Production 2014 – Engine 125 cc 4-stroke Torque 10 Nm @ 5,500 rpm | Class Three-wheeled scooter Power 8.1 kW @ 9,000 rpm | |
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Manufacturer Yamaha Motor Corporation | ||
The Yamaha Tricity is a tilting three-wheeled motor scooter made by Yamaha Motor Company. It was introduced to the Thai market in April, 2014 after it was introduced in Japan market in September, 2014., and the other Asian countries, Australia, New Zealand and the European market in 2015. It has not yet been released in Africa or America. A 155cc model is scheduled to go on market in Europe from September 2016
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Development
The Tricity was developed by the Yamaha development team in cooperation with race engineer Kazuhisa Takano. The goal was a novice friendly machine to attract everyday commuters who is presently traveling by car, but considering a switch to a motorcycle. The tricity is Yamaha's first three-wheeler and was developed because of the success of the Piaggio MP3. Due to patent rights, Yamaha was not able to use the MP3's car-like suspension, opting for a simpler double fork system. This brought the two front wheels too close together for the Tricity to be registered as a three-wheeler, and thus allowed to drive on a car license drivers under general EU regulation, meaning the Tricity missed out on the important market of car license drivers looking for a motorcycle riding experience in all countries except those that allow a 125cc bike to be ridden on a car license. Nevertheless, Yamaha was happy with their design and decided to market it to everyday commuters and novice riders. The first model was released with UBS brakes, and in 2015 it was upgraded with optional ABS. The 2016 model is identical to the previous one, but a 155cc version have been displayed at the 2016 Osaka motorcycle show. In terms of the law, a 155cc model will require a motorcycle license in all EU countries, but also be allowed to drive on all European roads.
Reception
The online reviews of the Tricity are generally positive. The model is credited for its stability, its ability to stay untroubled by poor road surfaces and its brakes, which are considered unusually good for a 125cc bike. Some reviewers have given negative feedback for the engine, which they consider to be under-powered and a bit noisy with too frequent service intervals.
Market reception
So far, the Tricity have not been the success Yamaha was hoping for. It failed in the Thai market and was not very successful in Japan either. It sold better in the Philippines, where 125cc or less bikes have a larger part of the motorcycle market. Sources go apart when it comes to Europe, some describe it as a failure, others as a success. Yamaha dealers in Europe have reported the model failing to attract the novice riders, but instead it gained interest among older riders stepping down.