A motorcycle is a vehicle that is designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground and has:
- a steering handlebar completely constrained from rotating in relation to the axle of one wheel in contact with the ground
- a minimum un-laden seat height of 650 mm (26 inches)
- a minimum wheel rim diameter of 250 mm (10 inches)
- a minimum wheelbase of 1,016 mm (40 inches)
- a maximum speed capability of more than 50 km/h
The motorcycle body style does not include mopeds, or power-assisted bicycles. For rating purposes, motorcycles are divided into five categories: motorscooter, other, sport, sport touring and touring.
Rating category – motor-scooter
Motor-scooter
A motor-scooter is a motorcycle with a step-through frame that generally has smaller wheels than those of a standard motorcycle. A person can ride a motor-scooter without straddling it.
Three-wheel scooter
A scooter that is designed to include a second independent front wheel that is used to increase ride stability. However, a motorcycle that includes two rear wheels is not a three-wheel scooter, regardless of any other characteristic it may have.
Rating category – other
Cruiser
A motorcycle that is designed with a low seat height, wider rear tire, raked front forks and forward controls with the foot pegs out in front as opposed to being straight down. The design emphasizes comfort and appearance with a relaxed upright seating position, and often includes an abundance of chrome.
Dual purpose
A motorcycle for both highway and off-road use. Its design includes fenders and tires suitable for some off-road uses coupled with street safety requirements, such as mirrors and turn signal indicators. An off-road motorcycle that has been modified to meet the requirements to be registered under The Highway Traffic Act is included in this body style.
Enduro
A motocross motorcycle that may be registered under The Highway Traffic Act. It features high ground clearance and increased suspension combined with minimal rider comforts. It is differentiated from a motocross motorcycle by the presence of silencers, flywheel weights and the features necessary for the on-road portion of enduro racing.
Motard
A motorcycle design that combines the design of a motocross and an enduro motorcycle. It is fitted with road racing tires while keeping the other features synonymous with off-road machines. These motorcycles are designed and marketed to compete over a racecourse that mixes road racing on tarmac with off-road sections.
Other
A motorcycle that can be registered under The Highway Traffic Act and has a body style that does not fit any of the other available motorcycle body styles.
Standard
A motorcycle that is designed with a small rake and trail, and generally does not include accessories such as a windshield, saddlebags, trunk or audio entertainment system.
Rating category – sport
Naked sport
A motorcycle with a design that is reduced to its basic form and stripped down to its fundamental parts. The front wheel is visible from the rider’s position and the emphasis of the design is on functionality, performance and ergonomics, rather than on body panels and exaggerated riding positions that are emphasized for sport bikes. These motorcycles may also be marketed as “naked” or “street” bikes.
Sport
A fast, light, sleek motorcycle that is designed for maximum performance and maneuverability. It is distinguishable from other motorcycles by its full fairing and the rider’s tipped-forward seating position.
Rating category – sport touring
Adventure
A motorcycle that is designed and marketed as a combination sport, touring and off-road motorcycle. This body style is designed with the features of an on-road motorcycle capable of cruising on paved roads. It also includes big tires, a large fuel tank and a comfortable seat, as well as high ground clearance in order to traverse rough terrain easily.
Sport touring
A motorcycle that is designed and marketed as a hybrid between a sport and a touring motorcycle. It allows long-distance riding with more emphasis on sport-like performance in both handling and speed than a touring motorcycle.
Rating category – touring
Standard sidecar
A motorcycle that has attached to it a one wheeled sidecar.
Touring
A motorcycle that is designed and marketed for long distance travel that includes such things as a large engine, ample storage, including top trunks and saddlebags, reverse gears, onboard air compressors, large fairings and windshields and amenities like cruise control, stereo audio entertainment systems, citizen band communications systems and heated seats and grips.
Trike (two rear wheels)
A motorcycle that is similar to a touring motorcycle but that is equipped with two wheels at the back and one at the front. The usual layout of a trike is for the power to be delivered to one or both rear wheels, while the front is used for steering.
Three-wheel motorcycle (two front wheels)
A motorcycle that is designed with a “Y” shaped chassis featuring two wheels in the front and one in the rear.
Moped
A moped is not a motorcycle. It is a body style of motor vehicle that:
- has two tandem wheels or three wheels, each of which has a minimum diameter of 250 mm (10 inches)
- has a seat or saddle having a minimum unladen height of 650 mm, when measured from the ground level to the top of the forward most part of the seat or saddle
- is capable of being driven by pedals only, motor only, or by both pedals and motor
- the motor has a piston displacement of not more than 50 cubic centimetres, or is an electric motor neither of which allows the moped to go faster than 50 km per hour
