Filed under: MPG, Transportation Alternatives, Ford, On Two Wheels
Thoroughbred Motorsports Stallion... trike or sports car?
In the automotive world, the world "stallion" usually either conjures up images of a mustang or a certain prancing horse from Italy. Thoroughbred Motorsports would like to change that perception with their new three-wheeled vehicle. The company was started by Motor Trike, a company which turns normal two-wheeled touring style motorcycles into trikes. It seems that they got tired of working solely on machines designed by other companies, so they set their sights on making their own. The vehicle that they came up with is known as the Stallion, and uses mechanical parts from Ford for the drivetrain. Similarly, the interior sports gages and a steering wheel are right out of the Ford part catalog. The 2.3 liter four cylinder engine produces 155 horsepower and allows for a power-to-weight ratio similar to that the aforementioned 'stang. Most other main components were developed in-house. Interested in how it drives... er, rides? Click here for a review. The Stallion gets excellent fuel economy, 35 mpg in the city and 45 on the highway. These estimates seem rather believable as well.
In our view, this is certainly not a sports car, although the automatic transmission, steering wheel (with cruise) and separate gas and brake pedals might confuse a motorcycle rider. Air conditioning and heat are also car-like features that the trike offers. However, the riding arrangement of the passenger behind the driver is straight from motorcycle-dom. Although not what we would call attractive, the Stallion looks better from behind and nothing like anything else we have ever seen. Except, maybe in Japanese comic books...
[Source: Motor Trike]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Chris M 9:38PM (8/02/2007)
AC and heating with an open cockpit like that? How silly can they get? It's a nice alternative to a motorcycle, but get real!
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Mattias 12:06AM (8/03/2007)
Looks like the Sinclair C5:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinclair_C5
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bobalooey 10:38PM (8/17/2007)
I thought the A/C and heat were foolish also....until I test drove one. They may turn out to be the best comfort features for those on a long ride. I remember getting out of it after the ride and thinking "This changes everything". The enclosure of the body gives you more security but less air flow but the heat and A/C are remarkably effective regardless of the vehicle being open air. I was going to buy a Gold Wing...changed my mind completely after a 5 minute demo ride. These folks really have something there. Those that think otherwise are either ignorant, uninformed, jealous that they don't have one, or a competitor.
Do yourself a favor and attend a rally where they are offering demo rides...you'll thank me.
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Dave 11:50PM (4/06/2009)
Well, I have a Mustang I got when I traded in my Miata and I commonly turn on the heat or air when driving with the top down. In Arizona, they are certainly handy on cold and very hot days. So it doesn't seem silly to me. There are times of the year when I don't ride my bike because I would either freeze or fry. Happy Riding
Dean Dunning 12:19PM (12/02/2007)
i would love to have a Stallion but canot buy and title,register in ca. which is where I live why can't it be regiastered in ca as a new bike?
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kanada 1:20PM (12/24/2007)
I thought they looked kind of nice from the rear, but the front is kind of strange. The ride though was terrible. It does accelerate, but thats about all I can say nice about it. It rattles and there was some kind of metallic noise from the rear. When it crossed uneven pavement it lurched toward the dip. It turns like a tractor. You better not try to do a u-turn if there is traffic. I rode a yellow one, Kind of an unfortunate color, I felt like I was riding a giant rubber ducky. The fit and finish was a bit like a high school shop project, almost acceptable, but not. They said it was targeted at older women, maybe thats a good niche. 30 grand is a lot to pay for an uncomfortable, poorly designed motorcycle with a pickup truck engine and a rattly body.
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Chester 1:02PM (1/11/2008)
I have test drove one and paid my deposit for my trike to be delivered the end of May. I have read what others have said, but most are uninformed, I have watched this project from the beggining and they have made several changes to perfect the machine. Thats why delievery was put off for over six months and the earlier models everyone tried out had all the flaws in them. Now they have a quality three wheeler and I will have mine. They turn like a sports car, I do mean a sports car, they seem like you could slid the back wheels insteed of rolling over. Price is already going up with some dealers because they are a hot item, and in limeted numbers right now. Thanks Chester
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Fred Michael 4:05PM (4/04/2008)
This is very interesting. Where can I go for a test ride? I live in Flint Michigan
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Howard Reichert 9:38PM (4/08/2008)
I would like to see one up close.
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Howard Reichert 9:39PM (4/08/2008)
I would like see one up close, how.
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D Norris 6:49PM (4/10/2008)
JUST GOT OURS THIE WEEK (WE LIVE IN MARYLAND)
LOVE IT!!!!!
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Chet 9:22AM (4/15/2008)
Hello Everyone, I decided I would anwser a question most have on here. WHERE can I see one are test drive one. EASY look up Motor Trike on the internet. Check there map for closet location to you and one of these dealers will have a demo for you to look at and test drive. I am buying mine from Motor Trike Central out of Norfolk Ne. Mike is the dealer there. Motor Trike owns Throughbred Motor Sports and with Ford Compontents its a three way partnership. Ford supplies drive train and some plastic for gauges etc,wiring and TMS builds frame and fiberglass body and puts the assembly togeather and Motor Trike Wharehouse's and sells the units. I hop this anwsers the question and I hope i have been 100% correctly informed. I will recieve my bike the end of May. Thanks Chester
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D Norris 9:48AM (4/18/2008)
We just had the intercom. CB , navigation system
installed. WE LOVE OUR STALLION. It is great!!
We bought it through Frederick Trikes & Bikes in
Frederick, MD ( Great Retirement Gift )
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margaret 5:03PM (8/10/2008)
How about how much did it cost to put the added items on tour trike? Did the place where you bought it put them on. How does the insureance run on these. Thanks.
Matt Talbert 1:16PM (3/11/2009)
I just discovered The Stallion and visited the dealer in Frederick, which brought up a lot of questions. First, since you have had yours for a while, I'm interested to know your impressions. Secondly, do they sell for strictly list price and how do insurance companies handle them?
Would appreciate any comments before I lay out the money.
Thanks,
Matt
Floyd Wheeler 10:36PM (6/26/2009)
I live in Charles County Maryland. So I guess Frederick would be the dealer I should contact. What is you latest evaluation of the Stallion Trike. What about the fit and finish? How about the reliability and the ride? Any information you can provide would be appreciated. Thanks!
Floyd
Danny Gant 12:38PM (7/16/2008)
I am very impressed with the new stallion. I would love to see one up close. I am a trike lover and have been for many years. The stallion is probably the best design for the general public i have seen. It has a very classy look and I believe it's future is a very bright one. I do think the fuel mileage will have to be better to satisfy the majority since fuel is at a preminum.
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Wild Bill 8:04AM (7/17/2008)
Hi Danny... For more current information on the Stallion check out the Stallion web page or Stallion Trike Forum at these link:
http://www.southwesttrikes.com/stallion.htm
http://stalliontrikeforum.com/forum/index.php
The forum looks like it is just getting started. Some great Photo and information.
WildBill
Dwight 1:32PM (8/19/2008)
If you aren't in the market, don't go test drive it! You'll probably be riding home a Stallion. I tested one in Sturgis, its to large for the trailer that hauled my Fatboy ther so had to drive it home. Tempatures were in three digits but with the air I managed fairly comfortable for the 1000 mile two day ride.
This baby turns heads! When I pull in for a stop, people come out of the wood work to look and ask questions.
It does rattle a bit due to the connecting rods that control the steering but not to the point of being a annoying. The turning radius is good braking in excellant although they should have made the brakes anti lock. The large duel disk on the front and the disk on the rear are mostly overkill with out anti lock.
I have the yellow and it is very visable, unlike a mororcycle.
The running light and head light arrangment could use some tuning but serve there purpose. The tail and brake lights are taken from the ford mustang and serve this machine well.
Its said to be power to weight equal to Mustang GT. Its close after about 20 mph but I believe to slow hole shot is controlled by the computer ,probably could be changed but may cause it to come off the ground on snappy excellerations.
I think its over priced but then its a toy!
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RJBurry 10:33PM (12/16/2008)
Ordered mine from Unique Rides in Fort Collins, Co in August of '07 and he shipped in June of '08 and became a part of my family mid-June. Riding "Stan" has proven to open up new doors for me! Lots of attention everywhere we go and lots of comments from my fellow club members - they have gotten pretty good about answering questions the general public have about "Stan" whenever we stop. Handling is great - love to ride up in the Rockies every chance I get and have already ticked off 6500 miles in less than 6 months. Yes, it is a completly new concept and there have been a couple of bugs that had to be worked out but my dealings with Thoroughbred and Unique Rides have been nothing but exceptional. All in all I wouldn't trade Stan for anything. I'm now looking for a pop-up camper to pull behind so we can start traveling around the country. Don't let anyone tell you the Stallion is overpriced, odd looking or difficult to operate - it is truly an exhilirating experience to be behind the wheel. Hope to see more of these trikes on the road soon!
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