Taking a Stand on Trikes

[Mr. Clean]

Racing is cool and I also hope more people go but its not the only aspect of the industry. There are lots of people that own dirt bikes which have never seen a track. In fact...some of the BEST riders in the world do not participate in sanctioned events.

You dont have to be into racing to enjoy a trike. The market is much wider.

I wrote ride, race or event. I asked people to just show up in support.

[djm0242]

I would gladly hang flyers. I don't care about racing trikes. I did that when I was younger, my true passion came from riding in the Everglades as a kid with a huge group of trail riders. Riding across fire ruts and over fallen trees. Getting stuck in the mud and getting pulled out. Riding at night in the woods with your headlights on. Stopping to camp and sitting back on your trike looking up at the stars. That's the stuff I'm all about. The fun, the friends...the trike is like family to me. I do enjoy four wheels too, but given the choice of a 500cc 4x4 or my 250ES. I'll take the 250ES in a second, ever try to turn that 500cc 700lb monster around in a tight spot? Anyway, I'm in for flyers. I think the past is in the past. People have their own selfish reasons for wanting parts production, races, events, websites, marketing, just to name a few. You can talk bad about Obama and all that lame crap. The bottom line is what the bike does for you and how it will improve the overall experience of riding. The new generation of riders should have the same choices we have. Most people are in awe of my BR. They shake my hand they smile, they ask if it's for sale. They want to know how much $$$$$$ I've spent on it. There's interest out there. We can do it!!

[Billy Golightly]

Gentleman - the enthusiasm is applauded, but you're going about this the wrong way.This is a country of people who'd rather watch American Idol and dancing with the stars than care or know about what is going on around them...

The best way to "positively" promote three-wheelers is from within the industry and niche itself and let things naturally expand out.


I mean this in the nicest way possible, but the whole statement of " end three-wheeler racism become and atc activist" is pretty cringe worthy and shows how little you've really thought about this or understand it...

[slashfan7964]

The title was meant to be catchy


I've since changed it to be more subtle. We want to promote positive thinking on the good 'ol ATC's.

[DohcBikes]

I wrote ride, race or event. I asked people to just show up in support.

Yes sir I read it clearly. And my reply was that some of the best riders do not participate in sanctioned events.....

I do agree with you, and I love to race stuff. I havent raced a sanctioned event on a dirt track. I want more time to make it to events as well and I hope others do the same when they have the opportunity.

Your challenge to show up at a ride is being met on a daily basis.

A group of 20 riders on a free ride is much more likely for me to attend. Gila river is packed with people on a regular basis. It doesn't cost to participate, and no schedule. Just fun trail or desert riding is a huge market that can be advertised to, because there are masses of people doing it just for the thrill!!

[El Camexican]

Anyone who really wants to promote our sport can embrace a few simple rules of conduct
- Don’t ride on private land without permission
- Don’t make unnecessary noise
- Wear proper riding gear
- Don’t ride with faulty equipment
- If you see someone stopped on a trail stop and make sure no one is hurt, or in need of help
- Don’t play your stereo too loud when unloading in public areas, or at gas stations and car washes with your trike
- Never liter and don’t be afraid to pick up other people's trash if its near your pit or parking area
- Slow down when passing hikers, or people on horseback
- Don’t use vulgar language in front of children
And the list goes on. If we don’t act like trailer trash when out and about on our trikes people MIGHT respect our right to enjoy our sport, but if we act like self-absorbed pricks we can be sure people will view us as such.

[slashfan7964]

Awesome guidelines El Camexican. I like them. I think those should be added to the OP.


I don't think ill have room for those of the flyer but I might be able to squeak a few on there. Awesome awesome post.

[djm0242]

Obviously the title was not meant to be taken literally... It was meant to inspire and it just mirrors my own passion for the love riding. It's not nice to undermine this discussion with negativity. Onward to victory! All we can do is try.

[86T3]

What is your goal with this one? Put two trikes in every garage? Trikes are under the radar and to be honest with you, most of us like it that way. We're allowed to race, we're allowed to ride at a lot of parks and are being allowed at more every year. What more can you ask for? Im not trying to be a jerk but i think you need to spend less time on a computer talking about trikes and more time on one.

[fabiodriven]

Yeah book reports are great and all, but I prefer to ride three wheelers. That's why I own them and ride them. I like that people think I'm nuts for riding them and it's the best reason to not let people ride your stuff. If they can ride a trike, I know we'll more than likely get along really well. If they can't it's never an argument to tell them they can't ride my stuff. Even most dumb people are afraid to ride trikes if they don't know how. Speaking in good grammar is great and I don't applaud you for that. I expect more people to use it. However that does not make you an authority. I consider myself a fairly involved member of the community, but in no stretch of the imagination do I consider myself an authority amongst the community. Personally at this point I have been on three wheels for about 24-ish years. I've owned many, many trikes. I've dabbled in some racing here and there but not much comparatively. I ride in extreme trails in the mountains in NH multiple times yearly with groups of about 6 to 10 people usually, all trikes. I'm going to my 4th Trikefest in a row this year (you're still coming right?), I ride a trike on the street, and everyone in the area knows I'm a trike guy. Yet in spite of all this, there are people who have much more time and many more machines than I do. They've been doing it longer and know more than I. Maybe some just have more money or time than I do. Either way I consider myself part of the community, but there others who have the bug worse than I. Those in the know, those with the experience and knowledge I will gladly listen to. They have earned my respect and deserve it. You are just spending too much time on the keyboard. If these things you so truly care about, you will go make them happen instead of telling other people what they should think. If some lady came over and started jamming poodles down my throat you better believe I'm gonna tell her where she can put them. And congratulations at being the second member to have made my blocked user list. You've earned it buddy!

[Chopsaw]

Yeah you're right, I clearly want no part in the promotion of three wheelers or three wheeler racing.lol I applaud your enthusiasm, but you need to open up your eyes to the real world.

Well said , and I agree . More harm than good in my opinion .

[djm0242]

Yeah book reports are great and all, but I prefer to ride three wheelers. That's why I own them and ride them. I like that people think I'm nuts for riding them and it's the best reason to not let people ride your stuff. If they can ride a trike, I know we'll more than likely get along really well. If they can't it's never an argument to tell them they can't ride my stuff. Even most dumb people are afraid to ride trikes if they don't know how. Speaking in good grammar is great and I don't applaud you for that. I expect more people to use it. However that does not make you an authority. I consider myself a fairly involved member of the community, but in no stretch of the imagination do I consider myself an authority amongst the community. Personally at this point I have been on three wheels for about 24-ish years. I've owned many, many trikes. I've dabbled in some racing here and there but not much comparatively. I ride in extreme trails in the mountains in NH multiple times yearly with groups of about 6 to 10 people usually, all trikes. I'm going to my 4th Trikefest in a row this year (you're still coming right?), I ride a trike on the street, and everyone in the area knows I'm a trike guy. Yet in spite of all this, there are people who have much more time and many more machines than I do. They've been doing it longer and know more than I. Maybe some just have more money or time than I do. Either way I consider myself part of the community, but there others who have the bug worse than I. Those in the know, those with the experience and knowledge I will gladly listen to. They have earned my respect and deserve it. You are just spending too much time on the keyboard. If these things you so truly care about, you will go make them happen instead of telling other people what they should think. If some lady came over and started jamming poodles down my throat you better believe I'm gonna tell her where she can put them. And congratulations at being the second member to have made my blocked user list. You've earned it buddy!

Dude what is this guy talking about? I know I shouldn't ask because I'm sure he'll continue.

[DohcBikes]

Wow Slash!! What a hot button topic you seem to have brought up, the promotion of trike riding. Obviously some members are so passionately opposed to the idea that they want to make this about you and your seat time, or your ability to have owned and ridden umpteen hundred and sixtytwelve trikes, in an attempt to curb a sensible discussion. Ive got a couple things to say too, anybody surprised?

So what are we talking about here, forcing people to ride trikes? I didnt get that from your post, but it does seem that some did. I completely agree that you should follow up, get out there and do it, not just say it, but at the same time, I appreciate it. I certainly stand to benefit from increased ridership, as do MANY other members of this site.

If you are saying what I think you are saying, which is that its best to project a positive image from the triking community which you are a part of, on whatever level of aforementioned imaginary heirarchy, then i completely agree and personally cant understand why there would be a negative reaction to that sentiment.

Noone here knows the future for certain.

Three wheeled vehicles in the single front wheel configuration are being manufactured on a huge scale already. Brand New, 150-300cc Street Legal trikes. You think its a complete impossibility that someone could make the gigantic leap from on-road to off road with these bikes? I don't, as mentioned, there are several members here that have prepared, or are preparing three wheeled atv's to be run on the street. Why is it so hard to imagine the opposite?? Not to mention, to all the people that say Honda will never make another ATC, yep its not probable, but how the hell do you know?! You don't.

Check this out. Granted its not a genuine Honda, but its built just like a Ruckus with three wheels. These are readily available from an american retailer who procures them from an overseas manufacturer, kinda like honda dealerships do...



Heres a Ruckus as well, with more aggressive tires.



So, is it a stretch to imagine oh i dont know, maybe 2 or three more inches of travel, maybe some bigger tires, longer front forks? Is it such a stretch to imagine that Honda might be watching to see how these three wheeled Ruckus clones sell?

Shoot, just some knobbies on the one above, some engine upgrades.....got myself thinking now. Dont forget, they make these up to 300cc.

Since we are handing out challenges, how bout someone here buy one of these? Ive seen dozens of people express their desire to have a street legal trike unlike the big choppers you see. Well there it is. Think its ugly, change it.(i actully think its totally rad already) Put some knobbies on it. Oh but boo its CHINESE!!! Well get a load of this one folks... people werent so hot on Japanese vehicles in 1974. Learn to fix stuff and it wont matter. Hop em up. Find matching Honda parts, I can assure you this wont be tough.


The more widespread these small cc Street 3 Wheeler's become, the more people will become comfortable and familiar with the single front wheel configuration. Hell, it might even spark a memory or two, and inside there's an ATC addict that was chained up by society's opinion until these became commonplace, just waiting to re-emerge.

I think a lot of the backlash here stems from people being proud to be part of a secret society or something. Thats understandable. Its nice to be exclusive, cant argue with that.

Now, I seem to remember a high schooler's paper on the cspc ban being highlighted and celebrated somewhere on this site. Granted i know nothing of the member but I dont see anyone chastizing him, and he certainly provided his views and opinions in a promotional manner in his little "book report"...

Some of your goals in the original post could be perceived as a bit pretentious, but i dont think it was intentional. Do you consider yourself an authority? One thing i would highly recommend is to continue to research the history of the 3 wheelers of the past. But it is very refreshing to have a discussion about promoting the love of the trike to others, to keep the fire going for the next generation, maybe even stoke it up, because some people still think there are new off road trikes to come in the future. Just be mindful that you dont spread the wrong message, and that information isnt confused with pressure.

El Camexican, you nailed the virtues of a thoughtful and supportive off road rider to the wall, Thank You.

[djm0242]

I agree with this 150%. ... and I won't crush you for having good grammar skills or promoting a sport that we already support just by being members. Someone had this idea already and they created 3wheelerworld. Duh...

[fabiodriven]

Dude what is this guy talking about? I know I shouldn't ask because I'm sure he'll continue.

Yeah trust me, you wouldn't know.