Hill Climbing

[bluevetteguy]

Ok this is probably a dumb questions, but I gotta get a little feedback before I try it. I've been riding for about 10 years, but never really had a place to try any major hillclimbing. I went out with a few freinds 3 weeks ago to the North Canadian River... AWESOME TRAILS!! My question is about some of the really tall steep hills. How well does a 3wheeler go up these? Well, I know it won't be a problem getting up the hill... my concern is at the top where you've got the 2 deep ruts from back wheels spinning and in the center where my front wheel is gonna be, it just gets steeper! I can just see myself going up this and flipping over backwards.
Any advice for taking these steep hills with a high center and deep tire ruts? I wouldn't be concerned about it if I still had my 200x or 185, but I don't know what I'd do if I broke the Z:cry:
Thanks for help, and I'd love to see some pics of some you guys' hill climbs

[chris200x]

Best advice I can offer is stick to flatter ground. RUTS are a trikes worst enemy.

next time i go out I'll be sure to get some :pics: for you guys to drool over. :)

[Dusty]

i say just give it hell.....and see what happens...or make your own path beside it......just hit in about 3rd gear pinned on the Z leanin on the front you'll make it....

[max]

Best advice I can offer is stick to flatter ground. RUTS are a trikes worst enemy.

Like Chris said. Stay away from ruts. I love hills, with a passion, just ask anyone on here. But hills with ruts are a waste of time. Find yourself a smoother path or a different hill cause once you do get caught up in that rut you better hope your momentum comes through for you. If you need any more tips feel free to ask. No question is a stupid one!!

[Murph]

If your only option is to go with the ruts, get to the side a little. Put you front tire in one of the ruts, have one back tire between the ruts, and the other one to the side of 'em. This is what I always do while trail riding, works pretty good.

[bigredhead]

Yeah.. but i hate it when the ruts get deep and narrow and the forks wedge into the rut !!!! that sucks and robs momentum real quick !

[scooterroo]

when i doubt, gas it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dusty]

ive been in some hard to get out situations...lol...i agree with scooterroo gas that sucker...and iagree with you guys about the rut get your front tire in one...just make sure its not rele deep...

[scooterroo]

heres a quick clip of me climbing some hills at our local sandpit. yeah yeah, i know, i'm riding 4 wheels instead of 4, but the t3 will be done soon so i can redo the clip when i have the t3 done, but for now enjoy.

[westcoast TRI-Z]

when i doubt, gas it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I agree, I remember I was coming to a big rut that was perpendicular to the road. Had I slowed down or let off the gas, I would have been thrown over the handle-bars for sure. I gassed it and hung on for the ride. It was one big jolt but the momentum was sufficient enough to carry the front wheel out of the rut.

[chris200x]

heres a quick clip of me climbing some hills at our local sandpit. yeah yeah, i know, i'm riding 4 wheels instead of 4, but the t3 will be done soon so i can redo the clip when i have the t3 done, but for now enjoy.

Seems scoot forgot to post his next trip up the mountian. :lol: :banned: :D

http://www.atvriders.com/videos/videos/take%202.wmv

[max]

That was freaking sweet. Dude didnt seem to know what the hell he was doing. At the point he came to a stop. EVERYBODY, get off the bike.

[chris200x]

That was freaking sweet. Dude didnt seem to know what the hell he was doing. At the point he came to a stop. EVERYBODY, get off the bike.

sorry but i cant take credit for that... Someone (fox250r) posted it about 2 weeks ago in the open forum (newb crash video) I just though scoot would of got a kick out if it. :beer and maybe show what can happen if you dont know what your doing. It only takes a second or two for something bad to happen.

[Mike_Ham_250R]

I saw that vid a while back. That kinda sucked for that guy.

[scooterroo]

damn, poor bike. that had to hurt.

[dizasterzrfun69]

HAHAHA LMFAO! :lol: :lol: :lol: that had to suck! I think he was crying right there towards the end. I know i would have been if i had $5k or $6K rolling down a hill going to hell!

Kevin

[Meat-BoX]

If I even think I cant make it I wont go up. Just because I dont want to see my ride roll down a hill and be wrecked. Now if the dude was smart he would of turned around and went back down.
Getting up the Hill is one thing but you better not try it if you dont know how to turn around and go back down. Front brake, Turn into hill, get off get her, turn it, and hop on and go down. No back brake or there will be trouble.
That dude would of made it had he not missed that gear:naughty: :crazy:

[Kintore]

i say just give it hell.....and see what happens...or make your own path beside it......just hit in about 3rd gear pinned on the Z leanin on the front you'll make it....


I agree, 3rd gear works for me perfect. I find a middle position works good depending on steepness. What ever you do, dont let off throttle lol.

And for ruts, I stick my front tire in one of them so its down more and give her the beans and pray to god. I went up a huge hill once, couldnt see if there was ruts, 10 feet away "ah crap" Thats what I did and survived ;)

[MN250R]

:TrikesOwn
This video is funny also.

[Air-cooled-R]

thats sucks. I've never bent an axle near as bad!

[BigGreenMachine]

Oh thats not a good feeling! He did the same thing I would, sit down and watch the sucker roll. Poor guy. As much as it hurts to see your money roll like that you have to remember how lucky you were to get off first. Mac

[Dusty]

well god knows ive been in that position...sometimes you can rebound....it looks to me like when he stoped he didnt let the clutch out slow it seems he just dropped it out hard and it come back on him.....

[MyMistress86R]

Like Chris said. Stay away from ruts. I love hills, with a passion, just ask anyone on here. But hills with ruts are a waste of time. Find yourself a smoother path or a different hill cause once you do get caught up in that rut you better hope your momentum comes through for you. If you need any more tips feel free to ask. No question is a stupid one!!

I can and will second this statement. Max is the meanest hill-climber I've ever seen. He goes up stuff that makes my jewels want to climb up my backside. All I can say is that I also intend to take some serious bailing lessons from him though. This guy is a magician when it comes to getting off his trike in trouble. He's even got his bike trained to just turn around and roll back down the hill when he does bail...lol.

[250r'en +TCB]

i say just give it hell.....and see what happens...or make your own path beside it......just hit in about 3rd gear pinned on the Z leanin on the front you'll make it....
What he said..... Just make sure when you hit those ruts you have a LOT of momentum and you'll be fine:beer ;)

[chris200x]

personally I'm scared to death of hills but find myself attempting them anyway... Sure does give you a rush! :w00t:

If you ohio boys are thinking of a trip to hazleton, You may want to do a day at shamokin. That hill will blow your minds!!!

http://www.3wheelerworldforums.com/showthread.php?t=33357&highlight=shamokin

[3leggeddog]

thats a huge hill,but it does not look to have any challenge.no rocks,tree ruts,or tree's to negoiate.it's big though,but looks like it's a all motor,big nut sack hill,nothing technical.

[chris200x]

true. i have never been there yet. So I can't really add to that much. One would think that just the angle of it would be challenging.

I do know however most of the hills like that in my area are rutted up to hell. dam quads make it difficult for us trikers. Plus when it rains hard errosion just adds to the mess.

[3leggeddog]

just doesn't look fun for me.i like tight technical stuff.big,long hills,but with some obstacles to it.it may be a totally different experince once your on it though!!

[Oldshell4481]

haha hills blow, we were doing a hill climb and my buddy convinced me to take on on my 200e and i got to the top and my trike sat on its arse at the top and i did a backwards somersault all the way down the hill. wish someone was videotaping, coulda sent it in to americas funniest

[corndawg]

never really had any good hills to climb when i had my 200x...the dvx on the other hand has climbed everything ive pointed it up, seems like the front end has to be helped to come up on a climb, ive even messed around and leaned back (i wiegh 260) on hill climbs and it will only come up on me if a hit a rut or somthing

[200xcellent]

3leg has taught me a very good technique while climbing hills. Dont be afraid to use the clutch! When the motor starts to bog or your front end starts lifting, put your nuts on the tank, tach the motor up and drop the clutch! This has saved me more than once, and after the first time doing it a light bulb will blind you. That first time I was trying to get up this steep little hill and my front started pulling I did this and made it up, from then on I've really enjoyed some hill climbing. And corndawg, wtf is wrong with your quad if it cant pull the front on a hill with 260 pounds pulling back on it?

[dizasterzrfun69]

And corndawg, wtf is wrong with your quad if it cant pull the front on a hill with 260 pounds pulling back on it?

oh oh pick me pick me, ok, its a QUAD and it's not a honda :D :lol:

maybe he means it wont pull the front end up when he's leaning back and going DOWNhill. lol then i could see it. My "chopper" atc 110 will pull the front end off of the ground( a couple inches or a foot) if i lean back and thats not even on a hill and i way about 180-190.

Kevin

[traxxasx]

heres a quick clip of me climbing some hills at our local sandpit. yeah yeah, i know, i'm riding 4 wheels instead of 4, but the t3 will be done soon so i can redo the clip when i have the t3 done, but for now enjoy.


lol not to bag but that seems like eating ice cream. sooo easy. man dont be scared to climb a hill exspcially on a pinger. 4 strokes seem to bog out half way and you have to down shift to get the high rev back. over here this hills, or shale i say vertical dirt hills are big bulky and just weird. man on my ultility trike 225 dx i dont even sweat it i just drive around it and see whats on the otha side and if it has tire tracks then it should be ok. so i basicly floor it threw 3rd gear and hit it regular about half way i stand and lean barley forward and still flooring it, then closer to the top i start to bog and and down 2 2nd and make the rest at the top i stop and look on my way down. throw it in nuetrual and coast down while holding the brake some. dont be a retard and make *Edited**Edited* trike bog out half way up always stay high revved never up shift while going up it. also if your scared somthing is bound to go wrong. so just do it dont be scared just hit it at a good speed. after i did one that was seriously like a 49degree angle they were all easy. ohh yea if you get stuck go down dont try to make it you will either dig your tires in, or acideintaly pop the clutch and flip. if you have to go back down stop with both brakes turn her off climb off it while holding at least the back brake, go to the front or side and eas your way down foot by foot while using lots of brakes.

[Derrick Adams]

Well, I think i'll give my theory on hill climbing as well.
As stated by everyone else, momentum is the key. I will say that I have little experience on a 4 -stroke climbing, so it maybe different. But on my pingers, I hit every big hill in 2nd or 3rd, high in the RPM range and fast. This uses your forward momentum to push the bike into the hill which allows you to steer, get traction, etc. for the first half the hill climb. Then I will work the throttle about 1/2 to 3/4 of the way up the hill to keep the front tire down and be able to steer. (wheelie over obsticals if needed) Gradually bringing the bike down off the pipe.
If I haven't made it too the top yet and the bike starts to bog, i'll slip the clutch and nail the throttle, at the same time lifting my foot pegs with the arch of my feet to break the rear tires loose. (If your rear tires are spinning your front wheel will stay low) Then HOPEFULLY climb the rest of the way up.

I would like to think that this technique works well for me. I don't climb as difficult of hills as the rest of the OTC but I very seldom DONT make it to the top.

Bottom Line is: Hill Climbing is a mastered skill. It takes finese' and calm nerves. Always work your way up to bigger hills. Rule of thumb is, if your 80% sure you can make it, go for it!

There are few rushes like climbing something you didn't think you could climb!

[Mosh]

as for hillclimbing,i look at it.if there is any doubt in my mind after 10-15 seconds,i dont do it right away. i am into climbing and what makes a good climber is,you have to be just as ready to get out of a spot as your ready to climb it. in other words be ready not to make it and have plan to get the bike stopped.i have used trees to pull around a set the bike against to keep it from rolling all the way back down a hill before.techniques like that can help you.as far as the videos,on this posts,that 400ex was doomed from the start.way too much hill for a 4 stroke like that.the yfz 450 vid,he had it stopped and would have been fine to get the bike down if he just waited for some help.but in both those cases,i think 2 strokes would have faired a better chance on them hills.that is where the slipping clutch and wheelspin comes in handy.a four stroke tends to hook and bight too much sending it up into a wheelie.the 2strokes can get the wheels spinnin a lot better.but if it is a big hill, a couple of spotters is a good idea.i still owe max a big thanks for spottin my shee on scarface.saved me a lot of money.thanks bro

[crackshot]

I am a master hill climber and from 83 to 89, learned a lot and use style today. That was my specialty and I am no fear.
I spent many of hours on hard pack dirt, rutted hard pack, sand, snow and mud. All up hill.
You MUST have a properly tuned machine and well maintained. Chain must be adjusted properly and in good shape. Sprockets not worn and proper sizes are a must.
Suspension must be a medium soft.
BRAKES must be in good shape too, front and rear, adjusted properly or the wont hold you on a hill climb.
Tires must be inflated propely and have good tread on them. No worn knobbies!
You do not want wheel spin or the rims spinning around inside of tire.
You must know how to "read" the hill before attempting taking notice of the "fall line", imagine the route in your mind that you are going to take and also an alternitave in case something goes wrong.
You want to take the time to WALK UP THE HILL if it is nasty. It will get you a better idea of what route to take.
Take off and rap it out and keep it revved up in powerband. You lose the band and you are all done. Get into 3rd as quickly as possible keeping it in the powerband.
As you approch bottom break of the hill, lean forward, hug the tank, downshift to second and pin the throttle.
Your rpm is going to drop and you will lose the band if you let off and you will be all done.
As you go up the fall line stay leaned forward as much as possible.
If it is rutted, ride on top of rut, if not soft suspension will absorb rut and if momentum is right, you will FLOAT over ruts.
If front end starts to lift, ride the rear brake LIGHTLY to bring it down while keeping in the powerband. (notice how I say to "keep it in powerband")
Slipping the clutch helps keep it in powerband but could also backfire on you and make matters worse. Use with caution. If you read hill, execute approach correctly and kept the rpm's up, clutching is not required nor do I recommend it. Your forward momentum will drop instantly and you will be sorry you ever used it.
As you make it to crest of hill, beware of lips that overhang. Nothing worse than eating it at last part of climb. If you read your hill properly, You would been aware of this.
Lastly, if you start to bog out and can't get rpm's up use your alternitave bail out route, lean, turn and go back down.
If you bog out and stall it on hill, do not re-start the trike and try to make it up the rest of the way, You won't make it.
Wait for help to get trike turned around, keeping it in gear with kill switch on.
After you get it turned around, set kill switch to "run" leave it in gear and use clutch to get rolling then pop it, do not give it any gas and use engine and brakes to make it nice slow trip down.
Hope this helps, good luck!

[welfareglasses]

heres a quick clip of me climbing some hills at our local sandpit. yeah yeah, i know, i'm riding 4 wheels instead of 4, but the t3 will be done soon so i can redo the clip when i have the t3 done, but for now enjoy.

Thats a sweet climb.

[TimSr]

If your only option is to go with the ruts, get to the side a little. Put you front tire in one of the ruts, have one back tire between the ruts, and the other one to the side of 'em. This is what I always do while trail riding, works pretty good.

Thats how I do ruts. Put the front wheel in, and straddle it with the rears!

As for the rest of the hill, speed and momentum are great if its relatively smooth, but if its a rough and rocky hill, you need to go slow, while keeping it in the powerband, without stopping or pausing. Low gearing sure helps here! Keep it moving at all costs. Always stand up, and keep your weight as far forward as possible.

If its going to stall, hop off beside it and let it stall. If you stay on, and it begins to roll backwards even a little bit, you WILL go over backwards. Once it changes direction, its too late, so hop off the moment it stops, or just before.

[200xcellent]

There must be something wrong with my 4-stroke then. I dont have a problem with it bogging or keeping the tires spinning:naughty:
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c85/walker862/IMG_0289.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c85/walker862/IMG_0290.jpg

[CorbinKale]

Best hill climbing primer ever! I was a 'no fear' hill climber back in the day :). You told the straight truth, brother.


I am a master hill climber and from 83 to 89... *snip*

[crackshot]

Yep. Born and raised in So. Cal. Desert rat.
Rode it all before big development got in there.
I still get brave and do crazy stuff. Just have to use common sense and think it out.

[Mosh]

There must be something wrong with my 4-stroke then. I dont have a problem with it bogging or keeping the tires spinning:naughty:
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c85/walker862/IMG_0289.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c85/walker862/IMG_0290.jpg cheater!!!:D lol