Auto Moto Leaning Trike?

[mymomwantsatrike]

Hi Guys

Well as it turns out it would seem my mother isn't quite comfortable with the PST-11 as it has a very wide seat and her arms aren't quite long enough to comfortably control the steering. Seems she could do it, but each ride would be somewhat of a chore. It is still an option, but others have popped up. Such as a trike conversion of a smaller scooter if legal in CA to drive with a Class C license.

However I ran into these things and did some research. I am hoping those with more knowledge of them might be able to give me some general info about the product, its quality, and your opinion of the machine in general.

It's made in China by Xing Yue. It has just one distributor in the U.S. (Auto Moto) and I think the manufacturer distributes it in Canada. The dealer network includes mainstream motorcycle dealers, too. So I would assume although Chinese, if bought from a Honda dealer the Honda dealer will maintain it. This it would seem is an advantage of sorts. Or maybe some local B&M store can order one up? At any rate it does have the very common 150cc gy6 powering it.

At $3,800 the price is a bit steep, but i saw online how somebody got one for $3,000 in Ohio. The company and warehouse is in Los Angeles, so I thought I'd grab mom one day and go have a look. Maybe a deal could be worked out. OTD including PDI for $3,800 sounds fair imo, but I don't know if price drops are possible.

It's said the distributors of these scooters work closely with the Chinese company that makes them, but I don't know if the bikes include some of the same sort of inferior parts other Chinese scooters might. If so, a painstaking PDI would be a must.

So yeah, the Auto Moto. Any thoughts or info you may have would be appreciated, as not much info is to be found on the internet. But since its a Chinese scooter, well, what better place to get the right info but here.



It would seem a safe and stable option for an older rider.

[marciag]

I'm no expert by any means. But when I first started looking at trikes, I thought this might be my answer. I was actually talked OUT of it by the manufacturer AND by the Ohio dealership! The dealership talked me out of it because...the woman there said she was about my size or smaller and she found this trike to be pretty heavy to handle. The manufacturer talked me out of it because I wanted to drive at highway speeds. They said it really wasn't made for that.

Just my 2 cents. I know my Ice Bear Compeller is sure comfy and I'll bet the Magnum is too.....

Marcia

[mymomwantsatrike]

thanks for the reply, marcia. good info there.

as it is i guess it has to be looked into, though. you look very comfortable on the Compeller and i wonder how tall you are, if you don't mind?

my mother is about 5'2 with shorter legs and arms. the way you are sitting all the way back on the Compeller, feet high on the floorboard, arms comfortably reaching the handle bars...is just not something realistic for her. the seat itself on the PST-11 is so wide she has to straddle it more like a motorcycle. and to make a full turn i think would be quite a stretch and effort.

but of course, the PST-11 is not out of the question. she could shave the seat down, get rid of the "hump" at the front of the seat and replace it with comfy padding so she can sit forward, and add a hinged backrest to the middle of the seat, where her back will then rest. so, its all on the table right now

but, if a DEALER talked you out of it? well, how often does that happen! even if you hadn't taken her advice and bought one, thats still strong advice and contrary to what dealers do. which is sell, sell, sell at any cost!

i am pretty sure you still have to put a toe down at stops, but they say it doesn't feel too heavy and won't tip over because you're really just minimizing the lean and not holding the engine and bottom half up. will will see, though. it sure looks fun to ride, but so does everything else lol.

also, the "top" would apparently bolt off, as they have a "convertible" version in Canada. so, a few turns of a few bolts and i think it could turn into something like this, only with the high back trunk still in place. which might look goofy, but hey, it already kind of does:



so, we will see. thanks for taking the time once more and thanks for sharing your words of experience

P.S. oh, and she has no plans of heading down the highway so at least that part of is taken care of. phew!

[als01seville]

The swivel type trikes have a narrow rear end and I would think it would be little harder to make turns for your mother leaning. Also the parts that make them lean get weak really fast and then you are really squirrelly making turns. I think your mother will feel like it will tip over making turns if you ask me. Once they get weak the Trike will not sit straight it will be leaning on the weak side.

I think your best bet Is just have the sit extended forward and narrow and have them build a back rest for her. That is an easy fix and will not cost you an arm an a leg. You can take it to just about any Boat Place that fixes up boats and they will do it.

Alleyoop

[marciag]

Hi again. I am 5'4". I don't think that 2" less would mean your mom couldn't do what I am doing. So you see, looks are deceiving. If you were anywhere near SW Ohio, I'd surely allow your mom to sit on my trike to see what she thought. The Magnum isn't quite as long as the Compeller but when I ride I don't really notice that at all. She handles quite well in my very limited experience. I plan to take her out some more today. I need to practice my left turns! LOL

You are very thoughtful and I'm sure all of the thought you are putting in now will pay off when the time for purchase comes.

Keep us posted!

Marcia