a motor vehicle with two wheels and a strong frame
"He parked his motorcycle next to the curb, admiring how the strong frame absorbed every bump on the rough road."
An open-seated motor vehicle with handlebars instead of a steering wheel, and having two (or sometimes three) wheels.
"He swung his leg over the motorcycle, feeling the wind rush past as he prepared to ride down the coastal highway."
In plain English: A motorcycle is a two-wheeled vehicle with an engine that you ride by balancing on it.
"He parked his motorcycle in the garage before heading out for dinner."
Usage: Use motorcycle to refer to a two- or three-wheeled motorized vehicle that lacks an enclosed cabin and uses handlebars for steering. This term specifically describes the open-seated machine distinct from cars, trucks, or scooters with enclosed bodies.
ride a motorcycle
"He decided to sell his car and start riding a motorcycle instead."
To ride a motorcycle.
"I decided to sell my car and learn how to ride a motorcycle instead."
In plain English: There is no verb form of motorcycle because you cannot ride something; it is only a noun that refers to the two-wheeled vehicle itself.
"He decided to motorcycle across the country instead of driving his car."
Usage: The word "motorcycle" is primarily a noun and should not be used as a verb to mean riding a bike. Instead, use the phrasal verb "motorcycle" only in very informal contexts or choose clearer alternatives like "ride a motorcycle."
The word motorcycle comes from combining "motor" and "cycle." It was coined to describe the motorcyclette, a vehicle produced in France in 1897.