Motorcycle pick-up truck
The motorcycle equivalent of the ute is a cost effective way of shifting heavier loads and is very popular in some parts of AsiaYou don't see too many of them in Australia, but in certain parts of Asia they are they as common as the Aussie ute. We are talking about the motorcycle pick-up, a curious creation that is half motorcycle, half load-lugging utility vehicle.
And as the photos reveal, these contraptions look rather fetching.
The idea is to take the front half of a motorcycle, a relatively cheap appliance, and keep the powertrain (engine and gearbox) then hack off the rear wheel and sub frame, retro-fitting a large load carrying bed or tray to the rear.
The result is a cost-effective way to transport ungaily and awkward loads yet without needing a car licence or a bucket load of cash.
A pair of wheels are added to deal with the heavier loads that are being carted around -- usually animal carcasses, hay, pinball machines and so forth -- making the vehicle a trike as opposed to a motorcycle.
Some of the designs appear to be hastily cobbled together death traps, some are based on classic Tuk-tuks and the like, while others look to be expertly engineered, complete with hydraulic lifting mechanisms, custom trays and heavily reinforced frames.
It's hard to say exactly how much cargo the motorcycle pick-ups can carry, but if the gearing was properly sorted we image they'd be able to easily haul a quarter of a tonne, perhaps even more if the engine was larger than 250cc.
There's also a number of tourism-based models with seating for several passengers that can be seen in the gallery, and even a scooter-based pick-up that is particularly appealing.
Most of the motorcycle pick-ups appear to use a live rear axle with leaf sprung rear wheels, but one theme is common among all of these trikes -- they are very trendy. One staff member is currently on a mission to either import one to Australia, or build his very own motorcycle pick-up.
How that scheme pans out is anyone's guess, but it will be probably end in tears either way...
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