New to the site... I brought 4 wheels though!

[JDViper]

Welp... New guy here. Figured Id join and be enlightened. I have a short story and then a long list of questions.
Ten years ago I was in a motorcycle crash and (long story short) put in a wheelchair. Bought a yamaha rhino fitted with hand controls and got on with it. Now Id like to have a trail bike but I dont want to go with 4 wheels because 3 is way cooler. I am a hard core yamaha guy, so why stray now. I need electric start and reverse so here are the questions:
What is the largest motor yamaha made? 225DX?
can a dx be converted to a longer shaft or to a chain drive?
I can handle making a shift lever, but i dont have enough hands to have a clutch as well so i'd need the auto tranny.
Does the tri-z come stock with a clutch?
From the little amount of research i have done, I think the DX225 would be best, but what can be done to mod it without going for broke right away. If anyone has any other ideas, shoot them my way. Im open to options...
Thanks
BTW the title is my attempt at wheelchair humor...

[barnett468]

Hello

Welcome to the site, I'm confused by your question. Your topic says "i brought 4 wheels though". Do you want to convert a 3 wheeler to 4 or modify a 3 with controls so you can ride it?

Thanks

[kebby28]

Welcome. I don't know much about yamahas but there are plenty hondas that fit your description. Like the 250es/sx...

[ColtonGG33]

I think a yamaha 225dr would fit you best, it is shaft drive, semi auto, with reverse, the dx is almost the same just doesn't have reverse. They Are great machines. And it has electric start

[DasUberKraut]

Welcome to the family JD!

Best of luck in your endeavor. Can't wait to see you riding 3 wheels!

[ps2fixer]

If you don't mind jumping ship, you could build an auto 200x, benefits of being light and sporty, yet semi auto like you are looking for. From my understanding everything is a 200x except the bottom end of the engine is a 200s, crank might have to be swapped? Not 100% sure.

I'm not sure how possible this is, or if anyone has tried it, but could you do a clutch if you had electric push buttons to shift, like a honda rincon? With a machine with a battery, it seems like it wouldn't be too hard to put a motor to control the shift lever with the up/down buttons from the rincon + a good relay to handle the power. You would have to hold the button for the shift, unlike the rincon which is just a tap (computer controlled).

I don't know a lot about Yamahas, but I do know the Tri-z 250 is infact a manual clutch like sports quads/three wheelers. I don't think there is an option/part interchange to make it semi auto. Also I don't think it has reverse.

[ngunter2]

I like the sound of the electronic push button shifter. If your sticking with the yamaha, then probably the 225 dr and a electronic push button shifter. It sounds pretty sweet.

[ps2fixer]

I got thinking on the push button shifting, seems like the best way to do it would be a solenoid to push/pull the shifter (at what ever leverage is required). That way the internal engine spring can return the shifter to the "home" spot. A motor might not return correctly with out some way for it to stop back at home (aka computer controlled).

Someone should take this idea and build/market it . I know the guy next door has a hard time shifting quads/three wheelers because he has partial numbness in his left leg. I'm sure there are plenty of more people that would like it, and others just to have the aftermarket parts.

[JDViper]

Well I went and did it. Here it is. This thing it in GREAT condition too. Paid $850 for it. reverse and elec start. cant wait to take it for a rip.

[atctim]

Sounds like your only option (Yamaha with electric start and reverse) is the 225DR. a member here on the boards, Derrick Adams lengthened his swingarm and drive shaft. It can be done.

As others have stated, Honda made the ATC250ES and ATC250SX, both of those models have exactly what you are looking for and are much more easy to find (and find parts for).


EDIT - I see you bought one - very nice trike! Rock on!

[JDViper]

I posted a response but i dont see it. Im confused...

[JDViper]

Did it get deleted?

[JDViper]

Let me try this again. Im not sure why but my earlier post is now gone. Here it is. Paid 850 for it. Nearly mint...

[D-dub]

Looks great! Love the fairing, is it a factory option?

[ColtonGG33]

That is a great find, I hope you enjoy it. If you need any help or questions with it, just put up a thread and you'll get all the help you need. It looks really clean too!