Companies Marketing Big Trikes To Ageing Bikers

by Kim Walker 08 February 2010 17:42:42

Recognizing the rising demand for trikes and the fact that many of its customers were aging, Harley-Davidson started selling three-wheel versions of its popular touring bikes last year.

According to an article in the New York Times, the $30,000 Tri Glide comes equipped with cruise control, optional reverse gear, GPS navigation, stereo speakers, hand warmers, headsets to ease communication between the driver and passenger, and other luxury features.

A lower-priced Street Glide model costs about $27,000.

Harley won't say how many trikes it has sold, but the company hasn't been able to keep up with demand. Also surpisingly, 23 percent of trike buyers are women, and trikes are gaining street credibility.

Other companies are entering the three-wheel market. They include Canadian motorcycle maker Bombardier, whose Can-Am Spyder Roadster features two wheels in the front and one in the rear.

Piaggio, maker of the Vespa scooters, also has a line of three-wheeled scooters with two wheels in the front. In 2008, the Italian company sponsored a ride across the U.S. by two road warriors in their early 70s. It dubbed the adventure on the three-wheel Piaggio MP3 500 scooters ''No Age Limit.''

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