The only reason 3 wheelers exist in the United States is to avoid the regulations that vehicles have with 4 wheels. People want a go kart for the road. That's illegal. So the government forces us to buy 3 wheelers, which is worse in every possible metric.
There are tangible benefits to 3-wheeled vehicles over 4: - One less wheel means less rolling resistance which helps fuel efficiency - Less moving parts; on trike setup you don't have a rack & pinion and on a tadpole setup you don't have a differential - While the trike is highly unstable, the tadpole configuration, all else remains equal, is even less prone to rolling than 4-wheelers All those are good features to have on vehicles intended to be supercompact commute vehicles beyond just licensing
"One less wheel means less rolling resistance which helps fuel efficiency" Nope , basic physics will tell you that a vehicle of the same weight with the same tires will have the same rolling resistance independent of the number wheels . Total rolling resistance is the sum of each wheel's resistance . The rolling resistance of a wheel is equal to the load on it multiplied by the coefficient of rolling resistance . In a 3-wheeler the load per wheel is just higher than in a 4 wheeler and thus the rolling resistance per wheel is higher . All in all , total resistance just remains the same .
Honestly speaking, Harley "trikes" are practically souped-up mobility scooters, especially if we consider their target audience. 60-year-old retired dentists...
I immediately thought of the Carver, which i saw years ago. I always thought it was a cool take on a three-wheeled vehicle. It tilts, so you get a motorcycle feel. Turns out it's still in production and is now electric.
I was surprised that the Campagna Motors T-Rex and V13R were not mentioned. The T-Rex was how I found out about Canadian company, Campagna Motors. There us also a small startup company out of CA called Helix Motors that makes a three-wheeler that leans into corners, like a motorcycle.
Honestly, 3-wheelers are kinda cool, I see the appear of can-ams and slingshots, also in NY you can operate one with a driver's license OR a motorcycle license, and they are registered as motorcycles, so they are easier on the paperwork.
0:05 If you live in Florida you definitely want one because they count as a motorcycle and Florida does not require automobile insurance on a motorcycle. So gasoline and tires that's it
3 wheelers should be banned. Having been driving cars and riding bikes for over 20 years and having worked on several 3 wheelers, they're awful, all of them.
The only reason 3 wheelers exist in the United States is to avoid the regulations that vehicles have with 4 wheels.
People want a go kart for the road. That's illegal. So the government forces us to buy 3 wheelers, which is worse in every possible metric.
There are tangible benefits to 3-wheeled vehicles over 4:
- One less wheel means less rolling resistance which helps fuel efficiency
- Less moving parts; on trike setup you don't have a rack & pinion and on a tadpole setup you don't have a differential
- While the trike is highly unstable, the tadpole configuration, all else remains equal, is even less prone to rolling than 4-wheelers
All those are good features to have on vehicles intended to be supercompact commute vehicles beyond just licensing
One could argue the added stress to the single wheel could end up increasing the wear to many of its parts compared to a 4 wheel base
"One less wheel means less rolling resistance which helps fuel efficiency" Nope , basic physics will tell you that a vehicle of the same weight with the same tires will have the same rolling resistance independent of the number wheels . Total rolling resistance is the sum of each wheel's resistance . The rolling resistance of a wheel is equal to the load on it multiplied by the coefficient of rolling resistance . In a 3-wheeler the load per wheel is just higher than in a 4 wheeler and thus the rolling resistance per wheel is higher . All in all , total resistance just remains the same .
One key thing left out is that the great majority of Isettas had 4 wheels… only the very first had 3 and ones for the UK market for reasons stated.
Honestly speaking, Harley "trikes" are practically souped-up mobility scooters, especially if we consider their target audience. 60-year-old retired dentists...
Awesome video, for me Morgan's three-wheeler is just legendary, and I would love to own it or maybe the CanAm Ryker Rally ;)
I immediately thought of the Carver, which i saw years ago. I always thought it was a cool take on a three-wheeled vehicle. It tilts, so you get a motorcycle feel. Turns out it's still in production and is now electric.
I was surprised that the Campagna Motors T-Rex and V13R were not mentioned. The T-Rex was how I found out about Canadian company, Campagna Motors. There us also a small startup company out of CA called Helix Motors that makes a three-wheeler that leans into corners, like a motorcycle.
“Drove her to the pad and I’m coastin’, took another sip of the potion, hit the three wheel motion”
"I was glad everything had worked out,
Dropped her ass off and then chirped out"
It is also worth mentioning that the Aptera has three wheels for increased efficiency and aerodynamics.
I just hope Aptera can go through and maybe, maybe come to Europe. Would love that!
Honestly, 3-wheelers are kinda cool, I see the appear of can-ams and slingshots, also in NY you can operate one with a driver's license OR a motorcycle license, and they are registered as motorcycles, so they are easier on the paperwork.
clarkson loves the idea
0:36 HA, I KNEW IT WAS GOING TO BE THERE
0:05 If you live in Florida you definitely want one because they count as a motorcycle and Florida does not require automobile insurance on a motorcycle. So gasoline and tires that's it
All these three wheeled cars selling for prices of cars with all four wheels, it’s no wonder they all failed.
3 Wheelers In Britain Were A Tax Loop hole 2:23
Ha! They banned 3 wheelers after a 1000 deaths, but thought it was OK to keep guns. Interesting logic
Guns are a constitutional right , cars are a privilege, completely different things 😊
Two completely different things
@hellomotopizza Thanks for clearing that up. For a moment I thought guns and 3 wheelers were the same thing.
Go home wokie
They did. In 1986 Reagan 100% banned all new fully automatic firearms.
The cons of a car the cons of a motorcycle the pros of neither
Slingshot is pretty cool
Both Mercedes and BMW have made three wheelers....
Good video, however I don’t think I’d call them popular in the uk… I’ve seen one this year, it’s November
I really wanted a Elio. Glad I didn't put any money down though. 😂😂
If your goal is to feel. Every. Single. Pothole.
...
Just go 2 wheels.
lmao ever heard of a dual sport
Not this lifetime, not this universe. If I was gifted one, I would leave it where it sits. But, whatever.
I mostly enjoy riding trikes when gaming
robot maze solvers optimize it at 4 wheels is better for a rolling vehicle
Around metro Detroit, these are super popular in the black community
00:32 One of these is not like the other lol
ATC were not dangerous because of 3 wheels dangerous because of poor operator's.
Reverse trikes are amazing, you either get it or own an appliance to drive.
3 wheelers are the dumbest thing conceived. All the negatives of having 3 wheels, with no benefit.
You have generic ads I am unsubscribing
My Yamaha tricity 300 unlike you 😂
Please make it stop
3 wheelers should be banned. Having been driving cars and riding bikes for over 20 years and having worked on several 3 wheelers, they're awful, all of them.
No one likes a 3rd wheel.
Elio