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?
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?
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...
'15 F3-S Pure Magnesium Metallic - Mad Max Edition
'15 Mclaren 650S Coupe - Aurora Blue
"You Were Really Flyin', When I Passed You Back There!"
Chuck
2015 F3-S , Pure Magnesium Metallic/Steel Black Metallic
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?
I can picture what that would look like ..... 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
2013 STL SE5 BLACK CURRANT
SpyderPop's: LED bumpskid
SmoothSpyder: dualmode back rest
T r * * LED:foam grip covers, Tricrings, FenderZ,
brake light strips, wide vue mirrors
Rivico SOMA modulation brake leds
sawblade mowhalk fender accents
minispyder dash toy
Lid lox
KradelLock
Pakitrack
GENSSI ELITE LED H4 headlights
FLO (Frunk Lid Organizer)
BRP fog lights, trailer hitch
SENA 20S EVO
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...........
Dean O
Gran Pa Hoon
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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.
2021 RTL , brake pedal from "Web Boards" chalk white
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.
Last edited by Peter Aawen; 05-26-2023 at 07:47 PM.
Reason: light way... + ;-)
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.
Last edited by Peter Aawen; 05-27-2023 at 10:49 AM.
Reason: singer... ;-)
While its small three-cylinder engine excels at fuel efficiency, we found it nearly absent of power, buzzingly unrefined, and painfully poky.
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.
2014 Can-Am Spyder RT-S SE6 Freeway Commuter Pod
2016 Royal Enfield Classic 500 Fair-Weather Mountain Bike