Need advice on Scooter Trike By jimmybob479 (Read 8,703 times)

[jimmybob479]

Hi there,
So I am intrigued and deeply desire to buy a "scooter". After seeing how difficult it is to ride a two-wheel-only scooter (mainly turns having to lean perfectly and the fear of tipping over. I don't mind being out in the open), I've deiced a 3-wheel or "trike" scooter might be right up my alley. After browsing the forms and learning there are many cheap chinese knock-offs, and seeing horror stories of them, I wanted to see what entry-level american-made or very high quality chinese made trikes you guys recommend. I haven't ran across anything except a helix. Also, how much of a difference does two wheels in the front vs two wheels in the back make? I imagine turning might be easier.

TLDR/In summary:Would love some advice on 1) how much easier a trike is than scooter and 2) American or high-quality trikes, especially with two wheels in the front design. I'm hoping to spend the 2-3k range. 3-4 mile drives essentially.

[Alleyoop]

Hi and welcome to the forum. I can tell you all about trikes I have one and love it. Trikes are good for people that have trouble with their balance no leaning to make turns or having to put you feet down when coming to stops.
Their are no American made trikes unless you want to spend 30 grand for a Harley trike. You could go with a two wheel scooter then buy a trike kit but here again the trike kits are not cheap actually more than what you want to spend 2-3K just for the trike kit.

You mention the trike with two wheels in the front and the ones with two wheels in the rear. The quality scoots with two wheels in the front are very expensive . Stay away from the Reverse Trikes that they sell for a couple grand they are dangerous and not ready for prime time.
STAY AWAY FROM THESE TYPES OF TRIKES:
www.extreme-scooters.com/MC-D150TKA-trike.htm

The best trikes that are currently being sold that are of descent quality are the ICE BEAR TRIKES wheels in the rear.
You can look at what they have here, they do not sell directly to customers you have to go through a dealer.
Jim From RapidRepair is an Authorized Ice Bear Dealer and he actually has a garage and is a MECHANIC TO BOOT.
www.icebearatv.com/


They started to bring them into the U.S back in 2009 I bought one of the first ones back in March of 2009. Still have it and runs like a raped ape that is my Trike in my Sig Picture. Since 2009 Ice Bear has been improving and having things fixed that people complained since 2009.
Now I do have to tell you most scooter shops will not work on ANY CHINESE SCOOTER OR TRIKE. So if you are not willing to do some of the work yourself First Find a mechanic that will work on any scooter Chinese or not. They are not hard to work on and that is what this forum is for to help people that are NOT mechanically inclined and are not to savvey on motors and electrical things and carbs and everything on a scooter and or trike.

Now also the question is what speeds are the roads you will be driving daily on. Reason I ask is they have 50cc , 150cc and 300cc trikes and each one has a max top speed.
Alleyoop

[cyborg]

I again agree with Alley,,,Contact Jim at Rapid Repair his ad tile on the top of the home page ,,, Jim sells ice bear with good success ,,they are a good scooter for medium money

[jimmybob479]

thanks i ordered an ice bear online, hope its good!

[Guitarman]

From whom did you order it?
And, which one did you get?

[davec]

Dern
I never got to add my $.02

Mine is still running strong with no issues.

[royldoc]

Man I'm a day late and a dollar short again. I agree with alley. I got both mine in 2010 The 50cc is just a tinker toy, I mod it change stuff and ride the heck out of it. If it breaks I fix it. The 300 is a decent machine used for longer trips and faster speed roads. Both of these trikes have been good to me. They are decent quality for the money.

Roy

[jimmybob479]

Hey everyone! I bought the IceBear 150CC Ace Trike from a place in burleson, tx (I'm in dallas, so not too far) for $2k. They seem to be the same company as killermotorsports. Here's a photo of what I got (http://www.killermotorsports.com/IceBear_Trike_150cc_Ninja_Trike_3_Wheeler_p/ib1-pst-150-12.htm)

While at work I emailed IceBear and had them find shops in my area that work on their scooters. They gave me a location in arlington (30 min) and the place I bought from says they do service to.

Another question: I asked the IceBear rep and they said with regular maintenance (oil changes every 300-500 miles, and anything else that I hope comes in some sort of book?) the bike can last up to 200,000. They said with NO maintenance no less than 1,000. I'm hoping to get more than 1,000...i'll do my regular oil changes. I live in Dallas so basically this is just for trips around the corner or to a train to get downtown to work. Should it be pretty sturdy, or will it need monthly repairs?

I apologize, yet another question: Also, is it a whole lot easier to drive than a two wheel scooter?

[richardv]

Not having much two wheeled experience you should have no problem. I found it difficult at first because I was so used to leaning and turning differently on a two wheeler. If you have a large empty parking lot near by I suggest going there and practice. It's safer than on the public roads. Also see if you can find a safety course for three wheelers. Local motorcycle dealers, schools or motor vehicle department may be able to help find one. My local scooter dealer has there own.

[cyborg]

I personally prefer 2 wheels,,,it is very natural for me and have been riding on 2 for a very long time now,,,if it came down to "have to" because of my age or disability i wouldn't hesitate to get a trike,,,but if you can ride a bicycle then a scooter should be no problem,,,but either one will be fun efficient transportation,,,

[richardv]

Actually I find the little scooters with there tiny wheels harder to ride than my pedal bicycles.

[royldoc]

Three wheelers do handle different than two. You really don't ride a trike you drive it, much like a car. You have to turn the handle bars and don't lean in the turns. You really can't do high speed swervin' and curvin'. They can and will tip if you turn to fast. You need to slow down more for turns, as you do in a car. They turn wider than two wheelers do. You also need to pay attention to the width of the rear wheels, so you don't hit curbs and such.

You will want to do a proper P.D.I. Ride safe and enjoy your new ride.

Roy

[jimmybob479]

thanks everyone for the invaluable help! so when the ice bear arrives this week i was told by the dealer to take it to "quick car" for a vehicle inspection report to send in to them. I'm not sure if it's for the registration (texas requires inspection for registration).

My question is if this is the same thing as a "PDI"- what i'm assuming is a "post delivery inspection". From what I gather a lot of what i've read with people having problems with their scooters/trikes and ice bear in particular is they did not get a thorough "PDI". Is this post-delivery inspection the same thing as a vehicle inspection report? Or is the inspection report for registration and a PDI is something so I can make sure the ice bear is good to go? Anyone happen to know where I can get a PDI done at in the Dallas, TX area?

Edit: It appears a PDI is a pre-delivery inspection. I'm told the unit comes 90% complete with just 30min of work for me to do. Here's a blurb from the killermotorsports site. It seems any mechanic can do the PDI? So this is different than the vehicle inspection report or the same? Here's the quote from the site:

"For ANY unit you choose to Assemble yourself, a PDI - Pre-Delivery Inspection and FULL maintenance MUST be done by a licensed mechanic, This is required for ALL units and dealerships in the USA. By Saving the cost of the Assembly charge you accept the responsibility to do this. This is a REQUIRED step in the Assembly Process. By not doing this step you will be VOIDING your warranty."

[Alleyoop]

Your link does not work but I think I found what you got:
Dealers give their Ice Bear Trikes whatever name they want..LOL

And the inspection is they check that all lights work and maybe even test for emissions who knows.
Alleyoop

IS THIS YOUR TRIKE:

[jimmybob479]

hmm that looks similar to it. It hasn't come in the mail yet from Burleson, Tx. It sounds like that inspection is just emisisons and for registration...do I take it to a mechanic for a "PDI" to make sure everything is good? The quite from the site i bought it from seemed to say i need a full inspeciton check of all the parts..etc..anyone have any thoughts on what to call this "check"? I just want to make sure I don't have a lemon when I get it.