I’m a committed motorcyclist. I love the feeling of cruising around on two wheels. I’ve spent years honing my skills, and I trust the amazing physics involved in balancing, leaning and cornering a motorcycle. But I realize that it’s not for everybody, and that’s fine.
Some riders and some drivers have discovered that they can have a great open-air experience with a three-wheeled vehicle – either a motorcycle or some other kind of motorized vehicle.
There are two basic setups for three-wheelers – one wheel in front/two wheels in the rear; or two wheels in front/one wheel in the rear.
Harley-Davidson makes two versions of the motorcycle trike, and there are many companies that convert Harleys and other bikes into trikes. Additionally, you can add a sidecar to most motorcycles, essentially turning them into three-wheelers. The geometries of a trike and a sidecar hack are very different, and each requires different riding techniques. The similarity is that unlike a two-wheeler, there’s no counter-steering. The trike and sidecar hack both require steering, and go where the front wheel points. Trikes don’t lean; and sidecar hacks lean sometimes – on outside corners, where they “fly” the sidecar (an advanced riding technique peculiar to sidecars). The hand and foot controls on trikes and sidecar hacks are usually the same as on a motorcycle, so the transition from two wheels to three is pretty simple for experienced riders.
Other companies have developed motorcycle-like contraptions that have two wheels in the front, one wheel in the rear. BRP’s Can-Am Spyder and Ryker are two prominent examples. BRP has chosen to simplify operation with a twist-and-go clutchless throttle combined with a foot brake – no clutch or brake levers involved. The advantages over a motorcycle are greater stability at a stop, simpler operation, and potentially more storage and carrying capacity. If you’ve never ridden a motorcycle, the learning curve on a Spyder or Ryker is much less intimidating – you can be riding in minutes. These three-wheelers don’t lean in curves, but they can still be a lot of fun. You can carry a passenger on a Spyder, riding in tandem on the seat behind you, which is also great.
Still another way for three-wheeled transport is the car-based three-wheeler, like the Polaris Slingshot, Morgan Three-Wheeler and Vanderhall Venice. These vehicles use side-by-side seating and traditional automobile-style controls in an open cockpit roadster. If you can drive a car, you can drive one of these three-wheelers. The advantages over a car are lower seating position, lighter weight, and smaller overall footprint. Sporty performance and handling are a common attribute, and eye-catching design is on display in all of the best models. The big advantage over a motorcycle is the side-by-side seating position, along with the added stability of three wheels over two.
Many states do not require a motorcycle operator’s endorsement in order to ride a three-wheeler, even a trike or sidecar hack – just a normal driver’s license.
Considering three wheels over two, I often wonder if the transition to four wheels isn’t the logical step. Three-wheelers are a definite niche choice – but a nice used Mazda Miata can offer a lot of the advantages of a Slingshot without the inherent disadvantages. All things being equal, I’d have a hard time choosing a three-wheeler, except as a toy – whereas a motorcycle or a four-wheeled roadster qualify as genuine transportation.
To each his or her own, right? Have fun exploring all of the options.