After doing a quick search I didn't any other topics that addressed issue, so I started a new one. Please forgive me if this has already been discussed elsewhere.
Growing up in the 60s and 70s I've experienced all types of vehicles, the most puzzling to me have always been the forward trikes (one wheel in front, two rear). I've ridden the old Honda 3 wheelers, and I've ridden 3 wheeled versions a Goldwing and a Harley, both big street machines. In my opinion this design is inherently a death trap. If you ever get into a situation where you're going too fast for a given turn, it's going to overturn, no question about it.
Now the reverse trike is the exact opposite. I have also ridden a Can Am Spider and I can tell you it turns like it's glued to the road. This machine would lose traction and slide before it would overturn...a wide stance, coupled with the majority of the vehicle's weight on the front drive wheels makes for a very stable platform....just a hunch here, but considering the Elio's light weight, extremely wide stance (it's track is almost as wide as that of a car), and 3/4 of a set of halfway decent tires, and the fact that most of it's weight will also be on the front drive wheels, I would be totally shocked if it doesn't do better than 1G on the skid pad...I realize most people who buy the Elio aren't buying for cornering ability, but I can't help but to be curious about how well it handles....do any of you know if they've done any skid pad testing with any of the prototypes?
Growing up in the 60s and 70s I've experienced all types of vehicles, the most puzzling to me have always been the forward trikes (one wheel in front, two rear). I've ridden the old Honda 3 wheelers, and I've ridden 3 wheeled versions a Goldwing and a Harley, both big street machines. In my opinion this design is inherently a death trap. If you ever get into a situation where you're going too fast for a given turn, it's going to overturn, no question about it.
Now the reverse trike is the exact opposite. I have also ridden a Can Am Spider and I can tell you it turns like it's glued to the road. This machine would lose traction and slide before it would overturn...a wide stance, coupled with the majority of the vehicle's weight on the front drive wheels makes for a very stable platform....just a hunch here, but considering the Elio's light weight, extremely wide stance (it's track is almost as wide as that of a car), and 3/4 of a set of halfway decent tires, and the fact that most of it's weight will also be on the front drive wheels, I would be totally shocked if it doesn't do better than 1G on the skid pad...I realize most people who buy the Elio aren't buying for cornering ability, but I can't help but to be curious about how well it handles....do any of you know if they've done any skid pad testing with any of the prototypes?
