#302552 - 26/09/2007 12:59
Sport Three Wheeler????
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old hand
Registered: 17/01/2003
Posts: 998
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While it looks cool, and BRP makes quality products, I just don't think there is a market for this... http://spyder.brp.com/The physics of a three wheeler just doesn’t lend itself to performance, especially cornering. The three wheelers I do see on the road are usually driven by old dudes and they’re dragging a small trailer and their wife. I just don’t see them switching to this. What do you think?
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#302553 - 26/09/2007 13:17
Re: Sport Three Wheeler????
[Re: Redrum]
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pooh-bah
Registered: 06/04/2005
Posts: 2026
Loc: Seattle transplant
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There are many companies getting ready to produce such a machine. Typically, they're called "carvers". Even Harley has one in the works. More articles here- http://www.gizmag.com/motorcycles/(you'll have to rummage around for them) As a long-time odd-ball vehicle fan and sidecar pilot I have to admit an interest in these. The sour note is the high cost- well beyond that of a really good motorcycle.
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#302555 - 26/09/2007 16:14
Re: Sport Three Wheeler????
[Re: Redrum]
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veteran
Registered: 01/10/2001
Posts: 1307
Loc: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Quote:
The physics of a three wheeler just doesn’t lend itself to performance, especially cornering.
Tell that to the 3-wheeler Morgan crowd - they tend to be quicker than the 4-wheelers in classic races.
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#302556 - 26/09/2007 16:42
Re: Sport Three Wheeler????
[Re: julf]
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pooh-bah
Registered: 06/04/2005
Posts: 2026
Loc: Seattle transplant
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Quote:
Quote:
The physics of a three wheeler just doesn’t lend itself to performance, especially cornering.
Tell that to the 3-wheeler Morgan crowd - they tend to be quicker than the 4-wheelers in classic races.
I'd say that for any three-wheel configuration it's definitely best to have two up front.
The next question is whether you drive the front or rear. Both have successful examples.
If I were rich I'd have not just a few sports vehicles- and there would be a couple of three-wheelers in there... for example- http://www.go-t-rex.com/
Oh- and here's a better link for the gizmag articles-
http://www.gizmag.com/tag/three+wheel/
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#302557 - 26/09/2007 17:25
Re: Sport Three Wheeler????
[Re: Robotic]
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old hand
Registered: 17/01/2003
Posts: 998
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Quote:
If I were rich I'd have not just a few sports vehicles- and there would be a couple of three-wheelers in there... for example- http://www.go-t-rex.com/
Those look pretty cool.
While I'm not rich I do have an old ATV 3 wheeler (1983). It is definitely not as stable as my ATV 4 wheeler, granted its 20 years older. If think your riding a two wheeler you’re OK, but it you just sit there and try to turn your in trouble. Of course new ones are now outlawed in the US.
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#302558 - 26/09/2007 18:39
Re: Sport Three Wheeler????
[Re: Redrum]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 08/07/1999
Posts: 5543
Loc: Ajijic, Mexico
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Quote:
The physics of a three wheeler just doesn’t lend itself to performance, especially cornering.
Uhhh... I beg to differ. Spend some time here and see what you think. 3 seconds 0-60, 1G lateral acceleration, 200MPH top speed... I spent some time talking on the phone and exchanging emails with the developer/builder of this machine, even sent him money to reserve my spot in the production queue. Unfortunately he died a few years ago, so no more of them will be built.
Sigh...
tanstaafl.
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#302560 - 26/09/2007 23:38
Re: Sport Three Wheeler????
[Re: Robotic]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 06/10/1999
Posts: 2591
Loc: Seattle, WA, U.S.A.
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Quote:
I'd say that for any three-wheel configuration it's definitely best to have two up front.
I remember driving, in the 1960s, 3-wheeled Cushman golf carts at the place where I caddied. Every so often, a member would roll one into a sand trap or, more flamboyantly, a particular pond on the 3rd hole. Single steered wheel up front. Cushman stopped making those.
In the early 1980s, one of my nephews -- the one who might have become governor, or rich, or a Rhodes scholar -- died about 10 seconds after accepting an offer to try out a friend's 3-wheel (single steered wheel up front) ATV. A momentary lapse in judgment at age 13. They don't make those anymore.
Anyhoo, I think it is fair to say that trikes with single wheels up front do not compare favorably to 4 wheels, and perhaps not to two, at least in the lifespan department. Two wheels up front seems much less problematic from a momentum, inertia and survival standpoint. But your anecdotal mileage may vary.
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'Tis the exceptional fellow who lies awake at night thinking of his successes.
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#302561 - 27/09/2007 07:06
Re: Sport Three Wheeler????
[Re: Redrum]
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old hand
Registered: 14/08/2001
Posts: 886
Loc: London, UK
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This has got to be the best and most fun 3-wheeler http://www.carver-worldwide.com
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#302562 - 27/09/2007 10:33
Re: Sport Three Wheeler????
[Re: tanstaafl.]
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old hand
Registered: 17/01/2003
Posts: 998
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Quote:
Quote:
The physics of a three wheeler just doesn’t lend itself to performance, especially cornering.
Uhhh... I beg to differ. Spend some time here and see what you think. 3 seconds 0-60, 1G lateral acceleration, 200MPH top speed... I spent some time talking on the phone and exchanging emails with the developer/builder of this machine, even sent him money to reserve my spot in the production queue. Unfortunately he died a few years ago, so no more of them will be built.
Sigh...
tanstaafl.
I'm not saying you can’t make one work. And some of these listed sure do perform and look fun. However, IMO if you took those same design concepts (lowered to the ground, 700 hp, etc) and made the slight modification of adding another wheel, it would not roll over as easily and if it did get up on two wheels it would be easier to correct. The Ariel Atom comes to mind for comparison here. If you put 700 hp in one of those, wow.
I maybe be wrong but I believe if you have two flat plates of the same material and weight, one a triangle and one a square (with the same max width), the square will be harder to turn over.
700 hp on anything makes for a fun ride.
When I was younger my friend’s brother got a three wheeler that used a VW bug motor and transaxle. That thing was a blast. You could wheelie in any gear (even when you didn’t want to)
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#302563 - 27/09/2007 11:28
Re: Sport Three Wheeler????
[Re: Redrum]
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old hand
Registered: 14/08/2001
Posts: 886
Loc: London, UK
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Quote:
The Ariel Atom comes to mind
They don't handle that well though AFAIK
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Mk2a RioCar 120Gb - now sold to the owner of my old car
Rio Karma - now on ebay...
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#302565 - 27/09/2007 14:19
Re: Sport Three Wheeler????
[Re: Redrum]
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old hand
Registered: 14/08/2001
Posts: 886
Loc: London, UK
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He's a journalist. I don't trust his opinion despite how funny he is
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Rio Karma - now on ebay...
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#302566 - 29/09/2007 12:33
Re: Sport Three Wheeler????
[Re: Redrum]
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pooh-bah
Registered: 19/09/2002
Posts: 2494
Loc: East Coast, USA
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I can just hear the jeers from the HOGs and crotch rocket riders:
"What's a' matter SON, still need TRAINING wheels??"
But then you say Harley is building one. I've always oddly admired three wheel cruiser bikes with the one wheel up front. They appear stable simply because of their size.
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