Anyone else notice the leniency with trikes lately? Booming popularity

[Chopsaw]

All bull aside ,,, yes they are making a strong come back .

[DohcBikes]

maybe just me but don't think any of this discussion is b.s.

Except the seizure part. That's b.s.

[slashfan7964]

Yes I agree that was definitely stupid on the cops end.


I think a lot of it has to do with public mentality as well. People aren't uptight as they were about things years ago. But that depends on what it is. Politics yes, but little things like cussing and not being afraid to voice their opinion without giving a damn what others think plays a part. I think in part of this that people are indeed realizing that you simply cannot blame the machine for moronic riding and that they are indeed stable with the proper riding technique which they realize is different from quads and bikes. I think people are also realizing that not everyone has a three wheeler as well and wanting something different.

And to top that off, they are cheap and easy to work on and that definitely raises the appeal.

[Rider414]

I started riding ATV's at the end of the 3 wheeler era. Never rode one until I got a Tri Z. They are simply really fun to ride.

[tri again]

I'm perfectly happy with their 'unpopularity.'
Kinda wondering why prices are going up.
All it's gonna take is some retro tv commercial
or movie with trikes to change the whole game.

With our terrain, quads get stuck and trikes are the only thing that will get us around.
If I found a new quad with a big ribbon on it in the driveway, I'd sell it and buy as many trikes as I could.

[DohcBikes]

I think the prices on the vintage machines will continue to rise due to the rise in popularity and as stated above, there are actually less parts available for them every day, especially nice parts.

I know without a doubt that I can build a modern 250cc trike for under $3500 in my garage. There are many people that have much more efficient operations and better connections than I do.

If the popularity and acceptance of trikes continues to go up, I won't be the only one looking at this as an option. The more the merrier.

Who are we to make this an exclusive club? We all seem to want these new and great products to be available for our trikes, and are so damn thankful when someone provides us with something new, but yet some want to keep it some sort of secret that trikes are awesome, really can't have it both ways.

[Tri-Z 250]

Come back or Welcome back some of us never made the switch or ever wanted to. 3Wheeled Racing is honestly filling the void of other gates not filled with bikes or quads. I will say that if you've raced at a track I found two types of people who approach you in the pits. The guy who used to have one. Telling you his experiences with a hill climb story that takes longer to tell than the ride itself. 2nd the one I love is a young kid tugging at Dads sleeve and asking"what is that?" Vintage in the eyes of the masses...I hope they don't line the fences just to see a good crash. Then again I've never heard spectators complain if they don't after race. I've yet to hear anyone say, wow three wheelers look pretty safe on the track. Now quad guys say there slow yet won't throw a leg to show how it's done. Collect ability to who? After my generation and the 25 to 50 now...expire. Today's 3yr old will not be looking to score a 250R mint condition for $4000 at 18yrs old. Not unless it's passed along. When you see more TPC and other modded modern hybrids on the tracks out numbering gated classes, then it's a comeback. Just get out and try an Event...If it takes three hrs to get to an MX in 3wheeled racing that's a local.

[slashfan7964]

Well considering they host events about 10 minutes from me quite regularly...


TPC's are all over the place from what I've seen. At least from what I've seen, young guys that ride are receptive to them. I'm 19 and I would love to score a nice R. I have friends of mine younger than me that want one.

[fabiodriven]

I'll have to say I've noticed the resurgence as well. As stated ^above^, some of us just never got out. It's how I started and most of my friends growing up felt the same and rode them as well. The three wheeler just always suited me.

As far as prices going up, that's to be expected whenever anything becomes a classic or antique. Couple that with a surge in popularity and you have a recipe for high dollar market. That's fine by me though. I have had many trikes and have quite a few right now. I don't just look at them, I give them all they got and I always will. My next step is more modern bikes with modern parts. It's been done many, many times now and will happen more and more in the future. I just bought my first modern trike, the XR, and it's an absolute pleasure. Down the road I'll be making my own or buying more already made. It's just the progression of the sport and the only way to evolve right now. I'd rather funnel my money in that direction I'd say.

Something was said about keeping up with modern quads and I tend to be a bit skeptical about that, or I wonder at least. It's not very often at all I ride with any golf carts ever anymore, I barely ever see them in action. I do remember seeing some pretty fast quad riders in my day though and obviously they are inherently more stable on many types of terrain. I can say I know where that feeling comes from though, as I have the same thoughts. We ride really fast in New Hampshire over very extreme terrain and I often find myself thinking there is no way a quad could do what I was doing at the speed I was. I question that thought though as I've yet to see it done on a quad. I'd like to see the outcome in many different cases. We climbed a hill last time I was there, some of the hairiest shite I've ever done, and 7 of us did it. I was amazed. I had all of my weight on the tank with the front tire dancing on the ground here and there in first gear, rear wheels spinning at times. We all made it up that hill but I found myself wondering if even a 4x4 quad would be able to scale what we just had. I'm ignorant though, as I am not familiar enough with them. I would imagine if they could they would more than likely destroy the hill on their way up. 800lbs and big torque and horsepower, big mud claws spinning the whole way. One thing is for certain, we do not leave the footprint those things do.

Trikes are just the best. It's so unique how they ride and not everyone can, or wants to do it. I don't blame people for realizing how cool trikes are. I do blame them though for drinking the Kool Aid and listening to the propaganda, something I try to be aware of in any situation. If the man is telling me I shouldn't be riding this then I probably should. I was right as usual.

[slashfan7964]

I'll have to say I've noticed the resurgence as well. As stated ^above^, some of us just never got out. It's how I started and most of my friends growing up felt the same and rode them as well. The three wheeler just always suited me.

That's basically how I've always felt about them. They seemed to be the right configuration for me.

Something was said about keeping up with modern quads and I tend to be a bit skeptical about that, or I wonder at least. It's not very often at all I ride with any golf carts ever anymore, I barely ever see them in action. I do remember seeing some pretty fast quad riders in my day though and obviously they are inherently more stable on many types of terrain. I can say I know where that feeling comes from though, as I have the same thoughts. We ride really fast in New Hampshire over very extreme terrain and I often find myself thinking there is no way a quad could do what I was doing at the speed I was. I question that thought though as I've yet to see it done on a quad. I'd like to see the outcome in many different cases. We climbed a hill last time I was there, some of the hairiest shite I've ever done, and 7 of us did it. I was amazed. I had all of my weight on the tank with the front tire dancing on the ground here and there in first gear, rear wheels spinning at times. We all made it up that hill but I found myself wondering if even a 4x4 quad would be able to scale what we just had. I'm ignorant though, as I am not familiar enough with them. I would imagine if they could they would more than likely destroy the hill on their way up. 800lbs and big torque and horsepower, big mud claws spinning the whole way. One thing is for certain, we do not leave the footprint those things do.

I think a lot of that has to do with the fact that most people don't have high dollar race quads that are brand new and most buy rather "small" quads used. 300EX's, 250X's, stock Blasters, smaller Scramblers and the like. You'll see a lot of older Banshee's, maybe a 400EX and maybe a YFZ450 or Raptor 660/700 here and there but typically around here I find more 500cc Sportsmans and other utilities more so than many sport machines. For every Banshee I see, I see 4 utility quads. That's why I said I think many of the suspended trikes out there can keep up especially on the trails in the hands of a skilled rider. I've seen trikes do things people wouldn't dare do on a quad, over some really rough terrain. And I think people are starting to realize that three wheelers typically have the edge as far as speed on the trails coupled with handling only you can control. That control is what people like, and personally I feel like quads are too grippy and take away too much feeling. I like that they have more of a bike style front end to them than a heavy quad. Don't get me wrong, I'll ride a quad if someone puts it in front of me because it's something to ride, but a three wheeler will always be my first choice.

Trikes are just the best. It's so unique how they ride and not everyone can, or wants to do it. I don't blame people for realizing how cool trikes are. I do blame them though for drinking the Kool Aid and listening to the propaganda, something I try to be aware of in any situation. If the man is telling me I shouldn't be riding this then I probably should. I was right as usual.

I am in total agreement with you there.

[justin4]

To get the four wheelers to handle closer to three ,find the best front tread tires you can and golf cart tires on the rear and you will feel the slide you want. But that's running around the yard no hill climbing with that set up. My trx will burn the tires off it in the street . I also have a nice stock pile of three wheelers in my shop. I can't wait to Sell a 250 r for $4000, maybe $6000 for my tri z?....

[RIDE-RED 250r]

Yes I agree that was definitely stupid on the cops end.


I think a lot of it has to do with public mentality as well. People aren't uptight as they were about things years ago. But that depends on what it is. Politics yes, but little things like cussing and not being afraid to voice their opinion without giving a damn what others think plays a part. I think in part of this that people are indeed realizing that you simply cannot blame the machine for moronic riding and that they are indeed stable with the proper riding technique which they realize is different from quads and bikes. I think people are also realizing that not everyone has a three wheeler as well and wanting something different.

And to top that off, they are cheap and easy to work on and that definitely raises the appeal.

With all due respect:

When it comes to the trikes, the only reason the masses and the media aren't uptight is that there are relatively few trikes left compared to the numbers of them in circulation back in the hey-day. Believe you me, if there were as many injury/fatalities on trikes again annually as there are say on snowmobiles, the witch hunt would be very much renewed.

And to reply to the second statement I highlighted... I really don't believe that is the case... Reason: there is still a huge segment of our society that still vigorously blames firearms for the evil actions of the criminal who pulled the trigger.

I'm sorry to say, but I really don't believe any of what you said here is the case... It's just that trikes aren't in the foreground of the news any more.... I would argue that our society is generally more stupid and closed minded than ever before in our history...yeah, I said it.

[slashfan7964]

I agree with you to an extent on that but honestly I believe trikes are a small exception. Granted, there are still people who still are arrogant about them, but it's not as bad as it has been in the past. As I previously said, those who don't ride anything at all seem to be the worst offenders. Those that do appreciate them for what they are. A quick look at Dirt Wheels Facebook page will tell you that. They've posted 3 trikes this week alone. A 90, 350X, and a 250R. I do think it's the "retro" factor.

Otherwise I agree.


Case in point:





Just 2 of many. And you have to remember, that's hardly touching the amount of fans out there who may not be on social media, or seen it etc.

[RIDE-RED 250r]

I get what you are saying about those in the sport having a renewed interest, if not respect for them.. I was more referring to the "other" people who would rather sip champagne at the country club on a saturday. You know, the Dianne Sawyers and Katie Courics of the world...they are always so "concerned" about one thing or another... and they think you should be too! LOL!

[DohcBikes]

The more people there are, the more stupid people there are. Ride-red, few trikes left? No I don't think so. Less, of course. But......As highlighted before in this thread, people are getting them back out, not ashamed to own them. There are trikes being uncovered by the thousands right now. They're out there.

And once again, three wheeler fever does not have to be limited to vintage three wheelers. I live in a powersports-healthy community. I see modern trikes for sale all the time, an personally, Im going to stay optimistic about is market, because I believe in it.

Have we never banned anything, then decided it was OK to produce and distribute that thing again?......and hasn't that particular thing been proven to be dangerous, even deadly on a large scale? Here's some now....



If enough people like something, and there's a market for it, they'll find a way.

Dianne Sawyer is hot. Just sayin.