New-styled, 3-wheeled scooters have been on our roads for just over a decade now, but despite being big in Europe, they still remain a somewhat unusual sight in the UK.

Many three-wheelers out there can be ridden on a standard car driving licence (subject to limitations), and make for excellent commuters and tourers for those who are looking to switch up their mode of transport.

However, what differentiates these new waves of 3-wheelers from the traditional trikes of the past is their ability to lean and handle like regular bikes and scooters - thanks to their clever suspension setups.

With that all being said, in this blog, we will be looking at just 8 of the best three-wheelers out there on the market ready for 2023!

The Piaggio MP3 is a model that really started the trend for three-wheeler scooters back in 2006, with its latest entry-level model being updated last year with a number of improvements that make this beauty even better than it was.

The most noticeable upgrade must be the Euro 5 compliant 300cc HPE (High-Performance Engine) with electronic fuel injection, meaning that the MP3 300 now has improved power while actually being more economical regarding fuel consumption!

Another thing to note is that the MP3 300 is classified as a trike and can therefore be ridden with a standard car driver's licence! It handles much like a twist-and-go maxi scooter, with its quadrilateral suspension allowing you to lean like a regular bike but with the increased traction and stability of 3 wheels. The locking mechanism also helps to keep the scooter upright when you come to a standstill - there’s even a handbrake too!

And if you fancy an MP3 that is a little bit extra, for £250 more you can get the Sport version. While it may come with the same basic package as the normal one, the sports edition squeezes a couple of extra horses out of the engine and adds a few sporty visual tweaks, as well as traction control and Piaggio's multimedia platform (Piaggio MIA).

A brand new MP3 300 starts at £7,000 and is one of the easiest and best ways to get into three-wheel commuting. Last but not least, if you are planning to jump on one of these with a car licence, I would still highly recommend doing a quick CBT course to get used to scooter riding.

Engine:	278cc, 25.8hp, liquid-cooled HPE
Torque:	26.1 Nm @ 6250 rpm
Brakes:	Front: 2x 258mm disc  Rear: 240mm disc
Fuel Capacity:	11L
Weight:	225kg
Seat height:	780mm
Price (correct at the time of writing):	£7000

Next up on the list, we have the Yamaha Tricity 125.

Tricity 125 is designed from the ground up to be an urban commuter. And unlike most other 3-wheel scooters, the front wheels are set up with closer spacing for a more agile and streamlined design. However, this does mean the Tricity is not classified as a trike but because it is a 125, can be ridden with a CBT.

Compared to the other three-wheelers on this list, the Tricity 125 is extremely lightweight, coming in at 168kg (with a full tank). The weight also means that things like upright locking systems are not required because you can simply put your foot down at standstill, without having to balance a bulky machine. Instead, each wheel has independent suspension allowing the Tricity to lean and handle just like a traditional scooter and the narrower shape will cut through traffic with ease.

Lastly, the Tricity 125 has also just been updated with Yamaha's latest Blue Core Euro 5 engine, providing excellent, tried, and tested 125cc performance and economic fuel consumption. And with a £4,450 price tag, this scoot could be the most cost-effective way to get started with a 3-wheel scooter.

Engine:	125cc (12hp), liquid-cooled SOHC, 4-valves, Single cylinder
Torque:	11.2 Nm @ 6000 rpm
Brakes:	Front: Dual disc Rear: Disc brake
Fuel Capacity:	7.2L
Weight:	168kg (wet)
Seat height:	785mm
Price:	£4,450

Siting third on this list is Peugeot's entry into the 3-wheel scooter market, the Metropolis Allure.

The Metropolis Allure meets all the requirements to be ridden with a car licence, including an upright locking mechanism, foot brake pedal, and wide front wheel spacing. In fact, the visuals on this are very reminiscent of a Peugeot car with its angular headlights, front grill, and that familiar badge.

The Allure is also fully Euro 5 compliant and packs in a lot of technology, including dual tilting front wheels, ABS, tyre pressure sensor, and daytime running LED lights for maximum visibility. Aspherical mirrors aim to increase your field of vision in traffic and there's an electronically adjustable windscreen too.
Offering great performance thanks to its 35.6hp 4-stroke engine, and the extra comfort you get from this 3-wheeler's spacious proportions means that you can easily take this scooter out on tour as well!

Engine:	399cc, 35.6 hp, liquid-cooled
Torque:	38.1 Nm @ 5750 rpm
Brakes:	Front: 240mm double disc Rear: Single 239mm disc
Fuel Capacity:	13.5L
Weight:	265kg (dry)
Seat height:	780mm
Price:	£8,999

Next on the list has got to be another from Yamaha’s Tricity family, the Yamaha Tricity 300.

This larger version of Yamaha's three-wheeler delivers significantly more power and takes urban mobility to another level thanks to a Euro 5-compliant 300cc 4-stroke engine.

The Tricity 300 has a few added extras to the newest edition, including ABS, traction control, a smart key, and a standing assist system for added convenience. The standing assist system essentially allows you to lock the front wheels in an upright position with the press of a button so you won't have to prop up the 239kg weight at a standstill. With that said, the Tricity 300 is still the lightest 3-wheeler in its class.

Unlike Yamaha's other 3-wheel offerings, this 300cc Tricity can be ridden on a car licence (depending on licence restrictions), although once again I would still recommend you get some basic motorcycle training first.

The Tricity starts at £8,400, making this the perfect scoot for those with a higher budget who like the look of the Tricity but are after a little more power!

Engine:	292cc, liquid-cooled, OHC, 4-valves, Single cylinder (27.6hp)
Torque:	29 Nm @ 5750 rpm
Brakes:	Front and rear single disc 267mm
Fuel Capacity:	13L
Weight:	239kg (wet)
Seat height:	795mm
Price:	£8,400

Sitting in the middle of our list, coming up next is the Can-Am Ryker 900.

Unlike all the other models here, the Can-Am Ryker is not really a motorcycle or scooter, it’s a slightly more traditional trike that handles like a super-powered go-kart or quad! It does however have a twist-and-go automatic transmission, as well as motorcycle-style handlebars and saddle but that's about where the similarities end.

The Ryker weighs in at 280 kilos with an empty tank, which makes it one of the heaviest machines on the list. Fortunately, it also has a 900cc in-line 3-cylinder engine with 82hp and 79 Nm of torque, so this thing can really shift, even with a bit of weight!

There are a bunch of customisation options available, with a choice of 600 or 900cc engines, as well as separate sport and rally editions that pack in their own unique features (and prices).

Overall, the Ryker is much closer to a traditional trike than any other on this lost and can be ridden on a car licence, and features a handy reverse mode. When it comes to pricing, the 3-wheeler starts from £12,853 for the standard 900cc version and makes for another interesting entry.

Engine:	900cc, 82 hp, liquid-cooled
Torque:	79.1 Nm @ 6500 rpm
Brakes:	Front: 270mm discs with Nissin 2 piston calipers Rear: 220mm disc
Fuel Capacity:	20L
Weight:	280kg
Seat height:	597mm
Price:	£12,853

Coming in hot, next up we have the Piaggio MP3 530 HPE Exclusive.

The MP3 530 HPE Exclusive was added to Piaggio's MP3 line-up last year and comes with a high-performance Euro 5 engine and a host of premium features. It basically takes all the great things the lower-capacity MP3 has to offer and brings it to the next level.

Packing a 530cc single-cylinder engine that produces 44 horsepower and 50Nm of torque, the MP3 530 is one of the most powerful three-wheel scooters ever made. Having said that, this is a hefty machine, weighing in at 280kg with a full tank, so it won't be the fastest Maxi on sale but still, the performance is very respectable for this category.

Now I know what you’re thinking, manoeuvring a 280kg scooter could be a bit intimidating, but like all MP3s, the 530 Exclusive can be locked in an upright position at a standstill so you won't have to support its weight directly. There is also a handy reverse gear and even a rearview camera which can feed clear vision to the large 7" TFT dash while moving backward.

It’s fair to say that plenty of attention has been given to making sure this scooter is as comfortable as possible with a spacious seat and ample leg room, this is a scooter that is perfect for both everyday riding and long-distance touring. It also comes with cruise control and a blind spot information system (BLIS) which will light up when something approaches from behind.

The Piaggio MP3 530 HPE Exclusive is the crown jewel in the MP3 range and comes priced at £11,500. Definitely one of the more expensive three-wheel options, but offering superior power and a host of tech features that make it a truly unique riding experience.

Engine:	530cc, liquid-cooled. single cylinder (44.1hp)
Torque:	50Nm @ 7250 rpm
Brakes:	Front: 258mm double disc Rear: 240mm single disc
Fuel Capacity:	13.7L
Weight:	280kg
Seat height:	790mm
Price:	£11,500

Freshly updated for 2023, the Niken GT is now packing the latest 890cc CP3 EU5 engine straight from the MT-09 for enhanced power and acceleration.

The Niken GT also comes packed with Yamaha's Leaning Multi Wheel (LMW) technology on the front end allows the bike to reach 45-degree lean angles for some mean cornering ability!

An area in which the Niken excels is in its stability, not to mention the extra comfort and wind shielding offered by its design. The latest GT version adds a high screen, heated grips, side cases, and a rear carrier to really maximise the touring capability.

Starting from £16,200, the Niken also comes loaded with features including traction control, adjustable suspension, ride modes, a slipper clutch, up and down quick-shifter, and cruise control. If you're an experienced rider looking to try something new - there's nothing on the road quite like this!

Engine:	890cc, 115 hp, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 4-valves, 3-cylinder, EURO5
Torque:	90.7 Nm @ 7000 rpm
Brakes:	Front: 298mm disc Rear: 282mm disc
Fuel Capacity:	18L
Weight:	270kg (wet)
Seat height:	825mm
Price:	£16,200

Finishing up our list has got to be the highly anticipated Kymco CV3!

The CV3 is due to be released in early 2023 and aims to be the most powerful 3-wheel maxi scooter in the category. Coming fully equipped with independently leaning front wheels and the same 550cc parallel-twin engine already seen in Kymco's excellent AK550. The CV3 will produce 51hp and 52Nm of torque @6000rpm with a claimed top speed of 105mph.

Packed with cool tech features such as ride modes, heated grips, keyless ignition, cruise control, and ABS. The CV3 will also have a standing assist system to hold the bike upright at a standstill as well as a foot pedal brake and a large 6" TFT display with Kymco's Noodoe satnav technology built in.

You’ll also be pleased to know that the CV3 meets the requirements to be ridden with on full UK car licence (as long as it was issued before 2013). Combined with its ultra-low emissions and claimed 55mpg, this could be an excellent choice for car drivers looking for something a little more convenient and economical for their city commutes.

Priced at £11,999 this looks set to be another excellent addition to the high-end 3-wheel scooter market.

Engine:	550.4cc, 51 hp, DOHC, 4-Stroke, 8V, In-Line Twin
Torque:	52 Nm @ 6000 rpm
Brakes:	Front: 270mm discs Rear: 260mm disc
Fuel Capacity:	15.5L
Weight:	265kg (dry)
Seat height:	795mm
Price:	£11,999

Well there you have it, 8 of the best 3-wheelers for 2023…

We want to know what you think. Do you agree? Do you disagree? Are you excited about the release of Kymco’s CV3 or considering the updated Niken GT? - Let us know in the comments below!

If you're interested in getting your 3-wheeler insured and on the road, make sure to get a 3-wheeler insurance quotation direct with Lexham!