Why do you like 3 wheelers they ask me.

[ditchmud]

I was posed this question on another forum that I belong to and thought that some of you would enjoy the way that I answered it. Beware it is a long answer. I'm laid off and got a lot of time to sit behind the computer


The question:

but those things still scare me. I would rather ride a quad. Why do you chose a trike over a quad. Sell me on why you've made that choice?

and my answer:

I have quads also but I have grown to enjoy my trikes more. In real gnarly, rutted, hilly trails I prefer my quads, but I am growing more and more comfortable the more I ride my trikes.

The history of my addiction to trikes

Back in '06 while reading a dirtwheels magazine I read a small article about a 3 wheeler event called trikefest that takes place in Southern In. It was a gathering of 3wheeler owners. At the time I had a Honda atc200m and my friend also had a 3 wheeler. I mentioned the gathering to him and we went down to trikefest. We had the time of our lives and decided that we were gonna attend this event every year. That is where my addiction started. At the time my 3 wheeler was more of a novelty ride for me and I felt more comfy on a quad. The following year I stepped up and purchased a Big Red to sport at the next trikefest. I still wasn't the most at home riding on 3 wheels yet, but it was growing on me. Then a while later I bought an '85 atc350x. That trike was nicknamed "King of the Hill" by Honda back in the day, and rightfully so. I quickly learned that the plush ride of the 350x, and the monstrous power it had were a lot more inviting to ride than any of my quads.

I must be honest here also... I enjoyed the attention that I got when I was riding somewhere and people would stop and chat about my wheeler. People think that we are crazy outlaws for riding those "illegal death machines".


Illegal Death Machines

Trikes aren't any more dangerous than a 4 wheeler. It does take a little more skill to do so, but you can maneuver better and go a lot more places on a 3 wheeler once you have mastered it. The problem where they were labled as being dangerous is when, and I must emphasize this point. Inexperienced riders rode beyond their abilities and hurt themselves. Of course people weren't going to admit their own short comings or idiotic mistakes so the trikes got the blame. Lawyers and greed with frivolous lawsuits also fueled the fire that was the demise of the 3wheeler.

I don't believe that the Motorcycle companies that produced these machines were affected terribly and maybe they even benefited. After all, they had a new machine with 4 wheels that they could charge more for and everybody jumped on the bandwagon to get one. Some people even converted their 3 wheelers into 4 wheelers with Kit's that were available through different companies like one called "Astro".

After all that the 3 wheeler was all but forgotten. Many lay out behind barns or in them rotting into the ground. Many are beat to death by people who bought them for some cheap thrills. Why not, nobody wants those death machines anyways? You can sometimes even have people give them to you they are so unwanted or so far gone. But some and very few were well preserved and respected and cherished by their owners. I know of one that was just found recently still in the crate from 1986 never even assembled. These little gems are the most cherished and coveted by the few people that Love these poor forgotten machines.

Those of us that still enjoy the 3 wheeler, search high and low. Out behind barns, at garage sales and auctions. Hoping that we find one of the survivors. Either to restore or to enjoy and share. We join groups and clubs of owners to help find more of the survivors out there. We help each other locate parts and share information to keep them running.I really enjoy the feeling of riding my trike. I really enjoy the looks that I get when I show up somewhere with it. But.... most of all what I enjoy about riding trikes is the people that I have met and the true Friends that I have made enjoying these wicked machines.

LONG LIVE THE TRIKE AND THOSE THAT ENJOY THEM!


sorry for the long rambling post. I'm laid off lol

[inv3ctiv3]

Very well written and I agree 100%

[ctk]

I get that question all the time. I personally feel way more comfortable on a atc than a quad.

[oldskool83]

i like the lightness feeling of the front end when turning, i feel more comfortable seeing where the front end goes like on a dirtbike rather when blind like a quad with fenders.

i think quads are fun also but i'd rather have a 3wheeler.

[hdeuce]

Just the other day I was riding one om my atc's down my street. I live on a dead end and everyone know's me. A women visiting one of my neighbors ran up to me and stopped me. My 3 year old daughter was in front of me on my lap. She loves going for rides. Slow of course. The women starts on me about riding these 3 wheelers and proceeds to tell me that she lost her 10yr old son on one and to please reconsider. I really was able to simpathize with her. I mean, I could not imagine loosing a child... However, like guns, people kill people not trikes, cars, guns or whatever. I have been rding trikes for about 6 years now. I had one when I was 13 and my parents took it away from me because it rolled over on me. What they didn't know is that I was in a wheelie wehn it happened. I have owned quads, dirtbikes and am now into Harleys. Got my first trike again 6 years ago after I bought my Polaris sportsman 500. I know have 3 trikes and no Quads... I just prefer the ride of a good old Honda three wheeler any day over any quad

[oscarmayer]

i liek the fact i have to ride my atc and not haev the atv ride me. i feel liek i'm steering a cown downt he road on a atv where my ATC is exciting and fun.

[inv3ctiv3]

One main reason I prefer my 350x over a quad......being in a full powerslide on a trail, hitting the throttle and wheely-ing while powersliding.

[TrailerRider]

Nice! The truth will set you free!

I get that question all the time. I personally feel way more comfortable on a atc than a quad.

100% agree. My wife has a 87 250 2stroker polaris and I am not going to lie, that is fast and scares the hell out of me. It weighs 400 or dam near and is a rolling death machine. I watched my wife roll that thing & to this date I still get a upset feeling in my gut when I think about it. I have watched all my family roll their trikes and all got right back on and took off. None of them get hurt like they do on the 4 wheeled weight killers. Atleast with a trike you have a chance to jump.

I to admit to like watching peoples reactions when you ride by. I remeber one time on a trail there was a bunch of quad riders on utility quads saddling up for their ride and as my wife and I pass they all stop what they are doing and stare and give me the head nod. There is just something about trikes that gets my blood pumping. I get asked why I like them so much. I have no real idea why, I just know I think about riding/working on trikes all the time and throughout the day atleast 10 times..lol I just can't explain it.

[jensenracing77]

you guys are killing me. i want to get on a 3 wheeler so bad i can tast it. i am so looking forward to the OTC races, and the TPC 450.

[MonroeMike]

Nice post Rich, well said.

[1984ATC200S]

very well written, I've got 2, 3 wheelers, and feel 100% safe driving them, when were out on a trip, people tell me to try there new quads, i get on start them, up, after figuring out why there's no pull start and that there's a button somewhere that starts them, drive around, get off and hand them there keys, and ask them how they can drive something that feels like its gonna tip over on the smallest slope. But nobody every wants to try my 200S, they all just shake there head, i love it, just dont like the feel of a quad.

[theiizz08]

Amen brother!!

[smvorndran]

It's my way of sticking it to the man.

[oscarmayer]

^ now that is funny!

[CRAZY70MAN]

Like it is always said...."If they were outlawed....then only outlaws will ride em'..... I agree with the front wheel theory... I know where my trike is going..... jjust put that 1 wheel there!!! So so so much more nimble.....had to laugh at a buddy on a butt force, I mean a brute force Kawi last week. We were riding a steep hill and he couldnt' make the bottom turn the big red could....lol lol lol. I think the trikes actually warn you when enough is enough and like you all say......280lbs is a lot better than 780lbs on ya.......