What bike is suitable for me

[Charlie kifford]

Hi all, I’m after a bit of advice on a 3 wheeled motorcycle please

I have a physical disability meaning that I am unable to ride a 2 wheel bike due to my poor balance. I am unable to drive a car but want something to get me from a to b. I thought a moter trike could be suitable for me, has anyone got any information about whether a trike would be suitable for me? Also, has anyone got any pointers on where I could try one on a private track or similar to help me make my mind up on the suitability of these for me?
I’m based in East Sussex.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you
Charlie

[Nobby the Bastard]

Why can't you drive a car?

Modifying cars is much easier than modifying bikes/trikes for disabilities.
____________________
trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Triumph Sprint ST 1050

[grr666]

Trikes - Cunningly combining the lack of manoeuvrability of the car with the exposure to the weather of the motorcycle.
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Currently enjoying products from Ford, Mazda and Yamaha
Ste wrote: Avatars are fine, it's signatures that need turning off.

[Nobby the Bastard]

In addition there is the whole mobility scheme for disabled people which uses the mobility element of DLA to provide cars on rental terms and modify them for disabled people.
____________________
trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Triumph Sprint ST 1050

[Zen Dog]

Trikes are in many ways the worst of both world's between a motorbike and a car. They're missing a chunk of what makes motorbikes fun (ability to lean in corners and filter through traffic), and missing a lot of makes cars practical (weather protection and storage for shopping etc.). If you want practical transport (rather than a toy) they're unlikely to be the best option, but it would really help to know why you can't drive a car. But if you absolutely must get the wind in your hair (and the flies in your teeth) when you have balance issues, these are your basic options -

"Traditional" Trike - These usually look more or less like a motorcycle, but with 2 wheels on the back with an axle. There are very few factory made ones, almost all them have been modified into trikes by a man in a shed. Maybe he was a brilliant engineer. Maybe he was a moron. Hopefully the former. Either way, if something goes wrong, getting parts may be a problem. They're also quite rare and very expensive generally.

Outfit - This is a motorcycle with a sidecar fitted. These are also generally created by a man in a shed (see above). They have a bizarre geometry that means riding one is an experience like nothing else, right hand corners need to be treated totally differently from left hand ones for example. Very odd, and also rare, but they are a bit cheaper than trikes.

Quad - Not a trike obviously, but there are loads of factory made road legal ones for sale, and like a trike, you don't have to wear a helmet if you don't want to.

Trike Car - Also factory made, there's a load of different makes, but it's basically just a car missing a wheel and a load of practicality. If you want one of these you really should just get a car.

Piaggio MP3 - If it must be a 3 wheeler, you need practical transport, and you have balance issues, this is your best option as far as I know. It's basically a big scooter with 2 wheels at the front. At slow speed the wheels lock in line with one another so you can't fall over. At speed they move independently so you can lean into bends like a "normal" motorbike. They make them in a few different engine sizes - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvSkksq510s

Yamaha Niken - Just remembered this one too. Same idea as the Piaggio MP3 but more "futuristic sportsbike" (and more money).
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Current - '94 VFR750FR, '00 VFR800FI Previous - '10 Street Triple R, '92 MZ ETZ301, '05 TTR250, NSR125R, KMX125, "Honda" Win (chinese copy of an old Honda design with a C90 engine)
My bike trip around S.E. Asia 2010/2011

[stinkwheel]

There are Nippi trikes which are designed for wheelchair users, but you could always fit a seat.

50cc so dog-slow but better than walking.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/234712796436

See the NABD website for more info on what you can and can't di on terms of licencing etc.I think you'd need a provisional licence and CBT (which can be done on a trike if you're registered disabled).
https://www.nabd.org.uk/current-laws/
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[stinkwheel]

Also the Honda Gyro.
https://youtu.be/gmnLSynWpq8
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Bhud]

It's an old-school solution. As mentioned, it might not be a perfect solution. Someone who lives for bikes and then loses a limb would face serious psychological challenges. In those circumstances, a trike might fit the bill. Not as a technological solution (as mentioned, it won't lean or handle well) but as a way of giving that person a bit of hope or quality of life back. Is that you? Only you will know.

[MarJay]

Balancing a motorcycle is a lot easier than you think it is. Its way easier than a pushbike for example. I'd not discount riding one until you've tried it.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Charlie kifford]

Thanks guys, some really helpful information!

I am unable to drive a car because of spacial awareness difficulties, I thought a trike would be good as it’s a lot narrower. Plus a trike would be better than a two wheeled bike due to my balance.

I’ve looked in to an MP3 bike and am i right thinking you still have to lean to keep balance due to no self levelling whilst riding?

[Nobby the Bastard]

Quite frankly I you cannot drive a car due to spacial awareness issues you will have the same issues with any type of vehicle
____________________
trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Triumph Sprint ST 1050

[Zen Dog]

[Freddyfruitba...]

[stinkwheel]

Might be worth seeing how you get on with an electric trike first? You'll get 15mph out of one and they don't need a licence.

https://jorviktricycles.com/tricycles/electric-tricycles

https://www.alpineelectricbikes.co.uk/

https://www.getcycling.org.uk/product-category/tricycles/

https://missioncycles.co.uk/product/e-mission-white/
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Charlie kifford]

I have proven to my self that going at lower speeds, my awareness problems are far less of an issue. From what I’ve read trikes are limited to 28 mph so i would be fine with that

[Charlie kifford]

Just to clarify also, I ment a 3 wheeled scooter type bike as opposed to a proper trike.

[Nobby the Bastard]

There are no 3 wheeled mopeds to be best of my knowledge so it won't be restricted to 28mph
____________________
trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Triumph Sprint ST 1050

[Zen Dog]

[grr666]

[Nobby the Bastard]

I meant ones that are bikes. Op was talking about ones with 2 wheels in the front.

2 wheels that far apart aren't considered bikes.
____________________
trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Triumph Sprint ST 1050

[grr666]

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

He seemed pretty poorly at the TT with that bout of tonsillitis. I used to get it from time to time and it CAN make you feel rough AF.
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"Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent."

Mobylette Type 50 ---> Raleigh Grifter ---> Neval Minsk 125

[grr666]

Not as rough as losing 50% of your toes.
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Currently enjoying products from Ford, Mazda and Yamaha
Ste wrote: Avatars are fine, it's signatures that need turning off.

[arshad]

You can try Piaggio MP3 500
https://cdn.luxe.digital/media/20220503170546/best-3-wheel-motorcycles-piaggio-mo3-500-luxe-digital-780x520.jpg.webp

[dave001]