Elio

[Lee]

That's pretty cool. The SF video (perhaps wrongly) says it gets 50 mpg...still not bad.
I already see an aftermarket for hot rodding that thing.

[Zardozimo Oprah Bannedalas]

That's pretty cool. The SF video (perhaps wrongly) says it gets 50 mpg...still not bad.
I already see an aftermarket for hot rodding that thing.

50 in town, 80ish on highway.

[zahc]

 The reason all these cool designs are three wheelers is because the FEDERAL REGULATIONS pertaining to cars do not apply to thee wheeled vehicles.

And all these 3-wheeled designs would be better, and safer, if they could use 4 wheels. There is pretty much no reason to use 3 wheels, except that the government will actually permit you more freedom if you use the inferior platform. It is impossible for me to be attracted to Spyder-type vehicles, knowing that they were designed not according to engineering principles, but were designed around Federal regulations.

[cassandra and sara's daddy]

ever see the givs idea of a safe motorcycle? ala jian claybrooks regime?

damn phone

[geronimotwo]

And all these 3-wheeled designs would be better, and safer, if they could use 4 wheels. There is pretty much no reason to use 3 wheels, except that the government will actually permit you more freedom if you use the inferior platform. It is impossible for me to be attracted to Spyder-type vehicles, knowing that they were designed not according to engineering principles, but were designed around Federal regulations.

having four wheels may be safer, but would lose in the gas mileage and performance category due to the extra weight.  the elio also gives up visibility, which I have always considered the largest safety bonus of a bike.

[lee n. field]

having four wheels may be safer, but would lose in the gas mileage and performance category due to the extra weight.  the elio also gives up visibility, which I have always considered the largest safety bonus of a bike.

Kind  of like a recumbent bicycle that none of the road-hypnotized driving zombies can actually see because it's so low.

I'd like to know something about its crashworthiness.

[geronimotwo]

Kind  of like a recumbent bicycle that none of the road-hypnotized driving zombies can actually see because it's so low.

I'd like to know something about its crashworthiness.

it does have 3 airbags, and a crumple zone front and back.  in the video they claim something like "soon to be given 5 stars for impact" rating.      if i was gonna be hit, i would rather have a cage with airbags around me than nothing.

[Sergeant Bob]

it does have 3 airbags, and a crumple zone front and back.  in the video they claim something like "soon to be given 5 stars for impact" rating.      if i was gonna be hit, i would rather have a cage with airbags around me than nothing.

Yep. A traditional motorcycle is a crumple zone.

[sumpnz]

I remember those little cars.

I knew a guy that has 3 or them.

[zahc]

having four wheels may be safer, but would lose in the gas mileage and performance category due to the extra weight.

Unsubstantiated; and I have no reason to believe it. 3 wheels have less rolling resistance than 4 if they are the same size wheels, but have you seen the size of the rear wheel on the Spyder? They just make it bigger to compensate for having one, yet they still give up the stability advantage of 4 wheels. Rolling resistance isn't the sole performance metric, things like you know, handling and cornering are important too and there's no way throwing out a wheel helps those things.

[Harold Tuttle]

Carver 1

http://youtu.be/TK4wzBYmTIo

[geronimotwo]

Unsubstantiated; and I have no reason to believe it. 3 wheels have less rolling resistance than 4 if they are the same size wheels, but have you seen the size of the rear wheel on the Spyder? They just make it bigger to compensate for having one, yet they still give up the stability advantage of 4 wheels. Rolling resistance isn't the sole performance metric, things like you know, handling and cornering are important too and there's no way throwing out a wheel helps those things.

my thinking is that it has more to do with weight reduction and wind resistance, not to mention the added friction from the fourth wheel bearing.

[Gewehr98]

Unsprung weight of wheel/tire/spindle, the weight of the suspension for that 4th wheel, the weight of having bodywork around that 4th wheel, the rolling resistance, the extra brake rotor/caliper/pads/brake lines,  sway bar, you name it.

Yep. A traditional motorcycle is a crumple zone.

 

As a motorcycle rider myself, that flipped my giggle switch, I'll have to admit! 

Anybody remember the OSHA horse?

[Tallpine]

In Oz, "cowboys" are now required to wear helmets 

[tokugawa]

In Oz, "cowboys" are now required to wear helmets 

Please tell me this is a joke.

[tokugawa]

What I want is an open wheel- think formula ford - car with the wheels and the drivers pod set up to lean into the corner. It would use a high output MC engine like a Busa, have four MC tires say 180/55x17, use a chain drive to a limited slip dif. RWD.  Weight around 1000 lbs.

 That carver is a real hoot, but again, it suffers from  FEDERAL REGULATORY nightmare avoidance syndrome.
 ( FRNAS) 

[Tallpine]

Please tell me this is a joke.

No, but I can't remember where I read it.

[cassandra and sara's daddy]

Joan claybrooks 450 k design


http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x201/hultman89/Claybrook.jpg

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[AZRedhawk44]

I've been seeing things like this around town, recently:



Stupid *expletive deleted*ing safety nazi unskilled untrained devices to give a false sense of security to people that don't learn how to DRIVE A *expletive deleted*ing MOTORCYCLE PROPERLY.

Hint:  You'll NEVER learn to ride properly if you use these since you'll never learn to counter-steer.

[Balog]

Wait, seriously? That's a real thing, not just a "training wheels for Harleys" joke? 

[AZRedhawk44]

Wait, seriously? That's a real thing, not just a "training wheels for Harleys" joke? 

Yes.  They exist.  Srsly.

[Balog]

 

[AZRedhawk44]

High-end ones.   

http://www.trikealternative.com/

With the flip of a switch unlock the stabilizing wheels to provide a two wheel ride. With another flip of a switch immediately lock the wheels to provide the stability of a trike. The wheels are always on the ground ready to lock or unlock in an instant.

At your fingertips is the ability to control the stabilizing wheels, raise them to provide a two-wheel ride. Lower them with the flip of a switch to provide the stability of a trike. Consider them landing gear for motorcycles - for 1500 and 1800 Goldwings only.

Yes, people ACTUALLY think FEEL that these stoopid things INCREASE stability.  

[geronimotwo]

I've been seeing things like this around town, recently:



Stupid *expletive deleted* safety nazi unskilled untrained devices to give a false sense of security to people that don't learn how to DRIVE A *expletive deleted* MOTORCYCLE PROPERLY.

Hint:  You'll NEVER learn to ride properly if you use these since you'll never learn to counter-steer.

that can't be real!      the only thing that's good for is parking on hot asphalt. 

[MillCreek]

^^^ I have always wondered if those training wheel setups would be good for an experienced rider who was perhaps starting to experience balance issues from old age or vertigo or something.