Anyone else notice the leniency with trikes lately? Booming popularity

[DohcBikes]

Ride-red if we arent careful we are going to end up agreeing on more things .....tell you what though you are by far my favorite person to disagree with

More popular every day, i just dont think theres anyway to deny it. Its easy to see in the social media. And i hope it continues.

[slashfan7964]

More popular every day, i just dont think theres anyway to deny it. Its easy to see in the social media. And i hope it continues.

This is basically what I've been trying to get at. I've been seeing them very often lately.


I can't be the only one that's seeing more wanted ads on Clist though than those that are up for sale.

[RIDE-RED 250r]

Ride-red if we arent careful we are going to end up agreeing on more things .....tell you what though you are by far my favorite person to disagree with

More popular every day, i just dont think theres anyway to deny it. Its easy to see in the social media. And i hope it continues.

Haha! You bet! Just because we don't always agree on every single thing doesn't mean we have to hate each other...

[slashfan7964]

Haha! You bet! Just because we don't always agree on every single thing doesn't mean we have to hate each other...

At least you guys recognize that, some people don't

[slashfan7964]

Guys check out the DW Facebook page right now. They asked "What quad should we build up next?"

Exactly half of the total comments/replies are people telling them to build a three wheeler. From street legal trikes to 250R's, 200X's and 350X's, people want three wheelers, plain and simple. People want three wheelers in the media. Just more proof of a resurgence.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=1&theater

[Mosh]

This resurgence didnt start 2 years ago, you just weren't around to see it. Dont confuse social media growth with actual growth, there are fewer trikes and riders out every year.

Agreed.

Some pics from the past.

This is a small outlaw track in Ohio from 2009.
3 full gates over 40 riders from Indy, PA, Ohio, Michigan, and New york.



2008 another ride with riders from the same regions.



2010 Gordons Well Imperial Invasion. The year Sprock hosted one of the biggest rides, in which we were all lucky enough to have one last ride with Roger/Sandpupi.





Trikefest 2007, in which this forum owner will even recognize as the biggest attendance year to date.

Group photo

2008 Steel City motorcycle show in which trikes took the top 4 show plaques amidst a sea of vintage dirt bikes.



IDK. I just remember monthly ebay threads of Cal-Fabs on top of Westcoast's, followed by Mugen kits and Short track kits followed up with large group orders, new products and events.
Things seemed to have stabilized, and many of the larger gatherings have broke down into more spread out localized events that spawned from the larger stuff. Which is good cuz now people don't have to drive 400 miles to go race some trikes or get a decent sized gathering together.
Much of this stuff was moving heavy before social media sites were popular. Forums seemed to get much of the larger gatherings organized, which probably raises more notice than smaller events.
There was a lot of stuff happening from 05-2010.

[atc300r]

I think the release of the Can-Am Spyder has a little bit to do with trikes being more acceptible. I know its a different style of trike but still a trike and they get positive remarks .Whenever Im out in public and I see one go by people all around get googly eyed over them young and old. Any positive emotion over trikes is good in my opinion.I know alot of non-motorcycle that would not think twice about getting a bike but say they would get a Spyder.

[matt3x]

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.

Check this video out if you haven't before. It might change your mindset on Facebook 'likes' and what they really mean.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVfHeWTKjag

[slashfan7964]

Check this video out if you haven't before. It might change your mindset on Facebook 'likes' and what they really mean.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVfHeWTKjag

Ah well. Still cool to have the likes anyways.

______________

Dirt Wheels has posted up 4 trikes this week alone with mini articles on them. 2 350X's, a Tecate and a Tri Z and mentioned the 250R and factory racing with Jimmy White and Marty Hart. Hell, they even gave the Honda Pilot a mention. Not to mention the stuff from last month.

This is awesome. I really do like people getting back into the sport of three wheeler riding.

[Billy Golightly]

I think we're just starting to see a rebound from what has been a terrible economy (Whether this is an actual rebound or just a small spike before another huge dip is a conversation for another time) that had all sorts of power sports and toys on the back burner. 2004 and 2005 were absolutely insane things were about as close to going mainstream as you could get. A lot of printed magazine references and articles. You could take all the Facebook Groups you know of trike related, pages, and forums now, and pile them back here, and thats how busy it was. You'd get a whole page of content on Trikesylvania alone between 6:00PM and midnight on the week nights. 25 people in the chat room at one time, I've ran most of those people off though now... (TBH, it was Zuckerburg really)

Despite that, there are several factors and items to consider;

#1: At no point since trikes were new has there ever been better aftermarket and reproduction product support than there is now. Look at the # of products made today that weren't even offered in the 1980s...
#2: Innovation and competitive levels (from a production and racing scenario both) are moving towards 1980s levels. Hell I remember when I first got on this site the only "company" that had anything to do with Trikes was the Astro for their quad conversion kits. No one had or even thought of three-wheeler oriented businesses, why bother? I'm not saying there wasn't some local shops that preferred or specialized working on trikes, but there wasn't a single one I can think of that had a national (world?) level of distribution or customer base.
#3: Pop culture references are somewhat more prevalent - the T-shirt in Something About Mary, the numerous TV shows that three-wheelers seem to make some sort of an appearance or cameo on in the past few years.

Theres others of course, but those are all good signs.

[ironchop]

, I've ran most of those people off though now... (TBH, it was Zuckerburg really).

Don`t worry.....Zuckerburger is running them off by the thousands from there also as we speak. You should have them all back in a couple years when that teeny-bopper site fades away just like a MyWaste page. I deleted my own page a year ago. I was losing respect for friends due to ignorant posts with a lack of anything interesting or insightful not to mention FB still has a larger proportion of drama than this place any day......Perhaps a trike page in Pinterest? lol

theres a couple of characters in this place who would dig Tweeter I bet

back from the dirt road in my head............I hope trikes DO NOT get mainstream ever. I`d hate to see a trike cost as much as a UTV to repair. Then, I would take up Outlaw Basket Weaving and turn out some seriously badass baskets with "No Fear" and "Ain`t Skeered" plastered on the side..... or maybe "TapOut"....something to hold my skinny jeans and my porkpie hat

Rockabilly Basket Weaving.....Like Mike Ness at a craft Show

Long live the Hipster (not really)

Drugs are bad, Mkay?

[slashfan7964]

I think we're just starting to see a rebound from what has been a terrible economy (Whether this is an actual rebound or just a small spike before another huge dip is a conversation for another time) that had all sorts of power sports and toys on the back burner. 2004 and 2005 were absolutely insane things were about as close to going mainstream as you could get. A lot of printed magazine references and articles. You could take all the Facebook Groups you know of trike related, pages, and forums now, and pile them back here, and thats how busy it was. You'd get a whole page of content on Trikesylvania alone between 6:00PM and midnight on the week nights. 25 people in the chat room at one time, I've ran most of those people off though now... (TBH, it was Zuckerburg really)

Yeah, I knew there was a surge in the mid 2000's. That's when I really started getting into it. I had looked for a while on the net and when I finally started finding pictures of 200X's I was showing them off to all of my friends like 'hey dude, THAT'S the thing I have". It was pretty cool because only one of my friends at the time had a three wheeler, and it was a 250ES Big Red. It was the same year as the 200X.

Now a lot of my friends know about them and want them. And I think that's partially because of me and the media on Facebook etc. You see them quite a bit now. I really think the internet has really helped them come back.

Despite that, there are several factors and items to consider;

#1: At no point since trikes were new has there ever been better aftermarket and reproduction product support than there is now. Look at the # of products made today that weren't even offered in the 1980s...
#2: Innovation and competitive levels (from a production and racing scenario both) are moving towards 1980s levels. Hell I remember when I first got on this site the only "company" that had anything to do with Trikes was the Astro for their quad conversion kits. No one had or even thought of three-wheeler oriented businesses, why bother? I'm not saying there wasn't some local shops that preferred or specialized working on trikes, but there wasn't a single one I can think of that had a national (world?) level of distribution or customer base.
#3: Pop culture references are somewhat more prevalent - the T-shirt in Something About Mary, the numerous TV shows that three-wheelers seem to make some sort of an appearance or cameo on in the past few years.

Theres others of course, but those are all good signs.

These are all good and really strong points. I fully agree with you. I think within the next couple years three wheelers are going to really take off again.

I hope trikes DO NOT get mainstream ever. I`d hate to see a trike cost as much as a UTV to repair.

I don't think it will EVER get to that point.

The popularity might take off but I think when the market gets flooded with aftermarket parts and whatnot it'll keep the price down from all the competition.

Look at older V8 engines. Chevy 350s, Ford 302s etc. There is so much aftermarket that parts are "cheap". Well not really cheap, but much less than say what a modern LS7 or Coyote 5.0 would cost for the same parts. Granted, the newer engines are off to a better start in the power department, but nothing beats the affordability of those older engines. I think trikes will be similar.


Trikes are the muscle cars of ATV's and that is what is driving people towards them.

[Billy Golightly]

well, when I said mainstream, I meant mainstream in the ATV and Off-road niche. Mainstream as in, not out of the ordinary to see a trike picture or article next to quad and dirtbike stuff.

Not mainstream like, Walmart, mainstream.


Although, there is a Trail-Pro shirt design I made years ago I could die tomorrow if it were ever for sale in there...

I'd have these made if I wasn't afraid of copyright infringement on the tread pattern - Although the likelihood of that is pretty low...

[RIDE-RED 250r]

well, when I said mainstream, I meant mainstream in the ATV and Off-road niche. Mainstream as in, not out of the ordinary to see a trike picture or article next to quad and dirtbike stuff.

Not mainstream like, Walmart, mainstream.


Although, there is a Trail-Pro shirt design I made years ago I could die tomorrow if it were ever for sale in there...

That is exactly the point I was trying to make... Only you put it in to words better..

[slashfan7964]

well, when I said mainstream, I meant mainstream in the ATV and Off-road niche. Mainstream as in, not out of the ordinary to see a trike picture or article next to quad and dirtbike stuff.

Not mainstream like, Walmart, mainstream.

That's the point I was making. It's not uncommon to see a three wheeler next to a quad right now, at least online. I think now everyone is becoming more accepting and because of that I think you'll start seeing them pop up on the trails more frequently.

Although, there is a Trail-Pro shirt design I made years ago I could die tomorrow if it were ever for sale in there...

I'd have these made if I wasn't afraid of copyright infringement on the tread pattern - Although the likelihood of that is pretty low...

10/10 Would buy.


Though I would love a 3WW T shirt.