About Us

The story of Enns Trikes

1981
Clifford J. Enns, grew up as an inventive small town farm kid from Middlebro Manitoba, Canada. This is just across the border from Roseau, MN where Cllifford attended all his shop courses and is also home of the inspiring Polaris Plant. Polaris had amazing test drivers who passed his school bus every day, aggressivly jumping roads and ditchs with their sleds. It was then Clifford realized, "POWER = FUN and the addicting need for greater performance requires constant testing to have it".

He began his fascination with three wheel motorcycles in 1981 when he purchased and rebuilt his first VW Trike. He drove that trike everywhere with one wheel in the air or like an ATV. Roads, Ditches, Summer, Winter. He even raced dune buggies in the Winnipeg floodway. His favorite was fresh snow in downtown Winnipeg, he could show off with his buddies and no one could catch them, then hide it quick till next time. (photo below) He soon became known as the “The Trike Guy” and often said, “If you want to ride, buy a bike. If you want to HAVE FUN RIDING, then buy a Trike.”

1992
Clifford relocated from Canada to Fargo, ND and then to Moorhead, MN where he started his new business, “CARS AND STRIPES,” offering vehicle graphics, accessories, signs and logo design.

2001
THE DREAM, “to create American made custom production Trikes that are best in their class, across the world,” kept reoccurring, so global research became a priority. The graphics shop slowly lost floor space to Trike prototypes that were constantly being altered with new technology and always visible for public scrutiny. Every friend, family, or customer that entered his shop within the next six years of development was detained and questioned for their input on every change.

“Their information was vital for achieving my goal,” Enns stated, “I want the driver and passenger, at any age, to be excited to ride, feeling comfortable, safe, and proud of the recognition that comes with an Enns Trike. Today’s riders want to get away from stress, not add to it, and want a motorcycle with a unique custom look that defines who they are. They want unlimited power, stability, reverse, easy adjustable pedals, storage space, reliability, endless options, audio/video/GPS, and of course cup holders. I can accommodate them, gratefully.”


2006
FIBERGLASS expert and a good friend, Khna Chroeung “KC”, oversaw the completion of the fiberglass molds for two models, allowing the first gel coat fiberglass body to be made, a big step in tooling up for production.

METAL fabrication would follow next, along with locating vender's for premium products and performance engines.



2007
Enns CONCEPTS INC. was formed and the first concept Trike, rolled out of the shop in spring. It was successfully tested and driven by Clifford Enns in all conditions for the rest of 2007 including rain and snow. He received an amazing response at bike runs, parades and events, making headlines in all their newspapers.

2008
Along with building custom Trikes, three Production models were decided upon, Street Performance, Avenue, and Highway Luxury, (SPE, AVE, and HLE). They would share the same initials as Clifford’s three daughters who appear in some advertising and contribute to design, production, and marketing, but most of all, add balance to a rising “DREAM COME TRUE”.

The website www.EnnsTrikes.com was launched featuring this Viper yellow concept trike as a 2007 AVE Demo Model.

ENNS TRIKES is a customer driven company, so before locking in on the specifics of each production model YOUR INPUT was needed again. The yellow concept trike was used to achieve that. It became our SHOW TRIKE at every 2008 spring bike show we could attend. The response was exciting and overwhelming along with the WINS. 1st PLACE for BEST IN CLASS at any show featuring trikes, including 1st at the Donny Smith Bike Show in St. Paul.

Thanks to all who stopped, voted for us, and told us what you would like in your Dream Trike, we were now ready to go back to the R&D shop and make innovative changes with useful information.

The following changes were developed in 2008. A new frame featuring a 11 gallon fuel cell placed below the trike, fold down dummy tanks for smarter storage, electrical center between dummy tanks with 12 v outlets, "press and slide" adjustable foot controls, adjustable handlebars, audio options, purchase agreements, bill of materials, new vendors, and new products.

Mark Waltz of Fargo, ND became our first customer investing in a loaded up HLE “Highway Luxury” production prototype with custom tri-color paint and radar detector.

Shortly after, Bob Penner also of Fargo, ND became our second customer ordering the first new AVE "avenue" production prototype on Christmas eve paid in full. This was to be assembled by the Devils lake Automotive Tech School.

We had the start we dreamed of!

2009

The new HLE prototype was complete and had it's debut in February to an amazing response. Mark won 1st place in the Fargo show, and 2nd in its class with 1st in upholstery at the Donny Smith Show in St Paul.

We took over the assembly of Bob Penners AVE prototype and showed it for the first time alongside Mark's HLE and the yellow 07 concept trike at the Allerrus Center in Grand Forks on April 18Th, our largest pressence. We took both 1st and 2nd.

FUTURE
Along with the new changes to the AVE and HLE, the “Street Performance” will be next. Passenger armrests and a new luggage rack option will follow along with exciting new ideas in the cooker at all times.