What are your thoughts on a Front wheel drive Spyder?

I was cruising this past weekend on my Spyder, letting my mind wander a bit, and thought about our drivetrain. Right now we use a looooong belt to drive the rear tire . There has been a lot of discussion about a shaft drive but I don't recall anyone ever mentioning a front wheel drive setup. Our Spyders are about as wide as a Mitsubishi Mirage (which costs half of what our Spyders cost). The Mirages have front wheel drive. Would front wheel drive simplify things a bit and allow for better cornering and maybe even fuel economy? Thoughts?

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Originally Posted by ollicat

I was cruising this past weekend on my Spyder, letting my mind wander a bit, and thought about our drivetrain. Right now we use a looooong belt to drive the rear tire . There has been a lot of discussion about a shaft drive but I don't recall anyone ever mentioning a front wheel drive setup. Our Spyders are about as wide as a Mitsubishi Mirage (which costs half of what our Spyders cost). The Mirages have front wheel drive. Would front wheel drive simplify things a bit and allow for better cornering and maybe even fuel economy? Thoughts?

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The primary problem with FWD is it makes the steering "heavier" when the wheels are being "driven"... In a small package like our Spyders it would be a very noticeable thing and detrimental to how it handles... Plus the boost needed from the DPS would be well beyond what it can do without getting into ramping it up which means a larger motor and alternator output etc etc. CV joints negate much of this but I don't see it working out very well...

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Originally Posted by ollicat

I was cruising this past weekend on my Spyder, letting my mind wander a bit, and thought about our drivetrain. Right now we use a looooong belt to drive the rear tire . There has been a lot of discussion about a shaft drive but I don't recall anyone ever mentioning a front wheel drive setup. Our Spyders are about as wide as a Mitsubishi Mirage (which costs half of what our Spyders cost). The Mirages have front wheel drive. Would front wheel drive simplify things a bit and allow for better cornering and maybe even fuel economy? Thoughts?

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I can picture what that would look like :gaah::agree: ..... cut the front ( ahead of the front door ) and add a single rear wheel ( so it remains a trike ) it would look similar to a .....SLINGSHOT .... JMHO ....Mike :thumbup:

Hit the anchors and reverse simultaneously, sorry more mind wanders.................:ohyea:

Elio:popcorn::popcorn:

Your FWD solution is available https://vanderhallusa.com/venice-2023/

Agree on the Vanderhall, they are fantastic, much preferred over the Slingshot.

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Originally Posted by old Timer

Agree on the Vanderhall, they are fantastic, much preferred over the Slingshot.

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Have you priced one lately ?

A simple answer...Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa aaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. :roflblack:

I would be very suprised if BRP would consider such a thing. Lot's of discretionary money would have to be dumped on that one.

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Originally Posted by Motorcycledave

Have you priced one lately ?

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At dealer Monday, to pick up some summer-weight safety driving jackets for me and the Mrs. [She wanted to be "match-alikes. LOL]

The had two: $39,000 + all the dealer crap thrown on top. Likely 45k out the door.

What has completely blown me away is, while at the local Polaris Dealer, Side by sides and ATV's, One of their models retails for $45K, plus all the fees. They sold one the other day...........

Have you ridden in a Vanderhall? I found it awkward to get in and out of a very cramped seating.

I mentioned this FWD proposal to my SCTA roadster friend yesterday. His response was "Guess he went to a liberal arts school."

I got a chance to sat in a Vanderhall about 4 years ago. It took the owner about 10 minutes to get me out of it. I am just too large for this vehicle (6'-2", 260 lbs). The owner could not say enough about how great it was and how it handled. As far as pricing, it was at the top of the food chain for 3 wheelers. But like anything, if you stay prepared and ready, a deal is out there. I came across a 2021 with under 2,000 miles for $19k earlier this year. The owner was an older gentleman who just wanted to get out of it. Also found a 2021 Slingshot S auto for $16k, and a 2020 spyder RTL for $18.5k. It all is a matter of being ready to jump when you come across the right deal.
As for the Vanderhall, I compared it to getting in and out of a bathtub with the lower half covered.

So as I was saying about a front wheel drive Spyder: A Mirage by Mitsubishi is a very light weight vehicle with a shell and 5 seats. And the motor is about the same size as our Spyders. So I don't think the weight of front wheel drive would be too much of a deal breaker, and it would simplify the rear wheel and pulley system as a positive.

My only thought on a front wheel drive Spyder, would be, "WHY?"

Can anyone remember Morgan's.
In the 60's another guy tore down a Mini and raced it in the open sidecar class.

IMHO, FWD would help with traction, especially riding 2-track with grass/hump in the center (don't ask!). I don't like the heavy steering of FWD but it's likely a safer option over a single RWD.

Start with this Car and Driver review: https://www.caranddriver.com/mitsubishi/mirage

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While its small three-cylinder engine excels at fuel efficiency, we found it nearly absent of power, buzzingly unrefined, and painfully poky.

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If those were the features Spyder riders wanted, they would have saved money buying a Mirage.

Motorcycles have chain drives because they are the most efficient and inexpensive means to transfer power from the transmission to the rear wheel. Shaft drives were introduced because owners were tired of lubricating and adjusting chains and could afford the additional weight and efficiency loss.

The Spyder is a 3-wheel motorcycle in the Sports-Touring category. Modern technology enabled BRP to use a toothed belt which eliminated chain drive care and was even more efficient while also providing easy steering effort and front suspension compliance at road speeds. BRP's power transfer design choice is superior to all others for their targeted buyer price and performance preferences.

I could continue this tutorial for many pages but instead remind you internet search is your friend.