3 wheelers: what was the real deal

[Old Syko]

Here's a link to the short version of some of the reports McDerry refers if anyone's interested.  http://www.3wheelerworld.com/cpsc/investigationsatvdata.txt


The problem is they read just like accident reports from the use of anything else.  The fact of the matter is most people are dumb as a stone to begin with and when you introduce a mechanical object to the mix they get even dumber.  Like it or not the early trikes were inherently unstable due to their design and the manufacturers were aware of it.  Most had worked on a quad design almost since the inception of atv's because they knew the trike design was only a stepping stone.  Besides, as I said earlier they knew the 4x design meant more money with very little more expense.  Would they have scrapped the 3 wheeler design altogether without government pressure?  Who knows?  The majority of the decision to poo poo the 3's in favor of the 4's was strictly financial regardless of how we believe it came about.

[Drilling Man]

First the government never banned three wheelers.  Honda, Yamaha and Kawasaki voluntarily agreed to an import decree for 10 years which expired in 98;  Mainly to get the negative press off of them.  During that time other smaller american manufacturers where still building three wheelers (Tiger and Taurus/Argo to name a couple).  This lull gave a period for 4 wheelers to take hold. 
 

  Really? How come dealers had to cut all the 3 wheelers they had in stock in half through the frame/steering head?  If it was an import decree, you'd think they would have sold the ones they had in stock, or parted them out...
 
  I had a friend working at a Honda shop who was ordered to destroy all of them.  I tried and tried to get Big Red parts, motors, anything he could get off them!  And "nothing" was allowed to be taken off them!  (yet i could get new parts for mine through the parts counter for many years)
 
  At the time he said they were banned and had to be destroyed and they were!
 
  DM

[Old Syko]

McDerry is correct.  They were never banned.  Although take a look at this link for a better explanation. 
http://www.atvconnection.com/features/feature_articles/the-great-atv-debate.cfm

[Lloyd Smale]

If they cut them in half it was either a decision from honda or a dealers decision. I know they didnt cut any in half around here. As a matter of fact my dad bought a new big red a full year after they were discontinued from the local honda dealer cheap. He said he couldnt sell it because everyone wanted 4 wheelers. That bike is still in use at camp along with an older big red. they arent used much anymore because everyone at camp now has 4 wheel drive 4 wheelers. there kind of the camp spares now. Amazingly there 25 years old now and no one has ever even got a bruise from riding either of them

First the government never banned three wheelers.  Honda, Yamaha and Kawasaki voluntarily agreed to an import decree for 10 years which expired in 98;  Mainly to get the negative press off of them.  During that time other smaller american manufacturers where still building three wheelers (Tiger and Taurus/Argo to name a couple).  This lull gave a period for 4 wheelers to take hold. 
 

  Really? How come dealers had to cut all the 3 wheelers they had in stock in half through the frame/steering head?  If it was an import decree, you'd think they would have sold the ones they had in stock, or parted them out...
 
  I had a friend working at a Honda shop who was ordered to destroy all of them.  I tried and tried to get Big Red parts, motors, anything he could get off them!  And "nothing" was allowed to be taken off them!  (yet i could get new parts for mine through the parts counter for many years)
 
  At the time he said they were banned and had to be destroyed and they were!
 
  DM

[1sourdough]

 We went through several 3-Wheelers growing up. We never had a problem with them, and we were even kids at the time, doing kid stuff. I will agree a 4 wheeler is more stable. Going down a steep hill with a 3 wheeler if you turned sharp you could get it to roll. I guess we just took all this into account while driving. I read where plenty still manage to get hurt on 4 wheelers. The way one drives being the main factor.

[jeff birkey]

I've had a Honda 185 S for over 25 years, can't remember one roll over that didn't happen with someone not screwing around.  It's all in the operator!! I seen the big 4 wheelers roll as well and I would hate to have one of them on top of me.

Jeff

[jamesrus]

My wifes father has a Commuter three wheeler built in the early 70s...and it was running when he parked it. I think it predates the Hondas by a few years.
 
Jamesrus
 

[Blue Duck]

I had one for about 10 years and it served me well. 

[lrrice]

I have had several over the years as well as 4 wheelers, they had a lot of upsides.  Less damaging on terrain (if handled properly), could be loaded without ramps,  better ride (suspended models) more maneuverable, lighter (when you do roll one they are less likely to crush you) and more economical fuel wise.  They also have their share of downsides, less stable on uneven terrain and highly sensitive to operator error.   much less payload and the load will make them pretty squirrely if not well balanced).  I put myself in the hospital once it was my fault.  All accidents are from operator error.  They don't just fall over for lack of anything better to do.  If you watched the news coverage at the time you would have thought the machines were possessed by satan himself and were out to kill anyone who got on one.  The truth is, they were hurting people who were misusing them and ignorant unsupervised kids who's parents were too stupid to pay attention and (like so many other things) wanted to blame someone/something else for their diminished mental capacity.

[plastikosmd]

I love my trikes.
84 big red
86 250r
84 70

[Ranger99]

the consumer products safety commission
are the folks that got 3-wheelers banned
in the u.s.a.


i consider myself an expert rider and if
you know how to ride, they aren't any
more dangerous than anything else.


kids riding unsupervised and without
protective gear will always be in danger
regardless of 3 or 4 wheels


i've seen lots of kids hurt on 4 wheelers,
and i've seen lots of supposed level-headed
adults on bikes on the highway with tank tops,
shorts, and flip-flops


us expert riders call 'em organ donors

[Bigeasy]

Never owned a 3 wheeler, but, about 15 years ago I was in a bear camp in Quebec, and got to ride on the back basket of one.  The guide was taking me around, showing me bait sites.  Guy smiled a lot, spoke no English, and his French didn't sound to normal either.  Anyway, he managed to dump us going down a logging road at about 20mph.  We both got a little banged up.  He was laughing like a demented girl, and motioned me to get back on.  I walked back..  As covered in dried blood and flies as it was, I guess that machine earned its keep hauling out bear.
 
Larry

[Drilling Man]

  Are you sure it was "bear" bllod??  May have been "clients" blood!!  lol
 
  DM

[kynardsj]

Had my share of 3 wheelers before I got into the 4 wheelers. Reason the 3 wheelers hurt so many folks was that people thought if you turned the handlebars a direction it was supposed to go that way. That way of thinking works with a 4 wheeler but while you drive a 4 wheeler you have to ride a 3 wheeler. Lean it like a motorcycle unless you are just putting around. Had a heap of fun with them. Only time I busted my butt was when we had a few too many cold beverages and acted foolish on them. Even then we just got up, spit out some dirt and got going again.