Re: Degree of difficulty

On Sun, 29 Jul 2007 21:06:12 -0700, "Rider" <noone@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Plus, it seems that quads (or at least the high performance ones) have
platforms or nets to keep riders' feet up and out of harm's way, so some
might argue that's an improved design regardless how we might characterize
the trike designs (faulty, leaving room for improvement, whatever...).

Within a couple of years after introducing the quad, the design of the
footpegs was such that putting a foot down was difficult, if not impossible.
Also, their 4-point stance makes them less prone to tipping over, therefore
less likely for the rider to put a foot down. Almost all quads today have a
filler panel between the footpeg and the rear fender that prevents such
incidents.

Is that like re-stating the original declaration? Couldn't you
have just said, "I agree?"

In defense of trikes, they didn't ruin trails the way quads do, but rather
groomed them a bit

The trail complaints didn't really start until after the advent of quads. At
least I never remember hearing about it until the explosion of quad sales
(which currently outsell all other motorcycles) in the early '90s.

Hmmm... at least you're consistent.

Anyway... I do think this is a good (and fresh) point:

The early ATCs were so toy-like that they exacerbated these problems.

In order to provide a degree of "suspension," without actually
adding shocks or telescopic forks, many of the early entry-level three
wheelers had those under-inflated balloon tires. And, as Rick says,
were toy-like. You didn't have to be an engineer to surmise that
high-speed turns on those things would be dangerous. "High-speed"
being anything above 5mph on asphalt, grass or nearly any medium other
than gravel or very loose soil. Now I'm sure that an experienced ATC
rider, like Rick, for example, could compensate a little and force the
machine to slide where others couldn't, but mostly I imagine these
types were restrictive even for experienced pilots... at least if they
wanted to go fast, eh Rick?

I never rode one myself, so I'll take Rick's word for it. But if I
*was* gonna ride one of those early Honda 185 ATCs, I'd either slow
down *before* attempting to turn, or swap those big-ass balloon tires
for some low-profile flat-track type tires on the back that would be
easier to get to slide.


Fred Bradford - CrashTestDummy
f.j.bradfordREMOVE@xxxxxxxxxxx
.

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