When you think of a Trike, many ideas may pass through your conscious.
The Trikes this article is interested in are of the road going kind - a kind of toy for grown-ups that come in many shapes, sizes and configurations to suit the varied tastes of the mild, meek and sometimes manic breed of human that owns them.

So what is a Trike?


Well the simple answer is a vehicle with three wheels. There though is where the common ground ends.
However, two main layouts exist - Two wheels at the front and one at the back - and, One wheel at the front with two at the back. The main concept all Trikes have though is Fun with a capital F.
If you haven't got a sense of humour though - buy a Volvo...

The first layout was used in mass production in pre-war cyclecars such as the Morgan. The Morgan trikes used two front wheels with a front-mounted motorcycle engine driving the single rear wheel. This resulted in a light, agile sportscar capable of embarrassing much larger machinery.

In the 1950's the layout was adopted in the bubblecar world with the Messerschmitts, Trojan and BMW Isettas providing frugal transport for a frugal world. Engines were based on scooter units mounted on a swingarm.

In the 1980's/90's the layout became extremely popular in the kitcar industry with a wealth of traditional and modern designs being created all based on Morgans principle of a cheap, lightweight sportscar.

Notable designs include the JZR trike - an unashamed copy of the Morgan using Honda or Motoguzzi motorcycle engines;

the Lomax range of trikes all using Citroen 2CV running gear - the flat twin engine, front wheel drive and fantastic suspension of the Citroen making perfect harmony with the 3-wheel layout;

and finally, the modern Grinnal Scorpion trike using BMW motorcycle parts - a rear engine rear drive machine bringing sportsbike style and BMW quality in a machine guaranteed to make your mates jealous!

There are many more of this genre. I've skimmed the surface only to give a rough idea of what's out there. Indeed, there are many more that enthusiasts have scratchbuilt at home to their own designs - are you sure you've never parked next to one at Tesco's?

The second layout will be far more familiar Rodders!

Del-boys van? Aye, and don't you feel sorry for it? Yes, by far the most familiar layout is the one with the single wheel at the front and two wheels at the rear - undoubtably made notorious by Reliant's Robin. Although many preceded them, the mass produced Reliant's were by far the most popular trikes, succeeding by creating a niche market targeting motorcyclists who wanted creature comforts on the cheap. They were literally a small car with a single wheel at the front.

Remarkable. Rollable. And very much Ridiculed. Ahhhhhhh...

However, in the Kitcar and Homebuilt specials arena other things were and still are afoot. Taking the idea of a motorcycle front end with two fat wheels at the back, leagues of customizers have created Trikes to scare yer Granny with. Front engined, rear engined, car engined or motorcycle engined this layout has spawned a sub-culture all of its own.

A popular idea is to use the rear engine/transmission/suspension assembley from a VW Beetle coupled up to a lowrider frame and long, long forks which results in a well-handling trike of good proportions. Most are homebuilt (seewww.triker.com) - the simplicity of the design being ideal, although Germany's Boom Trikes Ltd produce brand new ones for around £10,000 sterling.

Others stem from motorcycles fitted with a car rear-axle, or even other car based combinations.

Noteably, anyone considering a Motorcycle/Sidecar Combination would be wise to consider a Trike instead. The layout of a trike is symmetrical and is thus a far more stable alternative.

More importantly, they allow disabled motorcyclists to carry on pursuing the lifestyle they love. This in my humble opinion is the most outstanding benefit the design offers - making it the ultimate symbol of freedom. Respect to all disabled Trikers!

Any wiser? Hope so, and hope you delve further. Visit a kitcar show or a Custom motorcycle show and take it all in. Take a look at a few Triking Websites, and beyond!