Did the Reliant Robin kill the three wheeler?

[slomax]

Well, did the reliant robin tarnish the publics view into thinking that all three wheelers are death traps? As these are probably what springs into peoples minds when you mention three wheelers. Recently, a few manufacturers have developed a few three wheeled city cars and sports cars, yet none of these have come to fruition. What do you think?

[Sixpackpert]

There is a unit opposite me that has all of a sudden gained a warehouse full of 3 wheelers. They look brand new and unregistered. I only saw them very briefly when they were loading the last few in.

They look cack but the 3 wheel revolution could be upon us!! I will keep you posted and try to get piccies.

[sherman]

Morgan dont seem to think
http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyI...

Edited by sherman on Tuesday 5th October 15:33

[slomax]

There have been plenty of specialist and kit cars out there.

Lomax
Pembleton
Grinnall
Blackjack
Malone
TRex
Campagne
BRA
JZR
DRK
Triking

to name only a few, but none of these are main stream, and people still seem to think that they are bloody dangerous and will fall over. With 2 wheels at the front it is highly stable.

[plasticpig]

What evidence do you have the Robin is a death trap? Not the fact you can roll it if driven incorrectly (you can do that with plenty of 4X4's quite easily) but hard evidence that it is more dangerous than other vehicles.

[Matt106]

Reliant Robin didnt kill the three wheeler, Clarkson killed it in top gear!

[slomax]

slomax said:

did the reliant robin tarnish the publics view into thinking that all three wheelers are death traps?

I didn't say they were unsafe. I said they are not very stable, making people say they were unsafe.

[Risotto]

A single wheel at the front is seen (rightly or not) as being unstable. It's certainly less stable than two wheels at the front.

A single wheel at the rear offers less traction & grip than two. As the width of the car is dictated by the front track, there are no savings to be made in terms of width either.

Most manufacturers have come to the conclusion that four wheels offers a better compromise.

Edited by Risotto on Tuesday 5th October 15:57

[Chiswickboy]

Risotto said:

A single wheel at the front is seen (rightly or not) as being unstable. It's certainly less stable than two wheels at the front.

A single wheel at the rear offers less traction & grip than two. As the width of the car is dictated by the front track, there are no savings to be made in terms of width either.

Most manufacturers have come to the conclusion that four wheels offers a better compromise.

Edited by Risotto on Tuesday 5th October 15:57

Most buyers also came to the conclusion that four wheels were better.

Three wheelers were seen as the next step up from two - then four wheelers became more affordable and petrol became comparatively cheaper so the advantages of the three wheeler disappeared.

[eldar]

plasticpig said:

What evidence do you have the Robin is a death trap? Not the fact you can roll it if driven incorrectly (you can do that with plenty of 4X4's quite easily) but hard evidence that it is more dangerous than other vehicles.

Single wheel at the wrong (heavy) end, comedy braking, 'special' handling, no crash protection for starters.

They are prone to tripping over.

http://www.casttv.com/video/vst1ut4/ken-block-cras...