I was trying to explain to this non-rider the other day that a trike isn’t
a motorcycle. By his talking I was sure he didn’t even know what a trike was,
but he kept insisting anything that wasn’t a car was a motorcycle. So I asked
him if he remembered when ATC’s were outlawed because they were dangerous, he
did. But they were motorcycles, because they were sold in motorcycle shops.
What about Polaris and their three wheeled snow mobile, the Spyder? Again, yes,
because it is sold at, you guessed it, a motorcycle store. And I could see I
was getting nowhere, and was about to invoke our number one rule, “never argue
with an idiot, because you will never win,” when a guy on a trike pulled up.
And we asked him, “does he consider his trike a motorcycle?” And he didn’t, he
owned some motorcycles, the two wheeled type, but was glad that he could ride
his trike on the HOV lane, and insure with his other motorcycles. Thanks for
your help, but no thanks, as I was no better off. And why I even was in this
conversation I don’t know, because I really don’t care. But when I see a group
of Spyder riders, riding down the road in shorts, flip flops, and tank tops, and
think they are motorcyclists, I get upset. We are a special and unique breed,
and we have enough trouble at times within the ranks of real bikers, without
letting in anything not a car. And I am not alone, as even certain clubs don’t
recognize trikes as bikes, but will allow them, just as long as they pay their
dues. Maybe money does talk, sadly it rides too. And as many of us older
riders get older, and can’t stand up the bike at a stop, many are turning to
trikes. Even Harley sells a factory model, and I see many on the road. But
they also used to sell gold carts, were they motorcycles? And remember their
Servi-car, was it a motorcycle? Meter maids rode them to give out tickets,
could you imagine Jon and Ponch on one? Have you ever seen a CHP trike? Maybe
I should have rested my case, but still we haven’t decided what is a motorcycle,
or what isn’t?
Merriam-Webster defines a motorcycle as “a vehicle that has two wheels and
is powered by a motor, and that can carry one or two people.” I’ll go with
that. But then adds, “an automotive vehicle that has both wheels inline.”
Automotive type? What other vehicle has both wheels inline? Doesn’t both refer
to two? At least by any part of the definition, no trikes allowed. But what
really is a motorcycle, is it more than words to those of us who ride? Maybe an
additional line to old M-W would be its ability to white line, or lane split.
Never seen a trike do it, but see baggers of all brands do it all the time.
Never seen a Spyder split lanes either. Maybe I should just rest my case
there. So much for the tangibles, but maybe it is the intangibles that make it
a motorcycle, and make us motorcyclists. The wind in our faces, the leaning in
corners, the freedom of two wheels, of not being in anything, but on something.
A freedom that after almost 800,000 miles of riding, I cannot describe. All I
know is that it is good, and if a trike can make you fell that way, ride it.
Ride your Spyder. Just know they aren’t, and ain’t a motorcycle!
Trikes don’t handle, although Spyders do, because of the design. Still not
a motorcycle. Trikes tip over, bikes do too, still not the same. Both can ride
in the HOV lane, only one can lane split, bike wins again. Remember when you
were a kid, didn’t you want a two wheeler, to get off of your 3 wheeler? Big
Wheels were fun, but that shiny red Schwinn was what you really desired. Two
wheels. Maybe even then you knew the difference....so, I rest my case. Two is
better than three, two’s a couple, and three’s a trike. Four is car. All move
the body, only two wheels move the soul.
In John 9 we find a man who has been blind since birth. Now older, an
adult, Jesus gives him his eyesight. When asked, he tells them, “I cannot tell
you if he is good or bad, I was blind and now I can see.” After repeated
questioning by the Pharisees, this man was an obvious sinner, sickness was
believed to be a result from sin, they just didn’t or wouldn’t get it. And when
he gave all glory to God, well, he asked them if they would like to become
disciples of Jesus? And they became enraged and cast him out, even after
telling the Pharisees that if Jesus wasn’t of God, He couldn’t do the miracle.
And then Jesus confronts Him, “do you believe in the Son of God?” and them
reveals Himself as the Son, the once blind man shouts “I believe,” and is
saved. Leaving the Pharisees to question if they are blind, blind to the
truth. To Jesus. What a day, from blindness to sight, from death to life, form
obscurity to fame, and from a stranger to a friend of Jesus. Pretty full
afternoon, do you think we can see as clearly as this man did?
So call it what you will, no matter where it is sold, if it has more than
two inline wheels, it is not a motorcycle. It can be a trike, it can be ridden
in the HOV lane, and certain clubs will not recognize you. Because although you
ride, your ride isn’t a motorcycle. Don’t change the definition to meet your
needs. The Pharisees were told they were blind because they had seen, and were
made blind to the truth, but the blind would see, and see the truth. And be set
free. Perhaps the two most beautiful words that God will ever hear from us is
“I believe.” No substitutions, no politically correct definitions, and no urban
legends. THE truth, Jesus, who is the only one who can set you free. Don’t be
confused with thinking you are saved because you go to church. Or your parents
are Christians. Or you signed a membership card. These are not bad things on
their own, but don’t save. Only Jesus saves. It is personal, and not legal. A
move of the spirit, and no matter what you believe, if it is not THE truth as in
the Bible, it ain’t the truth. And you aren’t saved. Losing a wheel doesn’t
make you a bike, joining a church doesn’t save. There is a physical reason why
you can’t lane split on a trike, and the Bible tells us the path is straight and
narrow-two wheels only can make the trip. The gate is narrow, leave your trike
behind and ride a motorcycle. Leave your sin behind and enter the gate and be
saved.
But to those who ride trikes and Spyders, I welcome you. Just know what
you ride is and isn’t. Just like the truth, it will set you free. I’m glad you
are out of the cage of your car and riding. Make the big jump today, two wheels
do move the soul, let Jesus change yours. Don’t split lanes with your religion,
turn to the truth, be set free and ride forever. Only in Jesus, trikes,
Spyders, and others welcome. Maybe you really are what you ride after all. And
you are who you follow. See? Only the blind man did. And your answer?
love with compassion,
Mike
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com