Ten years ago, unusual scooters unexpectedly rolled out onto the roads . The three-wheeled scooter had a truly revolutionary design. Two wheels were not located at the rear, as usual, but in front. It is not known who was the first to think of this. But the first models after the recession of surging emotions did not cause much enthusiasm among consumers. Next in line are new attempts.
Much more familiar look the same scooters, but, as expected, with two wheels at the rear. Let's talk about one and the other models in order.
Three-wheeled scooter
How many wheels to choose for transport, two or three, decide depending on what it is purchased for. For an ordinary driver, a two-wheeled scooter is quite convenient: it maneuvers quite well and easily overcomes traffic jams.
But there is a category of people for whom a more stable remedy will be more convenient, which is a three-wheeled scooter. These are elderly people, people with disabilities, villagers, as well as fishermen, hunters and summer residents.
Of course, in the first place, such a vehicle was designed specifically for people with disabilities. The simple design consists of two rear and one front wheel.
However, tricycle transport was not ignored by fans of the cross, preferring it to ATVs and minibikes. The reasons for such a strange, at first glance, choice are prosaic:
- since the motor is shifted back, it does not interfere with the legs;
- such transport protects against dirt;
- three wheels are more stable than two.
Features
A three-wheeled scooter can be walking, sports or transport. For the first, as a rule, weak engines up to 150 cubic meters are used, and one or two places.
The cargo scooter has a trunk with which you can transport large boxes, bags and other cargo. Such transport is capable of carrying mainly cargo up to one hundred and fifty kilograms, and less often up to two hundred.
Walking and truck models can have a roof and glass with wipers. Basically, such models are gas scooters. But manufacturers are also working on the development of gas and hybrid models. The speed of such transport is up to sixty kilometers per hour.
Sports models are more powerful cars. The volume on them reaches 250 cubic centimeters, and in some cases even up to 580. They are four-stroke units with liquid cooling. These models have gasoline engines only. Roofs in them, of course, do not exist. But a windshield may be provided.
Depending on the purpose of the vehicle, the three-wheeled scooter has brakes on one or all of the disks.
Chic or so just needed?
The closed-type scooter resembles a cross between a motorcycle and an electric car for traveling in warehouses. But if you look at price indicators, then this transport begins to look like a luxury:
- walking scooters with a roof cost from five thousand dollars;
- freight - from seven thousand dollars;
- sports - from ten to twelve thousand.
The price depends on the technical characteristics of the model. But this transport is clearly not cheap. Although if noble goals are set, then value will no longer matter. Nevertheless, if you wish, you can easily assemble a three - wheeled double scooter or a single seat yourself. All accessories for this are sold. One has only to find a suitable motorcycle, make a little effort - and the vehicle is ready.
This scooter consumes a little fuel and is a more convenient and less dangerous form of transport for driving on the road and highway. An indispensable tool can be a three-wheeled scooter for fishing, hunting and in the country.
Scooter on the contrary
For the first time these strange vehicles appeared in Europe, and the largest manufacturer of scooters Piaggio began to produce it in several versions at once: Gilera Fuoco 500, Piaggio MP3 400, 250 and 125.
The fact that tricycle is more stable than two-wheeled is absolutely certain. Attempts to launch the production of this type of scooter have arisen more than once. However, they did not feel warm feelings for the simple reason that there was no sense of drive when tilting or turning, as well as increasing dimensions in width.
Three-wheeled scooter "Honda Giro"
The Japanese decided to cope with human dislike for such scooters by the fact that the wheels were placed close to each other with a hinge attachment to the main part of the scooter. It turned out that when the driver made a turn, the vehicle leaned over.
Of course, due to its unusualness, the Honda three-wheeled scooter attracted the attention of many people. But then they began to notice that its stability is not at all good, and the plastic used, when hit on it, left any mark on the road surface.
Breakthrough or failure again?
Experienced motorcyclists and scooters are well aware that skidding on the front wheel is much more serious than on the rear. If it happens from behind, then the fall can be prevented by loosening the brake, but usually it is not possible to cope with the skid of the front wheel. Therefore, it turns out that the third wheel at the rear does not give much stability. But if, on the contrary, set it in front, it is assumed that stability will increase significantly. For this, a great work of engineers was coming. And at Piaggio, they got down to business. According to the company, they managed to make a revolution and they launched the production of new three-wheeled scooters. There are no reviews about them yet. Time will tell how viable the idea is.
At the front node they have two tilting wheels. The tilt device is equipped with aluminum levers, four axles with fixation on the central tube of the frame and two guide tubes at each end, which are connected by ball bearings and suspension arms. When turning the steering wheel, the posts at the ends can warp relative to the frame. And one and the other wheels in front have their own suspension and brake disc. When the tool stops, a lock is triggered, but it can be turned on automatically.
The revolutionary tricycles have engines of 400 and 500 cubic meters, accelerating to 150 kilometers per hour. The developers claim that this scheme of work makes this type of transport much more stable, especially when obstacles arise. In Moscow, it can be purchased today in the Piaggio MP3 250 configuration for 7300 euros.