Concept 'thing-a-ma-bob' from down Under.
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I've seen something similar to that at the office parking lot a few blocks from where I live. It's the same idea - two wheels in front, one in the back - powered by what looks like a liter-sized inline-4 MC engine. This one has a roof and a steering wheel, though. I forget the name of it right now, but it looks like an absolute blast to drive.
BikerVince
BikerVince
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ditto.
Mercedes had a much cooler version
where the whole deal could lean into corners.
http://www.gizmag.com/go/3628/
Personally, 3 wheels has some definite benefits if the package can lean. Otherwise, I am sure I could produce a VERY bad accident pretty quickly on any 3 wheeler that doesn't lean.
where the whole deal could lean into corners.
http://www.gizmag.com/go/3628/
Personally, 3 wheels has some definite benefits if the package can lean. Otherwise, I am sure I could produce a VERY bad accident pretty quickly on any 3 wheeler that doesn't lean.
I think it's a great idea.. Design it a little further and you get similar performance and probably better all-weather handling than motorcycles. Make it street legal and give it somewhere to add hard bags, carry a passenger comfortably, make it look a little less funky with the body styling, and you'll have a nice alternative to a car or motorcycle.
Maybe it'd be a nice alternative to people with less balance or with disabilities, or just people who think it'd be similarly practical without the fears of it tipping over in a parking lot..
I guess the real problem with would be visibility.. It looks lower than most motorcycles and might be harder to see by some people in a quick glance..
Ah well, just because it's not a motorcycle doesn't mean it's inadequate as a mode of transportation or just to have a lot of fun on.
Just my two cents..
Maybe it'd be a nice alternative to people with less balance or with disabilities, or just people who think it'd be similarly practical without the fears of it tipping over in a parking lot..
I guess the real problem with would be visibility.. It looks lower than most motorcycles and might be harder to see by some people in a quick glance..
Ah well, just because it's not a motorcycle doesn't mean it's inadequate as a mode of transportation or just to have a lot of fun on.
Just my two cents..
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A whole new genre in spelling
"This concept will start a whole new jondrah of light weight, high performance, relatively cheap motoring."
Jondrah? I mean, how can you be THAT far off??? He only got one letter right--and in the wrong position!
Then again, I don't speak Aussie.
That is all.
"This concept will start a whole new jondrah of light weight, high performance, relatively cheap motoring."
Jondrah? I mean, how can you be THAT far off??? He only got one letter right--and in the wrong position!
Then again, I don't speak Aussie.
That is all.
I hope the steering on this thing works motorcycle-countersteering-style: push right to go right. Otherwise it's a dangerous ride for motorcyclists.
I remember the first time I rode a quad - I almost crashed the thing on the first turn I came to, because it didn't countersteer as I subconsciously expected a handlebar-steered vehicle to do. And it turned in the opposite direction from where I wanted it to go. There is something about handlebars that makes the brain switch into countersteering mode.
Other than that, this 3-wheeler looks pretty fun, but I imagine a Hayabusa-powered go-cart would be fun, too, without the need for so much clean-slate engineering.
I remember the first time I rode a quad - I almost crashed the thing on the first turn I came to, because it didn't countersteer as I subconsciously expected a handlebar-steered vehicle to do. And it turned in the opposite direction from where I wanted it to go. There is something about handlebars that makes the brain switch into countersteering mode.
Other than that, this 3-wheeler looks pretty fun, but I imagine a Hayabusa-powered go-cart would be fun, too, without the need for so much clean-slate engineering.
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I don't want to sound like a naysayer. However, it seems like ever so often these trike things come along. They never catch on cause they don't combine the best of two worlds (bike vs.. car). You get a compromise. Like a hybrid (mountain/road) bicycles...It does neither thing well...
Re: Mercedes had a much cooler version
They did it in 1912. See web site http://www.prewarbuick.com/id256.htm
The Flxible sidecar company - which later changed over to making buses. OK, so it's a side car instead of a three wheeler, but with the same idea. That's why they called it "Flxible". Any new ideas out there? Double overhead cams with 4-valve heads were invented by Recaro even earlier, and you could buy heads like this for your Ford Model T - if your 3-bearing poor metalurgy crank could take it.
They did it in 1912. See web site http://www.prewarbuick.com/id256.htm
The Flxible sidecar company - which later changed over to making buses. OK, so it's a side car instead of a three wheeler, but with the same idea. That's why they called it "Flxible". Any new ideas out there? Double overhead cams with 4-valve heads were invented by Recaro even earlier, and you could buy heads like this for your Ford Model T - if your 3-bearing poor metalurgy crank could take it.
Saw something like that a couple of months ago here in St. Augustine. Weird at best. And there was a chrome, all chrome, including fairings sport bike with him. The bike had a drag style swing arm extended about 2 feet. Neither one looked much fun to ride but definitely got attention. And full straight pipe exhaust on both. Loud suckers.
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24 Posts
Do a search for Tilting Three Wheelers
Its great the guy had a dream and followed it through ,but there are at least a dozen similar designed machines that have already been in production.The one designed and built in Holland would have to be the best handling and coolest looking one,unfortunatly I can't recall the company name.
This one has been in production in Quebec for years...
http://www.go-t-rex.com/
http://www.go-t-rex.com/high_resolution_pictures.asp?nav=en-us
-- Michael
http://www.go-t-rex.com/
http://www.go-t-rex.com/high_resolution_pictures.asp?nav=en-us
-- Michael
Insane stuff.
Problem is the MSRP is somewhere over $40,000..
It'd be nice if someone actually made something that costs less (similar to motorcycle/small car price) and is still as much fun. It'd also be nice to keep the motorcycle controls.
I like how they keep the bike shift pattern but I don't like how they use a car-style clutch pedal and gas pedal.
Think they offer test drives for people who couldn't afford one?
Problem is the MSRP is somewhere over $40,000..
It'd be nice if someone actually made something that costs less (similar to motorcycle/small car price) and is still as much fun. It'd also be nice to keep the motorcycle controls.
I like how they keep the bike shift pattern but I don't like how they use a car-style clutch pedal and gas pedal.
Think they offer test drives for people who couldn't afford one?
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