Which 3wheeler has the lowest overall gear ratio?

[Xhumeka]

Which 3wheeler has the lowest overall final ratio at rear axle? I recently picked up an old Suzuki King Quad 300 (you know, those old tractor-like suzuki's with the selection of 3 gear ranges including "super-low"). A forum post I read quoted:

The Suzuki King Quad 300's had the lowest gearing you'll find in any four wheeler ever made, and by a large margin too:

King Quad 300
Primary: 3.15 (63/20)
Secondary: 1.125 (18/16)
Final: 3.09 front / 3.647 Rear

Subtrans
High: 1.112
Low: 1.480
Super Low: 3.176

Trans
1st 3.083
2nd 1.933
3rd 1.388
4th 1.095
5th 0.913
Rev 2.833

High Range Overall Ratios
1st 44.309
2nd 27.781
3rd 19.948
4th 15.737
5th 13.122
Rev 40.716

Low Range Overall Ratios
1st 58.972
2nd 36.974
3rd 26.549
4th 20.945
5th 17.464
Rev 54.190

Super Low Overall Ratios
1st 126.548
2nd 79.344
3rd 56.973
4th 44.946
5th 37.476
Rev 116.286

As a devout Honda 3wheeler fan, I immediately went "error checking" on his claim that they had the lowest gearing "by a large margin" of any 4wheeler ever made. I thought of this as an opportunity to dis 4wheelers and show 3wheelers are still a force to be reckoned with I thought of my 250sx with "super low first gear" or my old 1983 Honda 200e that had dual ranges with a fairly low first gear, but by my initial calculations discovered that the original poster may in fact be correct. I might be wrong, but here are my calculations for the '83 big red and 85/86 250sx (and also a honda 300 4x4):



Again, unless my math is wrong, the lowest overall ratio for the 250sx is 93.11 (reverse) and 54.62 for the '83 big red in low-range first gear. This is indeed quite taller gearing than the King Quad, which in super-low first gear is at 126.55.

After running these calculations I also found it interesting that for Honda's it seems like Reverse is the lowest gearing of all gears - whereas for the King Quad the 1st gear is the lowest with the overall ratio for reverse sitting between the overall ratio for 1st and 2nd. I would think it makes sense for the lowest gearing to be in forward 1st gear, but maybe Honda had a reason for reverse being even lower?

Anyhow - which IS the lowest geared Honda ATC, and does it even come close to the King Quad's overall lowest ratio of 126.55?

[dougspcs]

It's too close to "beer o'clock" on a Friday for all this math..

That is 1st thing in the Monday morning after 3 coffees calculation!!

[DohcBikes]

It's too close to "beer o'clock" on a Friday for all this math

Hey thanks for reminding me Doug!! Heck with these wrenches and calculators, off to the fridge I go hahaha......


Will check back on Monday after three coffees

[Joseph Farrow]

My guess would be the ATC 90/110. First gear Low Range.

[Chopsaw]

200ES 1st gear low range is really low . My 250SX isn't even close to that .

[Xhumeka]

My guess would be the ATC 90/110. First gear Low Range.

200ES 1st gear low range is really low . My 250SX isn't even close to that .

Good call guys- so far it's the 200es in low gear that appears to be the lowest geared, followed by the ATC90 (that is, if you don't count reverse - then the 250sx wins)

[lokisbuddy]

hmm I would have guessed atc 70 or zinger.

[Xhumeka]

hmm I would have guessed atc 70 or zinger.

Definitely not the 70 (1st gear final ratio being 36.78). Not sure about the tri zinger, don't have a manual to check ratios...

[captainweezy]

Good call guys- so far it's the 200es in low gear that appears to be the lowest geared, followed by the ATC90 (that is, if you don't count reverse - then the 250sx wins)

Mr. Gary Crum proved the sx in reverse on the race track a year or two ago at trike fest!

[Xhumeka]

Mr. Gary Crum proved the sx in reverse on the race track a year or two ago at trike fest!

Now this sounds interesting!! How was this proven? Everyone try to maintain a specific RPM and see who takes the longest to complete a lap??