Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Dave
On a faired-in, but leaning trike a little height gives the rider plenty of leverage to handle crosswinds.
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Do you remember GM's Lean Machine. I always liked it, and have considered making something similar, but my first enclosed motorcycle was on two wheels.
The modern equivalent is the Persu, which has worse aero.
http://www.flytheroad.com/images/header-home.png
If it tilts, there is not much need for a third wheel. Tilters can still fall over, they still flip when hit from the side, etc. The vehicle dynamics issues were settled decades ago in the racing sidecar world, where tilting sidecars could never beat a three wheel car type.
But the feeling of carving through turns would be pretty appealing. On a canyon road, a crotch rocket would do better, (the last thing you need in transitions is more mass and gyro effect) but at 7-tenths speeds, a leaner could be pleasant -- sort of the GT of the motorcycle world.
With a three cylinder diesel, you'd have great fuel efficiency.
I think you should build it. (See how easily I can spend other people's money?)
In fact, the European Smart Car has a nice compact diesel engine installation... if you did it GM style, you'd be halfway there.