Tuk Tuk coming to American roads near you?

www.autobloggreen.com ^ | 05/13/2008 | Staff

[Red Badger]

We recently reported on the unfortunate demise of the Bajaj 3-wheeler from the American market due to slow sales. Happily, a new brand of funky 3-wheelers is set to make its debut in the U.S. by way of Thailand. Tuk Tuk North America (TTNA) reports that its vehicles are currently undergoing EPA and NHTSA testing for road-use approval, though its line of trikes is reportedly already for sale for off-road use. Available in a number of passenger, cargo and truck body styles, the Tuk Tuk comes equipped with either a 200cc or 650cc version of a newly-designed, liquid-cooled four-stroke powerplant. This replaces the original two-stroker from which the vehicle received its funny-sounding name. TTNA also reports that its vehicles are available with both automatic and manual transmissions. Interestingly, the options page of the TTNA site shows an LPG kit which would convert the engine to run on dual fuels -- both liquefied petroleum and gasoline.

[Red Badger]

First Ta Ta, now Tuk Tuk.......

http://www.tuktuknorthamerica.com/index.html

Go to link for video of "various models"............

[Red Badger]

Ping!..........

[Red Badger]

http://www.tuktuknorthamerica.com/index.html

[SampleMan]

Generally, three wheelers are more stable cornering if they are two in front and one in back.

[Dixie Yooper]

Here's the only tricycle I would ever be seen on.

http://spyder.brp.com/

[Red Badger]

[snoringbear]

“the Tuk Tuk comes equipped with either a 200cc or 650cc version”

Wonder how fast the 650cc version will go? I know these things will carry a load as I have seen the Thai’s pile them up with virtually everthing but an elephant.

[Red Badger]

Go to the company’s website link, there’s even a DRAG racing version!........

[Moose4]

Hmm. I could see that being useful in cities, some of the tourist traps might like it if the engine isn’t too loud.

}:-)4

[gridlock]

The design is based on motor scooters. I know the Indian versions from 20 years ago had a lot of shared components, like the entire front fork, handlebars, engine, etc. The only thing different was the body work and the rear axle.

[JRios1968]

TUK TUK????

[Red Badger]

Yes Yes.......not to be confused with Ta Ta........or these:

Though you'll probably NEED THEM!..............

[TheBattman]

I have taken a ride as a passenger on a TukTuk on a few occasions while in Guatemala. Kind of interesting, though the drivers can be pretty wild. I have thought owning one would be kind of interesting. I have no idea what kind of MPG they get.

[Red Badger]

Neither do they......

[Sender]

I've been wanting one of these for awhile now. They are imported near me in Georgia, so I could get parts and service.

A lot of my trips are short ones, going to the grocery or to a nearby restaurant. I could take the backroads and do just fine in a Tuk Tuk.

It seems to have a lot of the pleasures of a motorcycle, with a lot of the utility of a car. I like this.

[JRios1968]

I still like Tatas better

[Red Badger]

Yes, they’re much easier to ride for a long distance......

[PUGACHEV]

It's not really how fast it will go that's important, but how long it takes to accelerate. A 250cc motorcycle can go 60-70 mph, it's just that it would take forever to reach that speed, and it would no reserve power for maneuvering when it did. This makes it dangerous and very uncomfortable on the highways. It would also shake like an old washing machine. Personally, I find even 750cc too small, and wouldn't consider traveling on a modern highway with less than a liter.

[JRios1968]

More cushiony

[SampleMan]

I think the design function is to serve as a motorized rickshaw correct? Very luxurious in a part of the world where you can see a family of five riding a scooter.

[alloysteel]

Funky. Perfect adjective.

Potential killer. There is a reason why three-wheeler vehicles never became especially popular anywhere in the world, except as a very low-end entry vehicle.

Less stable than 4-wheeled vehicles, and with some rather evil handling characteristics. Unable to lean into a corner like a motorcycle, or some high-tech three-wheeled vehicles that lean along with the steer, they tend to top-heaviness, and are limited to slower speeds under all conditions. There may be times when this is not a disadvantage, but the obvious advantage of reduced cost of engineering and manufacture are totally defeated by the problems both in steering and braking.

Two front wheel and single rear wheel, with the payload carried on the FRONT axle?

[Red Badger]

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/superbike/yamaha-tesseract-hybrid-motorcycle-for-superheroesbadassesusno-307966.php

[wizr]

We already have four wheel vehicles used for off-road. Without government meddling, they could be converted for street, even highway use.

Motorcycles don’t have all the safety gear of cars, thank God, but they do an excellent job and are fun.

Some people just don’t want a truly economical 3 or 4 wheel vehicle on the road.

[AngelesCrestHighway]

First Ta Ta, now Tuk Tuk.......

Or the new Curly model...Yuk Yuk!

[Red Badger]

[Myrddin]

Generally, three wheelers are more stable cornering if they are two in front and one in back.

I saw a guy on a recumbent bike with 2 in the front, one in the back. He was sitting in a left turn lane directly across the intersection from me. The whole rig was very low to the ground. Moments later, a big F250 pulled up behind him in the same left turn lane. I expect he'll get squashed one day if he doesn't do something like adding a fiberglass mast with a flag so people can see him more easily.

[AngelesCrestHighway]

Awesome!....L.O.L.!

[ThomasThomas]

I think this would be the rage with the young crowd in Sun City or Leisure World.

[Malsua]

A 250cc motorcycle can go 60-70 mph, it's just that it would take forever to reach that speed, and it would no reserve power for maneuvering when it did. This makes it dangerous and very uncomfortable on the highways. It would also shake like an old washing machine. Personally, I find even 750cc too small, and wouldn't consider traveling on a modern highway with less than a liter.

I had a 125 Suzuki enduro that would max 75, it got to 60 quickly(< 10 seconds). My 650 Nighthawk would do in excess of 115, shifting out of 3rd at around 80mph after about 6 seconds. I certainly had enough power to whatever I needed. I took it on many 4+ hour runs without any issues.

[smoketree]

Great.
We are the most advanced country in the world.
We have billions of barrels of oil.
We put men on the moon and rovers on mars.
But with these third world bikes we are going backwards.

[martin_fierro]

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[dragnet2]

As the wealthy elite build up the 3rd world, and places like Communist China...All for profit...While Americas standard of living continues to decline.

On the radio this morning, and within a 20 minute period, we were advised to use less electricity, use less water, curtail our driving etc etc.

Can't imagine what it's going to be like in 20 years.

[Melas]

Man how things have changed. I once rode from Denver to St. Louis on a Honda Twinstar 185. Today, my 1250cc scoot is considered on the tiny side. I still wouldn’t hesitate to take a 500cc or larger cross country, but I’ve been riding for 39 of my 44 years, so I have a different perspective.

[Red Badger]

LOL!!!.......

[Red Badger]

I’ve been riding for 39 of my 44 years, so I have a different perspective.

We'll just call you "Iron Butt"!........

[blackie]

The only way to travel!!

[bad company]

A 250cc motorcycle can go 60-70 mph, it's just that it would take forever to reach that speed, and it would no reserve power for maneuvering when it did. This makes it dangerous and very uncomfortable on the highways. It would also shake like an old washing machine.

Hogwash.

Personally, I find even 750cc too small, and wouldn't consider traveling on a modern highway with less than a liter.

Are you sure that's enough? I think Triumph has a 2300 bike out now. Nah you're right, I think you should wait for a 3 liter.

[varon]

It’s a golf cart!

[dighton]

Tatas and related species in their native habitat.

[JRios1968]

Em’s some crazy Tatas

[Melas]

Hey, I have that patch! Or at least I did at some point.

[aculeus]

A Tuk Tuk is cute but not as cute as a Dik Dik.

[BraveMan]

Wow!

[B Knotts]

I had a CB125 many years ago, and it could go 55 on the highway with no problem, unless there was a real good headwind.

A 250 can go 80 mph, so I would think 60-70 should be no problem.

BTW, that 125 was a great bike. Very reliable.

[JZelle]

Too Cool! I want that!

[JRios1968]

Nah, I prefer tatas

[Billthedrill]

Currently I walk to work and to grocery shop. One of these would at least allow me to burn a little gasoline while doing it. Sure, the carbon credits will barely keep a bulb lit over Algore’s hot tub but every little bit helps.

[martin_fierro]

That looks like the Grand Lodge of the All-Seeing TukTuk there in the background.

[taildragger]

Folks you are missing the big picture.

Bajaj is a Licensee of Orbital's Air-assisted Direct Injection.

They are rolling out a 50cc Tuk-Tuk that is 2 stroke Direct Injected, the snap of a 2 stroke with the fuel economy and emissions of a 4 stroke.

But it gets better. They expanded their license to include Gaseous Fuels, i.e. Propane/CNG/LPG. A Direct Injected Gaseous 2 Stroke maybe 12 to 18 months after the gasoline model.

Think about that, even lower emissions and the fuel maybe up to $1.00 a gallon cheaper.

Nice vehicle for some light duty municipal work.

[uglybiker]

It's not nice to make fun of the Grand Tuk Tuk!