There are a limited number of suspension systems used on trikes today. They can be placed into two general categories - conventional suspension and independent suspension. Conventional suspension refers to the wheel hubs being bolted to separate axles on either side of a differential, which uses a swingarm suspension system. Independent suspension means that each wheel is bolted to separate axles utilizing individual suspension components. Trikes built with less rigid swingarms will perform much like those with independent suspension.
Trikes perform best when there is no flex within the swingarm or suspension components.
Flex is undesirable because it translates into what the rider feels as body roll or sway. When this occurs, the trikes ability to corner is affected, as it tends to lean outward in the corner. As the body rolls, the trike becomes unstable in the corners and forces the rider to counteract these effects. Trikes manufactured with independent suspensions and those with more flexible swingarms all suffer from this problem. For example if cornering to the left, centrifugal forces and momentum cause the trike to lean to the right.