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Tuk Tuk coming to American roads near you?
www.autobloggreen.com ^ | 05/13/2008 | Staff

Posted on 05/13/2008 5:29:47 AM PDT by 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.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: auto; motorcycle
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To: Red Badger

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


41 posted on 05/13/2008 12:38:18 PM PDT by Melas (Offending stupid people since 1963)
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To: JRios1968; martin_fierro; Billthedrill; Ezekiel; Larry Lucido; AnAmericanMother; dighton
A Tuk Tuk is cute but not as cute as a Dik Dik.
42 posted on 05/13/2008 1:22:57 PM PDT by aculeus
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To: dighton

Wow!


43 posted on 05/13/2008 1:25:38 PM PDT by BraveMan
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To: PUGACHEV

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.


44 posted on 05/13/2008 1:29:47 PM PDT by B Knotts (Calvin Coolidge Republican)
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To: Red Badger

Too Cool! I want that!


45 posted on 05/13/2008 1:33:38 PM PDT by JZelle
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To: aculeus

Nah, I prefer tatas


46 posted on 05/13/2008 1:43:17 PM PDT by JRios1968 ("If you go over a cliff with all flags flying, you are still going over a cliff"--Ronald Reagan)
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To: Red Badger

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.


47 posted on 05/13/2008 1:53:40 PM PDT by Billthedrill
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To: Red Badger; JRios1968; dighton; Billthedrill; aculeus; Ezekiel; Larry Lucido; AnAmericanMother; ...

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

48 posted on 05/13/2008 2:09:58 PM PDT by martin_fierro (< |:)~)
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To: Red Badger
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.

49 posted on 05/13/2008 2:18:37 PM PDT by taildragger (The Answer is Fred Thompson, I do not care what the question is.....)
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To: martin_fierro; blackie
It's not nice to make fun of the Grand Tuk Tuk!


50 posted on 05/13/2008 8:48:40 PM PDT by uglybiker (I do not suffer from mental illness. I quite enjoy it, actually.)
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To: Red Badger

Looks pretty functional to me. Front driver’s seat for the caddy, double backseat for the twosome. I don’t see any racks on the back for the clubs tho..........could be a problem.


51 posted on 05/14/2008 5:25:27 AM PDT by Hot Tabasco (Bill & Hillary Clinton are the human equivalent of the herpes virus.....)
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To: Hot Tabasco

More “versions” at the main website!.........


52 posted on 05/14/2008 5:26:07 AM PDT by Red Badger ( We don't have science, but we do have consensus.......)
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To: SampleMan

While this may be so, the tuk tuk has been designed for stability. The USA version handels very well remaining tight on the road. It is even able to pull RV’s with ease and safety. The Tuk Tuk has been desinged exceeding DOT requirements.


53 posted on 05/29/2008 6:13:27 AM PDT by tuktukme (Tuk Tuk is stable)
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To: snoringbear

The Tuk Tuk has normal city speed abilities. It is designed to stay with traffic, not slow it down. Our 1st testing model for USA achieved a normal speed of 73 mph, pulled Duchman Campers in ELkhart. The Tuk Tuk pulling a camper reached 63 mph while maintaining no loss in mpg.
The America version of the Tuk Tuk is equal to a 1/2 ton truck. SIZE - well all I can say is please visit the website.


54 posted on 05/29/2008 6:13:28 AM PDT by tuktukme (Tuk Tuk is stable)
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To: Moose4

The Tuk Tuk uses a Mitsubshi motor made just for the Tuk Tuk, so quiet and smooth your not sure it is running.Typical Mitsubshi quality.


55 posted on 05/29/2008 6:13:28 AM PDT by tuktukme (Tuk Tuk is stable)
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To: TheBattman

The USA version Tuk Tuk is 2 times larger than those in other countries. Our tuk tuk is a large as a Ranger Truck, getting 53 MPG


56 posted on 05/29/2008 6:13:28 AM PDT by tuktukme (Tuk Tuk is stable)
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To: Red Badger

EPA Mileage Accumulation Study is done.


57 posted on 05/29/2008 6:13:29 AM PDT by tuktukme (Tuk Tuk is stable)
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To: JRios1968

The TaTa is from India, supplying NO available parts to USA without a lengthy wait. There is no parts book available, or service books.
The Tuk Tuk has complete manuals, parts, and US based operations. Unlike the Tata.


58 posted on 05/29/2008 6:13:29 AM PDT by tuktukme
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To: PUGACHEV

The Tuk Tuk reaches speeds equal to your Ranger truck, able to pull and carry heavy loads with no loss of power while maintining its mpg.


59 posted on 05/29/2008 6:13:29 AM PDT by tuktukme
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To: SampleMan

Really the Tuk Tuk is not to be confused with a rickshaw ot scooter. Those are toys not a vehicle. The Tuk Tuk has been designed for every practical use in USA you can think of. Even cros country trips pulling a camper. Remember it is as lage as a truck!!!


60 posted on 05/29/2008 6:13:29 AM PDT by tuktukme
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