Handling Characteristics Of The Reverse Trike

[TeamCoconutOreo]

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?

I plan on going to the first track day available to me. I want to get a baseline with the car 100% stock before any changes. my expectations are nat as high as yours, but I'm hoping it handles and drives much like the first Gen Miata. If Elio exceeds that, my expectations will be surpassed. The cars have similar power to weight ratios and the low weight of the Elio will hopefully be advantageous. Granted it's front wheel drive so it will require a different driving style so without a limited slip differential it will more than likely be a victim of heavy under-steer where as the Miata prefers the much more fun over-steer. My last track car was a Ford Focus so I should be able to disengage any driving grannies (skid control) and make some magic happen with the front wheel drive Elio. You guys and Gals will be the first to know when the TeamCoconutOreo Elio is going to the track and I will definitely be posting videos of it's performance here!

Just so you guys know, I invested in a limited slip differential and 320 tread wear summer tires after seeing only small improvements in lap times from a supercharger (Paxton) and sport springs (Ford Racing). The Limited slip and tires took off a significant amount of time mostly by fighting the under-steer by helping pull the cars out of the corners. That would be the one option that if Elio offered I would not go without, a Quaife Limited Slip Differential!

 

[Dusty921]

I plan on going to the first track day available to me. I want to get a baseline with the car 100% stock before any changes. my expectations are nat as high as yours, but I'm hoping it handles and drives much like the first Gen Miata. If Elio exceeds that, my expectations will be surpassed. The cars have similar power to weight ratios and the low weight of the Elio will hopefully be advantageous. Granted it's front wheel drive so it will require a different driving style so without a limited slip differential it will more than likely be a victim of heavy under-steer where as the Miata prefers the much more fun over-steer. My last track car was a Ford Focus so I should be able to disengage any driving grannies (skid control) and make some magic happen with the front wheel drive Elio. You guys and Gals will be the first to know when the TeamCoconutOreo Elio is going to the track and I will definitely be posting videos of it's performance here!

Just so you guys know, I invested in a limited slip differential and 320 tread wear summer tires after seeing only small improvements in lap times from a supercharger (Paxton) and sport springs (Ford Racing). The Limited slip and tires took off a significant amount of time mostly by fighting the under-steer by helping pull the cars out of the corners. That would be the one option that if Elio offered I would not go without, a Quaife Limited Slip Differential!

Boy you road race guys certainly have your own language.

 

[ross]

I plan on going to the first track day available to me. I want to get a baseline with the car 100% stock before any changes. my expectations are nat as high as yours, but I'm hoping it handles and drives much like the first Gen Miata. If Elio exceeds that, my expectations will be surpassed. The cars have similar power to weight ratios and the low weight of the Elio will hopefully be advantageous. Granted it's front wheel drive so it will require a different driving style so without a limited slip differential it will more than likely be a victim of heavy under-steer where as the Miata prefers the much more fun over-steer. My last track car was a Ford Focus so I should be able to disengage any driving grannies (skid control) and make some magic happen with the front wheel drive Elio. You guys and Gals will be the first to know when the TeamCoconutOreo Elio is going to the track and I will definitely be posting videos of it's performance here!

Just so you guys know, I invested in a limited slip differential and 320 tread wear summer tires after seeing only small improvements in lap times from a supercharger (Paxton) and sport springs (Ford Racing). The Limited slip and tires took off a significant amount of time mostly by fighting the under-steer by helping pull the cars out of the corners. That would be the one option that if Elio offered I would not go without, a Quaife Limited Slip Differential!

I understood every word and dig what you had to say and look forward to hearing more. Never looked at the Elio as a performance machine, I mean really, 55 HP and front wheel drive just don't equate performance to this old timer, but we'll see. Again looking forward to the experience and hearing more.

 

[grampi]

I understood every word and dig what you had to say and look forward to hearing more. Never looked at the Elio as a performance machine, I mean really, 55 HP and front wheel drive just don't equate performance to this old timer, but we'll see. Again looking forward to the experience and hearing more.

Being a motorcyclist for many years (decades actually) I am used to bikes that can do 0-60 in 3 seconds and some change, and 1/4 mile times in 10s, and I've also owned some pretty fast cars, so I realize the Elio isn't going to win many drag races, but I wanted to find out what a 0-60 time of 9.6 seconds (the estimated time for the Elio) felt like. Using our work van (a 2011 Chevy Express) and a stop watch, I clocked it at 9.7 seconds 0-60. While not extremely fast, it's not slow either. I was worried about the Elio being doggy, but if it's performance is close to what they're predicting, it should be plenty quick enough to have some fun with it. However, what it lacks in acceleration, I believe it's reverse trike design will more than make up for in handling.

 

[Craig]

Luckily, the gas cap is located safely away from the only door!

NOOOOOO! Not the gas cap. You just had to do it.

 

[Craig]

once they are on the road, I doubt it will take long before reports about every aspect of using an Elio in the real world will begin to surface .... I sure hope you are correct but I just can't see any trike handling in high speed, sharp turns like Corvette or Ferrari ....

Jim

Can't wait for the Elio G1 and the high performance, Elio G2.

 

[JEBar]

Can't wait for the Elio G1 and the high performance, Elio G2.

they will be here soon enough and it will be fun watching .... along the way there will be some

that might be entertaining as well

Jim

 

[Dusty921]

I have a feeling that we may be underestimating the performance of our Elio's. First, given the front suspension design, the light weight of the 'E', and the single larger rear tire the understeer may not be bad at all. I'll venture to say it will be pretty close to neutral. Second, Add in the amount of "reported" massaging they've done to the IAV to create enough torque for Paul's MPG mandate and we might have a fun factor we're all hoping for. Remember, the "reverse trike" thing is the unknown here. You road racers are used to lifting a rear tire, albeit on the wrong side to do any good, so a single larger rear, that stays planted, will be a horse of another color!
IMHO

 

[JEBar]

I have a feeling that we may be underestimating the performance of our Elio's. First, given the front suspension design, the light weight of the 'E', and the single larger rear tire the understeer may not be bad at all. I'll venture to say it will be pretty close to neutral. Second, Add in the amount of "reported" massaging they've done to the IAV to create enough torque for Paul's MPG mandate and we might have a fun factor we're all hoping for. Remember, the "reverse trike" thing is the unknown here. You road racers are used to lifting a rear tire, albeit on the wrong side to do any good, so a single larger rear, that stays planted, will be a horse of another color!
IMHO

I sure hope you are right .... right now it is truly a great unknown .... an unknown that will be tested on multiple fronts shortly after Elios begin rolling off the assembly line

Jim

 

[Craig]

they will be here soon enough and it will be fun watching .... along the way there will be some

that might be entertaining as well

Jim

Love your smiley. Is he on the Dragon's Tail or Santa Monica freeway?