Motorcycles

Yamaha joins the three-wheel motorcycle trend with the Tricity

View 15 Images
The Yamaha Tricity at the Tokyo Motor Show
The Tricity has a single disc brake to the rear, and a compartment under the seat that's big enough to stow away a full-size helmet
The Tricity features an automatic transmission, 125 cc, and a 4-stroke liquid-cooled engine to strike a happy balance between performance and low running costs
The Tricity's designer says that it was developed to appeal to the European customer's sense of style
The Tricity is touted as being lighter and more compact than other three-wheelers on the market today
The prototype concept will be pretty close to the final production model, in both specifications and performance
Each front wheel is topped by a fixed fender and has disc brakes mounted on the inside
Yamaha has not revealed specifics about the suspension or tilting mechanism
The Tricity has been designed to attract existing scooter users, as well as new riders
The Yamaha Tricity at the Tokyo Motor Show
Yamaha's Tricity Leaning Multi-Wheel concept
Yamaha's Tricity Leaning Multi-Wheel concept
Yamaha's Tricity Leaning Multi-Wheel concept
Yamaha's Tricity Leaning Multi-Wheel concept
View gallery - 15 images

If personal experience is anything to go by, Europeans love their scooters. One seems to zoom past every few seconds where I live, and a good many of those are three-wheelers from the likes of Peugeot and Piaggio. Yamaha is looking to grab a slice of the action with a Leaning Multi-Wheel concept named Tricity. Debuted earlier this month at EICMA in Milan, Italy, the company sees the three-wheel, tilting scooter becoming the standard city commuter when it's released next year. Gizmag caught up with the sporty little number at the Tokyo Motor Show.

Precious little about what to expect from the production model has been released, but Gizmag has been told that the concept on display in Tokyo will be pretty close to the final production model, in both specifications and performance.

That should see it coming in lighter and more compact than other three-wheelers on the market today (with dimensions of 75 x 28.9 x 47.8 in / 1,905 x 735 x 1,215 mm, and a dry weight of 150 kg / 331 lb), and give it an automatic transmission, 125 cc, liquid-cooled 4-stroke engine to strike a happy balance between performance and low running costs.

The prototype concept will be pretty close to the final production model, in both specifications and performance

"It is a high-quality design developed for the European customer's sense of style," designer Noguchi Hirotoshi told the company's Design Cafe portal. "We wanted to create a smart and refined design that is different from others. And above all, to express how easy to ride this vehicle is."

The sporty-looking Tricity has a narrow track and short wheelbase, each front wheel is topped by a fixed fender and has a disc brake mounted on the inside, and there's a single disc brake to the rear. There's a compartment under the seat that's big enough to stow away a full-size helmet between rides. Yamaha has not given away any specifics relating to the suspension or leaning mechanism.

Yamaha has not revealed specifics about the suspension or tilting mechanism

The Tricity has been designed to attract existing scooter users, as well as riders new to the game. "We made it very easy to step on and off, with a flat footboard and no plastic parts in the way," said Hirotoshi. "Also the seat shape allows a good freedom of movement."

It will cost under €4,000 (about US$5,400) when released in Europe by the middle of next year. The company has also indicated that the scooter could be the first of a number of affordable, agile, compact and light new models to be introduced from next year.

The promo video below shows the concept in action.

Source: Yamaha

View gallery - 15 images
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Flipboard
  • LinkedIn
8 comments
T N Args
They missed the chance at the cleverest name of the year by not making this an EV. If it was Tri-wheeled, for City, running on elec-Tricity..........
The Skud
Beats that Kawasaki monstrosity recently mentioned hands down! Seems to be a little unnecessary though, skooters as designed are lowish and easy to step down from, unlike motorbikes where you sit higher up.
chidrbmt
Seems Yamaha is one of the big Japanese three that seems is coming out of their recession stupor. Couple months ago comes out with a new 800 c.c. triple (triples are sweet engines) at a unbeatable price and weight. A wacky concept bike,meaning they are thinking outside the box. Also this week at the Tokyo motor show came out with a "smart like" car. Now this for those young and old that fear falling over. Sure if it sells well,they will expand into larger sizes. About time with some new models and ideals as the Euros have been kicking butt the last two years.
Bruce H. Anderson
OK, my wife would KILL me if I ever got on a bike again. However, this is sweet, well suited to urban environments, and probably as unflappable as the Piaggio MP3. And if it catches on there may be future models more suited to highway speeds.
Thomas Lewis
Great!!don't forget America,now lets see a enclosed motorcycle,2,3 and 4 wheel tilting,etc.Their is a large market waiting for a breakout,vehicle,a aerodynamic enclosed ,commuter vehicle that is safe ,comfortable and fun, while delivering 100 -200 plus miles per gallon USA or 1-2 liters per 100 Km.I'm sure everyone is watching waiting to see if Lit Motors can deliver on their 16,000 $ promise.I think their success will be based on how well the vehicle drives like a motorcycle.We want the aerodynamics,incredible range they offer no matter what type of propulsion they have. and the safety[some over none]ease of maneuvering thru traffic,comfort,etc while still having a little fun if we so desire at the track or a lonely road.And for those that never road a motorcycle,they will now understand why people love them so much and are willing to risk a injury or even death just to experience that feeling.Now they can put some of there fears aside and enjoy what so many other do Lets hope for the best,my check book is ready.
George Papakostas
EINAI ΛΙΓΑ ΤΑ ΚΥΒΙΚΑ ΤΟΥ.ΣΕ ΣΩΣΤΗ ΤΙΜΗ ΚΑΙ 300 ΚΥΒΙΚΑ ΘΑ ΕΙΝΑΙ ΠΟΛΥ ΚΑΛΟ.
Darian Scott
Nearly 3K more than the Zuma 125? Some trikes I get, this is pointless.
LakeeshaGobeatcha
The point of a trike is STABILITY, an especial requirement for the older rider. This bike, besides being WAY too expensive, has the front two wheels too close together to be stable. Look at the Chinese trikes for how a trike's wheels should be positioned. Here's a perfect example: http://www.motobuys.com/ss-trike-150tka.html