects these 2, 3 and 4-wheeled vehicles as “motorcycles”? The only connection I have discovered is not the wheels or engine – but the steering. They all share a single steering head and a handlebar system. Yes, big cruiser riders, that includes scooters. So, Side by sides are not motorcycles no matter how many are included at motorcycle shows. Ditto for the Slingshot too - a three-wheeled car that should not be considered as part of the motorcycle fraternity. Let’s face it, Slingshotters, you are deluding yourselves.

But c’mon Yamaha, what were you thinking??!! Just… NO.

Cheers!