Or even better, a Genuine Black Jack

For those with knowledge of the balance and handling characteristics of a small scooter, is this a sound idea? I am all ready to by my Chinese trike now, but I happened across this:



Is this a sound idea from a physics standpoint? I wonder how the little scoot would handle? It's 150cc, so it would be plenty zippy. It just seems so small and lite for a conversion like this, considering it's potential to reach 60mph+.

I like it and think I might prefer it over the Ice Bear I have been considering. And the kit is advertised at $1395. Still no confirmation on that, but it seems a good deal if true.

So how about it? Practical and as stable as a bigger, solid rear axle trike, or should I just forget about it? The trike would mostly be used in urban traffic and some long, local avenues.

Thanks!

I don't have a trike, but I can tell you about the physics

The problem with trikes is that you have to slow down a lot for turns
or you can flip the bike
On a 2-wheel bike, you just lean into curves,
but that's not an option on most trikes (except the MP3)

So I would worry about any kind of trike if you'll be doing turns from a busy boulevard
I've seen the local ladies struggling with their Harley trikes under these circumstances

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~~~~~ Linda ~~~~~

Oh I see. I guess I wasn't looking at it quite that way. I suppose every trike possess very similar handling characteristics. I was just wondering about the smaller size and lighter weight perhaps making it more likely to tip over during certain maneuvers. But I guess once you know the bike it's all relative.

Searching for compatible scooters for that particular kit I came across something fairly new from Tow Pac. It's a "micro mini" trike kit:

http://bikestotrikesnw.com/index.php?ma ... ucts_id=11

Priced for only $1200 here, I have seen it for $1400 at the Tow Pac site. Still reasonable imo. It's said to fit a Vino 125, so I am getting curious

Sorry... it doesn't sound like I answered your question properly

The trikes will vary a lot in their handling,
but one of the sensitive issues that you should look out for is how easily they'll tip on a corner,
because this will be a problem for all fixed-wheel trikes

And this will vary with the height of their center of gravity (low is better)
and how wide the wheels are spread apart (wide is better)

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~~~~~ Linda ~~~~~

TrikeDiva
I have a trike, Ice Bear PST150-11, it's really not quite that bad... Yes you do need to use caution, but if you ride 5 - 10 miles or so in town or city, you'll get the hang of it pretty quick... Start w/ 30 mph streets & then work up to 40 & 50 mph zones & if you ride responsibly you be fine...

David Sr.

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David Sr.

2008 Longbo Alien 155cc - My Ride
2006 Longbo Alien 150cc - Wife's Ride
2010 Ice Bear PST150-11 Trike - My Ride
1982 XJ650 Yamaha Maxim - Wife's Ride
1979 GS750 Suzuki - My Ride
1929 JD74 Harley Davidson 74ci (1200cc) - RP
1974 CB360 Honda - RP

Thank you very much, both of you.

My decision hasn't been made yet, but I am getting close. After falling off the motorcycle my body was sort of battered and so I have been waiting for it to fully heal before I make a choice. Because of course once I buy, I want to ride. And you can't ride if your body feels like it just fell off a horse.

Funny you should mention Ice Bear, David Sr. That is the model I am considering as you might be able to tell from my avatar. I like it's sporty looks.

I realize this is a fairly old subject, but I would still like to offer my suggestion. (By now I think Black jack has already made the purchase). I have seen a lot of info on Ice Bears on a lot of other forums. Most of it not great. I recommend purchasing a good 2 wheeled scoot and then having a conversion kit installed. I had a Tow Pac kit installed on a Honda 600 Silverwing. It made a very good hwy vehicle.

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The JOY is in the journey.

It is kind of ironic: many of us when we thought about getting a trike were thinking they would be more stable on the road then a 2-wheeler. However there are some trikes that are different. Spyder has 2 wheels in front, widely spaced and then there is MP3. So how do Spyder and MP3 are the same or different from other trikes?

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St Pete Slowpokes Scooter Group, at stpeteslowpokes.com

The Can-Am Spyder has a reverse.

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Patriot Guard Riders of WA State
Ride Captain - Peninsula District
"...for those who man the battle line, the bugle whispers low,
and freedom has a taste and price the protected never know..."

The Magnum 300cc has a reverse gear, too!

It's been a while since you've posted, but I hope you haven't already purchased your scoot. Steer clear of the Ice Bear. My friend owns a service shop in my town and he has had nothing but problems with them. One person brought hers in with literally 3 miles on the engine. The engine seized up shortly after leaving the place she bought it from and she was able to get it home and he had to go pick it up from her to work on it. The dealership she bought it from sold her a fake warranty and then refused to honor it. Her friend bought and Ice Bear at the same time and she was able to put 40 miles on it before the motor blew.

Stick with a name brand, not one who's brand name changes constantly!

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2008 Vino 125 Build: http://www.flickr.com/photos/39603060@N08/sets/72157631636303554/

2009 Zuma 125 Build: http://www.flickr.com/photos/39603060@N08/sets/72157631636961190/

Actually, she ended up with a 2-wheel Genuine Blackjack & changed her name to Blackjack


Some of our members have been satisfied with their Ice Bears
but those members were self-sufficient with the tools
or knew that they were dealing with a trust-worthy dealer. or both

_________________
~~~~~ Linda ~~~~~

If anyone is still interested in the trike conversion kits here are aome good options to investigate:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/3-Wheel- ... leQ5fParts

http://scootdawg.proboards.com/index.cg ... read=23163

http://towpacusa.com/

http://www.trikealternative.com/

I've been looking for a while, but decided to buy a trike