2020 Yamaha Tricity 300
Yamaha launched their Tricity 125 three-wheeler back in 2014, introducing the brand’s first ‘Leaning Multi-Wheel vehicle’ and evolving into the more powerful Tricity 155 more recently. Now for 2020 Yamaha have announced the Tricity 300, a mid-range option that sits above the Tricity 155, but well below their full sports-touring three-wheel motorcycle – the Niken.
The Tricity offers excellent stability thanks to a dual front-wheel setup, built around the LMW Ackerman suspension/steering system, without compromising lean angle. Combined with the easy-going automatic nature of a scooter TriCity make for an ideal commuter.
The Tricity 300 also offers the benefit of being able to be ridden on a car licence in some countries, although this isn’t the case in Australia, however we can assume the Tricity 300 will be LAMS legal, as the XMAX 300 is, and the Tricity will no doubt weigh in a little heaiver than the XMAX.
2020 Yamaha Tricity 300 features
- Yamaha-exclusive Leaning Multi-Wheel (LMW) technology (three-wheeler)
- Tilt Lock Assist system
- Blue Core – liquid-cooled 4-stroke SOHC 300 cc 4-valve single-cylinder
- Storage for 2 full-face helmets
- LED lights and large LCD instruments
- Convenient Smart Key operation
- Traction Control System (TCS)
- 267 mm brake rotors, ABS and Unified Brake System
- Parking brake
- Large 14-inch wheels
Leaning Multi Wheel (LMW) technology
The 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. This layout gives agile and confident handling together with enhanced feelings of stability when riding on slippery or uneven surfaces.
The LMW steering mechanism contributes towards the machine’s easy and user friendly character by giving a generous 72° of steering angle, making the Tricity 300 manoeuvrable in congested traffic and tight spaces. A full 130mm of ground clearance means the machine can handle uneven surfaces and avoid being grounded out when being pushed over kerbs while parking.
Having two front wheels offers the benefits of additional front-end traction and braking power thanks to a wide 470mm front wheel-track, with a balanced and planted character when steering and cornering.
The Tricity 300 will be ideally suited to both new riders and those riders coming over to three-wheels from conventional scooter or motorcycle, with a focus on the new generation of riders with no experience on two or three wheels looking for an easy entry-point.
2020 Tricity 300 chassis
The Tricity 300 features a 1590 mm wheelbase combined with optimised steering geometry and a 470 mm front wheel track, which combined with a front-rear weight distribution of around 50:50 with a rider on board – ensure a great chassis balance and lightweight feeling.
The newly designed frame is constructed with small-diameter tubing offering a balance of strength and rigidity – while plates are used around the head pipe area to help provide feel when steering and cornering.
In order to reduce any feelings of vibration to a minimum, the engine is mounted to the new lightweight frame using a linked type system.
The Tricity 300 is also equipped with matching 14-inch wheels at both the front and rear, larger than those fitted to much of the competition which increases stability even further.
These lightweight larger diameter wheels and specially developed wide-section Bridgestone tyres offer a number of advantages, including high levels of traction, durability and wet weather performance, together with a smooth ride and confident road holding.
The use of large diameter 267 mm discs on all three wheels give greater braking power and control on a wide variety of road surfaces.
A commuter can encounter everything from tram lines and cobbles through to poorly maintained roads and diesel spills, but with a stable three-wheel configuration and high-specification brakes, the Tricity 300 is ready to tackle the all the commuting challenges.
As well as being equipped with ABS to prevent accidental wheel lock ups on loose or slippery surfaces, the Tricity 300 also features Yamaha’s Unified Braking System that balances braking force to all three wheels.
Yamaha’s Unified Braking System ensures when the rider applies only the rear brake – either through the left handlebar lever or via the foot brake – braking force is applied to the front and rear wheels.
When both the front and rear brakes are applied at the same time the braking force applied to the front wheels is a combination of input from both levers; and when the front brake lever is applied on its own, only the front brakes are activated.
Tricity 300 styling & storage
The Tricity design incorporates styling cues from Yamaha’s XMAX and TMAX sport scooters – as well as a touch of DNA from the Niken – Yamaha’s three-wheel sport tourer motorcycle.
A compact and aerodynamic front cowl is slimmer and higher than other designs in the category. Tricity 300’s short and relatively narrow nose leaves an open space between the twin front wheels to emphasise this feature.
There’s a large storage space under the seat that can accommodate two full-face helmets or one full-face helmet and an A4-sized briefcase, and the compartment is fitted with internal LED lighting.
A parking brake secures the machine when not being ridden, while the fuel tank and seat locks can be easily released with the push of a button – and there’s also a DC outlet in the front panel for charging and powering various devices.
300cc Blue Core engine
The Tricity 300 is driven by Yamaha’s latest Blue Core engine, a liquid-cooled four-stroke SOHC 300cc four-valve single-cylinder engine used by the XMAX 300 and incorporates a number of features to suit the unique requirements of the new Tricity.
For strong acceleration, fuel efficiency and eco-friendliness, the Tricity 300 runs with revised fuel injector mapping settings, and the 12-hole injector features an optimised spray angle that increases combustion efficiency for strong low to mid-range torque, particularly important with a heavier three-wheeler compared to the more conventional XMAX.
Horsepower losses are reduced by the use of a semi-dry sump lubrication system and the Tricity 300 is equipped with a one-piece forged crankshaft.
To achieve a high level of combustion efficiency the shape of the combustion chamber and intake port is also optimised while the lightweight DiASil offset cylinder is equipped with a durable forged piston.
2020 Tricity 300 electronics & tech
Using the new Tricity 300 is convenient thanks to its Smart Key system. As long as the rider has the Smart Key with them, they can carry out all of the main operations via the main switch.
Along with the three-wheel layout and the enhanced control offered by the ABS and a Unified Braking system, a Traction Control System (TCS) adds another layer of safety to the Tricity 300.
The Tricity 300’s LCD instruments provide all the relevant information in a clear and easy to understand display. There’s a large digital speedometer as well as a bar-type tachometer, clock, odometer, tripmeter and more – and ln the outer edges of the panel the rider can see the indicator lights showing ABS, Tilt Lock Assist system status, TCS and ambient air temperature – with a warning light coming on at 3ºC and lower.
The Tricity 300 also features a Tilt Lock Assist system that provides extra convenience by helping the machine to remain upright when stopped.
This system features a caliper and brake disc that are mounted onto the LMW mechanism’s upper parallelogram arm. When the Tilt Lock Assist system is activated, the caliper’s compact electric actuator pushes the pads onto the disc and locks the parallelogram linkage in place.
As soon as the Tricity 300 throttle is opened the Tilt Lock Assist system disengages automatically, enabling the rider to ride away.
The Tricity 300’s Tilt Lock Assist system is completely separated from the suspension functions, making it easier and more comfortable when pushing the Tricity 300 forwards or backwards when parking and also makes it easier when placing the vehicle on its main stand.
Australian availability and pricing is yet to be announced.
Source: MCNews.com.au