Does one “drive” a motorcycle or “ride” it?
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When you are the one steering the motorbike/motorcycle, are you driving the motorcycle, or riding the motorcycle?
I am asking because someone tried to correct my status update. Here's my status and the comment:
Today, after 6 years, I drove a motorcycle on a long route. Great Feeling. Loved it!
Comment: you don't drive a bicycle or motocycle... You ride a motorcycle... You drive a car...
Is that right?
word-choice single-word-requests
edited Feb 25 '13 at 13:00
Robusto
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asked Apr 14 '11 at 18:53
prometheuspk
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When you are the one steering the motorbike/motorcycle, are you driving the motorcycle, or riding the motorcycle?
I am asking because someone tried to correct my status update. Here's my status and the comment:
Today, after 6 years, I drove a motorcycle on a long route. Great Feeling. Loved it!
Comment: you don't drive a bicycle or motocycle... You ride a motorcycle... You drive a car...
Is that right?
word-choice single-word-requests
edited Feb 25 '13 at 13:00
Robusto
127k27303513
asked Apr 14 '11 at 18:53
prometheuspk
175117
Related: Can “drive someone home” be used when the vehicle is a motorbike?
– RegDwigнt♦
Apr 15 '11 at 5:47
Just thought I'd add a 'side note' that while one would drive a car and ride a motorcycle, the experience of controlling a trike is so much more like a car than a bike that I'd call it 'driving a trike'.
– Andrew Thompson
Apr 15 '11 at 5:52
1
Looking at the American corpus, 'drive a motorcycle' has 5 hits, 'ride' has 26. Ride seems to be the more standard usage.
– Adam
Jun 23 '12 at 14:29
add a comment |
up vote
12
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favorite
up vote
12
down vote
favorite
When you are the one steering the motorbike/motorcycle, are you driving the motorcycle, or riding the motorcycle?
I am asking because someone tried to correct my status update. Here's my status and the comment:
Today, after 6 years, I drove a motorcycle on a long route. Great Feeling. Loved it!
Comment: you don't drive a bicycle or motocycle... You ride a motorcycle... You drive a car...
Is that right?
word-choice single-word-requests
edited Feb 25 '13 at 13:00
Robusto
127k27303513
asked Apr 14 '11 at 18:53
prometheuspk
175117
When you are the one steering the motorbike/motorcycle, are you driving the motorcycle, or riding the motorcycle?
I am asking because someone tried to correct my status update. Here's my status and the comment:
Today, after 6 years, I drove a motorcycle on a long route. Great Feeling. Loved it!
Comment: you don't drive a bicycle or motocycle... You ride a motorcycle... You drive a car...
Is that right?
word-choice single-word-requests
word-choice single-word-requests
edited Feb 25 '13 at 13:00
Robusto
127k27303513
asked Apr 14 '11 at 18:53
prometheuspk
175117
edited Feb 25 '13 at 13:00
Robusto
127k27303513
asked Apr 14 '11 at 18:53
prometheuspk
175117
edited Feb 25 '13 at 13:00
Robusto
127k27303513
edited Feb 25 '13 at 13:00
Robusto
127k27303513
edited Feb 25 '13 at 13:00
Robusto
127k27303513
127k27303513
asked Apr 14 '11 at 18:53
prometheuspk
175117
asked Apr 14 '11 at 18:53
prometheuspk
175117
asked Apr 14 '11 at 18:53
prometheuspk
175117
175117
Related: Can “drive someone home” be used when the vehicle is a motorbike?
– RegDwigнt♦
Apr 15 '11 at 5:47
Just thought I'd add a 'side note' that while one would drive a car and ride a motorcycle, the experience of controlling a trike is so much more like a car than a bike that I'd call it 'driving a trike'.
– Andrew Thompson
Apr 15 '11 at 5:52
1
Looking at the American corpus, 'drive a motorcycle' has 5 hits, 'ride' has 26. Ride seems to be the more standard usage.
– Adam
Jun 23 '12 at 14:29
add a comment |
Related: Can “drive someone home” be used when the vehicle is a motorbike?
– RegDwigнt♦
Apr 15 '11 at 5:47
Just thought I'd add a 'side note' that while one would drive a car and ride a motorcycle, the experience of controlling a trike is so much more like a car than a bike that I'd call it 'driving a trike'.
– Andrew Thompson
Apr 15 '11 at 5:52
1
Looking at the American corpus, 'drive a motorcycle' has 5 hits, 'ride' has 26. Ride seems to be the more standard usage.
– Adam
Jun 23 '12 at 14:29
Related: Can “drive someone home” be used when the vehicle is a motorbike?
– RegDwigнt♦
Apr 15 '11 at 5:47
Related: Can “drive someone home” be used when the vehicle is a motorbike?
– RegDwigнt♦
Apr 15 '11 at 5:47
Just thought I'd add a 'side note' that while one would drive a car and ride a motorcycle, the experience of controlling a trike is so much more like a car than a bike that I'd call it 'driving a trike'.
– Andrew Thompson
Apr 15 '11 at 5:52
Just thought I'd add a 'side note' that while one would drive a car and ride a motorcycle, the experience of controlling a trike is so much more like a car than a bike that I'd call it 'driving a trike'.
– Andrew Thompson
Apr 15 '11 at 5:52
1
1
Looking at the American corpus, 'drive a motorcycle' has 5 hits, 'ride' has 26. Ride seems to be the more standard usage.
– Adam
Jun 23 '12 at 14:29
Looking at the American corpus, 'drive a motorcycle' has 5 hits, 'ride' has 26. Ride seems to be the more standard usage.
– Adam
Jun 23 '12 at 14:29
add a comment |
7 Answers
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If you are driving the motorcycle you are riding it. If you are on the back while someone else is driving it, you are riding on it.
answered Apr 14 '11 at 18:57
Robusto
127k27303513
1
Hmmm... I would say the passenger is riding pillion and call the person riding the bike the rider.
– z7sg Ѫ
Apr 14 '11 at 21:24
+1 - But you could call out the difference more, I misread your answer the first time.
– Nicole
Apr 14 '11 at 23:09
add a comment |
up vote
13
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The terminology is left over from the days before motorized conveyances, where to "drive" horses or cattle was to induce them to move in a desired direction. People "rode" horses by sitting on them. People "drove" carriages by inducing the horses pulling them to move. People "rode in" carriages or "rode on" wagons when they weren't the driver.
So now,
- if something is a one-person mechanical conveyance you sit on, like a horse, you "ride" it.
- if something looks more like a carriage than a horse, you "drive" it.
- If something looks more like a carriage than a horse, and you are not controlling it, you "ride in" or "ride on" it (depending on whether you are inside or outside).
If elephants (which more than one person can ride) had been more common in England, we might "ride" rather than "drive" cars.
answered Jun 24 '12 at 13:35
Peter Shor
61.3k5116219
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up vote
7
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Ride means, as reported by the NOAD and the OED, "sit on and control a bicycle or motorcycle for recreation or as a means of transport;" it also mean "sit on and control the movement of an animal, especially a horse."
Diana went to watch him ride his horse.
She rode a Harley Davidson across the U.S.
answered Apr 14 '11 at 19:03
kiamlaluno
43.3k56180295
1
Technically, ride does not necessarily imply control as you can simply sit there and let something else do the controlling. But otherwise yeah, this is accurate.
– MrHen
Apr 14 '11 at 21:28
3
Ride does imply control if you are known to be alone on the conveyance (vehicle or animal).
– msanford
Apr 14 '11 at 23:48
Not necessarily. You can ride a bucking horse or ride a train. You can ride a roller coaster too.
– Deonyi
Mar 26 at 14:57
add a comment |
up vote
6
down vote
A bike is ridden. Please see Google NGrams Viewer for some empirical evidence.
I caution against using "drive motorcycle" as a search term because, while hugely prevalent, it refers not to the action but to the type of drive-train.
Additionally: a horse is ridden when atop it but driven when behind it (as with a carriage or a plough horse).
edited 13 mins ago
Laurel
29.4k654104
answered Apr 14 '11 at 23:54
msanford
1,0491915
2
The last para. is interesting to me, since it vaguely reflects my comment about trikes.
– Andrew Thompson
Apr 15 '11 at 5:54
add a comment |
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3
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I would say ride/rode a motorcycle.
Unless you were making a deliberate point about a car alternative = "I don't drive a car I drive a motorbike"
answered Apr 14 '11 at 18:55
mgb
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I would use "drive" to describe operating most machines or motorized vehicles. You can drive a car, bus, truck, motorcycle, tractor. "Ride" would be necessary for bicycles, horses, donkeys and very large dogs.
That being said, the term "cattle drive" is a good example of the word's usage aside from the riding/driving meaning.
answered Apr 14 '11 at 19:03
MrHen
29.7k19105231
1
The reason one "rides" a motorcycle instead of "driving" it because of the seating position; in the case of bicycles and motorcycles, one sits astride them, as with horses, hence "ride."
– The Raven
Apr 14 '11 at 19:42
1
Sure, but you still drive a motorcycle.
– MrHen
Apr 14 '11 at 19:48
2
@The Raven: I don't understand the problem here: Google; NGram. "Ride" is significantly more common but "drive" works just fine.
– MrHen
Apr 14 '11 at 20:09
1
@Raven Really? What makes you say that?
– HaL
Apr 14 '11 at 20:15
1
@MrHen Well OK, you do have a point, and perhaps it is indeed acceptable in common usage, but it really grates for me! Certainly in the official literature they studiously avoid using the verb drive for motorcylists.
– z7sg Ѫ
Apr 14 '11 at 21:48
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I would say it depends on the context of what you are saying.
If you need to state that
there is something funny about the way he is riding the motorbike
it is different than saying
there is something funny about the way he is driving the motorbike
or
where riding indicates the activity of sitting on, and driving indicates the activity of pushing forwards.
So... were you sitting on the motorbike whilst it was taking you for a ride? or were you pushing that motorbike around like a slave of your will?
answered Apr 14 '11 at 22:22
Billy Moon
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protected by RegDwigнt♦ Jun 23 '12 at 11:58
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7 Answers
7
active
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7 Answers
7
active
oldest
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active
oldest
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active
oldest
votes
up vote
13
down vote
accepted
If you are driving the motorcycle you are riding it. If you are on the back while someone else is driving it, you are riding on it.
answered Apr 14 '11 at 18:57
Robusto
127k27303513
1
Hmmm... I would say the passenger is riding pillion and call the person riding the bike the rider.
– z7sg Ѫ
Apr 14 '11 at 21:24
+1 - But you could call out the difference more, I misread your answer the first time.
– Nicole
Apr 14 '11 at 23:09
add a comment |
up vote
13
down vote
accepted
If you are driving the motorcycle you are riding it. If you are on the back while someone else is driving it, you are riding on it.
answered Apr 14 '11 at 18:57
Robusto
127k27303513
1
Hmmm... I would say the passenger is riding pillion and call the person riding the bike the rider.
– z7sg Ѫ
Apr 14 '11 at 21:24
+1 - But you could call out the difference more, I misread your answer the first time.
– Nicole
Apr 14 '11 at 23:09
add a comment |
up vote
13
down vote
accepted
up vote
13
down vote
accepted
If you are driving the motorcycle you are riding it. If you are on the back while someone else is driving it, you are riding on it.
answered Apr 14 '11 at 18:57
Robusto
127k27303513
If you are driving the motorcycle you are riding it. If you are on the back while someone else is driving it, you are riding on it.
answered Apr 14 '11 at 18:57
Robusto
127k27303513
answered Apr 14 '11 at 18:57
Robusto
127k27303513
answered Apr 14 '11 at 18:57
Robusto
127k27303513
answered Apr 14 '11 at 18:57
Robusto
127k27303513
127k27303513
1
Hmmm... I would say the passenger is riding pillion and call the person riding the bike the rider.
– z7sg Ѫ
Apr 14 '11 at 21:24
+1 - But you could call out the difference more, I misread your answer the first time.
– Nicole
Apr 14 '11 at 23:09
add a comment |
1
Hmmm... I would say the passenger is riding pillion and call the person riding the bike the rider.
– z7sg Ѫ
Apr 14 '11 at 21:24
+1 - But you could call out the difference more, I misread your answer the first time.
– Nicole
Apr 14 '11 at 23:09
1
1
Hmmm... I would say the passenger is riding pillion and call the person riding the bike the rider.
– z7sg Ѫ
Apr 14 '11 at 21:24
Hmmm... I would say the passenger is riding pillion and call the person riding the bike the rider.
– z7sg Ѫ
Apr 14 '11 at 21:24
+1 - But you could call out the difference more, I misread your answer the first time.
– Nicole
Apr 14 '11 at 23:09
+1 - But you could call out the difference more, I misread your answer the first time.
– Nicole
Apr 14 '11 at 23:09
add a comment |
up vote
13
down vote
The terminology is left over from the days before motorized conveyances, where to "drive" horses or cattle was to induce them to move in a desired direction. People "rode" horses by sitting on them. People "drove" carriages by inducing the horses pulling them to move. People "rode in" carriages or "rode on" wagons when they weren't the driver.
So now,
- if something is a one-person mechanical conveyance you sit on, like a horse, you "ride" it.
- if something looks more like a carriage than a horse, you "drive" it.
- If something looks more like a carriage than a horse, and you are not controlling it, you "ride in" or "ride on" it (depending on whether you are inside or outside).
If elephants (which more than one person can ride) had been more common in England, we might "ride" rather than "drive" cars.
answered Jun 24 '12 at 13:35
Peter Shor
61.3k5116219
add a comment |
up vote
13
down vote
The terminology is left over from the days before motorized conveyances, where to "drive" horses or cattle was to induce them to move in a desired direction. People "rode" horses by sitting on them. People "drove" carriages by inducing the horses pulling them to move. People "rode in" carriages or "rode on" wagons when they weren't the driver.
So now,
- if something is a one-person mechanical conveyance you sit on, like a horse, you "ride" it.
- if something looks more like a carriage than a horse, you "drive" it.
- If something looks more like a carriage than a horse, and you are not controlling it, you "ride in" or "ride on" it (depending on whether you are inside or outside).
If elephants (which more than one person can ride) had been more common in England, we might "ride" rather than "drive" cars.
answered Jun 24 '12 at 13:35
Peter Shor
61.3k5116219
add a comment |
up vote
13
down vote
up vote
13
down vote
The terminology is left over from the days before motorized conveyances, where to "drive" horses or cattle was to induce them to move in a desired direction. People "rode" horses by sitting on them. People "drove" carriages by inducing the horses pulling them to move. People "rode in" carriages or "rode on" wagons when they weren't the driver.
So now,
- if something is a one-person mechanical conveyance you sit on, like a horse, you "ride" it.
- if something looks more like a carriage than a horse, you "drive" it.
- If something looks more like a carriage than a horse, and you are not controlling it, you "ride in" or "ride on" it (depending on whether you are inside or outside).
If elephants (which more than one person can ride) had been more common in England, we might "ride" rather than "drive" cars.
answered Jun 24 '12 at 13:35
Peter Shor
61.3k5116219
The terminology is left over from the days before motorized conveyances, where to "drive" horses or cattle was to induce them to move in a desired direction. People "rode" horses by sitting on them. People "drove" carriages by inducing the horses pulling them to move. People "rode in" carriages or "rode on" wagons when they weren't the driver.
So now,
- if something is a one-person mechanical conveyance you sit on, like a horse, you "ride" it.
- if something looks more like a carriage than a horse, you "drive" it.
- If something looks more like a carriage than a horse, and you are not controlling it, you "ride in" or "ride on" it (depending on whether you are inside or outside).
If elephants (which more than one person can ride) had been more common in England, we might "ride" rather than "drive" cars.
answered Jun 24 '12 at 13:35
Peter Shor
61.3k5116219
answered Jun 24 '12 at 13:35
Peter Shor
61.3k5116219
answered Jun 24 '12 at 13:35
Peter Shor
61.3k5116219
answered Jun 24 '12 at 13:35
Peter Shor
61.3k5116219
61.3k5116219
add a comment |
add a comment |
up vote
7
down vote
Ride means, as reported by the NOAD and the OED, "sit on and control a bicycle or motorcycle for recreation or as a means of transport;" it also mean "sit on and control the movement of an animal, especially a horse."
Diana went to watch him ride his horse.
She rode a Harley Davidson across the U.S.
answered Apr 14 '11 at 19:03
kiamlaluno
43.3k56180295
1
Technically, ride does not necessarily imply control as you can simply sit there and let something else do the controlling. But otherwise yeah, this is accurate.
– MrHen
Apr 14 '11 at 21:28
3
Ride does imply control if you are known to be alone on the conveyance (vehicle or animal).
– msanford
Apr 14 '11 at 23:48
Not necessarily. You can ride a bucking horse or ride a train. You can ride a roller coaster too.
– Deonyi
Mar 26 at 14:57
add a comment |
up vote
7
down vote
Ride means, as reported by the NOAD and the OED, "sit on and control a bicycle or motorcycle for recreation or as a means of transport;" it also mean "sit on and control the movement of an animal, especially a horse."
Diana went to watch him ride his horse.
She rode a Harley Davidson across the U.S.
answered Apr 14 '11 at 19:03
kiamlaluno
43.3k56180295
1
Technically, ride does not necessarily imply control as you can simply sit there and let something else do the controlling. But otherwise yeah, this is accurate.
– MrHen
Apr 14 '11 at 21:28
3
Ride does imply control if you are known to be alone on the conveyance (vehicle or animal).
– msanford
Apr 14 '11 at 23:48
Not necessarily. You can ride a bucking horse or ride a train. You can ride a roller coaster too.
– Deonyi
Mar 26 at 14:57
add a comment |
up vote
7
down vote
up vote
7
down vote
Ride means, as reported by the NOAD and the OED, "sit on and control a bicycle or motorcycle for recreation or as a means of transport;" it also mean "sit on and control the movement of an animal, especially a horse."
Diana went to watch him ride his horse.
She rode a Harley Davidson across the U.S.
answered Apr 14 '11 at 19:03
kiamlaluno
43.3k56180295
Ride means, as reported by the NOAD and the OED, "sit on and control a bicycle or motorcycle for recreation or as a means of transport;" it also mean "sit on and control the movement of an animal, especially a horse."
Diana went to watch him ride his horse.
She rode a Harley Davidson across the U.S.
answered Apr 14 '11 at 19:03
kiamlaluno
43.3k56180295
edited Apr 14 '11 at 21:46
answered Apr 14 '11 at 19:03
kiamlaluno
43.3k56180295
answered Apr 14 '11 at 19:03
kiamlaluno
43.3k56180295
answered Apr 14 '11 at 19:03
kiamlaluno
43.3k56180295
43.3k56180295
1
Technically, ride does not necessarily imply control as you can simply sit there and let something else do the controlling. But otherwise yeah, this is accurate.
– MrHen
Apr 14 '11 at 21:28
3
Ride does imply control if you are known to be alone on the conveyance (vehicle or animal).
– msanford
Apr 14 '11 at 23:48
Not necessarily. You can ride a bucking horse or ride a train. You can ride a roller coaster too.
– Deonyi
Mar 26 at 14:57
add a comment |
1
Technically, ride does not necessarily imply control as you can simply sit there and let something else do the controlling. But otherwise yeah, this is accurate.
– MrHen
Apr 14 '11 at 21:28
3
Ride does imply control if you are known to be alone on the conveyance (vehicle or animal).
– msanford
Apr 14 '11 at 23:48
Not necessarily. You can ride a bucking horse or ride a train. You can ride a roller coaster too.
– Deonyi
Mar 26 at 14:57
1
1
Technically, ride does not necessarily imply control as you can simply sit there and let something else do the controlling. But otherwise yeah, this is accurate.
– MrHen
Apr 14 '11 at 21:28
Technically, ride does not necessarily imply control as you can simply sit there and let something else do the controlling. But otherwise yeah, this is accurate.
– MrHen
Apr 14 '11 at 21:28
3
3
Ride does imply control if you are known to be alone on the conveyance (vehicle or animal).
– msanford
Apr 14 '11 at 23:48
Ride does imply control if you are known to be alone on the conveyance (vehicle or animal).
– msanford
Apr 14 '11 at 23:48
Not necessarily. You can ride a bucking horse or ride a train. You can ride a roller coaster too.
– Deonyi
Mar 26 at 14:57
Not necessarily. You can ride a bucking horse or ride a train. You can ride a roller coaster too.
– Deonyi
Mar 26 at 14:57
add a comment |
up vote
6
down vote
A bike is ridden. Please see Google NGrams Viewer for some empirical evidence.
I caution against using "drive motorcycle" as a search term because, while hugely prevalent, it refers not to the action but to the type of drive-train.
Additionally: a horse is ridden when atop it but driven when behind it (as with a carriage or a plough horse).
edited 13 mins ago
Laurel
29.4k654104
answered Apr 14 '11 at 23:54
msanford
1,0491915
2
The last para. is interesting to me, since it vaguely reflects my comment about trikes.
– Andrew Thompson
Apr 15 '11 at 5:54
add a comment |
up vote
6
down vote
A bike is ridden. Please see Google NGrams Viewer for some empirical evidence.
I caution against using "drive motorcycle" as a search term because, while hugely prevalent, it refers not to the action but to the type of drive-train.
Additionally: a horse is ridden when atop it but driven when behind it (as with a carriage or a plough horse).
edited 13 mins ago
Laurel
29.4k654104
answered Apr 14 '11 at 23:54
msanford
1,0491915
2
The last para. is interesting to me, since it vaguely reflects my comment about trikes.
– Andrew Thompson
Apr 15 '11 at 5:54
add a comment |
up vote
6
down vote
up vote
6
down vote
A bike is ridden. Please see Google NGrams Viewer for some empirical evidence.
I caution against using "drive motorcycle" as a search term because, while hugely prevalent, it refers not to the action but to the type of drive-train.
Additionally: a horse is ridden when atop it but driven when behind it (as with a carriage or a plough horse).
edited 13 mins ago
Laurel
29.4k654104
answered Apr 14 '11 at 23:54
msanford
1,0491915
A bike is ridden. Please see Google NGrams Viewer for some empirical evidence.
I caution against using "drive motorcycle" as a search term because, while hugely prevalent, it refers not to the action but to the type of drive-train.
Additionally: a horse is ridden when atop it but driven when behind it (as with a carriage or a plough horse).
edited 13 mins ago
Laurel
29.4k654104
answered Apr 14 '11 at 23:54
msanford
1,0491915
edited 13 mins ago
Laurel
29.4k654104
edited 13 mins ago
Laurel
29.4k654104
edited 13 mins ago
Laurel
29.4k654104
29.4k654104
answered Apr 14 '11 at 23:54
msanford
1,0491915
answered Apr 14 '11 at 23:54
msanford
1,0491915
answered Apr 14 '11 at 23:54
msanford
1,0491915
1,0491915
2
The last para. is interesting to me, since it vaguely reflects my comment about trikes.
– Andrew Thompson
Apr 15 '11 at 5:54
add a comment |
2
The last para. is interesting to me, since it vaguely reflects my comment about trikes.
– Andrew Thompson
Apr 15 '11 at 5:54
2
2
The last para. is interesting to me, since it vaguely reflects my comment about trikes.
– Andrew Thompson
Apr 15 '11 at 5:54
The last para. is interesting to me, since it vaguely reflects my comment about trikes.
– Andrew Thompson
Apr 15 '11 at 5:54
add a comment |
up vote
3
down vote
I would say ride/rode a motorcycle.
Unless you were making a deliberate point about a car alternative = "I don't drive a car I drive a motorbike"
answered Apr 14 '11 at 18:55
mgb
21.9k23687
add a comment |
up vote
3
down vote
I would say ride/rode a motorcycle.
Unless you were making a deliberate point about a car alternative = "I don't drive a car I drive a motorbike"
answered Apr 14 '11 at 18:55
mgb
21.9k23687
add a comment |
up vote
3
down vote
up vote
3
down vote
I would say ride/rode a motorcycle.
Unless you were making a deliberate point about a car alternative = "I don't drive a car I drive a motorbike"
answered Apr 14 '11 at 18:55
mgb
21.9k23687
I would say ride/rode a motorcycle.
Unless you were making a deliberate point about a car alternative = "I don't drive a car I drive a motorbike"
answered Apr 14 '11 at 18:55
mgb
21.9k23687
answered Apr 14 '11 at 18:55
mgb
21.9k23687
answered Apr 14 '11 at 18:55
mgb
21.9k23687
answered Apr 14 '11 at 18:55
mgb
21.9k23687
21.9k23687
add a comment |
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
I would use "drive" to describe operating most machines or motorized vehicles. You can drive a car, bus, truck, motorcycle, tractor. "Ride" would be necessary for bicycles, horses, donkeys and very large dogs.
That being said, the term "cattle drive" is a good example of the word's usage aside from the riding/driving meaning.
answered Apr 14 '11 at 19:03
MrHen
29.7k19105231
1
The reason one "rides" a motorcycle instead of "driving" it because of the seating position; in the case of bicycles and motorcycles, one sits astride them, as with horses, hence "ride."
– The Raven
Apr 14 '11 at 19:42
1
Sure, but you still drive a motorcycle.
– MrHen
Apr 14 '11 at 19:48
2
@The Raven: I don't understand the problem here: Google; NGram. "Ride" is significantly more common but "drive" works just fine.
– MrHen
Apr 14 '11 at 20:09
1
@Raven Really? What makes you say that?
– HaL
Apr 14 '11 at 20:15
1
@MrHen Well OK, you do have a point, and perhaps it is indeed acceptable in common usage, but it really grates for me! Certainly in the official literature they studiously avoid using the verb drive for motorcylists.
– z7sg Ѫ
Apr 14 '11 at 21:48
|
show 7 more comments
up vote
2
down vote
I would use "drive" to describe operating most machines or motorized vehicles. You can drive a car, bus, truck, motorcycle, tractor. "Ride" would be necessary for bicycles, horses, donkeys and very large dogs.
That being said, the term "cattle drive" is a good example of the word's usage aside from the riding/driving meaning.
answered Apr 14 '11 at 19:03
MrHen
29.7k19105231
1
The reason one "rides" a motorcycle instead of "driving" it because of the seating position; in the case of bicycles and motorcycles, one sits astride them, as with horses, hence "ride."
– The Raven
Apr 14 '11 at 19:42
1
Sure, but you still drive a motorcycle.
– MrHen
Apr 14 '11 at 19:48
2
@The Raven: I don't understand the problem here: Google; NGram. "Ride" is significantly more common but "drive" works just fine.
– MrHen
Apr 14 '11 at 20:09
1
@Raven Really? What makes you say that?
– HaL
Apr 14 '11 at 20:15
1
@MrHen Well OK, you do have a point, and perhaps it is indeed acceptable in common usage, but it really grates for me! Certainly in the official literature they studiously avoid using the verb drive for motorcylists.
– z7sg Ѫ
Apr 14 '11 at 21:48
|
show 7 more comments
up vote
2
down vote
up vote
2
down vote
I would use "drive" to describe operating most machines or motorized vehicles. You can drive a car, bus, truck, motorcycle, tractor. "Ride" would be necessary for bicycles, horses, donkeys and very large dogs.
That being said, the term "cattle drive" is a good example of the word's usage aside from the riding/driving meaning.
answered Apr 14 '11 at 19:03
MrHen
29.7k19105231
I would use "drive" to describe operating most machines or motorized vehicles. You can drive a car, bus, truck, motorcycle, tractor. "Ride" would be necessary for bicycles, horses, donkeys and very large dogs.
That being said, the term "cattle drive" is a good example of the word's usage aside from the riding/driving meaning.
answered Apr 14 '11 at 19:03
MrHen
29.7k19105231
answered Apr 14 '11 at 19:03
MrHen
29.7k19105231
answered Apr 14 '11 at 19:03
MrHen
29.7k19105231
answered Apr 14 '11 at 19:03
MrHen
29.7k19105231
29.7k19105231
1
The reason one "rides" a motorcycle instead of "driving" it because of the seating position; in the case of bicycles and motorcycles, one sits astride them, as with horses, hence "ride."
– The Raven
Apr 14 '11 at 19:42
1
Sure, but you still drive a motorcycle.
– MrHen
Apr 14 '11 at 19:48
2
@The Raven: I don't understand the problem here: Google; NGram. "Ride" is significantly more common but "drive" works just fine.
– MrHen
Apr 14 '11 at 20:09
1
@Raven Really? What makes you say that?
– HaL
Apr 14 '11 at 20:15
1
@MrHen Well OK, you do have a point, and perhaps it is indeed acceptable in common usage, but it really grates for me! Certainly in the official literature they studiously avoid using the verb drive for motorcylists.
– z7sg Ѫ
Apr 14 '11 at 21:48
|
show 7 more comments
1
The reason one "rides" a motorcycle instead of "driving" it because of the seating position; in the case of bicycles and motorcycles, one sits astride them, as with horses, hence "ride."
– The Raven
Apr 14 '11 at 19:42
1
Sure, but you still drive a motorcycle.
– MrHen
Apr 14 '11 at 19:48
2
@The Raven: I don't understand the problem here: Google; NGram. "Ride" is significantly more common but "drive" works just fine.
– MrHen
Apr 14 '11 at 20:09
1
@Raven Really? What makes you say that?
– HaL
Apr 14 '11 at 20:15
1
@MrHen Well OK, you do have a point, and perhaps it is indeed acceptable in common usage, but it really grates for me! Certainly in the official literature they studiously avoid using the verb drive for motorcylists.
– z7sg Ѫ
Apr 14 '11 at 21:48
1
1
The reason one "rides" a motorcycle instead of "driving" it because of the seating position; in the case of bicycles and motorcycles, one sits astride them, as with horses, hence "ride."
– The Raven
Apr 14 '11 at 19:42
The reason one "rides" a motorcycle instead of "driving" it because of the seating position; in the case of bicycles and motorcycles, one sits astride them, as with horses, hence "ride."
– The Raven
Apr 14 '11 at 19:42
1
1
Sure, but you still drive a motorcycle.
– MrHen
Apr 14 '11 at 19:48
Sure, but you still drive a motorcycle.
– MrHen
Apr 14 '11 at 19:48
2
2
@The Raven: I don't understand the problem here: Google; NGram. "Ride" is significantly more common but "drive" works just fine.
– MrHen
Apr 14 '11 at 20:09
@The Raven: I don't understand the problem here: Google; NGram. "Ride" is significantly more common but "drive" works just fine.
– MrHen
Apr 14 '11 at 20:09
1
1
@Raven Really? What makes you say that?
– HaL
Apr 14 '11 at 20:15
@Raven Really? What makes you say that?
– HaL
Apr 14 '11 at 20:15
1
1
@MrHen Well OK, you do have a point, and perhaps it is indeed acceptable in common usage, but it really grates for me! Certainly in the official literature they studiously avoid using the verb drive for motorcylists.
– z7sg Ѫ
Apr 14 '11 at 21:48
@MrHen Well OK, you do have a point, and perhaps it is indeed acceptable in common usage, but it really grates for me! Certainly in the official literature they studiously avoid using the verb drive for motorcylists.
– z7sg Ѫ
Apr 14 '11 at 21:48
|
show 7 more comments
up vote
0
down vote
I would say it depends on the context of what you are saying.
If you need to state that
there is something funny about the way he is riding the motorbike
it is different than saying
there is something funny about the way he is driving the motorbike
or
where riding indicates the activity of sitting on, and driving indicates the activity of pushing forwards.
So... were you sitting on the motorbike whilst it was taking you for a ride? or were you pushing that motorbike around like a slave of your will?
answered Apr 14 '11 at 22:22
Billy Moon
306111
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
I would say it depends on the context of what you are saying.
If you need to state that
there is something funny about the way he is riding the motorbike
it is different than saying
there is something funny about the way he is driving the motorbike
or
where riding indicates the activity of sitting on, and driving indicates the activity of pushing forwards.
So... were you sitting on the motorbike whilst it was taking you for a ride? or were you pushing that motorbike around like a slave of your will?
answered Apr 14 '11 at 22:22
Billy Moon
306111
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
I would say it depends on the context of what you are saying.
If you need to state that
there is something funny about the way he is riding the motorbike
it is different than saying
there is something funny about the way he is driving the motorbike
or
where riding indicates the activity of sitting on, and driving indicates the activity of pushing forwards.
So... were you sitting on the motorbike whilst it was taking you for a ride? or were you pushing that motorbike around like a slave of your will?
answered Apr 14 '11 at 22:22
Billy Moon
306111
I would say it depends on the context of what you are saying.
If you need to state that
there is something funny about the way he is riding the motorbike
it is different than saying
there is something funny about the way he is driving the motorbike
or
where riding indicates the activity of sitting on, and driving indicates the activity of pushing forwards.
So... were you sitting on the motorbike whilst it was taking you for a ride? or were you pushing that motorbike around like a slave of your will?
answered Apr 14 '11 at 22:22
Billy Moon
306111
answered Apr 14 '11 at 22:22
Billy Moon
306111
answered Apr 14 '11 at 22:22
Billy Moon
306111
answered Apr 14 '11 at 22:22
Billy Moon
306111
306111
add a comment |
add a comment |
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Related: Can “drive someone home” be used when the vehicle is a motorbike?
– RegDwigнt♦
Apr 15 '11 at 5:47
Just thought I'd add a 'side note' that while one would drive a car and ride a motorcycle, the experience of controlling a trike is so much more like a car than a bike that I'd call it 'driving a trike'.
– Andrew Thompson
Apr 15 '11 at 5:52
1
Looking at the American corpus, 'drive a motorcycle' has 5 hits, 'ride' has 26. Ride seems to be the more standard usage.
– Adam
Jun 23 '12 at 14:29