Crash Testing

[Rickb]

The number of Safety Stars in the rating don't prevent accidents, but rather help to insure your chances of walking away.

 

[outsydthebox]

This is a very tricky subject. I like my Elio to be as safe as it can be but I'm not naive to think that it'll stand a chance on a head on collision with an F150 truck! The 5 star rating for the Elio should be based on three wheels of at least the same weight class. That's why a lightweight does not fight a heavyweight in boxing! It's only my opinion but 5 star rating just give us a false sense of security because I know I might walk away from an accident if it involves another Elio- anything w/ 4 wheels and my chances might not be as good. What are we suppose to do, sue EM if we got in an accident because the 5 star rating didn't held up?

You are right, this is a very tricky subject! And I will disagree with you about our "odds" of surviving a crash against an F-150. After all, the F-150 IS "a moveable object"...whereas, "crash testing" will be done against an "immoveable (un-moveable?) object". The "crash test barriers do not have "crumple zones". So, ALL of the energy must be absorbed by the vehicle, whether it is an Elio or an F-150 or a military TANK. The reality of that specific situation is, I would rather be "buckled in" the Elio than being "buckled in" a TANK, which has NO crumple zones to absorb the impact over a "period of time" and distance (moment of force), leaving the (rather frail) human body and even more frail, "brain" (the consistency of soft butter) to absorb the full impact. "Survivability" depends on the integrity of the safety cage (passenger compartment) and the crumple zones ability to absorb the impact (kinetic energy), over time.
(The short reply)...I have confidence that the computer simulations that EM has been using, have all of the "state of the art" information, necessary to design a (relatively) safe vehicle.

 

[3wheelin]

You are only as safe as the nut behind the wheel.
...."if we got in an accident because the 5 star rating didn't held up?".....
You don't get into accidents because of crash ratings.
You, most likely, get into accidents because you didn't maintain your vehicle or because of poor driving habits.
Of course the other driver could be at fault.

Your good driving habits and a well maintained ELIO will not save you when "the other nut behind the wheel" on a F150 decided to take over your lane and got you crashing w/ another car or worse yet drove head on to you.....but I think you got my point! Think MASS my friend!

 

[WilliamH]

Your good driving habits and a well maintained ELIO will not save you when "the other nut behind the wheel" on a F150 decided to take over your lane and got you crashing w/ another car or worse yet drove head on to you.....but I think you got my point! Think MASS my friend!

As a volunteer firefighter I have had the misfortune of using salvage tarps as shrouds till the coroner arrives.
No matter what you are driving there will always be something bigger than you are.
All you can do is maintain your vehicle and pay attention to what is going on around you.
And finally, mass is only your friend if you are hitting a smaller movable object.
If you are hitting an immovable object, mass will do you no good.

 

[3wheelin]

As a volunteer firefighter I have had the misfortune of using salvage tarps as shrouds till the coroner arrives.
No matter what you are driving there will always be something bigger than you are.
All you can do is maintain your vehicle and pay attention to what is going on around you.
And finally, mass is only your friend if you are hitting a smaller movable object.
If you are hitting an immovable object, mass will do you no good.

My point exactly! We'll find out at the end of next year.

 

[pistonboy]

Why crash test if it is considered a motorcycle?

Karl

The crash testing is to convince non-motorcycle riders the Elio is safe. We motorcycle riders are willing to take more risks and are not afraid of the Elio and thus have no hesitations to buying it. However, most people buying it will be non-motorcycle riders and the testing is to convince them of the safety of the Elio. Plus, many people are deathly afraid of motorcycles and just being classified as a motorcycle will drive them away.

 

[RUCRAYZE]

Shortly after getting a '75 Goldwing back in the 90's I dropped it. The engine guards worked but for the life of me I could not pick it up. A frail older gentleman stopped and kindly demonstrated how to lift the bike up and promptly laid it back down. I then tried it again and almost did it. He repositioned where my hands were and voila like magic it worked. Offered to buy him lunch and he accepted. I think we sat there and BS'd for about 3 hours. He had a lot of old war stories. Someday maybe I'll pull that bike out of the shed and put on the "newer" after market bags and fairing and get it back on the road. Haven't rode it since the front brakes locked up just as I enter a curve. Stopped an inch or so from the guardrail, sat and chain smoked for an hour, bled the brake, took it home and parked it.

If it were possible, he would fit right in here- old biker AND the Bull sh_t
XI:II time 2 turn in

 

[Gizmo]

If it were possible, he would fit right in here- old biker AND the Bull sh_t
XI:II time 2 turn in

Yes he would've.

 

[3wheelin]

As a volunteer firefighter I have had the misfortune of using salvage tarps as shrouds till the coroner arrives.
No matter what you are driving there will always be something bigger than you are.
All you can do is maintain your vehicle and pay attention to what is going on around you.
And finally, mass is only your friend if you are hitting a smaller movable object.
If you are hitting an immovable object, mass will do you no good.

I know our ELIO will have it's limitations when all was said and done but who cares right? It's the FUN factor, it's the uniqueness of a first ever enclosed 3wheeler with amenities like a/c, airbags and cage construction ( I say first because the other enclosed 3wheelers of long ago does not have these luxuries or safety features, etc.), brand spanking new AIV engine and of course the much anticipated $6,800 target price (fingers crossed)! I can't asked for anything more- the worst thing that can happen is if it's .9 liter engine does not prove it's merits in the freeways (quick lane changes, quick merging) then it could be our side street car for grocery shopping or for taking me to our local golf course- it's still a win win situation. So I'll stop worrying about the OUTCOME until it's safely in my garage (installing the TURBO KIT ).
I'll check back with you all again next month when this site goes nuts with reviews coming from the LA auto show about the P5!

 

[CROSSBOLT]

I got the overall point and it makes good sense! Thanks!

Karl