Yamaha Tricity 300 Review (2020)
What Is It?
The Yamaha Tricity 300 is an A2 friendly three-wheeled maxi scooter and is powered by a Euro 4 compliant liquid cooled 292 cc single cylinder engine, producing 27.6 bhp at 7,250 rpm and maximum torque at 5,750 rpm.
Specs
- Seat Height: Low (795 mm / 31.3 inches)
- Weight: Heavy (239 kg / 527 lbs)
- Economy: Very good (85 mpg / 3.3 l/100km / 30.1 km/l)
- Range: High (240 miles / 386 km)
- Power to Weight: Low (0.117 bhp/kg / 0.087 kW/kg)
- Top Speed: Average (90 mph / 145 km/h)
Pros
- Can be ridden on a car licence
- Easy to manoeuvre by hand
- Stands up on its own
- Pothole proof
- Economy
- Storage
- Brakes
Cons
- Three wheels divides opinion
- Non-LED indicators
- Expensive new
- Really heavy
- Quite wide
- Finish
What Is It Like?
Yamaha Tricity 300 2020
Tell us a bit about you
I'm a 51 year old male, 6'1. I had a Suzuki X1 at the age of 16 for a year or two but I have not ridden anything since. I bought the Tricity just over a year ago.
Why did you choose it?
My wife and I wanted to buy a bike each but neither had a bike licence so we began looking into all types of offerings, from Vespa's to small 125 scooters.
We came across the Piaggio 3 wheeler that could be ridden on just on a full drivers licence but when we saw them in the flesh we didn't like the look of them.
Then the Tricity 300 caught our eye and we fell for it.
What is good about it?
It's certainly a good looking bike, much larger than say a Piaggio 350 and a lot more handsome too. It's pretty quick despite it being a heavy bike and pulls well even with a pillion. It's safe too having ABS and TCS as standard.
What could be improved?
The paintwork is not the best. Several areas are thin and patchy. Ours is put under a motorcycle cover daily and the paint easily rubs off at touch points.
Any mods or upgrades?
We opted for the following Yamaha accessories:
- Heated hand grips
- Sports visor
- Hand wind deflectors
- Upgraded rear plate holder
What is the economy like?
For the best part of 12 months our Tricity returned 87 mpg - and that's with a pillion.
How is the engine?
The engine is sound and quite responsive. It's quicker than what we expected too and ideal for urban trips darting about town. On the open road though, the extra weight upfront does take its toll. Sure it'll hit 70 mph but won't get your pulse racing.
How does it handle?
Having two wheels upfront gives you great confidence on twisty bends even in the wet. It really feels well planted on the road. It leans just like a motorbike too.
It is a heavy bike though, so you need your wits about you especially at low speeds.
What are the brakes like?
As mentioned before the bike comes with ABS as standard and the brakes are linked which means you have several options to operate both front and rear. No complaints here.
Is it comfortable?
The seat is wide so make sure you can straddle the bike with both feet on the ground. I'm over 6' so isn't a problem for me, however my wife is 5'3 and cannot reach the floor. This, together with the weight put an end to her riding the Tricity. Test drive before you buy.
How reliable have you found it?
Very reliable. No issues to report of, however the rear tyre needs replacing already (probably because I carry a pillion?)
I would say the paint quality isn't that good. Several areas of the body look thin and patchy, however Yamaha say its down to wear and tear...
What's the servicing frequency and cost like?
600 miles then annually. Service costs are reasonable and the dealer service has been excellent.
To Sum Up
If you're looking for something a bit different that gets you onto a bike of more than 125 cc without taking a bike test or having L Plates then look no further. It's a cracking bike to start your journey into motorcycling.
- Ian S, 2021
Add Your Review
Do you own this bike? We would love to hear anything good, bad, unexpected or that you have changed plus anything that a prospective new owner might find interesting or useful.