And Now, For Something Completely Different...

[Uncle Charlie]

I did a search and didn't find anything related to this.

What about an Elio motorcycle? Yes, a real two wheeled motorcycle. Paul and co. could strap that little 3 banger in a motorcycle frame, give it a faring and a shaft final drive, and some hard luggage, and you could have an affordable American motorcycle that didn't look like it was designed during the Eisenhower administration. Combine all that with the fuel economy that would result from the reduced weight inherent to two-wheelers, and you would have a machine the IBA crowd would love. If you're unfamiliar with the IBA, the link is <ironbutt.com>. Anyway, it's a random thought.

 

[Jeff Porter]

Hmmm, interesting thought.

The actual motorcycle would be only for motorcycle riders as you mentioned. Would be going after a different customer set for sure. Thus wouldn't sell as many, and the price would need to go up. Plus it would have motorcycle driving controls, so would need a different sort of design, might be out of Paul's expertise and/or interest.

Also, the mpg may turn out to be lower than the targeted 84 mpg with the 3-wheeler. There are lots of threads here on the forum about how and why the design of the 3-wheeler is better than a motorcycle in terms of the miles-per-gallon needs. Everyone thinks a motorcycle and its rider has excellent mpg, and the newer ones do, but it's not 80+ mpg.

Also, there's not going to be safety features on a motorcycle, such as seat belt and airbags and ABS and traction control. Yes there are motorcycle models that currently have air bags, but they don't sell for under $10,000.

It's a good idea Charlie, it just would appeal to a different crowd, different than most folks on here.

 

[Sethodine]

Whoa.... this has really got me thinking...

 

[Elio Amazed]

I think Elio should crate the engine and sell it to DYI'ers and kit builders.

 

[Coss]

I think Elio should crate the engine and sell it to DYI'ers and kit builders.

But would you get the motor from EM or Linamar?
Linamar is building them for the Elio line; so I don't know if you could even buy them direct without some kind of big markup.

Of you can look at Craig's List and see if they have any good used ones there (in a couple of years) from people that had a run in with their Elio and no insurance on it.

 

[Elio Amazed]

Yeah, I thought of that. Like others have said, I only hope that EM is going to get a fair percentage on those motors that are used for things other than pulling the Elio down the road.

 

[Jeff H]

Swing the motor 90 degrees, slap a prop on the front and wings on top. Now you are talking.

 

[floydv]

Hmmm, interesting thought.

The actual motorcycle would be only for motorcycle riders as you mentioned. Would be going after a different customer set for sure. Thus wouldn't sell as many, and the price would need to go up. Plus it would have motorcycle driving controls, so would need a different sort of design, might be out of Paul's expertise and/or interest.

Also, the mpg may turn out to be lower than the targeted 84 mpg with the 3-wheeler. There are lots of threads here on the forum about how and why the design of the 3-wheeler is better than a motorcycle in terms of the miles-per-gallon needs. Everyone thinks a motorcycle and its rider has excellent mpg, and the newer ones do, but it's not 80+ mpg.

Also, there's not going to be safety features on a motorcycle, such as seat belt and airbags and ABS and traction control. Yes there are motorcycle models that currently have air bags, but they don't sell for under $10,000.

It's a good idea Charlie, it just would appeal to a different crowd, different than most folks on here.

 

[RUCRAYZE]

View attachment 11531

Why is that thing, blocking the view of one of the best imports EVER Golf TDI

 

[Ty]

Why is that thing, blocking the view of one of the best imports EVER Golf TDI

That's not REALLY a Golf TDI. VW made some software so that when photographed, the car appears to be a Golf TDI but it is really a two cycle dirt bike.