Reverse Trikes – Are they a Safer Option? |

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.

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

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.

If you visit the following website, you will be able to change the colours and accessories to view what the bike would look like at your own liking. Click Here.

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.

Triazuma Electric Reverse Trike

EZS Reverse Trike – Goldwing Conversion Kits

Why sell your ride to purchase a trike, if you can convert your ride.

EZS Reverse Trike – Goldwing Conversion Kits

Boss Hoss V8 Reverse Trike

Boss Hoss would have to be the Muscle of Trikes. Big Engines equals Boss Hoss.

Tilting Reverse Trikes

Brudelitech

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.

Visit Brudeli Click Here.

Tremoto

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.

Visit TreMoto Click Here.

Yamaha NIKEN LMW Tilting Reverse Trike – Stylish Beauty

Just when you had seen everything.

The Yamaha NIKEN LMW (Leaning Multi-Wheeler) is powered by a 4 stroke, 3-cylinder engine. Ride the Revolution.

Source: https://www.yamahamotorsports….

Hagane 250cc Reverse trike

Video in Japanese Language but great to watch.

Visit the Hagane Website in English – Click Here.

Lazareth – Honda Goldwing Reverse Trike Conversion

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.

Visit the Lazareth site Click Here.

Rigid/Tilting Reverse Trike Combos

Tilting Motor Works

Some riders may prefer to convert their own two wheel motorbike into a Reverse Trike. With Tilt Lock as an option, you can have a Rigid Reverse Trike and a Tilting Reverse Trike “All-in-One”.

If you would like to take a closer look at this amazing conversion Click Here.

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.

Reverse Cargo Trike

Reverse Cargo Trikes are quite rare today. Let us take a look at some examples.

Lifan MGB Workhorse

Very handy bike to carry the Shopping home (sure beats saddle bags or panniers).

Source: http://www.scootergalleri.dk/g…

Tankco’s Diesel Nachomobile can carry quite a load.

To Visit Tankco Click Here

Reverse Cargo Trike from Mototrading China

You may purchase a Reverse Cargo Trike from Mototrading China:Click Here

Tankco Reverse Trike on the road

Watch a Reverse Cargo Trike Being Built

History of the Reverse Cargo Trike Click Here.

RaketSport Monark

RaketSport produce a variety of designs, which you may look at Here.

Sachs Crescent Flakmoped 1978

Handy Links:

Close look at the Tilting Reverse Trike front end: Click Here and Here.

Vietnam Reverse Kawasaki Trike: Click Here.

CarraBusa Enclosed Reverse Trike: Click Here.

Three wheel motorcycle reverse trike scorpion: Click Here.

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, 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.

Braking

While braking, the weight of the motorcycle will be sent forward toward the front wheel. With the extra tire on the surface, the front brakes gain more friction against the road.

In conclusion, having a greater contact patch on the front steering combined with the safer method of counter steering, make Tilting Reverse Trikes safer than either Rigid or Tilting Forward Trikes.