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by Zack Klapman
The Smoking Tire

The only trikes that were ever cool were BigWheels and the off-road kind. BigWheels are cool because they have the grip and stability of a KY wrestling match on ice and off-road trikes are cool because they're f--king dangerous. I got to spend a day riding one up near Humboldt (I was 12 so no, I wasn't high), and it's an interesting exercise in planning. You have to plan when you will turn, to make sure you've slowed to the necessary 4MPH to prevent flipping it. The big, 1970s balloon tires floated over rocks and holes just fine, but it essentially had the ability of a drag bike: Forward is good, turning is bad.

The only trikes you see now are the ones we all hate. Sold with the line, "Do you want to ride a motorcycle, but lack the physical ability to lean? Do you sit on your couch holding home-made handlebars fashioned from pipe cleaners, making exhaust noises and watching old episodes of Renegade? Have we got the vehicle for you!" they're outdoor patio benches with an engine. I saw two (riding together, of course) cruising through Malibu on our Mulsanne shoot. The consensus from all eight of us was canyon-shaking laughter. They are motorcycles for the lazy. They're cars without any of the benefits. Trikes, no one likes you.

Except this one, the "Bonneville Spirit." It was built in France by Francis Bouillet, inspired by Bonneville and in my opinion, it is the king of trikes.

If you want to read the full article with interview, click here, but I will give you the short version. After 18 years in the French Air Force, Francis retired and signed up for the Espera Sbarro school of design. For a final project, instead of building a 1/16th scale vehicle, he just built the one above. The movie "The World's Fastest Indian" was playing at the time, and planted Bonneville in his mind. He got to work piecing it together, and "piecing" is the correct term. The frame is from a Harley Sportster. The front clip is from a French car built in 1902. Parts of the front control arms are from a Sikorsky S-55 Chickasaw helicopter and the foot pegs are from an airplane. This is like Orange County Choppers, with the tattoos, spider web fenders and bullshit.

The result is a trike that looks fast standing still, with beautiful tear-drop fenders all around and a blue frame that jumps off the screen. He's been contacted to bring it to Bonneville Speed Week, but shipping that far is costly. Hopefully someone hooks him up with a free flight. I'm curious to know how fast it can run. Even if it's nothing too exciting, seeing it run, and sitting on that gorgeous salt, would be quite a scene. I love this bike for its originality, its motivation and the fact it's Francis' first project. What a way to start.
--via Pipe Burn

So what do you think about this Trike? And Zack's general argument? Head over to the Forum and sound off!

 

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Justin Spencer (Sun, 22 Jan 2012 22:11:05 -0800): I know I would give it a ride!

George McKay (Wed, 25 Jan 2012 07:26:44 -0800): Totally disagree with the author's opinion. The fenders you so love are what make it hideous. Maybe if they were changed you might have something. I give the builder credit for trying though.

Steve Bergeron (Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:16:14 -0800): In the fourth paragraph, last line, didn't he mean to say "withOUT the tattoos....".

Rob Skooter K Lysen (Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:19:25 -0800): UGLY!

Dianna Mcwilliams (Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:23:13 -0800): Where the F... is the your stupid button there are people in the riding world who need three wheels to continue the love of the ride and that trike is UGLYYYYYYYYY! have a nice day :)

James Matthew Wolfe (Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:38:48 -0800): . James Matthew Wolfe i agree with the earlier comments on the disabled. I started riding in 74, in 99 I was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. After several surgeries and countless meds the disease continued to progress. I continued to ride but I was loosing my balance. Then HD came out with a trike that had reverse. The only way I could continue to ride was to buy a 2010 HD TriGlide and i am still riding today I even took my wife to lunch today on it, 63° and sunny in MD! So the writer who wrote this article can eat me!

Eddie Hunnam (Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:41:26 -0800): I agree with none of the comments that Zack Klapman has written, it just goes to show how shallow minded this DICK is, i have friends that would have to give up riding if not for TRIKES.Some trikes look hideous but most look great.

Maria Barr (Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:55:52 -0800): You are nuts. First, there is nothing about a trike that makes it a "motorcycle for the lazy" there are just lazy riders - and they are mostly on two wheels! If a physical issue makes two wheels impossible, you better believe that someone who has to go to three wheels in order to keep riding is out there riding that trike! Second, that thing that you like so much is downright FUGLY. It looks like a bicycle with pontoons. I would love to read the designer's theory behind it.

Harold Spector (Wed, 07 Mar 2012 04:16:18 -0800): Houndd. I have been riding motorcycles since 1973, Ioved riding two wheels, when physical issues gave me a choice give up riding, or go for a Harley trike. The trike was a great choice. Not as cool looking but the wind in your face is no different

Susan Spector Martini (Wed, 07 Mar 2012 15:24:16 -0800): Poppa Bear, you be a handsome man. I love what you wrote about the wind is no different. I can't wait until you and mommma Bear comes to visit. Missing you so much. BabyJane