Harley-Davidson to Build a Tri-Rod? - Motorcycle.com

Tor Sagen
by Tor Sagen

Material acquired from the US Patent and Trademark Office states that Harley-Davidson may indeed build another variation of the trike. Their first production three wheeler obviously being the upcoming 2009 Tri Glide.

An incarnation previously available only from aftermarket fabricators, the Tri Glide is based upon the Harley touring line of chassis and will offer three-wheeled transportation with OEM quality, fitment and warranty. This upcoming version, however, is a huge departure from the Tri Glide.

Harley's first trike is the 2009 Tri Glide, but the patent pictures below show a much different three wheeler.

Appearing to look more like the Can Am Spyder Roadster, this upcoming creation looks to have innovative leaning suspension mechanics according to files submitted to the US Patent and Trademark Office. According to the submission, the “leaning suspension system includes a transverse beam, left and right damping members, left and right control arms, and at least one lean actuator. The transverse beam is coupled to the frame and pivotable about the vehicle axis.”

Early drawings look as though Harley used the air-cooled engine for illustrative purposes, but the V-Rod engine appears as though it would fit nicely. Such a story has appeared before, but this is the first time Harley-Davidson has given any sort of confirmation that it will happen and when it will happen. Word on the street is that this model is due to be launched at the Intermot show in Cologne, Germany where we may see an initial prototype.

Tor Sagen
Tor Sagen

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