Yamaha’s new-for-2020 Tricity 300 is one of just a few ‘motorbikes’ eligible to be ridden (or should that be driven?) on a car driving licence, with no further training required.
The Tricity 300 is an all-new scooter that takes a slightly modified 300cc single-cylinder, four-stroke engine from the XMAX 300 but adds the clever three-wheel, leaning front wheel technology first seen on the smaller-capacity Tricity 125 in 2014. Since then, more than 15,000 of the 125s have been sold in Europe, although that machine can only be ridden on a motorcycle licence (either full, or on L plates with a CBT) as it’s classed as an A1 category scooter due to its narrow track.
With wider the 300, as long as you have a full ‘B’ car driving licence you need do nothing more than just get on and ride it away. There’s no need for a CBT or any kind of motorcycle test to be legally able to ride it in the UK.
Yamaha’s leaning Multi Wheel (LMW) set-up is well-proven, having been seen both on the Tricity 125 and the much-larger Niken which has an 847cc three-cylinder engine seen in the MT-09 range.
This LMW Ackerman suspension/steering system features a parallelogram link and cantilevered front suspension with the dual fork tubes mounted on the inner face of the front wheels.
The steering mechanism has been designed with the aim of giving this scooter an easy and user friendly character by giving a full 72º of steering angle. This helps to make the scooter extremely manoeuvrable in city streets – and with a full 130 mm of ground clearance, it can handle uneven surfaces and avoid being grounded out when being ridden up and down curbs while parking.
Yamaha’s decision to give the Tricity 300 14” wheels at the front and back will help the scooter’s city handling as it can hit potholes without suffering instability or poor handling. The Bridgestone Battlax tyres have been specifically designed for the Tricity 300.
In order to make riding the Tricity 300 easier, a tilt-locking system has been added which stops the leaning front wheel mechanism from moving while stopped. It means the rider doesn’t have to put their feet down while stopping at traffic lights for example. The great attraction of three wheelers like the Tricity (as well as the similar Piaggio MP3 and Peugeot Metropolis) is the stability and confidence inspiring grip they offer, while still being narrow enough to filter through heavy traffic.
Practicality is always an element of vital importance to scooters and Yamaha says it has worked hard to ensure there’s a large storage area under the seat which can fit two full-face helmets inside or one helmet and an A4-size briefcase. A front storage cubby has a DC outlet for charging devices while riding.
There’s keyless ignition, a traction control system works with the ABS brakes for extra riding convenience and safety.
Three colours are available; Tech Kamo, Icon Grey and Gunmetal Grey, although prices are still to be announced.
