Harley-Davidson's three-wheeled HOG

When the old, conservative Harley-Davidson Inc. (NYSE: HOG) set out to build a three-wheeled version of the iconic American motorcycle, they would have followed the standard, two-rear, one-front wheel design. Judging from their recently filed patent application, though, the company is showing a new boldness by setting off in a different, cutting-edge direction with a cool two-front, one-rear wheel, high performance design.

Last fall, the company announced an agreement with Lehman Trikes U.S.A. to cooperatively develop a three-wheeled motorcycle. For many years, Lehman has been the industry leader in converting motorcycles such as Harleys and Honda's Gold Wing to three-wheelers. The manufacturers have not been particularly supportive, though. Those who also manufacture all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), such as Honda (NYSE: HMC), are still gun-shy of the configuration in the aftermath of the 3-wheel ATV controversy, in which the industry was forced to accept a consent decree to discontinue building what proved to be an unstable 3-wheeled design.