Harley 2 front wheel trike

[Gilda]

I just watched the video on this conversion kit.
What do you think?

http://www.tiltingmotorworks.com/

[Bob Denman]

You have to keep in mind that it's not actually a Harley-Davidson: it's a Tilting Motor Works conversion kit...
I don't care for the styling, but the engineering has some real merit!

[Gilda]

[jcthorne]

Sorry but without vehicle stability control its a less than half finished solution. Come back when they have a fully engineered product to offer. Not just some a arms and a front cover.

[Bob Denman]

Hi JC,
Since the Trike leans over in the corners; a VSS may not be needed as much as it is on a Spyder...
It should actually be about as stable on the road, as any normal two-wheeled motorcycle is.

(IMHO...)

[sduskin]

Is that awful nose piece removable or required?

Does it counter-steer like a 2-wheeler? or is the steering like that on a Spyder?

How much weight does it add?

Where can I get a test ride? I will not spend $12k+ without riding it first.

[Chupaca]

A trike that truly needs a kickstand...

[Bob Denman]

Is that awful nose piece removable or required?

Does it counter-steer like a 2-wheeler? or is the steering like that on a Spyder?

How much weight does it add?

Where can I get a test ride? I will not spend $12k+ without riding it first.

If you hit the link to their website: it mentions that the kit adds about 120 pounds of weight.
And since it leans: counter-steering should be cool!

[PaladinLV]

According to the manufacturer, you counter steer as if it has only 2 wheels.

AJ

Is that awful nose piece removable or required?

Does it counter-steer like a 2-wheeler? or is the steering like that on a Spyder?

How much weight does it add?

Where can I get a test ride? I will not spend $12k+ without riding it first.

[_..stiffler..]

No kick stand needed when you stop. The video shows that at the end.

I think it looks cool. And some people who want or need a 3 wheeler. And don't want to spend 25k on a new machine. Can spend 12k and have their paid off harley or honda converted.

Of course I love my spyder. But I'd pay 12k on that before I converted a machine to have 2 wheels in the back.

Stiff

Sent on Note 5 in Taptalk

[spyderCodes]

Hi JC,
Since the Trike leans over in the corners; a VSS may not be needed as much as it is on a Spyder...
It should actually be about as stable on the road, as any normal two-wheeled motorcycle is.

(IMHO...)

I don't think so.
The VSS requirement comes from the huge difference of adhesion between the front and rear.
Leaning might mitigate it some (the physics makes my head hurt) , but VSS would, IMHO, be needed for safety.

[Bob Denman]

I wonder if by having two wheels up front; it might have too much rubber sticking to the road surface at once?
If that's the case: then I agree with you.
If it's not the issue: it should handle (and stay planted), about like any other "leaner".

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Is that awful nose piece removable or required?

Does it counter-steer like a 2-wheeler? or is the steering like that on a Spyder?

How much weight does it add?

Where can I get a test ride? I will not spend $12k+ without riding it first.

Motocycle Magazine I think it was did a review. A Google search should find it. They discuss countersteering and other stuff.

[spyderCodes]

I wonder if by having two wheels up front; it might have too much rubber sticking to the road surface at once?
If that's the case: then I agree with you.
If it's not the issue: it should handle (and stay planted), about like any other "leaner".

When you have two tires spaced 5.5 feet apart versus a single wide tire the front tends to stay planted while the rear wants to break free and pivot around the front.
I can't see how leaning would alter the basic inequality of adhesion.

[Roadster Renovations]

I don't think so.
The VSS requirement comes from the huge difference of adhesion between the front and rear.
Leaning might mitigate it some (the physics makes my head hurt) , but VSS would, IMHO, be needed for safety.

I agree. The yaw sensor would not be able to work correctly and if the front tires broke traction (a real possibility in slick conditions) it would actually be worse than a two wheeler IMHO. Also, since it isn't able to lean as far as a 2 wheeler, the cornering would be limited to cruising type ryding. If you wanted to really hit some twisties, I think it would be hard to really ryde in tight corners. There also is the fact that you give up both front and rear wider tires due to the leaning it would have to have the rounded motorcycle tires.

I'll stick with the Can Am. They have the stability thing down.

[Bob Denman]

They DID say that you can lean far enough to drag the floorboards...
How much more leaning do you want to do?

[TomB985]

Very interesting...I like the concept, but I don't think I'd ever own one in its current form. The Harley platform they're using is a dinosaur, and without the nannies I don't think I'd be comfortable owning one. I've owned two-wheel motorcycles for years, and one of the big reasons we got the Spyder was the added safety that those electronic controls come with. My wife's desire to ride is the reason for the Spyder instead of an ABS-equipped bike.

If something like this ever entered production from a respected manufacturer at a reasonable price I would look at one. But probably not an expen$ive custom like that.

[Buckeye Bleau]

I like it for one reason.
this will get some of the whiners to go back to HD or Honda and sell their Spyder, then we don't have to listen to how absolutely trouble free their vehicles were before. "We had 322 of the other brand and rode them over 20 million miles with no tire or oil changes across 110 years. Never once took it to a dealer."

Joe

[spyderCodes]

Yep.
A bastardized HD trike without all that cumbersome nanny stuff has got to be way better than the BRP offerings.
Given HD's exemplary history of engineering.

Oh .... someone is telling me of the few .... uh mis -steps ... well I'm sure they fixed it all .... oh they didn't ... well I'm sure they meant to.
Harley's are completely trouble free .... right?

[Mazo EMS2]

It's ugly as sin, but I like the concept. Harley riders will cringe..LOL

[Bfromla]

I foresee tires becoming an issue for it. My two wheelers ate front tires like crazy. The spyder is holding better but you see how many threads there are on that subject.....


I wasn't there but I still care! POW /MIA VETS

[Motorcycledave]

Jay Leno did a show on this conversion and loved it.
I believe he owns one as well.

[Bob Denman]

Since you don't need to add width in order to gain stability; they are about 20" narrower than an RT...
I still prefer my Spyder, but I like what I'm seeing from them!

[Motorcycledave]

JOE
Damn, I thought I was OLD, I have well over 1 million miles on motorcycles in my life time 74 years
and as a member of AMA, I have owned let me count them 39 motorcycles and 1 Spyder, and always
do my own service work but I am an amateur rider compared to your 322 bikes and 20 million
miles ridden. And I must say you look Damn good for a 110 year old guy....
Dave

I like it for one reason.
this will get some of the whiners to go back to HD or Honda and sell their Spyder, then we don't have to listen to how absolutely trouble free their vehicles were before. "We had 322 of the other brand and rode them over 20 million miles with no tire or oil changes across 110 years. Never once took it to a dealer."

Joe

[pegasus1300]

I foresee tires becoming an issue for it. My two wheelers ate front tires like crazy. The spyder is holding better but you see how many threads there are on that subject.....


I wasn't there but I still care! POW /MIA VETS

What did you own that ate front tires? Usually I got 2 rears to every front.