Please don't kill me; Trike a Monster

[Scottish]

You *really* want the 2-1 setup if you're going for a 3 wheeler as people mentioned already.

As far as 1-2 being ok for straight roads, I'd suggest that in an emergency situation, you'd definitely want the 2-1 configuration as emergency braking and swerving in traffic could result in issues given the inherent instability in the 1-3 config.

I'd be happy if no one ever made a 1-3 trike again.

Agreed, even with no twisties sometimes to have to react quickly and veer the cycle out of the way. I you veer a 1-2 out of the way it will pitch you directly into what you are trying to avoid. The 2-1 is simply a more stable platform, thus safer. And yes the ol Honda 3 wheelers were a ball. I wouldn't want to ride one on the street at 60mph though.

[DCXCV]

I just realized I'm basing things off looks and I didn't think I was this shallow.    

What?!!! Not on a Ducati Monster forum... say it ain't so!!! 

[junior varsity]

That's why you really ought to give the can-am a fair shake, its pretty neat.

There's a video of a GG Quadster at Deal's Gap on Youtube that looks really slick. I genuinely think that I would like to have one of those in the stable along with the rest, boys and their toys and all that.

[Scottish]

That's why you really ought to give the can-am a fair shake, its pretty neat.

There's a video of a GG Quadster at Deal's Gap on Youtube that looks really slick. I genuinely think that I would like to have one of those in the stable along with the rest, boys and their toys and all that.

My work shares a parking lot with a moto dealership. They sell Can-Ams there. They are pretty sweet and sound nasty with an aftermarket exhaust, and seem to move pretty well too.

[Shorts]

What?!!! Not on a Ducati Monster forum... say it ain't so!!! 

ato, I want to have my cake and eat it too I guess.  I want to be on a machine I want to be on.

As I've stated several times already. I have to go look at the Can Am.  Doesn't stop me from asking questions and brainstorming over any and all options.

[junior varsity]

Re: the get up and go of the Spyder, That's what I've seen as well.

With the GG, they have one that's got a BMW boxer engine in it I believe.

[Desmo Demon]

Hey Shorts! Good to see you over here on the Monster forum. I don't get over to the disabled riders forum very often since it has been blocked by the Internet filters at work....

Don't go the trike route! Get a Mana or the new for 2010 Mana GT with 1/2 fairing, headlight fairing, and optional pannier! No mods necessary for the clutch. 

If you must go with a trike, the traditional trikes with one wheel in front and two in the rear will be OK in your area, but in the mountain twisties they are no fun. I've spoke with several owners with the Harley converted trikes and the Boss Hoss models, and they say that the front can get pushed even with the wheel turned....and it is not a good feeling. We have a buddy who recently got a Can-Am Spyder and her really likes it. He mainly got it because he's quite large and both of his knees are shot.

For some interesting one-armed riders....

Jason Griffin, 2006 AMA Sportsman of the Year (p. 24) -

P.24 -

[RUFKM]

Hey Shorts,

I seem to be the only supportive one here on your dreams.  Reason is my cousin was a passenger in a car accident and has some similar physical challenges as a result.  He has been building and riding trikes since the '70's without incident.  The 1-2 ATV's were doomed by having a very narrow rear wheel base for the "sport" aspect of it.  Most rollovers occurred in a downhill turn.  I have firsthand experience with the legal aspects as I was once an expert witness in a fatal accident on a beach involving an ATV.

Street trikes are far more stable due to a much wider rear axle.  Keep the center of gravity low and you will have a decent machine that will yes have limitations.  Remember people die in Volvos too.

Regarding the brake setup IIRC one or more of my cousin's bikes didn't even have front brakes.  You carry a significant amount of weight and contact patch in the rear so the rear becomes your primary brake.

As far as the monster goes the Ducati frame (or lack thereof) is going to give you some challenges for the trike conversion.  But if you can figure how to maintain and extend the trellis frame throughout the project you'll have one  pregnant dogin trike!

[Porsche Monkey]

I was also going to suggest the mana. It doesn't have a clutch.

[junior varsity]

I seem to be the only supportive one here on your dreams.

Go ahead and toot your own horn, but I think most people here are quite supportive of Shorts riding, but were advocating a different set up for safety and performance reasons. You could make a 2-1 Ducati trike which would have your 'uniqueness' factor, as well as the safer handling and vastly superior braking.

[Shorts]

Hi Desmo!  I was just looking at your avatar pic again on DRA.  I stopped in to say a few words and poke around.  Glad to see you.  I'll swing by the Aprilia/Triumph shop again (right next door to the one with the Can Am), they do have Manas there and might have that new one (swanky!).  I hadn't seen it yet.  I have sat on them before, both at that particular shop and in AU when we were on vacation in '08.  I was disappointed in what I found though.  The bike was neat, but for the market they said they were targeting (first time riders, shorter riders, ladies, us tripods), the size of the bike was on the big side.  It was a hefty sucker and was wide.  I was on tiptoes.  But, that said, I have pondered a triked Mana and hoped for Aprilia to address the above cons to the model.  I'm a fool for Vtwin as you might recall and you know I love Monsters.  I will go take a look at the '10 Mana GT  

Rufkm, you addressed the width of the rear.  I was wondering if there was a general rule of thumb to calculate the length & width; basically the geometry that yields acceptable handling & riding characteristics.


Guys, let's not get into a scuffle over inputs.  I appreciate the suggestions and it's how projects get their legs.  I would ask though that we don't veer too far into a "what motorcycle can Shorts ride" thread.  I started riding in '06 and have taken MSF on my first motorcycle that I converted to twin levers then.


A couple variables have been on my mind when considering a 2-1 or 1-2.  For practical purposes, what kind of difficulty are faced between building each design?  Parts availability?  Maintenance expectations?  

[junior varsity]

Changing to 2-1 doesn't seem to be that trouble some, its some welding to be done to graft a 4 wheeler's front end to the bike, but that will give you the suspension, steering, etc etc

Mod it to use 3 spoke brembo wheels (the oem front wheels) and it'll look very trick

[Michael Moore]

Here are some pics of one I saw a few years ago:

[Shorts]

ato, that seems pretty smart.  Using an existing model sorts out parts availability and design.  Is the width of the front of a 2-1 of any concern?  Will a certain proportion be more advantageous for handling? 


MM, that thing is cool.  Street legal?

[DCXCV]

Is the width of the front of a 2-1 of any concern?  Will a certain proportion be more advantageous for handling? 

The wider you make it, the more stable it will be, but any quad front should be wide enough.  The yellow one above looks like a good width.

As to your maintainence question - most of the bike would still be a regular Monster.  The front should be simple to maintain - just regular brake, suspension and tire wear.

Changing to 2-1 doesn't seem to be that trouble some, its some welding to be done to graft a 4 wheeler's front end to the bike, but that will give you the suspension, steering, etc etc

Mod it to use 3 spoke brembo wheels (the oem front wheels) and it'll look very trick

Someone should have suggested this two pages ago