Motorbike or Motorcycle?

**Her_C4** · 6th January 2009, 12:02

Originally Posted by jrandom

Mine's not a big motorcycle, just a groovy little motorbike.

Nice quote.

**quickbuck** · 6th January 2009, 12:19

Originally Posted by firefighter

I wonder if Burt Munro pronounced it "motorsickle" like mr Hopkins did.

I will have to watch "Offerings to the Gods of Speed" Doco again to see... Thanks for the excuse.... But I'm pretty sure Bert (Spelt Burt only for the Merkins) used to say Motorsickle himself.....
Mr Hopkins did a very fine job with that character.... I'm pretty sure it was a Bert trait.... Like spelling Invercargill with one L to save ink.

Anyways, I say Motorsickle to my work mates/ troops.
Bike to the other half, to keep her guessing what one I'm taking! (I'm supposed to be getting fitter, and meant to cycle to work).
Motorbike to my family (mum, dad, bro sis), as we have always ridden motorbikes.

**Big Zappa** · 6th January 2009, 13:10

Originally Posted by firefighter

I wonder if Burt Munro pronounced it "motorsickle" like mr Hopkins did.

I don't want a pickle, just wanna ride my motorsickle...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g266Uwp6ZnI

**Her_C4** · 6th January 2009, 13:27

Originally Posted by jrandom

Mine's not a big motorcycle, just a groovy little motorbike.

Took me a while but I found it ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqKi_9p1zks

**KingJackaL** · 6th January 2009, 14:03

Heh

*dons flame-retardant suit*

I spend an hour or two a day on a push bike, and only get on the motorbike maybe a couple or three times a week, so it's tricky for me. Normally when I say 'my bike' I'm referring to my push bike, but when in the company of motorcyclists, I prefer to use 'motorbike' vs 'real bike'

.

All this engine nonsense - it's cheating I tells ya!

Originally Posted by Duke girl

Everytime I see someone on a pushbike I yell out to them to put a motor into it and they just look at me stupidly.

The 2-cylinder engine on my push bike is plenty good enough. The power to weight ratio's not bad - it at least beats those 50cc scoots hands down

.

**Skunk** · 6th January 2009, 15:29

Autobicycle, Motorbicycle, or Autocycle.

**MIXONE** · 6th January 2009, 15:57

The sickle.

**Dave-** · 6th January 2009, 16:24

hmmmm, sometimes I exagurate the motorsickle as it's been put, but thats just to keep peoples attention.

**slofox** · 6th January 2009, 16:36

"Motor" is the essential part. The second bit doesn't matter...

**Matt Bleck** · 6th January 2009, 16:43

Originally Posted by slofox

"Motor" is the essential part. The second bit doesn't matter...

if it's some one else's it's "bike"

and if it's my current bike and it is going well it's "the K3", but if it's playing up it's "the piece of SHITE!!!"

**mashman** · 6th January 2009, 17:10

Originally Posted by racerhead

Ha not a bad idea

Does it work?

It did work, but I think more due to a clerical error than anything. On my licence, right next to the picture of the motorcycle, it said bicycle... so after 2 and a half year of waiting everything came together. Doing my usual cruise through Bearsden using the bicycle lane I got stuck behind an illegally parked lorry and a bus... Turns out the car behind the bus was a police car and when it came to letting me in, fair enough he did, but before hand the passenger officer told me to move on and pull over at the golf shop. I produced my licence and was told what I was doing was illegal. I pointed out that on the rear of my licence is said bicycle next to the picture of the motorcycle and therefore I was perfectly within my rights as i had a licence to do so... So officer, don't you think you'd be better of arranging a tow for the truck that was blocking my right of way... I was told to watch my lip and they decided it was a good idea to comb over the bike!!! didn't find anything, but i've never been smart with an officer of the law again...

**gixxer-king** · 6th January 2009, 18:13

Originally Posted by AlBundy

The retard is going out on the motard...

Or, 'tard for short...

oh love it. lost on some i guess but man im still wetting the chair

**gixxer-king** · 6th January 2009, 18:23

Originally Posted by Dave-

What's the difference?

but I was thinking about the difference in the words and why it's there.

they both originate from bicycle

bike -> motorbike

and

bicycle -> motorcycle
.

Well then lets go deeper.

Bike (something you ride and it gets you places)
Cycle (something that has gone round or a pattern expected to re-occur)
Motor (cool thing that makes Gixxer-King go fast)

Motor + Bike = something cool that gets you places fast
Motor + Cycle = Re-occuring Fast Pattern

thus YOUR MOTORBIKE refers to a cool thing that is fast
YOUR MOTORCYCLE is something your engine did and if lucky will do again like i dunno.... revolve?