Trikes are pretty hot these days. Whether they lean or not, using three wheels instead of two is a concept that has been gaining traction in an effort to... gain traction. Three contact patches allows for more rubber on the road, ultimately leading to increased stability and rider confidence, or so they say. When we got the chance to hop on board a trio of Piaggio MP3s, we found that the technology worked exactly as promised, and that experience leaves us wanting to hitch a ride on the new Brudeli Leanster, now available in Europe.

Using a single-cylinder engine and platform from KTM, the Leanster adds a subframe and an entirely new front-end that's been designed to allow the rider to lean into the turns, as with the Piaggio. Harley-Davidson is also planning to enter the tilting-trike wars with a V-Twin powered street machine, but the Leanster is the only one of these machines that allows dirt riding. You'll pay dearly for the privilege of owning one, though, as the price is currently set at €21,000 ($30,677 at current exchange rates). That's a lot of coin for a cycle, but it sure does look like fun.


[Source: Brudeli via Hell For Leather / Pics: Rune Baashus]

We recently reported on the unfortunate demise of the Bajaj 3-wheeler from the American market due to slow sales. Happily, a new brand of funky 3-wheelers is set to make its debut in the U.S. by way of Thailand. Tuk Tuk North America (TTNA) reports that its vehicles are currently undergoing EPA and NHTSA testing for road-use approval, though its line of trikes is reportedly already for sale for off-road use. Available in a number of passenger, cargo and truck body styles, the Tuk Tuk comes equipped with either a 200cc or 650cc version of a newly-designed, liquid-cooled four-stroke powerplant. This replaces the original two-stroker from which the vehicle received its funny-sounding name. TTNA also reports that its vehicles are available with both automatic and manual transmissions. Interestingly, the options page of the TTNA site shows an LPG kit which would convert the engine to run on dual fuels -- both liquefied petroleum and gasoline.

[Source: Tuk Tuk North America]