Why do they call motorcycles “bikes”?

Bi-cycle is called a bike, derived from the bi (as in two), then “ke”, as in cycle, or cyc.

So why has it become customary to call a motorcycle a “bike”? Shouldn’t it be called a “Moke”?

Top 6 Answers

A few days ago

FreakEyeRight

Favorite Answer

Two possible reasons.

First motorcycles are sometimes called motorbikes (not used much anymore though), and therefore bike being short for motorbike, aka motorcycle.

Also, I would think that motorcycles are referred to as bikes because the earliest motorcyles were simply bicycles with engines. It wasn’t until the engines became more powerful that the standard bicycle frame was no longer used.

A few days ago

Anonymous

A mototcycle is a motorized bicycle, If bike is short for bicycle, it doesn’t seem much of a stretch to refer to a motorcycle as a bike.

A few days ago

boycat99

Actually, quite a simple question. I can’t believe it was so misunderstood!

I don’t know why they are both called bikes, but they are.

I like the way you think…”moke” LOL

5 years ago

for most women, “cute” means handsome, attractive, ect. If I saw the hottest guy in the world I would say he was cute. It doesn’t make much sense now I think about it..

A few days ago

Elaine P…is for Poetry

I guess you think Lance Armstrong and the rest of the Tour de France and triathlon marathoners are intellectually challenged because they don’t ride a MOTORIZED BIKE!!!!!

A few days ago

picador

If it were called a “moke”, you’d have a lot of asses claiming breach of copyright.

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Why do they call motorcycles “bikes”?

Why do they call motorcycles “bikes”?

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