Remember the amazing 654L trike created by Brudeli Tech? Yes, the one that was suppose to go into production. Well, it still is, but it couldn’t really do that until the manufacturer released a video which would truly reflect the machine’s on and off road abilities. Here it is, so you can confidently order your own now.
The Kawasaki-powered T-Rex is the fastest 3-wheeler in the world (157 mph) and Fifth Gear star, Tiff, takes it for a spin in some pretty harsh conditions. You don’t see a 3.5 seconds trike with a steering wheel being driven like that every day.
Freshly unveiled at the 2008 Paris Motor Show is the entirely new HYmotion3 Compressor concept by Peugeot. A three-wheel tilting trike which features combined characteristics of a car and a scooter, the concept benefits of late Peugeot ‘HYmotion’ technology involving simultaneous powering of a petrol engine and two electric ones.
Featuring two seats and three wheels, the all-new vehicle powers the rear wheel with a 125cc, supercharged petrol engine developing 20 bhp. That only could have decently powered the Peugeot (and it actually can when selecting petrol only engine mode), but in that case it wouldn’t have been called a hybrid. So it gets two equally powerful (3kW) electric motors for each front wheel, quality that makes electric-only mode possible.
As you already suppose, the Peugeot is a highly efficient fuel economic trike, and you haven’t even heard the best of it yet. It actually features start/stop system which offers significant reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions in urban and stop-and-go traffic. Still, performance isn’t that bad as it needs 11.2 seconds to hit 60 mph while a quarter of a mile will require 17.6 seconds.
Because the HYmotion3 features roll-over protection, designers made sure that wind protection and that of the elements won’t become things to worry about so a screen/roof was added, making the trike worthy of being ridden by people wearing expensive suits rather than leather jackets.
Peugeot’s master plan also includes parallelogram type front suspension, which allows the front wheels to tilt, anti-lock brakes and a regenerative braking system which charges the batteries of the front electric engines. Life on board will also be made easier by the rearview camera and ride-by-wire controls.
The way I see it, Peugeot is most likely to stay keen on this project as there is a continuous increase of commuter vehicles and I wouldn’t be surprised if it will head to the production line in a couple of years.
If you plan on going at the Intermot it is strongly recommended that you don’t miss stand E-021 in hall 9.1. There, you can get a glance on the leaning trike made in Norway by Brudeli Tech. It is called Leanster (obviously) 645L and it combines the racing abilities of a cart with the excitement of a motorcycle-like riding position and controls. Press release after the break.
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Strange motorcycles are the salt and pepper of this industry so a compilation of these rule-braking machines are the very best thing for each one of you. Either you’re into skulls or into complete comfort when riding your bike/trike/armchair, this is the clip to see if looking for some
inspiration.
Never managing to disappoint, these homemade machines find their way in people’s minds and stay there until sharing them with friends. Let’s see how many you can confine.
Harley-Davidson has just presented the 2009 models and some have already started interest. For example, the Muscle V-Rod version is a motorcycle powered by a 1250cc engine developing 122 hp @ 8500 rpm. It didn’t ended up in the line-up with no purpose, all the contrary. It is suppose to keep Harley fans on the American motorcycle now that Yamaha has launched the V-Max and its 200 horsepower look threatening.
Highly refined, the Muscle V-Rod features Brembo brakes, aluminum handlebars and led taillight and indicators. Colors available for it are Vivid Black, Brilliant Silver, Blue Denim and Red Sunglow
A great 2009 addition is the first official Harley-Davidson trike. Based on the Ultra Glide Classic, the machine is suppose to cover up this market section that Harley and the other makers seem to have missed for so long.
Apart from that, the Touring models are getting new chassis and wheels as well as Brembo brakes and a new tank. Everything is designed to add comfort for the long haul where these babies are heading.
Made from all kinds of motorcycles and powered by all kinds of engines (V-Twins mostly, and Boxer), the trikes displayed at the Motorcycle Show at Paignton Spring 2008 attracted viewers attention with their originality and extravagations. With lots of chrome and rocket-launcher-like exhausts, there’s nothing that compares with the three-wheeled machines.
Seyyed Javad Ghaffarian lives in Iran and its wonderful ideas could one day bring you the safety of driving a tricycle on the highway and the versatility of riding a motorcycle in future city congestions.
A student, Javad has created the “Magic Tricycle”, a machine designed to role down the highway on all its three wheels and then face the urban jungle as a motorcycle. How is that possible, you will wonder? Its left wheel can rotate around a longitudinal axis and be sustained on top of the cabin. This brings all the benefits of a motorcycle after keeping the thing steady as a car at high speeds.
After being lifted up, the third wheel opens up its helicopter tail propeller style blades which increase stability. Another unique feature consists in the seats which rotate in order to keep occupants in an upright riding position.
What is both unique and attractive at this bike and tricycle is how easy and simple it can take one form or the other and still look great no matter what. This was the main goal of the Iranian designer and it has successfully achieved it.
I don’t know what to say about the name though…Magic Tricycle? Couldn’t it come up with something better? What do you think?
The “Troubled Waters”, as it was named, is a custom creation of Phoenix Trike Works and the result of a lady’s order. The future owner lives in Palm Spring, CA and what better place to come up with such an outrageous creation. Why outrageous? Well, check out the title! It is powered by a 2 liter Porsche 911 boxer-6 engine!
Slightly retuned in order to perform and sound as a trike motor, the unit was mated to a five-speed transmission and hooked up with a unique exhaust that has never previously seen its way onto a Porsche engine. But everything has a start. As well as the hand built headers, carburetor stacks, leather seats, air brushed paint featuring images of many sharks, air ride, polished billet stainless steel forks, handlebars, rear A-arms and many other pieces that have never been associated with the Porsche name before. Also being fitted with a 23 diameter front wheel with matching, one of a kind custom cut 20” diameter 18 inch wide in the rear, our lady won’t have any troubles at all standing out under the California sun.
Experience is all that counts when building trikes and the team at Phoenix Trike Works has plenty of it. Willis Wilcken has been building three wheelers ever since the mid-sixties and after his son Joseph was born he co-opted it in the family business. This gives Phoenix Trike Works an old and new feel which reflects on their products, leaving people open-mouthed.
Cars especially made for those with disabilities are nothing out of the ordinary, but the American bike builder that broke all the possible rules has done it again, creating a trike especially for people who spend their lives in wheelchairs.
Starting from the idea that everybody should be able to benefit of the Boss Hoss V8 rumble, the innovative manufacturer practically transformed their trike. A lift was added as well as hand controls and that was enough to make handicapped people (...) > Full story
