GTR 1400 Trike in South Wales

[Martin#30]

Richard,

The trike looks magnificent, thanks for sharing the photos. That rear subframe/wishbone/driveshaft/differential arrangement is a work of art, some serious talent gone into engineering that.

Enjoy the bike.

Martin.

@Mecki, what was the point of that comment for f&*%s sake? No need at all fella.

[Lonewolf]

It may look nice but it isn't a bike! 

Martin    no need for that comment from mecki.



mecki, sometimes you can be a real p***k

[O.C.]

Definition extract of "Bike" from Wikipedia    

A motorcycle (also called a motorbike, bike, moto or cycle) is a two[1] or three wheeled[2] motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task they are designed for, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.
Motorcycles are one of the most affordable forms of motorised transport in many parts of the world and, for most of the world's population, they are also the most common type of motor vehicle.[3][4][5] There are around 200 million motorcycles (including mopeds, motor scooters, motorised bicycles, and other powered two and three-wheelers) in use worldwide,[6] or about 33 motorcycles per 1000 people. This compares to around 590 million cars, or about 91 per 1000 people.
Most of the motorcycles, 58%, are in the developing countries of Asia – Southern and Eastern Asia, and the Asia Pacific countries, excluding Japan – while 33% of the cars (195 million) are concentrated in the United States and Japan. In 2006, China had 54 million motorcycles in use and an annual production of 22 million units.[7][8] As of 2002, India, with an estimated 37 million motorcycles/mopeds, was home to the largest number of motorised two wheelers in the world. China came a close second with 34 million motorcycles/mopeds.[9][10]

As far as I'm concerned Richards Trike is a Bike, and I think it looks great   

[shaggs147]

Shouldn't matter what it is as long as its interesting and fun.

[mecki]

I think that we can all agree that bike is short for bicycle even though motorcyclists tend to use it for motorcycle as well.
Of course there is neither a B nor an I in motorcycle so it doesn't really make sense.
Cycle obviously means that it is a vehicle you sit ON with one or more wheels .
If you sit IN it it is called a car even if it only has 3 wheels. 
Furthermore most cycles are steered using handlebars while cars usually have a steering wheel.
The prefix determines how many wheels are on a cycle.
If it has only one wheel it's called a unicycle, if it has two it is a bicycle, if it has three it is a tricycle and then there are quads which have four wheels.
The prefix 'bi' comes from the Latin word 'bis' (twice) and means TWO not THREE. 
A trike unlike a three wheeled car is obviously a motorcycle since it has a motor, wheels and you sit ON it not IN it.
But I can't see how a vehicle with 3 wheels can be a bicycle. 
'What about a bike with side car?', you may ask.
Well, it is still a full bike (2 wheels) but with a bolted on side car (1 wheel).
And if you've ever ridden one you know it doesn't behave like a bike when you go around corners.
A trike is different since it may have the front end of a bike but the rear is that of a car.

Well, and since I would rather bite my tongue off before I would call a scooter a bike, even though most have 2 wheels and you sort of sit on them, I don't regard trikes as bikes either. 

But of course this is only MY opinion, and regardless that some people here obviously seem to think only their opinion counts I don't understand why I shouldn't be allowed to express it. 

[Richard]

Hi

Its a 1400 GTR trike, not a car, not a bike, a bike based trike, thats what I wanted and thats what I got.

Having spent most of Sat on it enjoying the sunshine, called at a few bike shops and bike cafés, most people are happy to chat even if they don't think its a "proper"bike, don't bother me.

Did have a debate with one biker who did not see why he had to wear a helmet and I didn't (stuck it in the pannier when I filled up with petrol once I was off the motorway).

I love it, it goes very well, comfy, handles well, accelerates at a scary rate 

Pics showing the new exhaust as requested
Trike now has its own room in the Hall where it will be nice and dry, out of the dust in the main work area.

Richard

[O.C.]

Richard, I for one am glad that you are enjoying your trike, its the dogs doo dahs         

[Ros]

That's a nice seat warmer you got there Rich!

Mecki:

Bikes, Trikes - who cares?  It's a GTR !!   
He could have gone for a 'Wing...

[viper]

I love it and thaks for joining the site and giving us all something different to talk about.

Mecki, you continue to be an arse .. so no surprises there. All sites need to attract new members and your actions puts them off..


Is it a bike or a car , well i would consider it a bike, the reliant robin had 3 wheels and could be driven on a motorcycle license , so the dvla consider it a bike,, good enough for me .

[mecki]

 

That's a nice seat warmer you got there Rich!

And by the look of it a Top Sellerie seat.

[mecki]

Mecki, you continue to be an arse .. so no surprises there. All sites need to attract new members and your actions puts them off..

People who call other people names just because they have a different opinion are extremely rude and put other people off. 
I wouldn't sink so deep and insult anyone on this group just because I don't share their opinions. 

[Richard]

Hi

Please, no infighting, life is too short to bother.
I have not been put off, this is a great forum.
I thank the people who jumped in to defend me / my bike / trike, no harm has been done, can we move on.

And by the look of it a Top Sellerie seat.

Only realized when I called in a bike shop during my run on Sat, and looked at a new GTR that mine is not the original seat.
Think it is one of these
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-GENUINE-KAWASAKI-1400-GTR-GEL-SEAT-TOURING-090SEC0009-/380434892235?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item5893afc5cb
the Kawasaki badge and 4 bars looks the same, there is something written on the back but I can not remember now what it is  , will look tonight.
Its very comfy, but I find I keep on slipping forwards, especially when the mrs is on the back.
Really like the look of these
http://www.corbin.com/kawasaki/kc8fre.shtml
and they have a backrest for the mrs so I can take the topbox off, but lots of $$$$$

Also want bigger foot rests for the pillion, mrs says they are too small and don't offer any grip. Guy in the shop said Versys 650 back pegs are larger and rubber topped and will go straight on in place of the originals.

Richard

[Richard]

Hi

The seat is a "Bagster", found their web site, lots of options to design a seat to your own spec etc.

I wonder If its possible to add packing inside the one I have to raise the front slightly?

Richard

[Richard]

That's a nice seat warmer you got there Rich!

Mecki:


Bikes, Trikes - who cares?  It's a GTR !!   
He could have gone for a 'Wing...

LOL yes the wings are a bit OTT for my taste, the mrs said maybe when I am old and grey 

[100milesaway]

Richard, lovely job that. I'm glad that you are pleased with it, I t's also good to see that you have found a way to fit the panniers, to leave those off would leave you open to the wrath of Mr Wolf. Enjoy the bike/ trike.