With the Can-Am Spyder just hitting the showrooms it didn’t take long for other builders to begin producing trikes of their own. This is the F3 Adrenaline from TriRod Motorcycles of San Diego, California. From an appearance standpoint, it has the Spyder beat.
Carbon fiber fenders and body panels are matte black which offsets the billet and chrome elsewhere. Power comes from a JIMS Twin Cam B, 120 Cubic Inch engine running through a 6 speed overdrive transmission with an optional electric reverse spinning a belt secondary and final drive.
Dry weight is 749 pounds. Wheels are 18 inches up front with a single 20 incher out back, Pirelli tires all around. It carries 4.5 gallons of fuel. Seating is specified as 2 up but the photos here show what appears to be a single setup, perhaps there’s an optional configuration. MSRP: $54,995
Interesting, too, is a Wall Street Jounal article linked from the TriRod site with this quote:
Harley spokesman Bob Klein says trikes represent an untapped market, one largely made up of folks who are either physically unable to ride two-wheel machines or are scared of falling off of them. “We see trikes as a way of putting more people on Harley-Davidsons,” he says.
Maybe that Harley Davidson leaning trike is closer than we think. I bet we’re going to see a lot of trikes really soon.
Press release and more photos below:
San Diego, California – December 5, 2007 – Today TriRod Motorcycles announced the F3 Adrenaline, the world’s first production performance three wheel motorcycle. (http://www.trirodmotorcycles.com)
TriRod Motorcycles set out to create a radical new vehicle that would offer unparalleled performance. By combining advanced technologies from Formula 1 racing, aerospace, and motorcycles, TriRod developed this groundbreaking three wheel motorcycle.
With a low center of gravity and a wide track, the F3 Adrenaline is exceptionally stable and corners aggressively. TriRod engineers chose the 2-1 layout (2 wheels in front, 1 in back) over the traditional 1-2 trike configuration for its superior handling, stability, and rollover resistance.
The F3 Adrenaline’s styling is raw and minimalistic, flowing from its mechanical underpinnings. Carbon fiber body panels, fully adjustable racing shocks, and exposed suspension components reinforce the aggressive nature of the product.
Robert Miller, TriRod Motorcycles Co-founder and Chairman, states, “TriRod’s platform offers increased safety and stability over traditional motorcycles while adding a whole new level of thrilling performance.â€
Keith Berryman, owner of Big Bike Motorcycles of Jacksonville, Florida – TriRod’s first dealer, states, “This is the most exciting product to come along in years. We cater to a segment of the motorcycle market that embraces forward thinking and exotic products like the F3 Adrenaline. We estimate this platform will start an entirely new industry and we want to be a part of that.â€
“We believe motorcycle and car enthusiasts are looking for something new and exciting,” says Paul Seiter, CEO of TriRod Motorcycles. “The F3 Adrenaline offers people a whole new way to enjoy motorcycling.â€
TriRod’s F3 Adrenaline is the first of a line of tandem seat three wheel performance motorcycles under development. The company is taking orders now for the 2008 F3 Adrenaline, which is scheduled to start shipping during the 2nd quarter of 2008.
Link: TriRod Morocycles
B*A*M*F says
Looks cool from the front. The less graceful elements of the V-twin (ie. exposed primary belt drive) really stick out like a sore thumb. The tiny section of frame between the rider and engine is visually too small.
If it tilted, I’d be far more interested. It’s also pretty darn heavy.
kneeslider says
Some angles definitely look better than others. Another thing I noticed, if you put motorcycle tires on it and made it lean it would look an awful lot like that HD leaning trike, don’t you think?
John says
That looks pretty damn cool. No practicality, but sometimes looks are everything!
Tim says
It looks cool and all, but given the low CG and the biiiiiig tyres, it looks like it could generate some serious lateral cornering G’s.
Given that, the seating arrangements might leave something to be desired.
So we need to put a car seat in it, a roll bar, and a five point harness so when you go round a corner you dont get spat off it to the outside.
I appear to have just invented the Morgan tri-car for the new millenium. 🙂
Jeff C says
Ever notice that a lot of these cool concept vehicles lack those minor street-legal requirements like, say, turn signals and a tail light visible from both sides?
I wonder how they plan to keep it sexy looking with those additions, especially on the mininalist-rear end they have going on.
David says
The website claims it had a “Double Row Chain, Closed Primary” despite the pictures. Maybe when it starts production it will be less chopper-like in that area. Could be a bit more practcal.
I agree about the cornering g’s vs. seat position though. Someones going to get hurt there!
coho says
Not nearly as practical as the Spyder, but waaay cooler looking.
But three and a half times as expensive worth of cooler looking? Not so much.
Coldnorth says
You know three wheeled bikes are nothing new ( two front one rear ) what was Morgan cars at first three wheeled bikes
But it looks cool
zipidachimp says
cooooool man!
would prefer to see someone use a honda magna v-4, maybe a vtx, rather than all of these h-d clones.
but, that’s just me. your mileage may differ.
this appears to be just the beginning of the next wave of chopper madness. but they’re still cooooool!
zipidachimp says
had another thought. all that heat at crotch level will definitely not be coooool!
Phoebe says
From a visual standpoint, it’s interesting (though I’m not at all a fan of matte paint…looks unfinished to me). I think everyone else has pointed out all the other potential shortcomings. Being a woman, as soon as I looked at this, I thought to myself “I wonder how heavy that steering is?” Probably unturnable for me when at a stop. Something to consider.
And, I like the Can-Am Spyder’s style better than this…sorry.
I still like Tilting Motor Works’ project more, too. I’d like to see that built into a dedicated frame. Now *that* would be really interesting.
Bill Soto says
Three times as expensive as the Spyder? I dont think so! You will never be seen by the four wheelers in traffic with that low of a profile.
Not to mention the fumes from their exhaust.
Having said that, its a great looking machine!
I’m saving up for the Spyder.
Brian says
I once had the opportunity to work with Bob Riley (www.rqriley.com) who’s written a great book on the physics behind 3-wheelers. He’s also a great source to tap for anyone planning to build a 3-wheeler.
It seems there’s pros and cons to a 2-1 design and a 1-2 design. Of course you have the inevitable understeer on any 1-2 setup. On a 2-1 like the one above, rear wheel hop due to a “minimalist” suspension can suddenly point you in the wrong direction. And with the staggered wheel position, you almost always hit a pothole dead-on with your rear wheel. So your suspension better be good.
Also, although I like the exposed backbone tube on this trike, I would want to give the rider something to squeeze there with his knees. Maybe that would look “funny”. But don’t worry about what it looks like before you do it, the “need” should dictate the look. Centrifugal Force is a real thing, and it’s proportionate to your speed and curvature. Any kid whos tried to hang on to a playground merry-go-round knows that. And they spin at what…5-10mph? Or, while cruising along on your Waverunner at 45-50mph, try to turn real quick…without leaning into the turn. If your legs aren’t strong enough to hold you on, Bye-Bye!But, maybe all it needs is a warning sticker “do not exceed xxx speed”.
I would say that the companies who offer a tilting system in this market are going to ultimately win. It just makes sense to put the rider in equilibrium, no matter what the vehicle.
Sid says
Keith Berryman, owner of Big Bike Motorcycles of Jacksonville, Florida – TriRod’s first dealer, states, “…We estimate this platform will start an entirely new industry and we want to be a part of that.â€
New industry? – hopefully the references to “motorcycles” will then stop. Don’t trikes have more in common with cars than motorcycles – Significant concepts such as seating position, suspension geometry, cornering dynamics, etc. ?
Whereas the similarity to a motorcycle stops at the hand/foot controls and sometimes the engine, both of which are employed differently while in motion than on a motorcycle.
Leaning trikes blur the lines more, those that lean will win.
Cars, Motorcycles, 3-wheelers
Would removing the references to motorcycles open up the market to other buyers? Car dealerships could be inclined to carry the product. You don’t need a motorcycle license to operate a trike do you? Do the leaning trikes require a motorcycle endorsement?
This will be interesting
Phoebe says
Not sure about something like a Morgan trike, but for motorcycle-based trikes (or even the ever-popular VW trikes) here in the US, you need a motorcycle license. Well, it might vary from state-to-state, but that’s how it is here in Rhode Island, anyway.
OTTO MANN says
YES IT IS NICE, BUT 50,000
steve says
Looks Like engine cooling could be an issue. Also how much HP is wasted turning those wide tires?
Bill Tobey says
Love it!
But if it is such a high performance trike, why make me touch my toes to ride it. Give it rear sets, move the steering forward so I can ride more like an Isle of Mann, Sidecar hack.
Other than that… Perfect. Love the minima, functional style.
JohnH says
How do they justify $55,000 for this? It looks cool but that’s it. How can Canam produce the spyder at a cost significantly below this F3? What a rip off. If it was priced around $15,000-$20,000 I would look into getting one. Just wait another year or two and several companies will offer similar trike versions at less then half the cost of thie F3.
lisa says
At first glance this is the ultimate 2-1 lovers bike. After close examination this bike is not made for shorter individuals or anyone without serious experience with motorcycles. I would need to see someone handle this bike at 45-55 mph around a serious curve, I would need more information on the rear end suspention, and the exposed belts that is a serious accident waiting to happend (someones legs or pant legs getting caught into the belts) wether it’s the driver or passenger. I have to agree with the majority of comments that were sent in this is truly an accident waiting to happen. Since this is farely new for your company you may need to take in consideration alot more saftey for the rider vs. the style and look, ecspecially for the price!