Forward Trikes – The Most Common Motortrike
Forward Trikes have two wheels at the rear, and a single wheel at the front and have generally been the most common trike.
Some rear engine powered trikes conceal the engine, while other trikes display the engine with plenty of chrome.
The recent popularity of the Can-Am Spyder Reverse Trike may change that imbalance in the future.
Motor-Trike Categories
This article will introduce you to the multiple categories of Motor-Trike design. First we shall look at a brief explanation of each type.
Wheelchair Accessible Forward Trike
Motor Trikes are a popular choice for the elderly and people with disabilities due to the fact that the rider’s legs are not required to support the weight of the bike. A trike also provides more options to attach a fold-able wheelchair to the rear and can even be designed to allow the rider to remain in a wheelchair while riding.
Trikes can be powered by a motorcycle engine in front of the rider, or powered by a car engine in the rear (such as a Volkswagen engine).
For this reason, a Forward Trike driven by a motorcycle engine at the front, has been the most popular and easiest modification for Wheelchair Access.
Rigid Forward Trike
A Rigid Forward Trike will have a single wheel on the front and two wheels on the rear and does not lean.
Tilting Forward Trike
The Tilting Forward Trike is identical with a Rigid Forward Trike, however it will tilt as you enter a corner, exactly as a solo rider leans on a two wheel motorcycle counter steering.
Forward Cargo Trike
Forward Cargo Trike is like a Rigid Forward Trike, however it has a tray or tub above the rear wheels. In Australia a vehicle with a tray/tub would be called a Ute (abbreviation for Utility), and in the USA would be called a Pick-up. Therefore, a Forward Cargo Trike is simply a pickup/ute with a motorcycle at the front.
Outrigger Trike
An Outrigger Trike is a Two Wheel Motorcycle driven by the rear wheel, that has had car tires fitted on either side of the rear wheel, similar to training wheels on a child’s bicycle.
Rickshaws and Tuk Tuks
Rickshaws and Tuk Tuks can be described as Forward Trikes with a cab to keep the driver and passengers out of the rain.
Three Wheel Cars
Three Wheelers look like standard cars that have three wheels, instead of four. Similar to Forward Motortrikes, Forward Three Wheelers will have a single wheel on the front.
Rigid Forward Trike
As there are so many manufacturers of Forward Trikes and Trike Conversion Kits, there would be too many examples for this article. We will take a look at a few and provide links to many others at the end.
Shall we begin with the Biggest and the Best: Kaszpir V8 Trikes
Rigid Forward Trike
Perhaps something a little smaller? OzTrikes
Rigid Forward Trike
Tour Oz Trikes
Rigid Forward Trike
Trike Racing
Rigid Forward Trike
Trike Racing 3WheeLer WoRLD Click Here
SS Trikes
Rigid Forward Trike
The Titan Trike Conversion & Roller Kits
Rigid Forward Trike
Eagle Trike Conversions
Rigid Forward Trike
Tilting Forward Trikes
KSG Leaning Trike
Tilting Forward Trike
Tiltster – Tilting Forward Trike
Tilting Forward Trike
Fly the Road Carver Trike
Tilting Forward Trike
Forward Cargo Trikes
Kavaki Forward Cargo Trike
Forward Cargo Trike
Solian – Juangsu Linzhi Shanyang
Forward Cargo Trike
Visit Made in China Click Here
Myanmar Trike
Forward Cargo Trike
Visit the Story Click Here
Outrigger Forward Trikes
An Outrigger Trike is a standard two wheel motorcycle with an attachment. The motorcycle rear wheel has not been removed. The following video will explain.
Outrigger Trike/Ute Kits
Forward Outrigger Cargo Trike
Trans Moto Triax Kits
Forward Outrigger Trike
Motorcycle Voyager Convertible Kits
Forward Outrigger Trike
Crossroads Trikes
Forward Trike
Rick Shaws and Tuk Tuks
Tuk Tuk Industries
Forward Tuk Tuk Trike
Visit Tuk Tuk Industries Click Here.
Rick Shaw in India
Forward Rick Shaw Trike
As there are so many Forward Trike examples, I have listed some extra links here for your convenience.
Forward Trikes are Simply Stunning
TC Custom Trikes Click Here. Trikes Australia Click Here. Panther Trikes Click Here. Threedom Wheels Click Here. Australian Trikes Click Here. Trike Around Australia Click Here. Cam Trikes Australia Click Here. Trevaye Enterprises Click Here. Champion Trikes and Sidecars Click Here. Californian Sidecars and Trikes Click Here. US Trikes Click Here. EML Trikes Click Here. The Trike Shop Click Here. Lehman Trikes Click Here. Roadsmith Trikes Click Here. Motor Trike Click Here. Rewaco Trikes Click Here and Here. Crossroads Trikes Click Here. Hannigan Trikes Click Here. Trikes by Design Click Here. Leola Motor Trike Click Here. The Trike Man Click Here.
Haul N Ride website was created to explore Innovation and Human Creativity with a focus on Interesting, Rare and Unusual Motorcycles and Accessories. Haul N Ride welcomes the sharing of projects and ideas, creating an enjoyable and educational online resource. We like to hear from readers so please leave a comment below and let us know if this post helped you or if you have any questions.
Thank you for visiting Haul N Ride. Dave
Thank you for helping me learn more about trike bikes and their many designs. I like how you mentioned that there are conversion kits to transform your bike into a trike. My husband would be interested in learning more about these kits since his is thinking of converting his bike.
Hi Elisabeth, it is great that Titan Trike Conversions, Eagle Trike Conversions and Tiltster Trike Conversions provide kits to provide a simpler trike conversion. The most affordable option with the least modification to your husband’s motorcycle would be Crossroads Trigg Trike Kits, Trans Moto Triax Kits, Voyager Kits and Out Rigger Kits.
https://www.haulnride.com/product/trike-conversion-kit-outrigger-motorcycle-modification
I just depends if he wants to keep the option to ride his bike solo or have a full permanent conversion. Outriggers are the cheapest option.
Let us know which path he decides. Have a great day. Dave
Really nice site, I like the Nachomobile video, some good information, and a lot of Trikes and reverse trikes, well put to together.
Hi Fred, thank you for your positive comments. Yes the Nachomobile proves that there are some very clever people in this world to come up with such fantastic creations. I am glad you like the website and found value from the articles. With this knowledge you will be well informed when making a decision on purchasing a trike. Have a great day. Dave