CBAnonymous_imp
First service completed
Thread starter
Do you "drive" a motorcycle, or "ride" a motorcycle? I say you "ride" a motorcycle, and you "drive" a car!
What do YOU think??
- Thread starter CBAnonymous_imp
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davedep_imp
First service completed
Do you "drive" a horse, or "ride" a horse. I guess one you're on, and the other, you're in.CBAnonymous_imp said:
Wisedrum
Road warrior
" Der Reitwagen" , a translation might be "Ride Car", was one, or the
first so called motorcycle. Therefore "to ride" may fit.
Motorbikes have some HorsePower. Another reason for "to ride".
But nevertheless, as long as you move your motorcycle, I'll
not worry about the right word for this process.
Wisedrum
first so called motorcycle. Therefore "to ride" may fit.
Motorbikes have some HorsePower. Another reason for "to ride".
But nevertheless, as long as you move your motorcycle, I'll
not worry about the right word for this process.
Wisedrum
emptysea
Road warrior
I think the horse comparison is useful here, but not entirely for the reason stated. You "drive" a horse when you are controlling it from a carriage or coach or other conveyance to which it is harnessed. You "ride" a horse when you sit atop it. However, in rare circumstances, such as when the driver of the stagecoach is shot and the Lone Ranger needs to bring the runaway rig safely to a stop in order to save the pretty women riding inside, a person may manage to get atop the horse that is pulling the coach. I would argue that since the horse is still harnessed to the coach, the person is "driving" the rig. So, in merciful conclusion, I contend that you ride a motorcycle unless you are pulling a trailer in which case you are driving it.
ChipBeck_imp
Road warrior
Gentlemen,
IF.....you are controlling a vehicle or an animal that you are sitting on you ride. If you sit in a vehicle you control you drive. If you sit in a vehicle someone else is controlling you ride. If you sit on the back of a motorcycle someone else is controlling, you don't ride, you are a passenger. What could be easier??? Teaching English to foreigners must be hair pulling difficult.
Chip
IF.....you are controlling a vehicle or an animal that you are sitting on you ride. If you sit in a vehicle you control you drive. If you sit in a vehicle someone else is controlling you ride. If you sit on the back of a motorcycle someone else is controlling, you don't ride, you are a passenger. What could be easier??? Teaching English to foreigners must be hair pulling difficult.
Chip
Lord Popgun
Road warrior
Heck Chip, teaching English to Americans is a hair pulling event. Or at least learning it is!
EGAlvarez_imp
Running like a top
Technically, neither...to me, riding implies that you are an out of control passenger enjoying the view or ride. Driving refers to cars. In most of the non-English speaking world and in road racing, you PILOT the machine.
ride4now_imp
Road warrior
+1 Popgun!!!Lord Popgun_imp said:
redbirds_imp
Road warrior
+1 Popgun!!!ride4now_imp said:
Like, ya know, fer sure! (Spoken in an ascending monotone.)
ride4now_imp
Road warrior
i like the analogy that you ride ON a horse or bike and when you sit IN a car/truck/boat (at the controls), you drive it. But I also like the comment that a passenger, sitting IN the car, is riding. Clearly he/she isn't driving....even though they're INside the vehicle. As for piloting a car or motorcycle? I guess that would be technically correct, but I tend to think of 'Pilots' as flying a plane or Piloting a ship. English IS a tough one...no doubt!
Django
Road warrior
Let me know, when you're ready for decision, so I can make a note to my personal English - German dictionary. 
CBAnonymous_imp
First service completed
Thread starter
Wow! So many interesting replies! I think I'll go for a ride now!
JustPassinThru_imp
Been there
I think it doesn't matter.
I know the term "drive" is more common in Britain; but it's just semantics - like, "windscreen" versus "windshield."
I know the term "drive" is more common in Britain; but it's just semantics - like, "windscreen" versus "windshield."
CBAnonymous_imp
First service completed
Thread starter
I think you might be right!!JustPassinThru_imp said:
gossman_imp
Been there
I drive my car. My dog goes for a ride. I ride my motorcycle. My wife and I go for a drive in the car. My friends and I go for a ride on our motorcycles.
That great arbiter of British English, the BBC, would have you driving anything with 4 or more wheels and riding anything you straddle. See here.
You may also want to be entertained by the number of times this question has been asked in the past. See [url=https://www.google.com.au/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=ride%20vs%20drive]Google.
You may also want to be entertained by the number of times this question has been asked in the past. See [url=https://www.google.com.au/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=ride%20vs%20drive]Google.
DGShannon_imp
Been there
Another oddity around this is that I have often heard "drive" used in reference to airplanes. For me, it is "fly" or "pilot" but never "drive" an aircraft.
Rebel73_imp
Been there
Well, we're called "riders", not "drivers", so based on that I go with "ride".
When someone uses the term "drive" for a motorcycle, at least around here, I know they are not a biker.
When someone uses the term "drive" for a motorcycle, at least around here, I know they are not a biker.
Scudrunr_imp
First service completed
I drive in a car, but I ride on top of my bike. Ride denotes something special, anyone can drive, but very few ride.
ClassicVW_imp
Road warrior
Then would one ride or drive a Slingshot?!
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