List of motorized trikes


Motorized tricycles, also called trikes, are sometimes considered cars. There are three typical configurations: motorized bicycle with sidecar; two wheels in the rear, one in the front ; and two in front, one in the rear. However, language and definitions vary.
One of the most successful trikes of its day was the De Dion-Bouton tricycle; from 1897 until the start of the 20th century about 15,000 licensed copies were sold, with De Dion Bouton usually supplying the engines, and it was overall the most popular motor vehicle in Europe.
Trikes have caused tautological confusion and simply defied typical two and four-wheel classifications, especially in the 21st century. Regardless, many popular motorcycles and/or automobiles had three wheels.

Examples

17th century

18th century

  • Cugnot's fardier à vapeur

19th century

20th century

21st century

Miscellaneous

Another idea is the flike, a sort of flying motorcycle/helicopter.
Whike are sail-powered trikes, which may or may not be motorized depending if one considers a sail to be a type of motorization.
There is another arrangement of three-wheel, with the wheels in a line; this is so far pretty rare.

Motorcycles with two sidecars

Motorcycles with sidecars often have three wheels, but there has been some use of two sidecars. In one case the use of flexible type sidecars allow the center-line motor bicycle wheels to stay on the ground, and providing adequate handling