Trike Trip in the Tramuntana: Enjoying the Curves with the Slingshot

Trike Trip in the Tramuntana: Enjoying the Curves with the Slingshot

A short three-wheeled road trip that tastes of sea air and the smell of rubber

In the morning, when the air on the coast is still salty and the Tramuntana roads are just thawing out, passersby marvel at an unusual sight: a red-and-black machine, as low as a racing kart, gliding past cafés and olive groves with effortless cool. This is not a normal car and not a classic motorcycle. In Palma it is called a Slingshot – a three-wheeled roadster with a massive single rear wheel that provides the drive.

The seating position is unusually low: once seated, you sit barely 15 centimeters above the asphalt. That makes the ride intense, the landscape feels close, the sounds more immediate. Under the hood a four-cylinder of around 175 hp works; yet the trip stays relaxed because tours are usually paced at 40–60 km/h. In short moments the machine can, however, deliver serious punch: on paper acceleration figures around 0–100 km/h in just over five seconds are possible if you push it.

Local tour operators offer these outings as a half-day experience – planning, a short briefing and several photo stops included. Common stops are viewpoints like the Mirador de les Malgrats in Santa Ponça, the Military Museum in Palma or the viewpoint at Estellencs. On the return many groups cite the coastal road via Port d’Andratx and Camp de Mar as the route. Heading along the MA-10 towards Banyalbufar serves up terraced fields, stone structures and sea views again and again. For tips on staying safe on the Tramuntana.

Legally the Slingshot sits in an in-between world; across Europe it is classified as category L5e on the European vehicle categories for motorcycles, which harmonizes with motorcycle standards. For participation in private tours a normal car driving license is usually sufficient. A guide explains the technology, helps with strapping in and ensures the group stays together – in practice that means: cruise, photograph, enjoy.

Locals notice that such vehicles attract attention. In villages like Esporles you do not go unnoticed; some wave, others frown. That's no secret: power has a sound, and in fun mode consumption of up to eleven liters per 100 kilometers can occur. Many providers therefore advertise moderate group sizes and fixed routes to avoid overburdening the area.

On site the operators are often small companies: starting with a few vehicles, grown into a fleet that today ranges from teenagers to adults. Some models have nicknames – a black roadster is anointed the 'Batmobile' and regularly provides film-worthy scenes along the coast.

Why is this good for Mallorca? Such offers bring guests to the less crowded roads, spread revenue into smaller towns and give travelers a different view of the island than sunbeds and hotel pools — much like when you discover Mallorca by rental car. Those who book a trike tour in the morning later have coffee in Port d’Andratx, eat a slice of cake in Esporles and fill the midday hours with views instead of concrete. For small rental companies it is a welcome economic factor in the low season.

My tip for locals and guests: choose a morning slot when the air is clear and traffic is light. Respect for the residents of the mountain villages pays off – slow down in tight settlements, park so farmers can reach their fields. And: bring the camera. The MA-10 in particular supplies motifs you otherwise only find on postcards.

In the end a Slingshot ride is not a protocol but a feeling: raw, a little loud, very immediate. Whoever returns to the village grinning after a short, intense excursion has taken away exactly what these tours are about – a small adventure that shows Mallorca from another side.