VW Trike Stability
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VW Trike Stability
How stable is a VW trike? I hear they are bad to tip over similar to the old three wheeler ATVs. If that is the case I do not want one! Been there and done that already. Any info and advice would be appreciated. Thanks, Ben
- Kubel Nick
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Obiously a trike configuration is less stable on sharp turns then a normal 4 wheeled car. Just something you'll have to know, don't turn sharply in fast speeds. But the main problem more peopel forget about is that there is no weight at front, meaning it can be very easy to pull wheelies unexpectedly. Run a wheelie bar, don't build a monster engine, etc.. that is unelss you know what you're doing and want a monster engine...
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Ben,
Unless you're very familiar with BIG motorcycles in general and trikes in specific, you'll kill yourself or someone else with a trike powered by a rear engine VW mill. The weight transfer is abrupt and overwealming both on take off and stopping, the understeer is beyond control in an emergency manuver. If you turn hard AND brake, you just continue going in the line of momentum, straight at your target. The roads are full of everything these days, and the platform just isn't balanced for quick adjustments/movements, it's too twitchy.
On a hard turn, if you get a rear wheel loose, it'll spin in the air. When the trike rights itself, it'll grab like a bastard and send you off in the opposite direction of the turn!
Meaning, tight right turn, front end understeers, inside right rear wheel lifts, you panic and brake hard, front end skids right rear wheel (now spinning wildly) drops and grabs hard, you now get rocketed hard LEFT and the front wheel is airborn!
They're cool for cruising, but it takes a TON of practice to ride any trike, a VW powered one is much worse.
LUCK! Very Good Luck!
TC
Unless you're very familiar with BIG motorcycles in general and trikes in specific, you'll kill yourself or someone else with a trike powered by a rear engine VW mill. The weight transfer is abrupt and overwealming both on take off and stopping, the understeer is beyond control in an emergency manuver. If you turn hard AND brake, you just continue going in the line of momentum, straight at your target. The roads are full of everything these days, and the platform just isn't balanced for quick adjustments/movements, it's too twitchy.
On a hard turn, if you get a rear wheel loose, it'll spin in the air. When the trike rights itself, it'll grab like a bastard and send you off in the opposite direction of the turn!
Meaning, tight right turn, front end understeers, inside right rear wheel lifts, you panic and brake hard, front end skids right rear wheel (now spinning wildly) drops and grabs hard, you now get rocketed hard LEFT and the front wheel is airborn!
They're cool for cruising, but it takes a TON of practice to ride any trike, a VW powered one is much worse.
LUCK! Very Good Luck!
TC
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Team Evil speaks the truth. The rear engined VW trike is a mess - stability wise. Several years ago a company named Campagna started building a trike with 2 wheels in the front and one in the rear. They weren't the first (I remember somebody doing this with an RD350 Yamaha back in the early 70's) but their product was a huge step forward. Don't know what their current status is ... their website is still up and running - www.go-t-rex.com - their product was very costly - based on a modern superbike platform - but it handled like a formula racer. Take a look at their website for some ideas. It doesn't have the "cruise appeal" but for stability? ... can't be beat!
Dave
Dave
AKA clearsurf
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Completely agree on trikes being two up front a one big one in the rear.
Front or rear drive optional, but this is the ONLY safe configuration at speed. I still have an original sales brochure on the Tri-Hawk out of Dan Point, CA from the 70s that sorta started that fad. The T-Rex was written up in several magazines and they featured it on one of those "Funkmaster Flex" TV shows. It was a rocket ship, even with two guys aboard. Of course with your ass three inches off the pavement and no body work, the average non-motorcycle driver would think this was a lot faster than it actually is. Also take a look at the Ginnell (sp?) Scorpian. The English seem to really like these things, probably due to their tax system over there.
Front or rear drive optional, but this is the ONLY safe configuration at speed. I still have an original sales brochure on the Tri-Hawk out of Dan Point, CA from the 70s that sorta started that fad. The T-Rex was written up in several magazines and they featured it on one of those "Funkmaster Flex" TV shows. It was a rocket ship, even with two guys aboard. Of course with your ass three inches off the pavement and no body work, the average non-motorcycle driver would think this was a lot faster than it actually is. Also take a look at the Ginnell (sp?) Scorpian. The English seem to really like these things, probably due to their tax system over there.
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my comment may be a little late...TeamEvil wrote:Ben,
Unless you're very familiar with BIG motorcycles in general and trikes in specific, you'll kill yourself or someone else with a trike powered by a rear engine VW mill. The weight transfer is abrupt and overwealming both on take off and stopping, the understeer is beyond control in an emergency manuver. If you turn hard AND brake, you just continue going in the line of momentum, straight at your target.
a friend of mine tried exactly that:
turn left on a downhill road, hit the brake before the bend.
the brake seemed to work like a differential-lock,
so he lost control, left the road and crashed into the forest.
he, the driver, lost his right hand and the passenger had his leg boken severely.
the passenger had a trike on his own, which he sold away right when he was still in hospital.
both had years of experience driving big bikes.
take care and leave a VW trike alone for the sake of your health.
PS: myself i am driving a big bike every day.
greetings
Stephan
RE: TRIKE
I think you boy need to stop bad mouthing trike until you ride one! I built my trike and it is more stable than a bike I can corner with the best of them! I been riding for the age 16yrs to 45 yrs and a trike is the only way to fly. If you want to see my trike go to: http://btw-trikers.org Mine is the one with lonewolf on the gas tank. Check it out if you dare!!!!!!!!!!!!
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EVER RIDE A TRIKE?
From what I have read on this forum, I truely doubt any of the negitive responders have EVER driven a QUILITY trike!!...Giving out advice without true knowlage is total BULL POO!!!You should be ASHAMED of yourselves!!!!!. .....feel free to email me a [email protected],,,,,TROY,, Tampa triker
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Re: RE: TRIKE
Looks like Ben has already made his choice ... your standard "cornering with the best of them" differs from mine. I've ridden (driven?) both layouts ... one in front and two in back is fine for profiling ... two in front one in back is much more stable, handles much better, and is inherently safer. IMHOlonewolf144 wrote:I think you boy need to stop bad mouthing trike until you ride one! I built my trike and it is more stable than a bike I can corner with the best of them! I been riding for the age 16yrs to 45 yrs and a trike is the only way to fly. If you want to see my trike go to: http://btw-trikers.org Mine is the one with lonewolf on the gas tank. Check it out if you dare!!!!!!!!!!!!
AKA clearsurf
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PROPER TRIKES
The english call three wheelers with the two wheels in front "proper trikes"...And like foureye said..they handle super well....and with a VW front end they can be built VERY affordable.....Older used big engined bikes are getting way cheap if your willing to do a bit of repair ...TROY building BETTERTRIKES in Tampa
Vw trike stability
I built my first trike 1974 and rode it 8000 miles first year. It would go into a three wheel drift under power much like a sports car. I could Keep up with the two wheelers on twisty roads. It had a low center of gravity and the width to length worked real good, I used radial tires not very wide. Had no problem with it hydroplaning. I have had other trikes with wide tires hdydrolplane. the trail has to be set up so steering dose'nt get to hard at speed. Try riding a VW trike befor badmouthing them. I also own a proper trike. It handles good but I like he reear wheel VW better. Just learn the limits and Your limits and have fun. Wally. free on three.
Trikes
If you want to see some trikes you can go to my site:
http://trikerdon.50megs.com and on the main links page click on "trike pics"
I've been building and riding trikes for a few years now and have never had any of the problems you guys are talking about.
You can go here http://img88.exs.cx/img88/876/8_14_04site.jpg and see my trike, which isn't quite finnished yet.
It is built from a 73 VW Bus.
http://trikerdon.50megs.com and on the main links page click on "trike pics"
I've been building and riding trikes for a few years now and have never had any of the problems you guys are talking about.
You can go here http://img88.exs.cx/img88/876/8_14_04site.jpg and see my trike, which isn't quite finnished yet.
It is built from a 73 VW Bus.