If a motorized vehicle has 3 wheels, does this qualify it as a motorcycle?

Question

My dad likes to tinker, he's been toying with the idea of chopping off the rear wheel assembly of a front wheel drive car & installing a single wheel. The advantages he argues with my brother & my uncles is that it may qualify for insurance as a motorcycle, and you would also save on getting one less tire when shopping for new tires,... also with dragging around less dead weight from the axle & 4th wheel, mileage would also be improved upon.

Answer 1

I think it would probably depend on your state's definition of "motorcycle". In CT. it would not be considered a motorcycle if the driver is enclosed within the vehicle unless the motor is within the enclosed area.



According to Connecticut State Law Title 14 Sec. 14-1(46):

"Motorcycle" means a motor vehicle, with or without a sidecar, having not more than three wheels in contact with the ground and a saddle or seat on which the rider sits or a platform on which the rider stands and includes bicycles having a motor attached, except bicycles propelled by means of a helper motor as defined in Connecticut State Law Title 14 Sec. 14-286, but does not include a vehicle having a completely or partially enclosed driver's seat and a motor which is not in the enclosed area.

But it sounds like a cool idea, let the man tinker, also check your local DMV's definition of "motorcycle" to be sure.