What is a Vanderwall Trike? We found out at the Sturgis Rally!!

[cowpuc]

I thought these little MG like Trikes were sooo cool.. Enough so that I could not help but explore them and find out exactly what they were all about.... WAYYY COOL hand built in Provo Utah machines,,, amazing how much trouble an ol biker and his pretty wife can get into simply by CTFW a little..

 

 

[cowpuc]

We were impressed enough with them that Tip and I thought a short wait for a test ride would be worth it!! Finally it was our turn!!

 

[cowpuc]

The riders meeting was VERY brief.. I chose to leave our little "MG" like, hand built trike in "Manual Mode" so I could run it thru the gears manually.. What a ball Tip n I had - like a couple of youngsters in a little sports car of yesteryear...

 

[cowpuc]

We didnt get told anything about the mechanics of the steed we were riding,, the short riders meeting was more about getting in and out of the trike and some tranny info.. As we rode I thought I heard something I REALLY liked the sound of.. I should have expected it could the little trike REALLY came alive as you revved it up thru the gears - I did it again and sure enough,, that familiar sound happened and a great big smile came over my ugly mug as I pictured those guys in Provo saying things like - oh yeaaa - we GOTTA do this!!!

 

[cowpuc]

We were to find out later that indeed,, my ears were not decieving me!! Under 30 grand for a boosted, hand built, made in America trike = from what I have seen out there - THAT is a lot of machine for the money!! Hats off Vanderhall in Provo Utah = GOOD JOB IMHO..

 

[Freebird]

Very good report. I wonder who manufactures the engine. I'm sure a little GOOGLE searching will tell me.

[cowpuc]

Thanks Boss on the compliment of our report, really appreciated but actually - the pleasure was all mine LOL.. I had NO idea these things even existed when we were out there - just happened to be in the same place at the same time.. I had no idea who made the motors - one of the other test drivers mentioned something about Elios being involved here - that they had taken all the cash they were forwarded for their cars and gone this route so I suspected some off shore built motor - especially at the price point of one of these things =VERY reasonable IMHO = was expecting Chinese.. Just found this much higher quality vid produced by Jay Leno (he didnt have to do the little 35 dollar camera routine like I do,, I gotta hunch that Leno actually has a camera crew of some sort) where he explains in detail all about the motor - turns out its GM!!

If you watch this vid you will hear a lot from Steve Hall. Steve was at Sturgis and I yakked quite a bit with him about the price point and the build quality. A REALLY great guy and VERY approachable/down to earth.. Had I of known who he was I would have certainly videoed my conversation with him.. I have NO DOUBT that the Polaris folks who produce the Slingshot are on this one.. Good ol American Free Enterprise System = the competition has GOT to work in our favor as consumers = maybe that Sling Shot will come down below 20 large in cost.. I got a vid where Tip n I tested that out there too - LOTS OF FUN!!

Anyway,,, here'sssss Leno (wait,, that was suppose to be Johnny )..

 

[vzuden]

I saw these at the International bike show in Chicago back in February. They looked pretty cool and seemed to be well constructed. I forget where the engine comes from - if my memory is correct it was a GM power plant.

 

Also, there is no mechanism to unlatch the hood as you would expect with an automotive drive train. The hood has to be unbolted and lifted off and there are a bunch of bolts! A lot of work to to just check the oil in the engine so you don't just pull a dipstick at the gas pump while you are filling her up. The guy manning the booth said they were looking for weight savings. I suspect cost savings may have entered the decision too.

[cowpuc]

I saw these at the International bike show in Chicago back in February. They looked pretty cool and seemed to be well constructed. I forget where the engine comes from - if my memory is correct it was a GM power plant.

 

Also, there is no mechanism to unlatch the hood as you would expect with an automotive drive train. The hood has to be unbolted and lifted off and there are a bunch of bolts! A lot of work to to just check the oil in the engine so you don't just pull a dipstick at the gas pump while you are filling her up. The guy manning the booth said they were looking for weight savings. I suspect cost savings may have entered the decision too.

 

Or,, take that hood off and hang it in the garage!! Its a motorcycle,, all rules governing cars and the has to have therein are right out the window with one of these puppies!!

[Sylvester]

Hey brother, I can't tell you how much I enjoyed your videos of the Vanderhall. I love it and it looks solid. May look into one in the future. It would be a hoot in the NC mountains. Just need to see one in person for room management. Sure wish it had a hitch to pull the MC trailer.

 

[cowpuc]

Hey brother, I can't tell you how much I enjoyed your videos of the Vanderhall. I love it and it looks solid. May look into one in the future. It would be a hoot in the NC mountains. Just need to see one in person for room management. Sure wish it had a hitch to pull the MC trailer.

 

 

Back at cha Sylv,, glad you enjoyed the vid!! Thing was a BLAST to drive and WOWZY - I just could not get over the build quality. Definitely being built by some folks who really care about our industry - bunch of lop eared gear head varmints if there ever was... Thanks for the kind words brother!

Puc