By Willamette Valley Harley-Davidson®
and peter Kaye
While not the most common models on the market, trike motorcycles have been around for decades and have a very dedicated fanbase of enthusiastic riders. If you’re considering shopping for a trike motorcycle, we encourage you to check out our article below to discover if this unique model is the right fit for you.
Beginner Riders
If you’re new to motorcycle riding, a trike may just be the perfect beginner model. These models provide a ton of stability and are great for riding long distances or making short stops around town. While they are quite bulky, trikes are often considered one of the safest models on the market and are typically easier to turn and maneuver than your standard two-wheel model.
Travel Enthusiasts
While trikes are great commuter vehicles, they were originally designed for long-distance travel. As a result, they come with a number of features that are perfect for long rides, including increased storage space, large gas tanks, and extremely comfortable seating for both you and a passenger.
Casual Riders
If you’re more of a casual motorcycle rider, you may prefer the relaxed riding position a trike provides. No need to lean forward or side to side as you ride or exert a ton of energy. You can simply sit back and relax in the model’s comfortable seat and enjoy the scenery rushing by.
What is a trike motorcycle?
A trike is a type of motorcycle built on a chassis with three wheels. The standard trike has one wheel in front and two in the back. A reverse trike has two wheels in the front and one wheel in the back. Trikes started as aftermarket customizations of standard motorcycles. Many new models blur the line between motorcycle and car.
Buying a trike motorcycle
Buying a trike motorcycle is an option for riders who are looking for greater stability, storage space, and comfort when compared to a traditional two-wheel motorcycle. You can buy a new or used trike motorcycle or convert a two-wheel motorcycle into a trike with a trike kit.
Trike vs. motorcycle
The most obvious difference between a trike and a traditional motorcycle is the number of wheels. A trike has three wheels, while a traditional motorcycle has two wheels. The three wheels of a trike give it greater stability on the road than a two-wheel motorcycle, but a trike is often slower in speed and unable to maneuver in tight spaces as easily as a traditional motorcycle.
Is a trike safer than a motorcycle?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), two-wheeled motorcycles accounted for 91 percent of all motorcycles involved in fatal crashes in 2019. However, two-wheeled motorcycles are still much more common than trikes, so it’s hard to say definitively. Trikes certainly reduce some of the risks of riding a motorcycle. For example, a trike is harder to drop or roll than a motorcycle, especially for trikes with a two-in-front configuration. That increased stability can make navigating bad weather or uneven road surfaces easier. Because of their more prominent profile, trikes can be more visible, which can also improve safety.
Reasons You May Want a Trike
Trikes are more than cool-looking types of motorcycles. With both standard and customized options, trikes are becoming increasingly popular amongst the most diehard Harley fans for the following reasons.
Do I need an “M” endorsement on my driver’s license to ride a trike?
You will have to do your research on this one as every state varies. In California for example, according to chp.ca.gov two-wheeled motorcycles require an M-1 endorsement. Three-wheeled motorcycles or motorcycles with an attached sidecar require only a Class C driver license per CVC 12804.9.
Tips for buying a trike motorcycle
- Decide which features are most important
Trikes include similar features to traditional motorcycles, but trikes tend to emphasize safety and comfort more heavily. If you’re buying a trike for these reasons, be on the lookout for features like storage space, anti-lock brakes, traction control, an independent rear suspension, and a properly installed triple tree for easier steering. If you plan to ride with a passenger, consider seating space.
- Consider a new, used, or a converted trike motorcycle
You can buy a new or used trike motorcycle, or you can convert a traditional motorcycle into a trike. A conversion requires buying a trike kit and could be an option for riders who already own a motorcycle. New trikes offer the most up-to-date safety features but are often more expensive than buying a used trike. Buying used is an option if you have a smaller budget or want to gain experience on a trike before upgrading. It’s a good idea to test ride a new, used, or converted trike if possible.
- Finance your trike motorcycle
Unless you have cash on hand to buy a trike, you’ll likely need to finance your purchase. Financing is available through banks, credit unions, and dealerships. You may need to make a down payment, and your monthly payments are typically determined by your credit score, interest rate, and the total price of the trike. Remember, the borrower is slave to the lender (Proverbs 22:7).
Pros and cons of trike motorcycles
Trike motorcycle pros
- Stability: Trike motorcycles are more stable and resist tipping over. Depending on the axle’s width between the paired wheels, they can stand up independently.
- Storage space: Due to their larger size, trikes typically have more storage space than a comparable two-wheeler.
- Comfort: They are less tiring to ride than standard motorcycles since they don’t require as much — or in many cases, any — work to balance.
Trike motorcycle cons
- Price: Trike motorcycles often cost more than a comparable two-wheeled motorcycle.
- Maneuverability: The larger size of trikes makes them more difficult to park and maneuver through traffic.
- Learning curve: The biggest drawback for motorcycle enthusiasts is that they feel different than riding a two-wheeler. Reverse trike models now exist with tilting wheels in the front, allowing the rider to lean more as they would with a typical motorcycle.
