TPC Trikes - 450R Trike History

Way back in September of 2003, Honda announced that they were releasing an all-new high performance quad, the TRX 450R. It didn’t take long for TPC’s founder, Bill Casey, to realize that this was the quad that he’d been waiting almost 20 years for. As soon as he saw it he knew that this was the quad that he would use as the foundation to create the first brand-new performance trike to be built in decades. He immediately went to work sketching concept drawings and doing initial design work.

In January of 2006, Casey announced his plans to the world by revealing that he had purchased a brand-new ’06 TRX 450R with exclusive plans to convert it into his dream trike. This essentially turned the 3-wheeled ATV community on its ear.

Word began to spread like wildfire and soon there were many others that announced similar plans. Most, however, involved crude backyard conversions built by simply stuffing new 450R motors into existing ATC 350X frames, ATC 250R frames, or even using CRF 450R dirt bike frames with quad rear suspension setups.

While all of these designs/builds were somewhat unique, none were really well thought out from either a design or functional standpoint. It was quickly proven that simple powerplant transplants into old and existing trike frames wasn’t conducive to either durability or rideability. And the frame geometry on bike frames, coupled with complications resulting from the narrow frame construction, may make these machines pretty to look at, but they leave a lot to be desired when it comes time to actually throw a leg over one and take it for a ride.

Since it’s well-received introduction, the TPC 450R has competed successfully in numerous motocross races bringing home wins in multiple classes. It has also traveled to many different riding areas where dozens of test riders have been awed and amazed by its versatility, durability, and comfortable riding position. Not to mention the fact that the TPC handles great and is just plain FAST!

During that time, those that strive to copy and emulate the TPC design have continued to work on their creations. Interestingly enough, however, they all tend to gravitate back towards trying to duplicate TPC’s original design.

The TPC and its designers have proven, both through a long history of riding trikes and through years of modifying factory machines, that they know how to build a high-performance trike like no one else can. TPC’s original design modifications to the ATC 350X are among the most copied frame and suspension modifications ever made to that machine. It is for all of these reasons that the TPC team welcomes the opportunity to compete against any and all machines, especially those that have continually claimed superiority to, or have attempted to copy TPC’s designs.

So here’s the bottom line: If you’re in the market for a new 3-wheeler that out-performs EVERYTHING else available then don’t settle for an imposter; your only choice is the TPC 450R!

WARNING!!! All ATVs, 3 or 4-wheeled, can be dangerous if used improperly or without proper instruction. All riders pictured on the website are expert or professional riders. Do not attempt anything beyond your own abilities. Please ride with all the appropriate safety riding gear. Respect the environment wherever you ride.