Interpretation ID: aiam4264
President
Minikin
606 NE Lincoln Avenue
St. Cloud
MN 56301;
Dear Mr. Tank: This is in reply to your letter of December 29, 1986, with respect t the definition of 'motorcycle' for purposes of compliance with the Federal motor vehicle safety standards. You have asked whether a vehicle with two wheels at the front, and one at the rear with two tires mounted on it, would still be regarded as a motorcycle.; The definition of a motorcycle is 'a motor vehicle with motive powe having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground.' This is techically (sic) inaccurate in part because wheels do not contact the ground. I believe that the drafter of the definition meant to say 'tires' rather than 'wheels.' Thus the configuration about which you have asked is one in which four tires contact the ground, and we therefore conclude that such a vehicle would not be regarded as a motorcycle.; Sincerely, Erika Z. Jones, Chief Counsel