Total Motorcycle Community Forums

According to a big 3 wheeler site...

Q: Whats the story about three wheelers being illegal?
A: They where never outlawed. Alot of people think that and will tell you that but they never where. In 1987 The US Government put a 10 year import ban on the import of all off-road three wheelers. Thus in 1997 The import ban was over. So if any of the companys decided to start making them again, and wanted to ship them to the US It would be perfectly legal. When the US Government put the import ban on, Honda didn't make anymore after that. Mainly because the US was one of the greatest sources for ATVs

On the other hand I've ridden one for years on my uncle's farm. Yeah they can be unstable, but only when you're being stupid. It was the first vehicle I ever piloted, and I've rolled them before, but at the same time I could get them to take corners on two wheels faster than their modern 4 wheeler could!

There are more of them being ridden around NYC lately and a large amount of Piaggio MP3s as well. I guess 3 wheels is a nice compromise in fun and safety but the Piaggio handles more like a bike and is just as narrow making lane splitting an option. The Spyder has more power and a better engine sound to it. Someone near me has one and it has a good amount of storage space considering what it is. The Piaggio is much cheaper though...

Yamaha showed off a concept ride that has 4 wheels but still has the narrow profile of a bike. Not sure if they'll produce it though.

Wrider wrote:According to a big 3 wheeler site...

Q: Whats the story about three wheelers being illegal?
A: They where never outlawed. Alot of people think that and will tell you that but they never where. In 1987 The US Government put a 10 year import ban on the import of all off-road three wheelers. Thus in 1997 The import ban was over. So if any of the companys decided to start making them again, and wanted to ship them to the US It would be perfectly legal. When the US Government put the import ban on, Honda didn't make anymore after that. Mainly because the US was one of the greatest sources for ATVs

On the other hand I've ridden one for years on my uncle's farm. Yeah they can be unstable, but only when you're being stupid. It was the first vehicle I ever piloted, and I've rolled them before, but at the same time I could get them to take corners on two wheels faster than their modern 4 wheeler could!

Exactly. The three wheel ATV were never marketed to beginners but were marketed as expert's ATV. In the hand of a capable rider, they did circles around 4 wheel ATVs. It is not the frivolous lawsuits by people not taking responsibility for their own incompetence, but our court system that allows it to even go to trial that is so ridiculous.

The 3wheel ATV was "flawed" only in the same way, the CR500, KX500, or a big bore Husky or Katoom MXers are "flawed". That it is an experts bike that can be deadly in the hands of a beginner or the incompetent.

These type of frivolous lawsuits and the gov't wanting to "protect" the incompetent, if allowed to continue will eventually kill the expert bikes like those Husks and Katooms, and eventually all two-wheelers.

There was absolutely nothing wrong with the design and engineering of the 3 wheel ATVs other than the physical limits of a 3 wheeler. Just like there are physical limits of 2 wheeled vehicles. Or a physical limit of a hack.

But still pretty expensive... Especially compared to a regular 1000cc bike.

I think the problem is that there isn't anything that really calls most people to it.

The Aptera 2e and hybrid on the other hand.... As long as you aren't looking for bleeding fast definitely offer unique, comfort and high mpg (or efficient electric).

RhadamYgg

Maybe the Spyder is a first step into making a front wheel drive Trike?

I saw one in a showroom this morning ... between $16-17K. Cheaper than listed on their web site, but still not as appealing to me as a $7-10K sport bike.

csspostal wrote:Maybe the Spyder is a first step into making a front wheel drive Trike?

It's already been done. I've seen plans to use the power train out of a "K" car and I've seen units made from Renault's.

Greg . wrote:

Gunslinger wrote:Don't forget expensive....

You're not kidding ... one could buy 2 or 3 nice bikes for that price.

That was the first thing I noticed about them months ago when I first saw them in the dealer's showroom. The price tag is way out of my league.

Johnj wrote:

csspostal wrote:Maybe the Spyder is a first step into making a front wheel drive Trike?

It's already been done. I've seen plans to use the power train out of a "K" car and I've seen units made from Renault's.

Do you have any links? I'd like to see some pictures.

I poked around a bit, but found no sites for either design I spoke of. I did find a fair number of different designs available.