Interested in Trikes?

Paul von Wildenrath, one of our forum members, will be guest speaker tonight (Friday 15 August) from 7-8pm on 702 talk radio (106FM).

He will talk about his custom trike building business.

Listen in, for interest sake or if you're looking for a trike.

He will make a special announcement during the show!

Paul: 082 802 5000

Got better things to do - if you want a bike - buy a bike - if you want a car by a car. In my opinion trike riders could not get rid of their training wheels - that is of course directed at all able bodied persons who can still ride a conventional bike - with reference to an earlier posting by Richard.

Obviously Paul has a passion for what he does and that is to build trikes.
If you're not interested in trikes, why do you reply in such a negative manner?

This is not negative - is just tongue in the cheeck - thats all. Personally - i am passionate about normal bikes with 2 wheels - as that is how a bike is designed to be. A trike in my opion is no longer a bike - closer to a car.

Same principle applies to the choppers - not a bike anymore. Had the misfortune to be behind one going into a normal 90 degree turn earlier this month and he floated out from the inside of the inside lane to nearly on the curb on the outside line.

The above personal opinion not withstanding - i have great admiration for the technical expertise, and art that goes into planning and building these hybrids.

LeRoy Olivier wrote:...I have great admiration for the technical expertise and art that goes into planning and building these hybrids.

Just one example of these hybrids:





...in front of Bavarian recently...

How is this guy's ??



Pedal power for Beijing’s Mini

Mini has unleashed a zero-emissions version of the Clubman at the Beijing Olympics…okay, it’s a rickshaw but still…


Yes it’s an Olympic topic, and no, I will not make any comment regarding our medal count to date. Those who are persistent enough to stick around to watch gymnastics, volleyball and extreme needle-point, or whatever other obscure events still wait in the wings, could be treated to a ride in Mini-themed rickshaw.

According to Mini, the idea of a Cooper being pedalled about Beijing by a human being "perfectly captures Beijing's dynamic combination of tradition and progress, coupled with a touch of fantasy and individuality - as only Mini can do."

Given Beijing’s struggles with air pollution, this bizarre take on the hybrid theme will make a minimal impact on the smog – depending, of course, on just how spicy a lunch the operator has enjoyed.

A fleet of these half-human, half-Clubman rickshaws will patrol the various hot spots around Beijing until the event’s conclusion on August 24.

Thinking about it, would a trike not be a good option when returning from a good nigth out?

Might be - but one should never drive when inebriated. Luckily i did not see the LT/trike - would not have been good for the heart. Although whoever did it, did an excellent job. But no thank you - still like the 2 wheeler cornering. How does one open the side panniers.

This is a fantastic idea for a LT, but I tend to agree with LeRoy about the cornering.

It would be a shame going through all this trouble just so that you can get stuck in the traffic again.

I personally would then rather go for that sidecar that you can unhook in 5 minutes AND it allows you to lean through the corners. The only problem is this thing costs as much as my GT! Would love to load my two grand children and the wife for a ride through the country!

See http://www.armec.com/sidewinder.html

Just a Question: Does a sidcar not affect the stearing of a bike seriously

I think it will, especially if you will be traveling through some serious passes. However, if that is the price to pay to get my grand children along, what the hell....

Fortunately it can hook off within 5 minutes and then you are free to go!

Rather you than me. No grandchildren on the horison for me jet

Yes the side does affect the handling - it laggs and draggs the bike around. When accellerating it lags behind, when braking it will still move forward for split second. Ask Bruce Mayers - a side car caused him to run into tree - if i can remember correctly. With regards to biking I regard myself as a "Purist" - a bike is meant to have 2 wheels - not 3 - but that is a personal opinion.

I totally agree. As I said on this forum before, why take a 2 wheeler with all its convenience and change it into half a car again? I bought a bike because I want a bike, with 2 wheels. PS. A hooligan student friend of mine used to go around corners in the Cape Town passes with the side car, lifting the side-car wheel off the ground

Watched a program on tv a while ago. They were racing with sidecars. Ok it is not a sidecar, only a platform with a wheel. They were realy motoring and the "passenger" was all over trying to keep it stable

Yes - but that is a totally different ball-game - the carts/trikes whatever you want to call it are built for it. The bike driver lies flat on his stomach - so the centre of gravity is very low. Nevertheless - wont put my grandchildren in a sidecar not after what Bruce told me.

Sounds like Bruce had a bad one. I think a sidecar looks nice but I dont want one. Enjoy the bike to much

I love looking at the trikes, they are really extremely beautiful - a work of art.

However, I cannot imagine swopping my GT for a trike. Maybe one day when I am too old to keep the GT upright but I still want to feel the wind in my face and the smell of the veld in my nostrils.

Congrats Johan with that post you are now a biker. LeRoy will not be happy with you point of view on the trikes I start to understand his dislike in them. But then I am a novice

Sorry, I lost this thread a while when somebody moved it....

LeRoy Olivier wrote:How does one open the side panniers.

There are no side panniers...there is a rear door that opens up to reveal a boot that runs from "left pannier" all the way to "right pannier" under the seat.
The top box remains as OEM standard...

Tell me this sidecar combo DOESN'T look good...?:

Colorfull - that is all i will admit to. No further comment needed.

None needed