Trikes and Verts

[AJ Huff]

I wish Guzzi made a trike a la Harley's Freewheeler or Triglide. I also wish they'd bring back an automatic.

I've read that the three wheel market is currently in a growth phase. Lord knows there are plenty of Harley and Honda trikes around here. Seems to be an equal number of Can-Ams too though I'd prefer a Guzzi trike if available.

Honda seems to be committed to their automatic though I've only see I think one in the wild. Don't really care for theirs. I had hoped that the Aprilia Mana would lead to something to crossover for Guzzi but sadly that never happened.

I know the water cooled Mandello and maybe a Stelvio (good lord I hope it's a better looking bike this time) are all the talk but I think both a trike and an automatic would lead to some success for Guzzi.

-AJ

[Tom]

The only solution would be to make your own.  At the MGNOC National Rally in MN aka Guzzi drowning, a guy showed up on a Jackal that was converted to a trike. 

There was a couple that camped next to me at the last Bucky sponsored National in New Cumberland, WV that came in on 2 Convert hacks.  He was towing a tent trailer.  They were both paraplegic and had their wheelchairs on the hacks. 

[AJ Huff]

True. I mean proof of concept goes to Rodekyll, and his was automatic to boot. I think the market is there.

-AJ

[Dirk_S]

As a new lover of sidecars, I agree we could certainly use more 3-wheel vehicles!

Classic trike style? I’m pretty sure the Eagle brand would prefer not to go down that geriatric route.

Can-Am style? I like them and am glad they’ve brought more folks into the market. I wonder if Can-Am has a patent on that style, or if none of the other motorcycle manufacturers find it even worth going there in terms of sellability or R&D costs?

Perhaps something like the Yamaha Niken maybe, if Piaggio wants to continue to pretend like Guzzi can still be innovative beyond little motorized bunny ears on the tank. After all, they do have experience with that style being used for their MP3 scooter:

https://www.piaggio.com/us_EN/models/piaggio-mp3/

In any case, the nearly sure bet is that none of the air-cooled motors would be placed into one of these fantasy models.

[Tom]

Only thing with the MP3.  Short life of the rear tire.  5K for me.     The Niken is expensive.  The smaller Yamaha 3 wheeler might work for some.  The MP3 comes in 4 different engine sizes w/ the latest having electric rear gear.  They're still fun to ride.

[kingoffleece]

I've had a sidecar (hacked Bonnie 856), ridden a trike, and the bride owns a F-3S Spyder.
Hacks are fun because, well, they're hacks.  Cool from the get go.  Looks aside, if you've ever ridden a trike and Spyder back to back there is NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO comparison.
Trikes are like driving a Massey-Furgusan. Spyders are like driving a great handling snowmobile.

I cannot fathom riding a trike more than 50 miles tops-and talk about zero driving excitement.

[guzzisteve]

If you want an Auto, put a sidecar on an Aprilia Mana. The trans is just like a sled w/sensor to tell you to get a belt.

[Bulldog9]

I really want to put a sidecar on my Convert, and will do when I have the garage space.

[kingoffleece]

Hacking the Bonnie was a real fun project.  When my boy got to big and lost interest I sold it to guy with a young son.  They loved it.

[JJ]

I have driven a Can-Am...and did not like it....and yes, it did feel like a "road snowmobile"...

I once drove a Lehman-Goldwing Trike on a twisty road, downhill, and it scared the crap out of me...

I have never driven a Harley Trike but hear good thinks about them...(???)

Then again, there is always the TriKing with a Guzzi motor up front...

[fotoguzzi]

The rodekyll TriVert with Jackal motor,












A real Genius contraption.

[bigbikerrick]

I have never ridden a "reverse trike" such as a spyder. I have put many miles on 2 different Goldwing trikes, a 1500, and an 1800 Champion conversion I currently own. I like it for two up travel , in comfort and safety. Mine has a 6 degree rake, and a solid axle. Its definitely not as fun to ride as any of my Guzzis, but hey,at least it gets you out there 2 up when needed, if handling a road glide is not an option. 
Rick.

[AJ Huff]

Both my daughter and my wife won't ride on the back of a bike. Both have said they would if it was a three-wheeler, either the HD or Can-Am. I bet they aren't alone in that.

-AJ

[kingoffleece]

Spyders take a bit of time to get used to them.  When you acclimate, they are a blast.
There are two kinds: the "big boat Gold Wing" style and a sport model.  We have the sport with a ripping Rotax 3 cylinder.  It absolutely rips.  When you learn how to ride it briskly it's a total blast and one can just cruise along with no worries also.  The "big boat" is a bit much to hustle along for a fair amount of time without wearing you out.  NOT the FS-3 Sport we have.

My wife and I both grew up on snowmobiles so the curve was short but it's not unlearnable to all.  A "recalibration of the brain" is what's required.

[Bulldog9]

Both my daughter and my wife won't ride on the back of a bike. Both have said they would if it was a three-wheeler, either the HD or Can-Am. I bet they aren't alone in that.

-AJ

I think the Vanderhall is a better option than the Slingshot or Can Ams, but a Tri king or Morgan 3 cant really be beat for an authentic classic look and feel.

[AJ Huff]

I think the best option for Guzzi would be to come in with a competitor for the HD trike. I think they could compete, definitely in price. And while the Ercole was not the same as a Servi Car, Guzzi at least has trike history.

Why they aren't working on a modern Convert is beyond me though. That market is there too.

-AJ

[bigbikerrick]

There ws a person here,  Gearman, that built a Convert based reverse trike, that at some point had a car steering wheel on top of the gas tank. It was a very interesting design.
Rick D.

https://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=102151.msg1616152#msg1616152

[AJ Huff]

That thing was an awesome bit of home garage engineering! Very sad when I learned he had passed. I hope that trike is being enjoyed by someone.

I'm not really sold on the reverse trike - snowmobile-on-wheels vehicle. Maybe it's nostalgia for my Dad's Servicar. Really wish Guzzi made a trike to compete with Harley and the Honda conversions. I'm sure the market is there..

-AJ