Trikes turning over?

[Nemo]

Now, I'm really curious! On another thread, it was mentioned about Trikes turning over. Was that a joke? My Venture, with a Hannigan Trike Kit, seems to easily go into the sharpest of curves, but sometimes I do wonder if these things will turn over. Now, has anyone ever had one tip over or know of anyone whose Trike has turned over? Please let me know what and how it happened. I guess anything is possible, but these Trikes have a really wide stance. Maybe I just feel too safe and don't want to be sorry! Thank You! Owen.

[spike13]

the dangers of one wheel in front and two in the rear [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQh56geU0X8]Rolling a Reliant Robin - Top Gear - BBC - YouTube[/ame]

[Guest tx2sturgis]

Trikes can be flipped for a variety of reasons...and the rider better be wearing protective gear.

 

I have an aquaintence who's wife rides a trike, and she was following him on his GoldWing, around a curve in the mountains in New Mexico. Speeds were normal for the curve. Roads were smooth, traction was fine, Lighting...perfectly sunny.

 

Large BANG and the trike instantly flipped over and planted itself on top of her. Airlifted to the trauma center...helmet and good riding jacket helped her this time. Six months recovery from her injuries.

 

At the scene, they noticed there was a large gouge in the pavement 50 feet or so from where the trike inverted and then stopped.

 

Close mechanical inspection of the trike was done.

 

It was discovered that one of the rear axle top shock mounting bolts loosened and the shock dropped down during her ride after it became 'unloaded' in the curve, and as it flipped down, with the trike already light on that corner, it was just enough to 'pole-vault' the trike over on its top.

 

No I dont recall the make or model of the trike, but I can find out if needed.

 

So...check those things out regularly...and check the suspension fasteners too.

 

[Peder_y2k]

Those Honda 3-wheeler ATV's (1 front 2 rear) introduced in the late 60's were banned from manufacturing due to turnover injuries and deaths, and were replaced with 4 wheel ATV's. Seems operators didn't recognize objects hit by rear wheel could overturn the rig....they were thinking that since the front wheel missed the object all would be well. Two wheels in front can lead to straddling an object only to have the rear wheel hit and cause a BIG bump that could destabilize the vehicle. Personally, I'd go for the lesser of 2 evils with a LEANING 2 front 1 rear if I had to choose because I couldn't ride a 2 wheeler anymore

-Pete, in Tacoma WA USA

[BlueSky]

I think the bottom line is that ridden conservatively, you are much safer on a trike. If you want to ride fast through the curves, then a two wheeler is the way to ride.

[cowpuc]

I sold a lot of ATC's (three wheelers) out of my shop back in the day.. A lot of the injuries associated with the ban on them came from dirtbikers not giving themselves time to go thru the learning curve of handling a 3 wheeler.. Putting a foot down and getting eatin alive was common, forget that an ATV steers opposite a bike is another and forgetting you have wheels out there in the back (hitting trees) was another, flipping them over on a hillside was a real killer..

Concerning the street trikes,, I too know of a guy who had a differential failure and got tossed off the side of the road at speed, hit a post and is a quadraplegic.. His was a VERY rare accident.. More common are the issues associated with people not getting a proper rake on the front end to slow the steering down a little.. Though FUN, a quick steering trike can easily be "over corrected" on a counter steer from hitting a rut or bump and roll overs happen.. It is very important for trike riders to take some time in a parking lot and practice - just like learning to ride again.. Never assume that just because you have three wheels under you that you are now SAFE from dumping it - that false sense of security (kinda like the same feeling some people get when they put on a helmet) can really get you into trouble.. Always remember, you are still on a MOTORCYCLE and YOU and your skills are the only thing keeping you alive!!

 

IMHO

Puc

[XV1100SE]

This looks more like a car but if you read the concept of how it works this would be neet.

http://www.autoblog.com/2013/10/08/toyota-i-road-electric-trike-production/

 

"has a nifty articulating front suspension that leans into corners"

 

http://cleantechnica.com/2014/03/11/electric-covered-3-wheeler-toyota-iroad-probably-wont-available-general-consumption/

Edited May 6, 2014 by XV1100SE

[Mike G in SC]

My first time to the Dragon (129), we came in from the north, did the Dragon and were at the stop at the bottom. We were going to do it up and back again and got word they had closed the road.

 

A Goldwing Trike rider had over corrected in a turn and went down the side.

He did not live. So, yeah, in the hair pins,,, can roll if you don't (or can't) take the right action to correct it.

 

This was about the same time as the last Honda Hoot. The rider and friends had come down from there to do the Dragon, I guess about 6 years ago.

[Dragonslayer]

I think the bottom line is that ridden conservatively, you are much safer on a trike. If you want to ride fast through the curves, then a two wheeler is the way to ride.

I would tend to disagree as per the video on the second post. Agreed riding conservatively is a factor but, also is weight distribution and the laws of physics. I just don't see how trikes are more stable in cornering. But, if your ride is all long, straight highways and cornering is not your thing I guess you could feel a sense of security on a three wheels for not having to put your feet down and holding the bike up at stops.

[buddy]

It can happen human error or mechanical issues

 

Now as for B2Dad he was all over my asp in Eureka Springs I was dragging my mufflers in those switchbacks and I could not loss him! His trike stuck to the road like glue!

I could even see him laughing in my mirror what a blast sure was a Great Day!!!

[steamer]

It can happen human error or mechanical issues

 

Now as for B2Dad he was all over my asp in Eureka Springs I was dragging my mufflers in those switchbacks and I could not loss him! His trike stuck to the road like glue!

I could even see him laughing in my mirror what a blast sure was a Great Day!!!

Most trikes have a low center of gravity, for the most part they stick to the road like a high end sports car. Like any vehicle to much speed and inexperience = crash.

[cowpuc]

It can happen human error or mechanical issues

 

Now as for B2Dad he was all over my asp in Eureka Springs I was dragging my mufflers in those switchbacks and I could not loss him! His trike stuck to the road like glue!

I could even see him laughing in my mirror what a blast sure was a Great Day!!!

 

Most trikes have a low center of gravity, for the most part they stick to the road like a high end sports car. Like any vehicle to much speed and inexperience = crash.

 

 

INDEED!! Like a go cart with a big motor!! I can just see B2Dad back there giggling his butt off too!!:rotf::rotf:

Things are a RIOT!!

That inexperience really comes into play when ya hit a bump or a hole or a crack in the pavement that shifts the rear wheels a little... It is sooo easy to oversteer just a little to correct (just like a sports car) and bingo - real problems!! Toss in a little rake so the positive trail is increased and that changes EVERYTHING (choppers are the same way)..

[cowpuc]

It can happen human error or mechanical issues

 

Now as for B2Dad he was all over my asp in Eureka Springs I was dragging my mufflers in those switchbacks and I could not loss him! His trike stuck to the road like glue!

I could even see him laughing in my mirror what a blast sure was a Great Day!!!

 

:rotf::rotf:

 

Made me think of how much fun it was watching Annie ride her trike last year at Vogel Buddy... :cool10: Man that Aussie could ride that Harley!!!

[GAWildKat]

You missed Annie at the 2011 Vogel. Mike was on his Volusia and had only been riding 4months at that point. We lost the group in front of us so we decided to ride into Robbinsvile NC and hope we found them somewhere on 129. Annie was directly behind us and was told to follow us so the group could find us down the road. Poor Mike got scared out his mind because he wasn't used to riding as hard or fast as Annie is on those curves and such. He finally decided she needed to take lead before his nerves got tthe better of him. To this day he still says riding in front of her was the most white knuckling time of his life lol. Yes Annie he's more terrified of your riding than my driving lol.

 

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[b2dad]

Let me tell you that it is absolutely on the rider AND the trike. The rider must be experienced AND the trike should be a Hannigan conversion (sorry folks, I am partial to Hannigans). With the 6 degree rake and 1 1/2 " risers on the handlebars, B2dad could run with the best of them and actually outrun anyone in the curves. Thank God for Carbon One's armrests or I would have been a goner! the "G" forces that Don created going around curves would literally have thrown me off the bike.

 

But I still stand by the trike being safe. You just have to know what you are doing...doesn't matter 2 wheels, 3 or 4. The Hannigan trike kit had a low center of gravity plus they were WIDE and those wheels STUCK to the pavement. Never did I fear for our lives while riding except when some idiot pulled out in front of us and we had the best brakes (and the driver had the best reaction time!). Sure I ended up in the drivers seat and Don was on the gas tank, but he STOPPED IT!!!

 

And I'll tell you one more thing...Annie is a helluva trike rider too! You can't leave her behind...she will stick with you no matter what!

 

I will get off my soapbox now! Thank you

[cowpuc]

Let me tell you that it is absolutely on the rider AND the trike. The rider must be experienced AND the trike should be a Hannigan conversion (sorry folks, I am partial to Hannigans). With the 6 degree rake and 1 1/2 " risers on the handlebars, B2dad could run with the best of them and actually outrun anyone in the curves. Thank God for Carbon One's armrests or I would have been a goner! the "G" forces that Don created going around curves would literally have thrown me off the bike.

 

But I still stand by the trike being safe. You just have to know what you are doing...doesn't matter 2 wheels, 3 or 4. The Hannigan trike kit had a low center of gravity plus they were WIDE and those wheels STUCK to the pavement. Never did I fear for our lives while riding except when some idiot pulled out in front of us and we had the best brakes (and the driver had the best reaction time!). Sure I ended up in the drivers seat and Don was on the gas tank, but he STOPPED IT!!!

 

And I'll tell you one more thing...Annie is a helluva trike rider too! You can't leave her behind...she will stick with you no matter what!

 

I will get off my soapbox now! Thank you

 

 

Not bad for a meek little young lady,, can sure tell when someone is speaking from experience!!

You tell em Patti!!!

[MiCarl]

There is a reason Spyder puts the pair of wheels on the front rather than the rear.

 

Watch when you do a sharp turn in your car, or better yet watch a car chase in an old movie. The outside front corner tends to dive because the mass of the car is trying to go straight and the weight transfers to that wheel (just like it transfers to the front in hard braking). The anti-sway bar on the front of passenger vehicles is there to reduce the effect by pulling the inside front corner down.

 

On a trike there is nothing on the outside of the front to counter that dive. Turn fast enough and it'll roll. Just like that car in the video.

 

To roll a spyder or 4 wheel vehicle you'd have to be going quite a bit faster.

[Carbon_One]

Like any motorized vehicle you can over drive your abilities and get into trouble. With trikes they have their own quirks just as 2 wheeled bike or even sidecar rigs. Just the nature of the rides.

I do know that with the Hannigan trike I have now it handles much much better than the Tri-Wing trike I had before. The Tri-Wing sat higher and was narrower than the Hannigan is. I never could come even close to keeping up with Don on his Hannigan when I had the 05 Tri-Wing/RSV. Even now that I have the Hannigan conversion I'll still tip my hat to Don when he still had his trike. I've followed him thru turns that would severally test ones riding skills no matter what they rode, be it 2 or 3 wheeled. I've been behind him and seen him go thru double "S" turns with one or the other rear wheel lifting a few inches. Me not so much as I slowed down catching up later. He had full control doing that too it seemed. It truly was eye opening watching him run his trike thru those turns and curves.

Yep Annie is another good rider who knows he ride and what can be done on it. Like I said at the start of this post if you over ride/drive your abilities a machine will bite ya.

My 05 rolled 3 maybe 4 times after getting "T" boned by a cage. Car hit the right rear wheel at an angle from the front. No way would a 2 wheeled bike faired any better in a situation like that. Whether 2 wheels in front are better than in back I can't say for sure But I believe either one would be more stable then a sidecar rig would be. Maybe someone who's owned both can give their insight on this. Jeff/ Cougar comes to mind who have had a sidecar in the past.

Larry

Edited May 7, 2014 by Carbon_One

[bongobobny]

Unless you try to do something REALLY stupid like a U turn on the side of a very steep hill or off-road a lot, you will probably never flip it! The original 3 wheel ATV's that Honda were pulled from the market because they could flip mostly due to a short wheelbase AND people being stupid...

 

PS I wonder just how many nay Sayers actually ride a trike...

[BlueSky]

Yuh got me there. I have never ridden a trike but I'm glad I said something that led to this thread. It is most interesting.

[ragtop69gs]

I've taken Jeannie's trike into a round-a-bout and done circles going faster and faster to see when a wheel would lift, never did get one off the ground before centrifugal forces wanted to rip me off the trike. I have also weaved down the highway in and out of the lane line and it handles the quick weight transfer real well at freeway speeds. Gotta love them Hannigans

[Yammer Dan]

Don took me for a tour of Wolf Pen one morning at Vogel!! He didn't loose me but he woke me up!!! I'm gonna miss that Trike. Never did take that ride on it!! If I could have found enough cash last fall I know where it would be sitting......