In the popular vocabulary, the words “trike” and “tricycle” are often used interchangeably. Let us clarify that the first is a subcategory of the second. Trikes are three-wheeled motorcycles that have one front and two rear wheels located symmetrically to the axis, and their technical characteristics allow them to travel on public roads. To drive a tricycle, category A license is not enough. If you are the owner of a model with a 50 cc engine, loaded with a weight of 550 kg, you will need category B1. B license holders can freely drive trikes and other three-wheeled vehicles.
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The appearance of a three-wheeled motorcycle deserves special attention: the length of the fork is increased, there may be spikes on the rear wheels, and the engine is often located at the rear. But most of all, the public’s attention is attracted by custom models made on the basis of familiar domestic and imported bikes.
Yamaha Niken: What's the point of a motorcycle with two wheels on the front?
“Trikes”, or tricycles... Do you know what they are? I’m sure many have unmistakably pictured a tricycle in their minds. Absolutely right, here it is:
But only motorcyclists or people who are interested in motorcycle technology will think about this first:
But, as you understand from the title picture, there are many more types of tricycles than it seems at first glance. Technically, any motorcycle that has three wheels in its design would be called a tricycle. And it doesn’t matter at all which axle the two parallel wheels are located on – the rear or the front. Even if you attach it to the side, in the middle of the motorcycle, the trike will still remain a trike.
However, if you install double wheels on the front axle, the design will become much more complicated (after all, the motorcycle needs to be controlled somehow) and the bike will automatically acquire a very unique look, to a certain extent “cosmic” and in many respects technological.
The best example of illustrating such changes was the 2017 model year motorbike – Yamaha Niken. This unusual motorcycle looks evil and, damn, it's just incredibly distinctive! Probably, every time someone meets him on the road, at a gas station, he always asks the same questions: “How does it work?” and “Is it difficult to manage?” We are absolutely sure of this. We don’t even know why...?
Reverse scooter
These strange vehicles first appeared in Europe, and the largest scooter manufacturer Piaggio began to produce it in several modifications at once: Gilera Fuoco 500, Piaggio MP3 400, 250 and 125.
Everyone is absolutely sure that three-wheeled vehicles are more stable than two-wheeled vehicles. Attempts to launch the production of this type of scooter have arisen more than once. However, they did not feel warm feelings towards them for the simple reason that the feeling of drive disappeared when tilting or turning, and the dimensions in width also increased.
A few quick facts:
The Niken is based on the Yamaha MT-09. The only thing that has changed is the landing. Or rather, the seat has moved back to redistribute the weight closer to the rear wheel. This was done to make taxiing easier.
Three-cylinder engine with a capacity of 847 cc. cm and a power of 115 hp. With. with 87.5 Newton meters of torque was retained from the original donor. But it received a more massive flywheel so that the response to opening the throttle was not as sharp as on a regular motorcycle.
The most interesting. Instead of one wheel with 120/70 tires on a 17-inch front rim, the Yamaha has two 15-inch wheels. The rear wheel remains 17 inches. However, it has become wider for the sake of stability - 190/55 instead of 180/55.
The photos show the Niken GT version with a larger windshield and zippered panniers.
Ducati Streetfighter
Typically, if a company plans to make a factory street fighter, it will take the top cutter, remove it from the fairings, and neuter the engine so that the Kowalskis don't kill each other. Ducati didn't care. The drive from 1198 was inserted into something similar in size and appearance to a woman's thong. No reduction in strength or performance. In theory, a slightly forward riding position should reduce the bike's desire to wheelie, but in practice it doesn't make much difference.
Let's move on to the unique aspects of the Yamaha Niken
What can you say about the riding characteristics of this motorcycle? In short, they are unique.
On the one hand, while driving the motorcycle, as motorcyclists who have been in the saddle of this unusual bike note, it handles like any other relatively heavy motorcycle (the Niken GT version weighs 267 kg). A little imposing, moderately “thoughtful.”
However, despite its outlandish appearance, its first unique feature is noted. The motorbike is quite agile and maneuverable than it might seem at first glance.
“You don’t even realize that it has two wheels at the front because the bike moves along a normal radius with the usual lean for motorcycles in this class, up to 45 degrees. You won't even see that you have two wheels in front, because they are completely covered by the large fuel tank. Wide and spacious, it holds up to 18 liters of fuel,” marvels Clemens Kopecky, journalist from Motorcycle Magazine.
By the way, the Yamaha Niken has a completely ordinary side stand on which the motorcycle rests, like any other two-wheeled unit.
The fork, or rather two parts of the front suspension (essentially, these are two forks with legs turned 90 degrees), work independently of each other. This way, one can be on the curb while the other doesn't lose traction.
Do-it-yourself trikes: how to make them from which motorcycles
Homemade tricycles are a common phenomenon in Russia and abroad. Only the base is different. In our latitudes, Java, Izh, Dnieper, and Ural are more often chosen for upgrades. Thanks to the powerful opposition engine, the Dnieper and the Ural often give life to a new miracle of technology. For a less powerful model, a moped engine is suitable. Another reason for this choice is minimal costs. Few people decide to cut an imported bike for the sake of experiment.
To design the axle, you will need a profile pipe and drawings of trikes, which can be found on the Internet. Sometimes the “donors” for the axles are old bicycles, and the engines are Zaporozhets and Zhigulis.
Despite the small costs of hardware, you need to prepare for additional expenses: purchases, installation of seats, lights, if desired - chrome plating, if necessary, drive on the roads - registration with the traffic police.
Three point security
A significant difference between a classic motorcycle with two wheels is the incredible safety of the Niken model. Even if you slip in a turn (which you still need to try to do), you will, of course, eventually fall over, but the roll will increase much, much slower than the instantaneous slipping of one steered wheel on a standard motorcycle. Due to the peculiar design of the front suspension, the wheels in front will gradually move sideways, giving the rider time, and therefore a chance to correct the situation.
It turns out to be a good help for beginners. Of course, it is known that a horse will stumble even with four legs, but in terms of safety, Niken gives a head start to ordinary two-wheelers, although it is not comparable in safety to ordinary trikes. It is simply unrealistic to fall on them according to the classical scheme.
The only negative feature: when braking, the motorcycle becomes weak when maneuvering. Although, maybe this is a trick of the engineers? They seem to suggest that it is inappropriate to press the brake lever on the arc...
And a few more words about braking: the two front wheels are capable of transmitting enormous braking forces - they have all the grip you need! Therefore, it is necessary to operate the front brakes delicately even on a straight line. Where there is not enough effort on a regular motorcycle, there may be an excess of it on such a device. And if you hold it harder, you can do a “stoppie”, or even a front somersault... Be careful if you ever have the chance to ride such an unusual device.
Suzuki TL1000S
The TL1000S was not a fully thought out motorcycle. The very idea of a liter V2 foreshadows the clumsiness of the equipment, but here the V2 is extremely wild. This is not a metaphor, but a fact. The injection system on the TL was very terrible. The injectors were delivering too much fuel, causing the bike to simply fire up at full power even when the rider didn't want it to. It's like someone wants to water potted violets with a fire hose. Do you have a TL1000S? Get ready for a situation where, when exiting a corner with the speedometer needle picking up 140-160 km/h, the front wheel flies into the sky.
The motorcycle is well equipped
Standard safety equipment includes ABS, traction limiting system, and cruise control.
Dual USD 41mm forks are adjustable for compression and rebound. LED lighting all around is installed as standard.
The monochrome LCD display looks somewhat old-fashioned, but it is quite informative.
GT for long holds
Yamaha Niken GT is a version for traveling or long trips in comfort. Not the least important role in this is played by the enlarged windshield, which will deflect the oncoming traffic from the heads of even tall drivers.
There is a comfortable seat, heated grips, a rear luggage rack and side saddlebags. The downside of the latter is that they have zippers, so they are not airtight and allow water to pass through during heavy rains. Oh yes, they are also small.
McLean V-8 unicycle
Do you see this genius?
Yes, this thing was made in America. Someone decided it would be a good idea to combine a giant hula hoop with a V8 engine. Americans love everything big and powerful. Toothbrushes, dryers, washing machines. This bike is a little inconsistent with our comparison because it doesn't stand on one wheel. He's on it all the time. I am sure that specialists from Brussels are already working on a law that will allow fines to be imposed on the driver of a unicycle. The project excites our imagination. It's possible to lose your balance and sit on a spinning unicycle with a few moves, but how phenomenal would it be to take a knee or burn some rubber? This very prestigious list could include many more bikes. The first Yamaha R1 with carburetors, the Monstera 1100 EVO, the new Kawasaki Z1000, the XTZ1200 Super Tenere, the Aprilie Dorsoduro 1200 and the Buell 1125 CR. But also Honda Hornet, CBR600RR, Kawasaki ZX6R, Suzuki GSR600, Yamaha TDM900 and even... Fazera FZ6. Everything can be placed on the wheel with more or less effort. We have, however, tried to list the motorcycles for which this comes naturally.
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The result?
Yes, this toy is for an amateur or a beginner who has money for his first technologically advanced and safe motorcycle. In my opinion, the device looks too strange and unusual, like some kind of alien. In general, taste and the size of your wallet will decide whether you buy such a motorcycle for your garage or not. But as an attraction it would be possible to ride...
KTM 990 Super Duke, 990 SM and 990 SMT
KTM's ghost liter V2 is one of the few topics where Trapper agrees with me. Anyone serious about maintaining their driver's license should give up these motorcycles. Duke is a paradox. In the city, that is, in the environment set by the manufacturer, at first he behaves a little nervously, as if someone woke him up too early, and then he wants to kill you. There is no moment of smooth transition between two states. Supermoto is, in fact, one of the synonyms for “wheelie”. It would be strange if someone didn't manage to get up on their hind legs with this motorcycle. SMT is an interesting thing. Looks like some kind of touring enduro/supermoto that can be placed next to the BMW R1200GS.
