A Journey of Innovation and Invention – The Coming of Reverse Trikes
Reverse Trikes began appearing shortly after the first motorcycles were invented in the early 1900s.
The First Official Motorcycle – Steam powered Michaux-Perreaux velocipede 1867
First Official Trike – Butler’s Velocycle 1884
First Official Reverse Trike – Morgan Runabout 1909
Morgan Runabout Deluxe 1912
As you have seen, many early Reverse Trikes looked more like cars than motorcycles, however not all.
Perhaps Harley Davidson should have continued manufacturing reverse trikes so we could have a “Paint and Chrome” alternative to Can-Am.
The Harley Davidson Motorcycle Truck 1912-1913. Reverse Cargo Trike.
Monark – Reverse Cargo Trike
Mid 1960’s to the mid 1980’s
RaketSport take you through the specs a variety of designs that were available from the mid 1960’s to the mid 1980’s, which you may look at Here
Sachs Crescent Flakmoped
1978
Three Styles of Reverse Trike
A Reverse Trike can be identified as having a single rear wheel driving the motorcycle with two wheels steering the front. Reverse Trikes have been designed in three styles, Rigid Reverse Trike, Tilting (Leaning) Reverse Trike and Reverse Cargo Trike.
Rigid Reverse Trike
Tilting Reverse Trike
Reverse Cargo Trike
Rigid Reverse Trikes
Can-Am Spyder – Leader of the Reverse Trike Pack
Rigid Reverse Trike
The most well-known Reverse Trike would perhaps be the Can-am Spyder, shown above. This beautiful trike is powered by a massive 1330cc three cylinder engine. If you are seeking comfort, then you may need look no further.
Experience the ultimate touring experience with an ultra comfortable touring saddle, an adjustable windshield to adapt to the changing weather, a cruise control to let you sit back and enjoy the scenery and a self-levelling rear air suspension for optimal comfort.
E-Wazuma Electric
4-Wheel Reverse Trike
This video is in the French Language but great to watch.
The Lazareth E-Wazuma Electric reverse trike has two electric motors, one in each of its rear wheels. Ok, I hear you. How can it be a reverse trike if it has 4 wheels. I agree with you and I am happy to call it a Quad-bike if we want to be technical. Combined, the motors are capable of producing 80 horsepower.
EZS Goldwing Conversion Kits
Reverse Trike
Why sell your ride to purchase a trike, if you can convert your ride.
Boss Hoss V8
Reverse Trike
Boss Hoss would have to be the Muscle of Trikes. Big Engines equals Boss Hoss.
TGB Trigger Arrow – 2 Seater
Reverse Trike Scooter
The Trigger Arrow has a 4-stroke, 4-valve, Piaggio Vesper 50CC engine with a maximum speed 45 KMH (28MPH).
It can configure either Left Hand or Right Hand Drive and provides the thrill of a go cart.
But for those “Solo Riders” that prefer to lean, let’s take a look at Tilting Trikes.
Tilting Reverse Trikes
Brudelitech
Tilting Reverse Trike
If riding a Rigid Reverse Trike is a bit ordinary, perhaps you would prefer to “Cut-Sick” on a Brudelitech Tilting Reverse Trike.
Notice road tyres perform as well off-road on a Brudeli Tilting Reverse Trike, as knobbly tires on a two-wheel dirt bike. This example is not available for purchase, but is a great example of innovation.
Tremoto
Tilting Reverse Trike
Tremoto manufacture five different Tilting Reverse Trikes to suit your individual preference. Because the extra front tire provides a greater surface area of more rubber on the road, leaning the TreMoto hard on a turn provides more grip than a two-wheel motorcycle.
Yamaha NIKEN LMW – Stylish Beauty
Tilting Reverse Trike
Just when you thought you had seen everything.
The Yamaha NIKEN LMW (Leaning Multi-Wheeler) is powered by a 4 stroke, 3-cylinder engine. Ride the Revolution.
Hagane 250cc
Tilting Reverse trike
Video in Japanese Language but great to watch.
Lazareth – Honda Goldwing Reverse Trike Conversion
Tilting Reverse Trike
For those Honda Goldwing lovers, you can’t beat the Lazareth 1800 Reverse Trike.
How perfect, with this option, you can add your choice of accessories from a Honda Goldwing store. I love leaning. I think I would prefer the Lazareth in preference to a Spyder due to counter-steering. Unfortunately these kits are not available for purchase, but nice to look at.
Rigid/Tilting Reverse Trike Combos
Tilting Motor Works – Trio
Tilting Reverse Trike
Some riders may prefer to convert their own two wheel motorbike into a Reverse Trike. With Tilt Lock as an option, the Trio is both a Rigid Reverse Trike and Tilting Reverse Trike “All-in-One”.
Disability Reverse Trikes
Injured Knee or Hip?
The greatest advantage of a Rigid Reverse Trike, when compared to a solo bike, is that it will remove the difficulty that a rider may have supporting the weight of a two-wheel bike; if the rider has a bad knee or hip. The stability provided by a trike, will remove the need for an injured or older rider to support the motorbike weight, while moving slowly through traffic or when stopped. Therefore, a Rigid Reverse Trike is perfect for a person with a bad knee or hip.
Injured Shoulder or Arm?
A disadvantage of a Rigid Trike, when compared to a two wheeler or Tilting Reverse Trike, would be the extra effort required to push and pull the handlebars to steer the motorbike. This could cause strain for a rider with a bad shoulder, arm or wrist. Counter Steering a Solo Bike or a Tilting Trike allows effortless steering as the rider leans into the bend.
A Rigid/Tilting Reverse Trike Combo will provide a perfect solution to all riders, as you have the benefit of choosing whether your bike will lean or not. By selecting the correct motorcycle trike, there will no longer be any excuse to give up the freedom of an open air lifestyle.
If you want to be inspired, you should visit: Can-Am Spyder disability Access – Wheelchair Accessible Projects – Sidecars – Trikes and More
Reverse Cargo Trikes
Reverse Cargo Trikes are quite rare today, however they have been around as long as motorcycles have been used.
History of the Reverse Cargo Trike Click Here.
Let us take a look at some examples.
Lifan MGB Workhorse
Reverse Cargo Trike
Very handy bike to carry the Shopping home (sure beats saddle bags or panniers).
Tankco’s Diesel Nachomobile
Reverse Cargo Trike
Tankco Reverse Trike on the road
Watch a Reverse Cargo Trike Being Built
Mototrading China – Tipping Tray
Reverse Cargo Trike
TRIPL
Electric Reverse Trikes & Reverse Cargo Trikes
Transportel Elmoped
Reverse Cargo Trike
Elmoped electric motors can be used both indoors and outdoors because they are free of exhaust gases and noise.
Elmoped are three-wheeled and are built from a basic model, but are tailored to suit the customer.
Video Showcase
Honda Neowing Tilting Reverse Trike: Click Here.
Are Reverse Trikes Safer than Forward Trikes?
Steering: Contact Patch
Two wheels steering the front on a Reverse Trike is a safer option than a single wheel steering the front of a Forward Trike, due to more rubber gripping the road surface. Also if a single front tire hits an oil spill, the forward trike will be effected, unlike a Reverse Trike that will have a second steering tire to provide contact patch to grip the road. For these two reasons alone, the safest trike for steering would be Reverse Trike.
Tilting Reverse Trike
Counter Steering or Push Steering is the safest and best method to steer and turn a motorcycle at speeds over 20km/h and is the safest method to avoid an obstacle. Likewise, it stands to reason that a Tilting Reverse Trike will lean into a bend, rather than “Push-Pull Steer” which could potentially put the bike into a spin. For this reason, a Tilting Reverse Trike would be a safer option than a Forward Trike.
Close look at the Tilting Reverse Trike front end: Click Here and Here.
Braking
While braking, the weight of the motorcycle will be sent forward toward the front wheel. With the extra tire on the surface, the bike gains more friction against the road. Likewise, the extra brake disks on the front assist the stopping power of the motorcycle.
In conclusion, having a greater contact patch on the front steering, combined with the stability of counter steering, make Tilting Reverse Trikes safer option than either Rigid or Tilting Forward Trikes.
Further Reading: Dynamic Stability
Visit: Robert G Riley Enterprises
To learn about other 3 wheel combinations that provide safer riding due to counter steering, visit Motorcycle Leaner Sidecar – Homemade Projects.
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
