And how many motorcycle drivers get "slammed by a dumptruck hauling a load"---not many. The majority get the ax by separating from the bike and trying to emulate a bird.--which is exactly what a roll-cage and safety harnesses are all about preventing.
"These trikes will get decent mileage, no doubt, but I don't think it will be nearly as radical as the "doubling" you're expecting to see. In order to double the VW TDI diesels or even some of the wonderful Toyota Corolla models, we're talking nearly 100 miles per gallon of fuel. That kind of economical mileage isn't just around the corner."
Disagree. I think 100 mpg with a really aerodynamic exoskeletal safety frame and an engine fully electronically controlled is quite do-able.
The accident scenario was designed to paint a picture. In simple terms, these trikes (whether exoskeleton or not) are far from the safety of an automobile or truck since they're positioned practically right on the ground.
They have greatly decreased capability in challenging weather and limited comfort with regard to A/C, heating, and ventiliation.
Mileage remains to be seen, but the Corbin models gets around 35 m.p.g. with the open model with the closed version still in pre-production status. Even then, they're only predicting 80 m.p.g. once everything is said and done. As mentioned earlier in the thread, my friend's father was consistently getting 49 m.p.g. more than a decade ago and could carry a few people and a load of groceries simultaneously. Why not put some eggs in that basket? Diesel hasn't been explored enough in this country. Simple engines with less moving parts.
The trikes look like they would be loads of fun to drive, but to say they're as safe and as comfortable as a modern car or truck is an enormous stretch. Can we at least agree on that?
~ Blue Jays ~