new idea... or not? Please give me some feed back.

[mrmac]

thanks for taking the time to read this.

I'm currently working on plans to build a three wheeler, with a 2 front 1 rear layout, the rear wheel ofcourse being the driving wheel. My design is to use a much larger floor pan to get as much distance between the wheels as possible, with the rider sitting inside a protective cage with a full back seat.

I know this doesn't relate specifically to the three wheeled ATV's this site is dedicated to but, i have been unable to find any information on any vehicle built in this way for use in off-road conditions. Has it ever been done before?? What do you think the pro's and con's of such a machine would be??

My proposed vehicle:

#constructed of light-weight tubular steel, for strength, rigidity and protection.
#using a selection of drive trains from 125 2stroke to 750cc 4stroke
#single seater
#speed orientated, with a possible race class.

the pro's for such a design appear to be:
#increased stability
#greatly improved safety
#increased braking traction

and the con's:
#decreased drive traction
#size

Any information or opinions would be greatly appreciated, thanks for your time.

[Howdy]

Check out this link. It has been tried before.

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/MagScans/CDirtWheels1985m12DecemberPage01Cover.jpg

[atc's]

why not put a track in back and call it a snowmobile lol

[mrmac]

Howdy, thanks for the link, its the first pic i have seen of a reversed layout. My idea has a full cage though, more like a honda pilot with three wheels.

Atc's, I think its been done! lol. My idea is to make a three wheeler thats practical, fun, fast but above all safe, a full roll cage and harness protect the pilot. A low center of gravity keeps the vehicle stable and level at all times, especially mid-air. Its a project idea to make a safe three wheeled ATV, as i'm sure you are aware, there is alot of press labelling three wheelers as dangerous, this idea may not be 'your bag' but wouldn't a safer three wheeler, stir more interest, in a once hugely popular sport?

[3WheelHouston]

Three wheelers were deemed unsafe because people with little riding skill got on them and hurt themselves. Three wheelers require much more driver input and body english to control than a quad, and that's what is so attractive about them to me. Anyone can drive a quad, but it takes much dedication and practice to learn to drive an ATC.

Now, on to your design. Having a three wheeler with your design to me would be very difficult to control, as I'd think the end would slide around during turns, causing the machine to roll. Also, I would think that your design would be very difficult for jumping, as I'm assuming you intend it to do, because you mentioned it in midair. A single rear wheel and dual fronts would make it front heavy, and probably cause it to porpoise. In addition, you wouldn't be able to control the pitch of the machine by blipping the throttle because I would think that it would be front heavy and a single rear wheel wouldn't have the necessary inertia to make the pitch change in a panic rev or braking to get the nose down. I'm not trying to discourage you, just trying to make you think. If your design worked well I'd be in line with the rest of your customers, these are just my initial observations. I mean no disrespect by them. And by the way, there is a Russian company selling three wheelers of the original design again, and though they aren't much to speak of, as far as looks, it's a start. I think that if they were recieved well then the major manufacturers might take another look. Check in the open forum and there's a post there. One was or is on ebay. -Aaron

[mrmac]

thanks for your input. Any opinion is a good opinion , if you know what i mean.

[ATCRYDER]

Heres my input:

I dont like the looks or the concept of those type of machines, I dont like the cars & the offroad vehicle would be even worse. Powersliding would be near impossible, therefore Handling would be twice as bad as the worst 3 wheeler.

I actually like "atc's" idea, even if he was just joking. That sounds like a -great- idea.

And: If you are -building- this.....why not make a -real- offroad 3 wheeler as they were meant to be built??

I have nothing against you, but thats my opinion. If you like it, thats you, it all comes down to what -you- like & if You really want something, forget what others say!

Good luck,
Rob

[theeechozen1]

Me and a few buddies got stoned to the bejesus onetime and had an idea that was similar, only we were to use a streetbike layout so you could ride it like a crotchrocket. Front wheel drive and rear wheel steering with a roll cage. We even went so far as to draw up some plans on it but thats about as far as it went. At the time I had a 97' fzr 600 with a salvage title sitting in my garage so i had a power plant for it, It hasn't died yet i am just outta $$$$$ :? I think this is something that needs to be built and post pics of the project in the making-----good luck

[250rAL]

3wheeling magazine did a conversion just like the one in the Dirt Wheels link back in the 80's and they said it handled terribly. Practically unrideable.

[200x Basket]

look at this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=10062&item=1875310 198

[200x Basket]

or

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6719&item=18751729 14