is there aTRIKE in your Future??

There are a lot of people who, for a variety of reasons, find managing a solo bike a bit of a problem. Some go the sidecar route, but that can often be frustrating for a novice three wheeler. After that, there aren’t a lot of options.

Trikes, to most people, have either been Harley Servicars or Heath Robinson creations of the custom builder, so when Karsten Bonitz of Bon Trikes Special Vehicles Pty Ltd invited me out to have a look at their product I hot footed it out to Blacktown.

I asked the Bear if he’d like to come along to ride a model while I got some photo’s. Being one of those creatures who’ll ride anything, with or without a pulse, he accepted. The possibility of a story for Australian Road Rider may also have helped!

We met Karsten at his Blacktown factory and found him to be a very enthusiastic young motorcyclist who has a nice black - 1600cc with the works - Bon Trike of his own. During a quick look over the workshop, Karsten told us that the trikes are actually made in Germany and assembled in Australia. While we were smooching around we came across a genuine Bavarian elf in the process of assembling a machine.

Each trike is built around a new Volkswagen motor, the choice of size and degree of ‘warmth’ is up to the purchaser. I assumed the horizontal position and slimed around on the floor, looking at all the good bits on the part assembled machine. The elf pretended I wasn’t there!

I found the general quality of construction and the components used very impressive! I found the composure of the Bavarian elf, as I slithered around the floor, also very impressive!

How’s it work?
The Bon Trike is operated pretty much the same as your average Volkswagen , foot operated clutch and brake, diddly little stick shift under your left hand, but with a standard motorcycle handlebar mounted throttle.

There is no front brake lever, the brakes are linked and balanced in a similar manner to a car. As you can see by the construction of the trike, the weight distribution is a lot different to your garden type motorcycle.

The trike has a speedo and tacho up front with the usual idiot lights mounted between.The top of the ‘tank’ boasts a volt meter, a fuel gauge and the ignition key. Everything you need!

The trikes are made in the usual rider/pillion set up, or can be supplied in a neat 3 person set up. Balance is good in all cases.

On the road?
We sedated the bear and loaded him on to the test machine. This trike had a colour scheme that would be a hit in Oxford Street, but I guess there are those who would love it? I hopped on behind Karsten, who was happily bouncing that sound that only hot Volkswagens (or Porsche) can make off the surrounding factory walls.

Our progress down busy Sunnyholt Road could only be described as different! These trikes sure are head turners.

All road works on a section of Sunnyholt Road stopped, both coming and going, as the workers all froze and followed our progress like a slow motion tennis match crowd.

On the road the trike seemed to function without any alarming little traits. Pete told me he had a little trouble getting used to the clutch take up relative to the throttle (I think that means he stalled it), but once this had been sorted the trike was fun.

You can see the potential for a very good touring cruiser, with plenty of comfort and load carrying capacity, when the machine is on the road.

A number of varieties of trunk can be fitted to the rear and crash bars and screens are available. 1600cc motors and super wide tyres are also on offer, along with a good catalogue of accessories

The Standard model is the HS3 - 1200, and this retails for around $22,000.With this model you get a 34bhp 1200cc 4 cylinder boxer motor with stainless exhaust, 3 speed gearbox with a reverse, independent rear suspension and a stainless steel springer front end.

You can also choose from a range of standard glitter colours. or specify a custom colour at extra cost.

I believe the trike gives us old farts another option, allowing us to ride with the wind in our faces when maybe some of the body bits aren’t functioning as well as we’d like.

If you’d like to try the trike experience, Bon Trikes do have some hire machines and, because Bon Trike are generous people, they’d like to offer Ulysses members 20% off their usual, mid week hire rates.

As the trikes are popular on the weekends the discount is only for midweek, but it does show a considerable saving on their usual $190 a day mid week rate. Almost $38! So, if you want to experience triking for only $152 a day, go for it!

Give Karsten or the lovely Tara a ring on 02 9676 2000 if you want to take up their offer. They can be located at 76 Sunnyholt Road, Blacktown.

John M

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