Now that the CPSC agreement is finished.....

[raptor]

My ideas out the window lol. could you not use some cheap quad like the sukida or yamoto? i know they are for the small rider (under 5.10) but it could be a prototype. it would be around the same size as a 185.. (maybe) just my thought.

[TrikerR]

from what ive read on these boards, most of you guys either own trikes for these two pure and simple reasons.
1.you just cant afford a new $5000(or $10000 where i come from) quad.
2. or you have no need for a new quad. you enjoy roosting 05 model quads and have way more fun on a trike.

what would happen if the big 4 did start bringin out 06 trikes, would those guys who fall under category 1 suddenly be able to afford a $5000 trike, because theyr brand new and would run for brand new prices. and for the guys in category 2, where would the fun be, you would be running with the same technology and you wouldnt be able to gloat over the fact that a 20+ yr old trike just beat you brand new quad.
im sorry, but i think that while owning a 06 trike would be extremely cool, it would just take away the fun of running these old beasts.
but go ahead and build your prototypes and conversions, cause you are just making a good thing better.

cheers all

[LonesomeTriZ]

I would say trikes are more the preferred method of destruction for most of the people here. SA far as cost is concerned, have you seen what some of us have put into our rides? What you say is true though and I am not real interested in bringing on a revolution and bringing the trike back into production. But, building a few with modern technology will, I think expose the terrible mistake the ATV manufacturers made by allowing stupid people to control out sport

[Louis Mielke]

That is an excelent point!

[Darius1502]

Converting the dirtbikes: CRF 450 to a trike or a YZ450F to a trike has been made much simpler since these models were used as the backbone for the quads.

I think its actually quite a simple job. Just like the excellent work that Louis did you could weld the swingarms together and use the quad rear end. Then fab some wider triple clamps and there you go.

I know there is more to it...but its very very possible. In a couple years when I have tons of expendible revenue...I'll do it.

The only question is:

Honda or
Yamaha??

I am leaning toward Yamaha

[denn]

I would be happy if the companies would just start producing parts for the 3 wheelers again. I'm sure they have the tooling in some storage area somewhere. Maybe you can sigh a petition for that. If they see they can make enough profit they may start producing them again. Besides, I have nothing against 4 strokes (I love my 350x) but 2 strokes are fading fast. Even if they did produce a new trike they would all be 4 strokes probally. I would rather keep my 350x and my 3 Tri-z's but be able to get parts for them when I need to.

Denn

[Billy Golightly]

I've spent alot of time thinking about this, and my opinon is as long as there is a conversion involved, its still a converted dirtbike, or still a converted quad, and not really a full blooded trike which leeds into other problems with handling and part fitment. In my honest opinon, the only way to go is to design and build a brand new frame that would be able to use some dirtbike, and quad technology together. I'm not an engineer, but even I know there is alot more stuff to it then welding on a new swingarm and making new tripple clamps. Things have to be thought out and planned ahead, such as ride height, rider comfort including the reach from the sitting posistion to the handlebars, comfort in extreme cornering posistion where you have to hang off the side, suspension geometry including but not limited to making sure that your suspension travel is in relation to your ground clearence. Dont want to be dragging the skidplate when there is 4 inches worth of suspension travel left in the forks do we? The propper thing to do would be to source out a custom quad fram manufacture such as Walsh, Lonestar, Aren Bros, ect and let them do it since they do it all the time, and have the abilities to do it.

[Yamahammer490]

The propper thing to do would be to source out a custom quad fram manufacture such as Walsh, Lonestar, Aren Bros, ect and let them do it since they do it all the time, and have the abilities to do it.

Every time I see an ad from Service Honda I have a similar thought. They're already making updated versions of the TRX250R and aluminum framed CR500s, so why can't they make me an ATC500R-AF? They're obviously adept at modifying frames and have knowledge of bikes and quads.

I also realize that you'd have to pay a premium for such a beast, but I'd much rather pay $8,000 for a modern, works-style trike than $6,000 for a new quad.

Just my 2 cents...

[LonesomeTriZ]

I think we did stray from the original point. Making a whole new ride is the correct way to go about this. That is the point I was originally trying to make. some will have to start from scratch.

[HaggLE]

Make sure it is unique and can easily be upgraded for an individual’s needs and wants. Then sell them. You do that; maybe the big shot will take notice.

I am not real interested in bringing on a revolution and bringing the trike back into production. But, building a few with modern technology will, I think expose the terrible mistake the ATV manufacturers made by allowing stupid people to control out sport

The first quote kind of convinces me that you want them back in production and wanting to start a revolution... Kind of contradictorary dont you think?..

[Yamahammer490]

Back to the original point - we've had this same basic thread a couple of times. I don't believe that any major manufacturer will ever offer a made-from-scratch trike again. There's just too much legal exposure and the development costs are too high. Remember, quads are selling like crazy so there's no financial incentive to mess with the formula right now.

I do think, however, that a smaller "botique" manufacturer could be convinced to produce a trike. Consider that there are at least a dozen "major" (that being a relative term) manufacturers of road legal trikes. These smaller companies are content to sell a relatively small volume of trikes at a premium price.

Has anybody ever asked a company like Service Honda or ATK? Maybe they would consider a new product line if they could sell 300 to 500 units a year.

[OldSchoolin86]

Honda makes a trike, too bad it's a Goldwing. After the consent decree no major manufacturer will ever touch an off road trike again. They know the second they get sued for little Johnny killing him self the lawyers can always go back to the banning and prove negligence. What can be done is custom frames, triple trees, swingers and plastic kits for existing trikes. That way with the right parts can be assembled to make new trikes. It’s still risky but it’s not near as bad as offering a full machine. Nice thing about this approach is that you would widen your sales to people who want to custom a little bit all the way to the people that want a new machine.

[LonesomeTriZ]

The first quote kind of convinces me that you want them back in production and wanting to start a revolution... Kind of contradictorary dont you think?..

I was simply offering some marketing advise. I know trikes will never go into production again. But if some one wants to try and will offer what suppport I can.

[brandosfiero]

i dont know where you guys live but around here i see guys with quads that coast 2 times as much as thier cars.you can get new quads for like 30 bux a munth if you have good credit so i dont see how price would matter.but you will pay on it forever

[Oldshell4481]

when someone buys an atv dont they buy it knowing the risk involved/ride at your own risk, then why can someone sue for it, dont they sign papers agreeing not sue in case of accident or something.