Three-wheelers and scooters offer extra stability that two-wheelers cannot match. Their success is consolidated and more and more brands offer them.
Since the Piaggio MP3 broke the mold in 2006 by becoming the first three-wheeled scooter on the market, many other brands have followed in its footsteps proposing similar, but not the same, solutions in which there is something in common: they are looking for an extra stability by incorporating a second front wheel .
This front end with two wheels transmits an extra confidence and security , especially when cornering or on slippery surfaces, which makes it easier for those who start in the world of motorcycles. However, that implies an increase in weight, so except for specific cases, the 125 engines fall a little short. The solution? Equip these three-wheeled scooters with more powerful engines and homologate them as other types of vehicles, and not as motorcycles.
That is, most of these three-wheeled scooters are homologated as tricycles (L5e vehicles) and therefore can be driven with the car license regardless of their cylinder capacity, so with the B license it is possible to drive a 500 cc scooter if desired, without the need for a motorcycle license. The brands that have put motorcycles and three-wheeled scooters are some like KYMCO, Qooder, Peugeot, Piaggio and Yamaha, and these are their most serious and successful models.
KYMCO CV3
KYMCO
The KYMCO CV3 has been the last to arrive, although it has not yet made it commercially to the market. It was one of the most anticipated 2021 novelties from KYMCO and it is the first three-wheeled scooter from the Taiwanese firm . A different proposal, with a marked GT character but a certain “SUV” spirit. The dual front wheel system is similar to that used by Yamaha, with a suspension that uses two forks per wheel and which are joined by a swingarm in the center.
It has the mechanical base of the KYMCO AK 550 , so its remarkable power will be around 51.6 hp at 7,500 rpm . Behind it is used an independent arm for the rear suspension and a toothed belt for the transmission. In addition, it offers the possibility of mounting side cases and a rear top-case that, if desired, can be anchored in the place occupied by the passenger seat.
KYMCO CV3 Price: (Unconfirmed)
More information on the KYMCO CV3
Peugeot Metropolis 400
Peugeot
The Peugeot Metropolis has just been updated to face the new year with renewed strength . The first thing that catches the eye is its new design, much fresher and sportier, with a more aggressive front and more angular lines that give shape to the whole. It uses the 399 cc engine from the lion's signature, with 39 hp of power at 7,250 rpm .
A robust and firm scooter, ideal for driving at a good pace on fast roads and with quality levels of a true premium vehicle. Its dual front wheel system is called Dual Tilting Wheels (DTW) and is of its own design, which guarantees extra stability on fast roads. It has traction control, an activation system for the four indicators in the event of sudden braking, tire pressure control and connectivity thanks to its i-Connect system with which we can link our mobile phone to the scooter's instrumentation.
Peugeot Metropolis 400 Price: From € 8,799
Peugeot Metropolis 400 test
Piaggio MP3 300 HPE
Piaggio
The Piaggio MP3 HPE 300 is currently the most compact model in the MP3 family. It arrived on the market in 2019 with a completely renewed engine, the 300 HPE, a 278 cc single cylinder capable of delivering a power of 26 hp and a torque of 26 Nm , thus honoring its acronym HPE (High Performance Engine). The MP3 was the pioneer in this of three-wheel scooters and its front end, like all MP3s, employs a double-wheel system based on a roller mechanism formed by four aluminum alloy arms and two side sleeves that allow the center steering shaft rotates back and forth.
It is lighter, smaller and more manageable than its 500 brother, so if we are going to use it for continuous trips within the city it can always be a more comfortable option than its older brother. Along with the standard version, Piaggio also offers an MP3 300 HP3 Sport with a sportier and more aggressive livery, with exclusive paintwork and different red accents.
Price of Piaggio MP3 300 HPE: From € 6,599
More information about the Piaggio MP3 300 HP3
Piaggio MP3 500 HPE
Piaggio
The MP3 500 HPE is the flagship of Piaggio . It is their largest and most powerful three-wheel scooter. And yes, despite mounting an engine capable of offering 44 HP of power , it is a scooter that can be driven with a car license. A perfect model for flying on fast roads with maximum stability and that extra security offered by its two front wheels, with great comfort and great aerodynamic protection.
It has an electronic throttle, which allows the engine map to be changed, as well as traction control to ensure safer accelerations. Along with the standard version, Piaggio offers two more possibilities, the MP3 500 Business and the Sport Advance , two more equipped and exclusive models for users who want to go one step further.
Price of Piaggio MP3 500 HPE: From € 8,699
More information about the Piaggio MP3 500 HP3
Qooder QV3
Qooder
The Quadro firm has changed its name and now we are talking about Qooder and its QV3 model . They were among the first to join the trend for three-wheeled scooters and they did so with a totally different double front wheel system called HTS (Hydraulic Tilting System) , which does not use springs but pressure hydraulics and developed by the engineers of the Swiss firm. Its propulsion is due to a single cylinder 346 cc and almost 30 hp designed by the Taiwanese firm Aeon.
This QV3 has the honor of being the brother of the only four-wheel scooter on the market, the Qooder (just) that equips the HTS system both front and rear, but tilts exactly like the others or a motorcycle in a curve. Both can be driven with the car license and the brand offers a wide catalog of accessories with which it can be customized and equipped at will.
Qooder QV3 Price: From € 7,999
More information about the Qooder QV3
Yamaha Tricity 125
Yamaha
We are facing a three-wheeled scooter totally different from all the others that you will find on the market. With the Yamaha, it is committed to a light and highly manageable vehicle, very urban and perfectly valid for any type of user since its scarce 164 kilos of weight will not pose any problem, not even for the less expert. Like any other 125 scooter, it can be driven with a car license if you have more than three years of experience with it.
Its double front wheel system is the so-called Leaning Multi Wheel , based on parallelograms and telescopic forks, very easy to handle and with fast and reliable responses. And there are many 125 scooters, but none have the stability of Yamaha's Tricity. After its success, Yamaha gave life to the Niken and, now, also to the Tricity 300 . And they all use the same dual front wheel system.
Price of the Yamaha Tricity 125: € 3,999
More information on the Yamaha Tricity 125
Yamaha Tricity 300
Yamaha
Following the success of the Tricity 125 in 2020, Yamaha launched its older brother, the Tricity 300. To bring it to life, Yamaha has used Leaning Multi Wheel System (LMW) technology on its XMAX 300 . I mean, we have a Yamaha XMAX 300 with two front wheels, with all the good that that means. With the quality and performance of some of the best GT and sports scooters on the market , with the extra security provided by the two front wheels.
It weighs 239 kilos and the weight distribution, despite the apparent disproportion, is 50/50 front / rear. The engine is that of the XMAX 300, a liquid-cooled 292cc single-cylinder , with 28 hp of power and 29 Nm of torque, so acceleration and recovery are guaranteed.
Price of the Yamaha Tricity 300: € 8,099
Yamaha Tricity 300 test
Yamaha niken
Yamaha
After everything seen so far, as you will see, the Yamaha Niken goes one step further . It is the only motorcycle with three wheels on the market capable of leaning in the curves that you will find in the market, and that makes it highly exclusive. Its front end uses a system inspired by the one we saw for the first time in the Tricity 125, with 15 ”wheels and a double suspension bar on each of them . Thanks to a system of parallelograms, the Niken can tilt up to 45 degrees, so it rides like a normal motorcycle.
To bring it to life, Yamaha used the base of their MT-09 and Tracer 900 , using the same 847 cc three-cylinder as them, a power of 115 hp and 87 Nm of torque . So it is a motorcycle with a sporty spirit, weighing 268 kilos and the safest cornering you will find in the world of motorcycles. A model that has made history, that makes you fall in love or that you dislike, but that certainly never goes unnoticed.
Price of the Yamaha Niken: € 16,349
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