How to Ride and Operate the Dual Motor eBike Rickshaw

Why a Dual Motor Rickshaw Exists

Most electric trikes are built around a simple promise: you get stability, comfort, and a motor that takes the edge off hills and headwinds. A rickshaw adds another job to that list. Now the trike isn't just carrying you; it's carrying a passenger, a load of groceries, a pair of kids, or whatever else you've decided to bring along. That extra weight changes how the trike behaves, and it changes how much power you need to keep things feeling easy.

That's the thinking behind the dual motor, dual battery eBike rickshaw. Dustin, who has spent about 20 years in the bike and eBike industry, recently walked through the trike from front to back, covering everything from swapping batteries to backing out of a tight parking spot. This article follows that walkthrough, cleaned up and expanded so you can use it as a reference whether you already own one or you're still deciding.

If you're new to the category, it's worth browsing the full eBike rickshaw collection alongside this guide so you can see how the dual motor model compares with the rest of the family.

sixthreezero builds a few different versions of the rickshaw, and each one is aimed at a slightly different rider. The entry-level model uses a single 750 watt motor mounted in the front wheel. Step up from there and you'll find a 1000 watt mid-drive option, which puts the motor at the pedals and works through the bike's gears. There's also a recumbent version with a 750 watt rear-mounted motor for riders who prefer a laid-back seating position, similar to the trikes in the recumbent electric trike lineup.

The dual motor, dual battery rickshaw sits at the top. Instead of choosing between a front motor or a rear motor, you get both: 750 watts up front and 750 watts in the rear, for 1500 watts total. It's paired with two batteries that together add up to 42 amp hours of capacity.

That doesn't make the other models weak. Plenty of riders on flat ground with light loads will be perfectly happy with a single motor. The dual motor version is for people who know their riding will regularly ask more of the trike, and who would rather have power in reserve than wish they had it.

Dustin points to a few situations where the dual motor setup really earns its place. The first is hills. A loaded trike climbing a grade puts a lot of strain on a single motor, and on you. Splitting the work between two motors makes climbs noticeably smoother and less tiring.

The second is weight. If you're planning to carry a heavier passenger on the rear seat, or you're a heavier rider yourself, the extra power keeps acceleration and climbing from feeling sluggish. Riders who need a frame rated for more load should also look at sixthreezero's electric trikes with high weight capacity.

The third is hauling. The dual motor model comes ready for an add-on rear subframe, which you can fit with an extra seat for kids or a basket for cargo. Once you start towing a second platform behind you, two motors make a real difference. If carrying people is the main reason you're shopping, the trikes for passengers and cargo electric trikes pages are good places to compare options.

Here's what you're working with on the dual motor rickshaw. Top speed is 20 miles per hour, whether you're using the throttle or pedal assist. The quoted range is up to about 80 miles, which comes from the combined 42 amp hours across the two batteries.

Stopping power comes from three hydraulic disc brakes, one on the front wheel and one on each rear wheel. Hydraulic brakes need less hand effort than cable brakes and give you more consistent stopping, which matters when there's extra weight behind you. You can see more trikes built around this feature in the electric trikes with disc brakes collection.

The drivetrain is a seven-speed derailleur, which works just like the gears on a regular bicycle and pairs with the pedal assist. Up front there's a suspension fork to soak up bumps. All three tires are 20 inches in diameter and 4 inches wide, so you get the cushioning and grip of a fat tire setup, much like the models in the fat tire electric trike category.

Rounding things out are mirrors, turn signals, integrated lights, a horn, a forward and reverse switch, storage under the seat, and the ability to choose between one motor or both. We'll go through each of these in detail below.

That 80 mile figure is a ceiling, not a promise, and Dustin is upfront about it. The range you actually get depends on several factors working together.

Weight is the big one. The rider's weight, any passenger's weight, and any cargo all ask the motors to work harder. Terrain matters too: rolling along a flat beach path uses far less energy than repeatedly climbing hills.

Then there's how you use the assistance. Heavy throttle use drains the batteries faster, since the motors are doing the work without help from your legs. Riding in pedal assist level five, the highest level, will also use more energy. If you want to stretch your range as far as possible, the lowest assist levels are your friend. You'll put in a bit more effort, but the batteries will last considerably longer.

The dual motor rickshaw also gives you one more tool for saving power: you can turn one of the motors off. On flat ground with a light load, running a single motor is often all you need, and it keeps more energy in reserve for the hills or the ride home. More on how to do that in the display section.

A good habit is to treat your first few weeks of riding as a learning period. Pay attention to how much battery your usual routes use at different assist levels, and you'll quickly get a feel for your real-world range.

The rickshaw carries two batteries: one mounted in the frame behind the seat area and one in the down tube. You can charge either battery while it's on the trike or remove it and charge it indoors, which is handy if you don't have an outlet near where you park.

One detail that surprises people is that each battery uses its own charger. That's why the trike ships with two chargers. Keep them labeled or stored separately so you always grab the right one. If you ever need a replacement, sixthreezero carries batteries and chargers as parts.

The first battery has its charging port right on the battery. To remove it, turn the key and the battery slides out. To put it back, set it into the cradle and push down until it seats.

There's also a power switch on the battery itself. If that switch is off, the battery won't supply any power, even if everything else is turned on. If you ever press the power button and nothing seems to happen, check this switch first.

The keys don't need to be in the batteries for the trike to run. They only lock the batteries to the frame. You can pull the key out and take it with you while you ride, though you'll need it whenever you want to unlock and remove a battery. This battery also has a USB charging port, so you can top up a phone or other small device while you're out.

The second battery lives in the down tube and takes a little more finesse to remove. Dustin even pauses in the video to find the step most people miss: underneath the battery there's a small switch that has to be released before the battery will come free.

Once that's released, unlock it with the key, tilt the battery down, and work it to the right angle before sliding it out. It isn't difficult, but it does take a little patience the first couple of times.

Putting it back in is the reverse. Angle the battery into its slot, ease it into place, and push it back up into the frame. Then lock it with the key, and you can remove the key once it's locked. This battery has its own power button on top, which also needs to be switched on for it to work.

If you'd rather not remove it at all, that's fine. The charging port is exposed while the battery is on the frame, so you can plug in without taking anything apart. Whether you charge on the trike or off is entirely up to you and how your storage situation works.

A small tip: practice removing and reinstalling both batteries once or twice at home before you need to do it somewhere less convenient. It's the kind of task that feels awkward the first time and second nature by the third.

The dual motor rickshaw comes standard with a 2 inch hitch ball at the rear. That hitch is what lets you add the optional rear subframe, which is sold separately.

It's worth being clear about what the add-on includes. You're buying the subframe and its wheels, which give you a platform. From there you can mount an additional seat for a passenger or put a basket on it for cargo. There's also a trailer-style basket option. You can browse compatible items in sixthreezero's add-ons, including baskets and seats.

Attaching it is simple, but there are two safety steps you shouldn't skip. First, there's a security cable that loops over the hitch ball as a backup connection. Second, after you set the coupler on the ball and flip the latch down to lock it, insert the pin that comes with the subframe so the clamp can't work loose.

The weight limit for the rear seat on the subframe is 150 pounds. Keep that in mind when deciding who rides back there or how much you load into a basket. Exceeding it puts stress on the hitch and frame and makes the trike harder to control.

Under the passenger seat there's a storage compartment that flips down. It's a good spot for water bottles, a purse, a helmet, or whatever else you want to keep out of sight. Latch it closed when you're done.

At the back you'll find the tail light and rear turn signals. In the demo, Dustin notes that the hitch ball partially blocks the tail light, and that the team is working on relocating it so it's more visible. If your trike has the same setup, it's worth making sure you're visible from behind, especially if you ride at dusk.

The rear passenger seat comes with a basic seat belt. Dustin mentions that a lot of riders ask about upgrading it, and there are a couple of ways to go. There are mounting points that let you swap in a retractable seat belt, and there are plenty of those available from general retailers.

You can also install a three-point harness. To do that, you remove the seat and attach the harness to the back frame structure. Dustin has separate videos covering the harness installation if you want to see it step by step. For anyone carrying children or riders who need extra support, it's an upgrade worth considering.

Now for the part you'll interact with every time you ride. Most of the controls are on the left handlebar.

There's a power button, which turns the system on when you hold it. Next to it is the M button, short for menu, which you'll use for settings and for switching motors. The plus and minus buttons raise and lower your pedal assist level.

You'll also find buttons for your turn signals, the horn, and the lights. And there's a dedicated switch for drive and reverse, which we'll cover later in the riding section.

The left side also has a brake lever and a mirror, with the display mounted near the center of the handlebars where it's easy to glance at.

It's a lot of buttons at first glance, but they're laid out logically and most riders settle into them within a ride or two. Spend a few minutes before your first ride pressing each one while parked so you know what to expect.

The right side of the handlebars is simpler. You've got the thumb throttle and the shifter for the seven manual gears, plus the second brake lever and mirror. If you like having a throttle on hand for starts and slow maneuvering, sixthreezero's electric trikes with throttle control share this setup.

At the very front of the trike there's a small box. Dustin mentions it's there for mounting a front basket, which is sold separately. You take off the front panel and the basket bolts on using screws.

The rider's seat uses a quick release clamp, so you can adjust height without tools. Just tighten the lever down once you've set your position.

If the seat keeps slipping, there's an extra fix. Next to the clamp lever there's an adjustment knob along with an Allen key bolt. Tightening the knob and snugging the bolt with an Allen key makes the lever clamp harder, which keeps the seat from creeping down while you ride. Finding the right seat height also affects comfort and pedaling efficiency, and sixthreezero's fitting consultation can help if you're not sure where yours should be.

Hold the power button and the display comes on. The first thing you'll notice is two battery indicators, one for each battery.

That can be confusing, because the two indicators will almost always show the same level. It's easy to assume they're reading the same battery. They aren't. The trike uses a balancer that draws power from both batteries equally while you ride. Since they drain together, their levels stay matched. Each indicator shows that battery's own charge, not your total.

You'll also see your current pedal assist level, the riding mode (in the demo it's set to power mode), and an odometer showing total miles ridden.

Look closely and you'll see two small green circles on the tire icons. Those tell you which motors are active. When both are lit, both motors are working. When only one is lit, only that motor is running.

Turn on the lights and an indicator appears on the display. The same goes for the turn signals, which also show on screen while they're flashing. Press the signal button again to turn it off. The horn is the one control that needs no explanation.

If your display is ever damaged, sixthreezero sells replacement eBike displays as parts.

This is one of the features that sets the dual motor rickshaw apart, and it's simple to use once you know the button combination.

Press and hold the minus button and the M button together. The display will change so that only the front tire's circle is lit. You're now running on the front motor alone.

Hold the same combination again and only the rear circle lights up, meaning you're on the rear motor alone. Hold it once more and both circles light up again, returning you to dual motor mode.

You can switch on the fly while riding or while standing still. That flexibility is what makes the feature useful. Cruising along flat ground, you can drop to a single motor to conserve battery. When you approach a hill or pull away with a passenger aboard, switch back to both motors for the extra push.

Some riders also find a single motor feels smoother and more relaxed in everyday riding, since acceleration with both motors is noticeably quicker. There's no wrong answer here. Use whichever setting feels most comfortable and switch when the situation calls for it.

Hold the M button to open the settings menu. Before you go exploring, Dustin's most important advice: stay out of the advanced settings. Changing the wrong value there can leave the trike unable to ride. If you're curious about something in that menu, contact support before touching it.

You won't find an option to change the speed limit, since that's set at the factory. You can switch the display between miles and kilometers.

The setting most riders will care about is called mode, and it offers three choices: normal, eco, and power. Power mode delivers the most output from the motors. Normal gives you a balanced, everyday feel. Eco dials things back to stretch your battery.

Here's a useful troubleshooting tip. If the trike ever feels like it isn't giving you the power you expect, check this mode setting before anything else. It's easy for it to get switched to eco, and the difference is noticeable, especially with a passenger or on a climb.

A sensible approach is to run normal for most riding, switch to power when you're carrying a load or tackling hills, and use eco on long, flat rides where range matters more than punch.

Pedal assist levels and manual gears are two different things, and they follow different rules.

You can change your pedal assist level any time, whether you're moving or standing still. It's electronic, so it doesn't matter.

The seven manual gears are different. They're mechanical, and they need the chain to be moving to shift properly. That means you should only change gears while you're pedaling and the wheels are turning.

If you shift while stopped and then start pedaling, the derailleur has to catch up all at once. You'll hear the chain clatter as it jumps across the cogs, and sometimes the chain can come off. It's not a disaster and it's easy to put back on, but it's an annoyance you can avoid entirely.

The best habit is to shift down to an easier gear as you're slowing to a stop. That way you're already in a low gear when it's time to pull away. If your derailleur ever needs replacing, you'll find a derailleur in the parts section.

Dustin compares the thumb throttle to the gas pedal in a car, and it's a useful way to think about it. You wouldn't stomp on the gas from a standstill, and you shouldn't jam the throttle either. Ease into it.

The same goes for letting off. Jerking your thumb off the throttle suddenly is like yanking your foot off the gas: the trike lurches and your passenger feels it. Keep your pressure steady and smooth, both speeding up and slowing down.

There's an important safety feature to know about. Whenever a brake lever is pulled, or a parking brake is engaged, the motor cuts out. Neither the throttle nor the pedal assist will work. In the demo, Dustin presses the throttle and nothing happens, because the parking brakes are on.

This is helpful in two ways. It means braking always overrides the motor, which is exactly what you want in an emergency. And it explains a common confusion: if the throttle seems dead, check that you haven't left a parking brake set.

The rickshaw has parking brakes on both brake levers, and setting them is a two-hand job the first few times.

Squeeze the brake lever, push down the small lock on the lever, and then release your grip. The lock holds the lever in the engaged position, keeping the trike from rolling.

To release it, squeeze the lever again and the lock will disengage.

Parking brakes are worth using every time you stop, not just on slopes. A loaded trike can roll more easily than you'd expect, and setting the brakes makes it much safer for a passenger to climb on or off. It also keeps the trike from creeping while you load cargo into the basket or underseat storage.

Just remember to release them before you try to ride. Because the brakes cut the motor, a forgotten parking brake will feel like the trike has lost power.

You have a few options when it's time to get moving. The first is pedaling with no assistance at all. Because the rickshaw is heavy, this can be tough, especially in a high gear. Dustin tries it in seventh gear, then shifts down to first, which is the easiest gear to pedal. In first gear, an unloaded trike is manageable, but he doubts he'd want to start that way with a passenger on the back.

The second option is pedal assist. Set the assist to level one or two and start pedaling. After roughly three quarters of a pedal rotation, the sensor signals the motors to engage and you'll feel the assist kick in. From there you're off and running.

With both motors active, acceleration is quick. If that feels like more than you'd like, especially while you're learning, switch to a single motor. Once you're cruising, you can shift up through the gears as your speed builds.

The third option, and Dustin's personal recommendation, is the throttle. We'll cover why in the next section.

On any eBike or eTrike, starting with the throttle takes away the hardest part of riding: getting all that weight moving from a dead stop. On a rickshaw, where you might also have a passenger, that matters even more.

Dustin's approach is simple. Ease into the throttle to get rolling, then start pedaling once you have some momentum. It's smoother, it's less work, and it puts less strain on your knees.

The throttle also shines in tight spaces. Pedal assist responds to your pedaling, which makes it a little harder to control precisely at low speeds. The throttle lets you feed in just the amount of power you want, which makes slow turns and maneuvering through parking lots much easier.

One thing to understand: throttle power is tied to your pedal assist level. If you're in level two, the throttle only gives you level two power. To get the full output from the throttle, you need to be in the highest assist level.

That linkage is actually useful. Leaving the assist in a lower level makes the throttle gentler and easier to control, which can be ideal for beginners or for slow, careful riding with a passenger. When you need full power, bump the level up.

If you've only ever ridden two-wheel bikes, the trike will feel different. On a bicycle you lean into turns. On a trike, you stay upright and steer with the handlebars, and the trike stays planted.

That can feel strange at first, and your instincts might try to lean the way they would on a bike. Dustin's reassurance is straightforward: it takes a little practice, but you will get used to it.

A few habits help. Slow down before turns rather than in the middle of them. Keep your upper body relaxed. And practice in an open, empty space like a parking lot before heading onto busier roads.

The good news is that the rickshaw's turning radius is pretty tight for its size, and it turns quickly and easily once you're comfortable. If stability and easy handling are high on your list, you might also look at sixthreezero's electric trikes for seniors, many of which share the same relaxed, confidence-building feel.

Dustin also rides with the rear subframe hooked up, and his reaction is telling: you barely notice the weight. The dual motors make pulling the extra platform feel effortless, and the trike still accelerates quickly.

That said, there are adjustments to make. The biggest is length. With the subframe attached, you have a longer tail behind you, so you need to give yourself more room when turning and be mindful of what's behind you.

When the subframe is empty, you may hear some rattling at the hitch ball. That's because there's no weight on it. Once you add passengers or load the basket, the noise settles down.

Overall, the combination is easy to steer and very stable. The extra weight actually helps the trike feel planted, and the dual motors keep everything moving without strain.

Before every ride with the subframe, double-check the connection: coupler latched on the hitch ball, safety cable in place, and pin inserted. It only takes a few seconds and it's the most important safety check you'll do.

Reverse is one of the most practical features on the rickshaw, especially given its size. Dustin mentions he used it just recently after pulling into a parking spot that he couldn't easily get back out of. Rather than climbing off and dragging the trike backward, he flipped the switch and backed out.

To use it, flip the drive and reverse switch on the left handlebar to reverse, then press the throttle. As the trike moves backward, the pedals turn backward too, so you'll need to let your feet move backward with them.

Reverse has less power than forward, which is by design. That means you should be careful on slopes. If you need to back up an incline, make sure it isn't too steep.

There's one situation where Dustin doesn't recommend reverse at all: with the rear subframe attached. The connection at the hitch twists as you back up, and the subframe quickly jackknifes. He calls it almost impossible. If you need to back out with the subframe on, it's usually easier to unhitch it or find room to turn around.

If reverse is a feature you know you'll rely on, sixthreezero has a full collection of electric trikes with a reverse gear.

Dustin's demo takes place in a parking lot, but he's quick to point out that he'd be wearing a helmet out on the street. It's the simplest safety step there is, and sixthreezero sells helmets if you need one.

Beyond that, a short pre-ride routine goes a long way. Check that both battery power switches are on and that the batteries are locked in. Confirm the riding mode and motor selection on the display. Test both brakes, and make sure the parking brakes are released.

If you're carrying a passenger, make sure they're buckled in and that you're within the 150 pound limit for the rear seat. If the subframe is attached, verify the latch, safety cable, and pin.

Keep an eye on your tires too. The 4 inch fat tires are forgiving, but proper inflation affects both comfort and range. Replacement tires are available if yours wear out.

None of this takes more than a minute or two, and it makes every ride smoother and safer for you and anyone riding with you.

Everything above is easier to absorb on the trike than on the page, so it helps to build up in stages rather than loading a passenger on day one.

Start with the trike unloaded in an empty lot. Power it on, cycle through the pedal assist levels, and try each motor setting so you can feel how single and dual motor acceleration compare. Practice easing onto and off the throttle until it feels smooth, and get used to steering without leaning.

Next, work on stops and starts. Shift down as you slow, set the parking brakes, release them, and pull away again with the throttle. Do it enough times that the sequence becomes automatic. Then try reverse a few times on flat ground so you know how it responds.

Once that feels comfortable, add some weight. A bag of groceries in the underseat storage or a basket is a good intermediate step, because it changes the feel of the trike without the pressure of keeping a passenger comfortable.

Only then bring a passenger along, starting on quiet streets and familiar routes. Tell them before you accelerate or brake, keep your inputs gentle, and switch to power mode and both motors for any hills. If you plan to use the rear subframe, repeat the same progression with it attached, paying extra attention to the longer tail in turns.

It might sound like a lot, but most riders work through it in an afternoon or two. The payoff is confidence, and a passenger who enjoys the ride as much as you do.

The dual motor, dual battery rickshaw is built for riders who ask a lot of their trike: hills, passengers, cargo, or all three at once. With 1500 watts across two motors, 42 amp hours of battery, three hydraulic disc brakes, and the option to add a rear subframe, it's the most capable rickshaw in the lineup.

What makes it practical, though, is the flexibility. You can run one motor to save battery or both for power, pick a riding mode that suits the day, start smoothly with the throttle, and back out of tight spots with reverse. Once you know how each control works, the trike becomes very easy to live with.

If you're still deciding, sixthreezero offers a 30-day test ride so you can try it on your own routes, along with a one-year warranty covering parts and labor. You can also visit the store to ride one in person.

Have questions that weren't answered here? Reach out through the contact page, or browse more walkthroughs in the video blog and the wider Bike Advice section.