Are you wondering which companies make trike motorcycles? Without further ado, the best trike manufacturers are as follows:
- BRP (Can-Am)
- Piaggio
- Yamaha
- Harley-Davidson
- Boss Hoss
- Arcimoto
- Polaris
If you are considering buying a factory-made trike, this post is for you. We at PoweSportsGuide have compiled the most reputable trike manufacturers under one roof!
If you can’t find one that’s right for you, don’t worry. You can still convert many 2-wheel motorcycles into a trike with an aftermarket trike kit!
Which Companies Make Trikes?
Let’s drill into the details and take a closer look at the best trike manufacturers!
BRP (Bombardier Recreational Products)
BRP (Bombardier Recreational Products) is one of the most well-known trike manufacturers on the market.
The Canadian company introduced its first factory-made trike, the Can-Am Spyder, in 2007. More than a decade later, in 2019 the family was expanded with the more affordable Ryker and Ryker Rally Edition.
Instead of regular trike motorcycles, the three-wheeler Can-Am vehicles are considered to be “reverse trikes.” This means they have two front wheels and one rear drive wheel. Additionally, they feature an ATV-like chassis and a bulkier body as well.
So, at first glance, it seems these vehicles share more DNA with ATVs and snowmobiles than motorcycles!
Although BRP refers to these machines as “roadsters,” let’s face it, they are basically reverse trikes!
Piaggio
Piaggio is a European motorcycle manufacturer headquartered in Pontedera, Italy. The company offers a wide range of motorcycles under many different brands.
The innovative three-wheel scooter, the Piaggio MP3, was introduced in 2006. It features a single rear wheel and two bigger front wheels. It comes with many different engine options and useful features.
The most powerful MP3 is powered by a 493cc, 39 HP engine, which offers a fuel consumption of 54 MPG.
A lot of people say that when it comes to commuting vehicles, Piaggio is currently one of the best trike motorcycle manufacturers!
Yamaha
Yamaha is a well-known name in the world of motorsports. The vehicles made by this Japanese manufacturer are famous for their reliability and durability.
Encouraged by the success of the Piaggio MP3, Yamaha released its first three-wheel scooter, the Tricity, in 2014. As its name implies, the Tricity is made for the city! Its agility and great fuel range makes this machine a great commuter trike.
If you are looking for a sportier trike, you should take a look at the Yamaha Niken GT. Unlike its smaller brothers, this model is more like a sport touring bike on three wheels!
Thanks to its 847cc, 115 HP engine, the Niken GT can reach a top speed of 136 mph without any issues.
Harley-Davidson
There is no question that one of the best trike motorcycle manufacturers is Harley-Davidson.
This legendary American manufacturer has been around since 1903. Besides the Indian, Harley-Davidson is another major motorcycle brand that survived the great depression.
Today the company is one of the main motorcycle manufacturers with a large fan base both in and outside the U.S.
Harley-Davidson offers three different 3-wheel motorcycles, which include the Freewheeler, the Tri Glide Ultra, and the CVO Tri Glide.
Boss Hoss
It’s a lesser-known fact that Boss Hoss also offers factory trike motorcycles.
Boss Hoss is another American motorcycle brand and was founded in 1990. This manufacturer is known for its extremely large displacement vehicles, since their motorcycles and trikes are powered with 6,000-8,000cc, V8 engines.
They also feature a special semi-automatic transmission to reduce the vibration of these large engines.
Boss Hoss trikes are not only the most powerful three-wheel motorcycles on the market, but they also stand out from the crowd with their large chassis and body.
This manufacturer has a large fleet of trikes, which are as follows:
- Gangsta
- 57 Chevy
- Willy’s
- Coupe
- Sierra
Arcimoto
Arcimoto is an American electric vehicle manufacturer. The company offers many different electric trike motorcycles, which include the FUV (Fun Utility Vehicle), the Rapid Responder, the Deliverator, and the Roadster.
Designed for commuting, the FUV features a windscreen, panoramic roof, and removable doors. It can carry 2 passengers and offers a range of 100 “city” miles on one charge. This model is powered by an 81 HP electric engine and a 20kWh battery pack.
Although it’s still just a prototype, we have to mention the company’s new invention, the Roadster. As its name suggests, this trike is designed for recreational use. It features a motorcycle-like seat for 2 passengers and lacks a roof and windshield.
Polaris
Polaris is another well-known name in the powersports market. The company was founded in Roseau, MN where its products are still engineered and manufactured.
The manufacturer offers a wide range of snowmobiles, ATVs, motorcycles, as well as an amazing trike, called the Slingshot.
This 3-wheel vehicle stands out from the crowd, as it has a unique car-like design. The Slingshot is powered with a 173 HP, 4-cylinder engine that offers a (limited) top speed of 125 mph.
Other Manufacturers
Does Kawasaki Make a Trike?
Although factory-made Kawasaki trikes are still not available, many 2-wheel Kawasaki motorcycles can be turned into trikes with the right conversion kit. It’s safe to say that most Kawasaki trike conversions are built from the Vulcan, Nomad, Voyager, and Vaquero models.
Does Indian Motorcycles Make a Trike?
Just like Kawasaki, Indian doesn’t manufacture 3-wheel motorcycles either. But the good news is that you can choose from many different trike kits, specially designed for the Indian Roadmaster, Classic, Chieftain, or Vintage models. These trike kits come with an independent suspension for maximum comfort.
Does BMW Make a Trike?
To the regret of BMW fans, the German company hasn’t entered the trike market yet. However, trike kits are available for many regular 2-wheel BMW motorcycles, such as the K1140RT, K1200LT, or the K1600GTL.
What’s more, you can find BMW engines in many custom-made 3-wheel vehicles as well, like the T-REX!
Does Triumph Make a Trike?
No, it’s sad to say but you can’t find any trikes in Triumph’s fleet. But just as in case of other brands, Triumph motorcycles can be turned into trikes with a conversion kit. It’s safe to say that the most popular Triumph trikes are built from Rocket and Thunderbird models.
Conclusion – Who Makes the Best Trike Motorcycle?
Based on our research, the best trike manufacturers right now are as follows:
- BRP (Can-Am)
- Piaggio
- Yamaha
- Harley-Davidson
- Boss Hoss
- Arcimoto
- Polaris
If you prefer other brands, the good news is that trike conversion kits are available for many other brands of motorcycles.
This means you can safely and legally convert a 2-wheel Kawasaki, Indian, or even Honda motorcycle into a trike.
This is why you see so many Honda Goldwing trikes on the roads!
References:
https://www.carscoops.com/2013/03/bmw-powered-t-rex-16s-3-wheeler-for/
