# What are the benefits and drawbacks of trikes? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 11, 2015, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-benefits-and-drawbacks-of-trikes/734320 "2015-10-11T18:05:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![catflea12](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f6c823/32.png) [@catflea12](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/catflea12)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2018, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-benefits-and-drawbacks-of-trikes/734320/41 "2018-09-02T12:43:02Z")
I have a Can Am Spyder because I’m disabled but still want to ride. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2018, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-benefits-and-drawbacks-of-trikes/734320/42 "2018-09-02T12:45:00Z")
> [@DainBramage](#): > > Geo Metro, Pulling trailer and 50MPG without strip mining the heck out of the earth for the hard to dispose of metals in those battery packs. and did I mention that I just bought another for 250.00 with working air conditioning? But I have built trikes from Goldwings and other motorcycles and the gearing holds them from optimum gas mileage. Most bike riders in all reality do not get out and put 1,000 miles on a bike in 24 hours like a person in a car will. I know I have a few hundred thousand miles on motorcycles and most motorcyclists are short haulers so 38 or 100mpg isn’t a bother. A regular trike can be a scary beast in a heartbeat and the problem is that most are in a mind set that the trike is safer and don’t realize the danger until they are too far into a turn and either can’t turn or flip out. Of course a Geo Metro with air conditioning and pulling a trailer will get 50 mpg, since it can’t go faster that 35 miles per hour. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2018, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-benefits-and-drawbacks-of-trikes/734320/43 "2018-09-02T12:57:29Z")
> [@Mumberthax](#): > > Apples and oranges. You have a hybrid; she doesn’t. Nonetheless, bragging about getting 38mpg is weird. I’ve owned several ordinary, cornering stable, cars that have gotten that on mostly highway miles. I would expect a trike to get quite significantly higher mileage. ---
**Author:** ![catflea12](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f6c823/32.png) [@catflea12](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/catflea12)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2018, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-benefits-and-drawbacks-of-trikes/734320/44 "2018-09-02T13:10:26Z")
I get asked about mpg also, but I didn’t buy my Spyder for the gas mileage. I bought it because it’s fun and I can still have the enjoyment of riding a motorcycle. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2018, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-benefits-and-drawbacks-of-trikes/734320/45 "2018-09-02T16:40:13Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > Nonetheless, bragging about getting 38mpg is weird. I’ve owned several ordinary, cornering stable, cars that have gotten that on mostly highway miles. I would expect a trike to get quite significantly higher mileage. 38 mpg is good for a trike. I’m getting 30 to 35 mpg with my cruiser. It’s not designed for gas mileage. By design it’s got a lot of wind resistance and has a relatively high hp motor. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2018, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-benefits-and-drawbacks-of-trikes/734320/46 "2018-09-02T17:37:33Z")
The economy of bikes isn’t just the MPG, the initial cost is much lower for the bike. Cars certainly have caught up in terms of fuel economy though, my first bike was a Honda 350 in 1974. 50 MPG was astonishing at the time compare to cars. As I stepped up to a 550 and then a 750 the mileage stayed about the same since they didn’t have to run so close to the red line. ---
**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2018, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-benefits-and-drawbacks-of-trikes/734320/47 "2018-09-02T17:46:34Z")
Does anyone make hybrid or electric bikes/trikes? Electric vehicles can get very high initial acceleration which you would think would appeal to riders. Also, the main limitation of electric vehicles is insufficient range/energy storage but a bike/trike requires less energy than a car for a given distance. It would also make them much quieter which I realize would be a downside for some riders. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2018, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-benefits-and-drawbacks-of-trikes/734320/48 "2018-09-02T18:14:21Z")
> [@MichaelEmouse](#): > > Does anyone make hybrid or electric bikes/trikes? Electric vehicles can get very high initial acceleration which you would think would appeal to riders. Also, the main limitation of electric vehicles is insufficient range/energy storage but a bike/trike requires less energy than a car for a given distance. It would also make them much quieter which I realize would be a downside for some riders. Yes they make electric motorcycles. they have all the personality of porridge. They will probably appeal to ricers who think in terms of speed, speed, and speed (in that order). ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2018, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-benefits-and-drawbacks-of-trikes/734320/49 "2018-09-02T18:16:58Z")
[Zero Motorcycles.](https://www.zeromotorcycles.com/) Claimed range up to 223 miles. Coming in 2019. Harley Davidson [LiveWire.](https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/motorcycles/future-vehicles/livewire.html) ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2018, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-benefits-and-drawbacks-of-trikes/734320/50 "2018-09-02T18:41:24Z")
> [@MichaelEmouse](#): > > Does anyone make hybrid or electric bikes/trikes? Electric vehicles can get very high initial acceleration which you would think would appeal to riders. Also, the main limitation of electric vehicles is insufficient range/energy storage but a bike/trike requires less energy than a car for a given distance. It would also make them much quieter which I realize would be a downside for some riders. bikes are “wheelie” limited beyond a certain point, which is why the 0-60 times of the fastest sport bikes are all crowded around the 2.8 to 2.9 second mark. ---
**Author:** ![bb49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b38774/32.png) [@bb49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bb49)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2018, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-benefits-and-drawbacks-of-trikes/734320/51 "2018-09-04T03:13:34Z")
> [@catflea12](#): > > I get asked about mpg also, but I didn’t buy my Spyder for the gas mileage. I bought it because it’s fun and I can still have the enjoyment of riding a motorcycle. Me too. I bought my motorcycle for fun, not gas mileage. That being said, I do track the fuel consumption for my 1800 Gold Wing and average 42 mpg year after year. Not bad for a big bike, but definitely not a concern of mine. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2018, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-benefits-and-drawbacks-of-trikes/734320/52 "2018-09-04T03:38:09Z")
> [@bb49](#): > > Me too. I bought my motorcycle for fun, not gas mileage. > That being said, I do track the fuel consumption for my 1800 Gold Wing and average 42 mpg year after year. Not bad for a big bike, but definitely not a concern of mine. I have a 1520 Valkyrie and it has never seen that. EVER. We probably have a different definition of fun. If I dog it like it’s my last mile I might get 35 mpg. ---
**Author:** ![bb49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b38774/32.png) [@bb49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bb49)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2018, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-benefits-and-drawbacks-of-trikes/734320/53 "2018-09-05T02:45:35Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > I have a 1520 Valkyrie and it has never seen that. EVER. We probably have a different definition of fun. If I dog it like it’s my last mile I might get 35 mpg. I ride with a friend that has a 1997 Valk Touring and it loves gas stations. And we both ride aggressively. I love his bike too, six pipes, beautiful sound, red and white. A real nice looking cruiser. ---
**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2018, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-benefits-and-drawbacks-of-trikes/734320/54 "2018-09-05T03:11:31Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > bikes are “wheelie” limited beyond a certain point, which is why the 0-60 times of the fastest sport bikes are all crowded around the 2.8 to 2.9 second mark. Wouldn’t a trike reduce the tendency, by putting more weight in the front? Is there a major reason why bikes/trikes can’t be front-wheel drive? If they can, wouldn’t that take care of the wheelie limit? ---
**Author:** ![Sloe\_Moe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8797f3/32.png) [@Sloe\_Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sloe_Moe)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2018, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-benefits-and-drawbacks-of-trikes/734320/55 "2018-09-05T03:15:41Z")
Amputees or PWD’s who still want to bike. Not sure about licensing and other rules though. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2018, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-benefits-and-drawbacks-of-trikes/734320/56 "2018-09-05T03:23:03Z")
It is not called a “reverse trike”, the proper term for one wheel in the back is “tadpole trike” (though it tends to be more common in the HPV realm, where those things are so low to the ground that your wallet might not clear a lane reflector). ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2018, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-benefits-and-drawbacks-of-trikes/734320/57 "2018-09-05T04:18:23Z")
> [@bb49](#): > > I ride with a friend that has a 1997 Valk Touring and it loves gas stations. And we both ride aggressively. I love his bike too, six pipes, beautiful sound, red and white. A real nice looking cruiser. 42 mpg with a bigger motor. That’s just not right. do you have the 2018 with a 6 speed? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2018, 10:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-benefits-and-drawbacks-of-trikes/734320/58 "2018-09-05T10:31:22Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > 42 mpg with a bigger motor. That’s just not right. do you have the 2018 with a 6 speed? And what appears to be far better aerodynamics. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2018, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-benefits-and-drawbacks-of-trikes/734320/59 "2018-09-05T11:28:13Z")
> [@MichaelEmouse](#): > > Wouldn’t a trike reduce the tendency, by putting more weight in the front? > > Is there a major reason why bikes/trikes can’t be front-wheel drive? If they can, wouldn’t that take care of the wheelie limit? Making a bike/trike front-wheel drive adds major mechanical complications. Most trikes are adapted from motorcycles ([the Honda Goldwing is a popular starting point](https://www.google.com/search?q=goldwing+trike&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjguZad36PdAhWFTd8KHQshARIQ_AUICygC&biw=1404&bih=934)) that already assign steering to the front wheel; if you want to put power there, that’s a challenging assignment. Much easier to put power to the rear wheel(s). Also, because bikes/trikes have a short wheelbase and high center of mass, they exhibit greater weight transfer on acceleration. In addition to making very powerful bikes prone to wheelies under strong acceleration, the weight transfer means that if you tried to deliver that power to the front wheel, you’d be spinning it all the time. ---
**Author:** ![bb49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b38774/32.png) [@bb49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bb49)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2018, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-benefits-and-drawbacks-of-trikes/734320/60 "2018-09-06T03:51:34Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > 42 mpg with a bigger motor. That’s just not right. do you have the 2018 with a 6 speed? It’s an '03 and I’ve been tracking the fuel consumption every year. I get even better mileage when my S.O. is on the back. She makes me keep the speed down. It has 100,000 miles on it and still gets the same mileage that it did when I bought it. It has a five speed, turns 3,000 rpm at 70 mph. If you keep the rpm’s at or below 3,000 it gets great fuel mileage, above that it starts to drop. From 2,000 up to 3,000 it has great torque so it pulls pretty good coming out of corners. Consequently I do a bit of shifting in the curves. As for trikes, one big advantage they have over two-wheels is braking power. Three tires, all bigger and they stop pretty quick [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-benefits-and-drawbacks-of-trikes/734320.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-benefits-and-drawbacks-of-trikes/734320.md?page=4)