In North-America, so called Moto-Trikes, or also labeled „Conversion-Trikes“, are receiving more and more popularity. Such designs consist of a three wheeler where a motorcycle back axle is exchanged against a car-type construction. Depending on layout, an extended bolted on sub-frame can become neccessary. Preferably those live axles that come from car manufacturers are reduced in width for a smaller track. Alternatively independent wheel suspensions with double wishbones or semi-trailing arms are utilised. Alongside this spec special solutions based on former designs can be seen. All marketed Trikes in Germany utilise a final drive to both back wheels with a coupled differential gear which usually comes from passenger cars.

Partly the steering geometry is adopted from the base bike - however with the consequence, that depending on the front wheels trail – more or less strong strain occurs whilst steering. In order to reduce this, trail can be minimised. That modification is carried out by introducing either a smaller fork setting angle and modified yokes, or with forward-spacing the front axle, with an altogether new front suspension design. Legal requirements for braking only allow coupled brakes, thus slowing down all three wheels is by pedal pressure. An additional handbrake is permitted.
If exceeding a total width of more than 1,30 m Moto-Trikes must have two headlamps. The headlight of the motorcycle must be deactivated. As three wheelers are homologated as class L5E vehicles, Euro 2 emission-law is sufficient. However it can not be assumed that this barrier is met as even the base motorcycles have to compare with Euro 2 or even Euro 3. Vehicle weights are increased and the final reduction rates are shorter. All that bears a direct influence on emisssions checks at Euro-cycles tests.

To achieve the pleasure of driving a Moto-Trike, various options are possible: A complete new vehicle, a second hand trike, or the acquisition of a new or used solo bike turned into a trike. With this background in mind we didn't restrict ourselves to contemporary new trike offers in this compendium, but also included "Conversion-Trikes", that were offered for sale in recent years in Germany. Prices of second hand vehicles are for well cared trikes and should only be an indication.
A completely confusing situation arises with cheaply produced China "Threes". Despite a few 250 Bunker or Fun Trikes (not to cunfuse with German based Fun Trike from Marl) have reached these shores, the fundamentally sound sales background is simply not available.
Our Moto-Trike summary is going to be constantly amended and updated. Despite this we will present further newcomers in our Moto-Trike-News articles. We hope you will enjoy your reading. We certainly had fun compiling it. Ed

• Boom

• Boss Hoss

• Bunker

• California Sidecar

• Da Silva

• Fun Trike

• Fun Trikes

• Krüger

• Lehman

• Martin Conquest

• Motor Trike

• Q.Tech

• Rewaco

• Rüegg

• W-Tec/EML

• XCaliber (VG)