Page 38 - Final GA Motorcycle Operators Manual Updated June 2021

SECTION 10

THREE-WHEELED 10.3 – Differences between 10.6 – Turning
VEHICLES Two-Wheel Motorcycles Approach turns and curves with caution. If
and Three-Wheel
Vehicles you enter a turn too fast you may end up cross-
ing into another lane of traffic, lifting a wheel,
This Section Covers A three-wheel vehicle is naturally more stable or going off the road. Oversteering could cause
than a two-wheel motorcycle. However, under the vehicle to skid and you could lose control.
Types of Three- certain conditions it could “tip over” or lift
Wheel Vehicles ......... 10.1 one of the wheels off the pavement. In order to 10.7 – Hills
ensure its stability, you will need to pay atten-
Autocycles ................10.2 tion to your body position, your speed, and how some weight will shift to the rear, causing the
When riding uphill on a three-wheel vehicle,
you load a three-wheel vehicle.
They also steer differently. Since three-wheel
Differences Between vehicles cannot lean, the front wheel needs to front of the vehicle to become lighter. This
Two-Wheel Motorcycles be pointed in the direction you want the vehicle weight shift reduces the traction on the front
wheel(s) for steering and braking. You should
and Three-Wheel to go. shift some of your body weight forward to
maintain steering control.
Vehicles ....................10.3 10.4 – Be Familiar with When riding downhill, gravity increases the
Your Vehicle amount of braking force required to slow or stop
Be Familiar with the vehicle. It is important, therefore, to begin
Make sure you are completely familiar with slowing earlier for cornering and stopping.
Your Vehicle .............10.4 the three-wheel vehicle before you take it out on
Body Position ...........10.5 the street. Be sure to review the owner’s manual. 10.8 – Lane Position
Remember, three-wheel vehicles take up more
Turning .....................10.6 space than two-wheel motorcycles and therefore The width of a three-wheel vehicle is similar
you will need more space to maneuver.
to the width of some automobiles, therefore,
Hills ...........................10.7 unlike a two-wheel motorcycle, you are limited
10.5 – Body Position in lane positioning. Keep toward the center of
Lane Position ...........10.8 the lane and within the lane markings.
Your body position is important for control Lane positioning when riding in groups is
Parking at the on a three-wheel vehicle. You should be able to also an important consideration. Ride single
Roadside ..................10.9 reach both handgrips comfortably while leaning file and always maintain a safe margin, four
and shifting your weight in turns.
seconds minimum, between vehicles.
Swerving ................ 10.10
Cornering
and Curves ..............10.11

10.1 – Types of Three- Types of Three-Wheel Vehicles
Wheel Vehicles

Traditional two-wheel motorcycles are con-
sidered single-track vehicles. Three-wheel vehi-
cles could have either double or triple tracks.
Double track vehicles are motorcycles with
sidecars, while triple track vehicles (trikes) can
have either two front wheels or two rear wheels.

10.2 – Autocycles
The Georgia General Assembly changed the
definition of a Class C motor vehicle in
O.C.G.A. § 40-5-23(c) to include three-wheel
motor vehicles equipped with a steering
wheel. They also changed O.C.G.A. §
40-6-311(b) to distinguish motorcycles as
motor vehicles controlled by handlebars
requiring the operator to straddle the seat.

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