What we have called “motorcycles” should actually be called “enginecycles”. Also, the engine on enginecycles is a four-cycle engine.

  • Michal@programming.dev
    44·
    28 days ago

    Enginecycles? If you specifically refer to internal combustion engine (ICE) then it’d make sense to call them icecycles. It sounds weird, maybe icicles?

    But seriously EU has a definition of what an ebike is, it’s not just a bicycle with motor, there’s max allowed power, max assistance level, and importantly it should only assist when pedalling. Anything beyond that, yes, is classified as a motorbike.

    • Fmstrat@lemmy.world
      1·
      27 days ago

      So does the US, with tiers though so it’s a bit less straight forward, and some state laws like in NJ are doing some wacky things. In any event, OP just didn’t educate themselves before posting.

  • MyTurtleSwimsUpsideDown@fedia.io
    271·
    28 days ago

    Upvote for the main thought, but

    1. A gasoline engine is a type of motor. You are making a distinction without a difference. A motor is just something that produces mechanical motion. Motor. Motion. Motivate. All come from the same root as “move”
    2. An “engine” can be the whole apparatus that does the work, not merely the thing that provides the power, and could be powered by a water, beast, or even manually such as the cotton [en]gin[e]. A lot of that usage comes from pre WW2, but it survives in things like “train engine” (the vehicle that pushes or pulls a train) and “game engine” (the program architecture that manages the processing power provided by the computer to convert user interactions, game assets, etc. into something that we recognize as a game).
    3. It’s not a four-cycle engine. It is a four-stroke engine: each piston makes four strokes each complete engine cycle.
    • baggachipz@sh.itjust.worksOP
      8·
      28 days ago

      It’s not a four-cycle engine. It is a four-stroke engine: each piston makes four strokes each complete engine cycle.

      Akshually

      “A four-stroke (also four-cycle) engine”

    • redhorsejacket@lemmy.world
      3·
      27 days ago

      Multiple decades on this earth, decent schooling, undergraduate degree in history, and yet today is the day I discover why the cotton gin is called that. Wild. Thank you for sharing.

    • Admetus@sopuli.xyz
      2·
      28 days ago

      I didn’t know what to say but you nabbed it.

      Also reminds me of the motor effect: electromagnetism causing motion. Perhaps that’s why the name ‘electric motor’ became so dominant…

    • Onomatopoeia@lemmy.cafeEnglish
      32·
      28 days ago

      To your point, “engine” at one time referred specifically to an electrically driven device, and “motor” referred to something combustion driven.

      Etymologically, engine means “mechanical device” and motor originates in Latin meaning “mover”.

      I do agree with OP that a 2 wheel contrivance with any kind of motor/engine is a motorcycle (motorized cycle) from a regulatory perspective, though I’d never call one a motorcycle.

    • Psythik@lemmy.world
      82·
      28 days ago

      I don’t remember pedaling my eBike, either. With a big enough motor, they’re all but completely vestigal.

      • Professorozone@lemmy.world
        3·
        28 days ago

        It’s true that there are different classes of ebikes. Class 3 ebikes with enough power can be basically motorcycles disguised as bikes. Mine is a class 1 and very much a bicycle. If the distinction can be made that some ebikes do not require pedaling and are therefore motorcycles, by extension it is equally valid to say that ALL ebikes must have pedals so all ebikes are bikes. The truth is really somewhere in-between. Not sure how important that is to a shower thought though.

    • NotJohnSmith@feddit.ukEnglish
      1·
      28 days ago

      You’re right but the word “moped” has lost meaning in most countries.

      Here in the UK I suspect the majority of people asked wouldn’t appreciate it originally had pedals and would point to a vespa image if asked.

      I have an electric vespa-shaped vehicle (goes about 80kmh) that as you can see i really struggle to name as “electric scooter” most people think of one of those stand on things so I’ve landed on calling it an “electric moped”. It works as equally in no way can someone accuse me of trying to make it sound cool :)

  • resipsaloquitur@lemmy.world
    6·
    27 days ago

    Don’t tell that to e-bike fans. They’re very vocal and easily triggered.

    And don’t dare suggesting helmets or licenses. They will crucify you.

  • autriyo@feddit.org
    6·
    28 days ago

    There’s definitely two stroke/cycle motorcycles out there. They’re less popular nowadays due to emissions but have lasted quite a bit longer than 2 stroke cars or trucks have…

    • Routhinator@startrek.website
      4·
      27 days ago

      The differentiator is max speed in Canada. Regardless of how they are built. If you can exceed a certain speed, license required.

      • jacksilver@lemmy.world
        3·
        27 days ago

        I think that’s a good system. I have a pedal assisted bike and it feels like it’d be ridiculous to need to license it (it does have a “full throttle” mode, but I don’t think it can even make it up to 20mph).

  • teft@piefed.socialEnglish
    4·
    28 days ago

    Not all motos are 4 stroke. My buddy rides a two stroke KTM and that thing cooks.