Three-wheeled motorcycles are very similar to two-wheeled models in their basic structure, but they also differ in several key ways. Attempting to ride a three-wheeled motorcycle the same way you ride a two-wheeled motorcycle won’t work well, and vice versa. This guide from Vey’s Powersports will help new riders hone their three-wheeled motorcycle riding skills and provide an invaluable refresher for more experienced riders.

Starting the Three-Wheeled Motorcycle

When starting your three-wheeled motorcycle, first engage the brakes and then hit the clutch. Shift into first gear and then release the brakes. Don’t release the clutch just yet! Slowly increase the throttle and build up speed until it’s time to let go of the clutch.

Shifting Gears

The sooner you learn how to shift gears, the sooner it will start to feel like second nature. Start by dropping the throttle and then engage the clutch. Simply shift to your desired gear and then let go of the clutch. While the process itself isn’t very complicated, it can be very easy to lose control of your three-wheeled motorcycle while performing the gear shift. That’s why you should always shift gears while traveling in a straight line if possible. If your engine starts to stall, that means you’re not shifting gears correctly.

Turning A Three-Wheeled Motorcycle

Knowing how to safely execute a turn while riding your three-wheeled motorcycle is a basic yet very important skill. One way you can make things easier on yourself is to slow down a bit before you start your turn. The turn itself should be taken at a constant speed. Don’t hit the throttle again until the turn has been completed. Avoid sharp turns, as they can lead to you losing control of your vehicle.

Stopping on a Three-Wheeled Motorcycle

Three-wheeled motorcycles are bulkier and heavier than two-wheeled models, and that additional weight can make it more difficult to stop. Learn to judge how much time it takes for you to come to a complete stop, and avoid hard braking. Hard braking can lead to brake lockup and you losing control of the vehicle.

Practice, Practice, Practice

The best way to improve your three-wheeled motorcycle riding skills is through practice. If you have no previous experience controlling one of these vehicles, we recommend finding a vacant parking lot or other safe place to practice the fundamentals.

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