This article will guide you through everything you need to know about a 3 Wheel Motorcycle and how you can find, buy and safely ride one.
Introduction
Looking for motorcycles that can handle a bit more? Check out a three wheeled motorcycle! It offers the stability and comfort of a car, with the fun and sporty attitude of a motorcycle. This makes it a perfect choice for cruising around towns or taking weekend trips.
The world of three-wheeled motorcycles is a very intriguing one. So, it’s obvious that people would be interested in knowing more about these amazing rides. But before you put your time and money into these, you may have a few concerns about their safety, legality, speed, weight, price, etc. In this article, we will address all these concerns and more.
What are Motorcycles with 3 Wheels Called?
A motorcycle with three wheels is called a trike motorcycle, trike, motor trike, or simply a three-wheel motorcycle. It is called so because of the extra wheel that differentiates it from traditional motorcycles.
The engines on these motorcycles run typically on gasoline. But nowadays, electric motor trikes are also available. Generally, there are three types of trike motorcycles:
● Regular Trike Motorcycles: Also known as wheel back trikes, these 3 three-wheel motorcycles have one front wheel and two rear wheels.
● Reverse Trike Motorcycles: Reverse trikes are complete opposites of regular trikes as they have one rear wheel and two front wheels.
● Sidecar Trike Motorcycles: A side car trike has a wheeled sidecar attached to its side. The sidecar can carry additional passengers.
“You do not need a therapist if you own a motorcycle, any kind of motorcycle!”
Dan Aykroyd
Can I Ride a 3-Wheel Motorbike on a Car License?
You may be confused about the license rules for this unique vehicle. Well, different countries and states have different rules. Here are some interesting facts regarding this:
● In the United Kingdom, three-wheeled motorcycles of any power rating may be driven if you are over 21 years old and have a valid full car driver’s license.
● In the Quebec province of Canada, you can ride a trike motorcycle with an open car license if you can pass a prerequisite trike driving test.
● New Zealand doesn’t have licenses for three-wheel motorcycles. So, in NZ you can ride a trike easily with an open car license.
So, if you are wanting to ride a three-wheel motorcycle you need to know and follow the rules in your country or state.
How Fast Do 3-wheel Motorcycles Go?
A three-wheeled motorcycle can typically go as fast as 50 – 120mph. But this speed range varies from manufacturer to manufacturer and model to model.
For instance, the fastest three-wheel motorcycle can go far beyond the typical speed barrier for these vehicles. It can go as fast as 240.72 mph.
How Much Does a 3-wheel Motorcycle Weigh?
A three-wheel motorcycle can be considerably heavier than one on two wheels. The reason behind this is its extra wheel, extra parts, larger axel, etc. They usually weigh 800 – 1200 pounds (363 – 545 Kg) based on their shape, size, and manufacturer.
Are Trike Motorcycles Safer?
If you are worried about an accident, then three-wheel motorcycles are safer and easier to ride than any other motorcycles. This is because of the following reasons:
● Stability: Trikes are broader and heavier than motorcycles, providing greater stability and traction control. As a result, they’re considerably more difficult to flip over. Additionally, trikes have a lower center of gravity and are easier to hold.
● Balance: Since trikes have an extra wheel, it will help you balance better on the straight road.
● Comfort: Trikes have broader seats and require less physical effort. Hence, riding them can cause you less fatigue and distraction compared to traditional motorcycles. They also have a generous cargo capacity and storage space.
● Transmission: Trike motorcycles usually have an automatic transmission, which can be helpful for riders who are new to the world of motorcycles.
● Noticeability: Trikes are easier to notice by other drivers on the road as they are bigger than usual motorcycles. This can help avoid accidents to a great extent.
According to the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 91% of all motorcycle fatalities are caused by two-wheeled motorcycles. Whereas, their three-wheeled equivalents are considered the safer versions.
However, for any kind of ride, you will need to have a minimum level of driving proficiency to be safe. In the same way, to drive a trike, you will need to know how and when you need to balance your motorcycle.
“You don’t stop riding when you get old, you get old when you stop riding”
Anonymous
What is the Cost of a Three-wheel Motorcycle?
Since you will have a safer journey and extra wheels, you will have to pay a little more money to buy a three-wheel motorcycle. Its price range varies depending on the brand. You can buy a motor trike for $8000 to $50,000 on average.
If you want to buy the best brands of trike motorcycles out there, you may need to have a budget of $28,000 to $50,000 depending on the model.
Three-wheeled motorcycles cost much more than their two-wheeled counterparts because of the following reasons:
● A three-wheel motorcycle is harder to manufacture than its two-wheeled counterparts.
● Three-wheel motorcycles have additional parts such as the third-wheel.
● Trike frames offer better quality than most two-wheel motorcycles. Hence, the bodies of these vehicles are more expensive.
What is the Best 3 Wheel Motorcycle?
What’s the best three-wheeled motorcycle? That’s a tough question to answer. Here are a few different factors that can help determine the best 3-wheel motorcycles:
● Ease of Starting
● Handling and Stability
● Comfortable Seats
● High Top Speed
● Good Fuel Economy
● Manageable Weight
● Mileage
● Good Torque
● Great Design
● A Fair Price
Let’s check out some of the above factors in a few popular three-wheel motorcycle brands:
- The Piaggio MP3 500: Equipped with a 49cc engine, this trike motorcycle provides superior gas mileage and can reach speeds up to 50 mph. It features an electric starter, so you won’t have any problems starting this bike! Its low seat height (only 29 inches) makes it easy for riders of all sizes to get on board without strain or difficulty. Moreover, you can buy it for a reasonable price of $9,199.
- The Harley-Davidson Freewheeler: This trike-motorcycle comes with a 114 V-Twin engine and it reaches speeds up to 105 mph due to its superior torque capacity. Additionally, the aesthetics of this motorcycle is fantastic in every aspect.
- The Gilera Fuoco 500: This particular three-wheel motorcycle is known best for its handling and stability. It can reach speeds up to 90mph and has adequate power to run on any terrain.
Based on the above discussion, it seems pretty clear that you cannot match all the factors in all brands and models. Some might offer higher top speeds while others might offer better mileage.
Therefore, the best three-wheel motorcycle is the one that has at least some of the factors described above and meets your specific demands at the same time.
Where Can You Buy a 3 Wheel Motorcycle?
You may go to online retailers such as Justbikes, CycleTrader or Alibaba if you are not able to visit the showrooms in person. You may compare numerous three-wheel motorcycle models and brands to choose the finest one for you based on your needs from these retailers.
However, in showrooms, you won’t have as many alternatives to compare but you will be able to test the vehicle’s features for yourself.
Conclusion – 3 Wheel motorcycle
Three wheeled bikes have been around for quite some time and continue to be one of the best choices when it comes down to safety, stability, or maneuverability on long trips.
The versatility of this motorcycle is what makes it so great. It can be used for anything from exploring off-road terrain to driving on dirt roads and even city streets! So, if you are looking for a way to make your long ride full of fun and enjoyment there is no similar alternative to a trike motorcycle.
