Okay, so, about this whole 4-wheeled motorcycle thing… it all started when I saw a post online about “Four Wheeled Nomad” and their thoughts on four wheels versus two. That got me thinking. I’ve always been a two-wheel guy, love my 2010 Street Glide, but lately, the idea of something more stable has been creeping into my mind.
I remember back in 2002, I had an Ultra Classic, and while it was great, it was a bit top-heavy. That’s why I switched to the Street Glide. But now, I’m thinking about longer trips, like, really long trips, a couple of weeks at a time, you know? So, I started digging around, looking at alternatives to the usual trikes. I even went on some forums, like, “thinking about a trike” and “Tri Glide Ultra classic trike” threads. People were talking about stability, comfort, that sort of stuff.
Then I stumbled upon this whole world of ATVs, or quad bikes. They’re basically off-road vehicles with handlebars and a straddle seat, just like a motorcycle, but with four wheels. The main catch is that most of them don’t have rollover protection. I was like, “Hmm, interesting, but maybe not quite what I’m looking for.”
- Safety: I read that trikes are generally safer because they’re more visible on the road. But they can still be dangerous, just like any motorcycle.
- Fuel and Speed: One big advantage of a motorcycle is that they use less fuel than a car, and they’re usually faster. Plus, some of them have a little storage space under the seat. But of course, you gotta wear a helmet, and there’s always the risk of falling off.
So, I started tinkering in my garage. I thought, what if I could take the best of both worlds? The stability of a quad bike with the feel of a motorcycle? It was a crazy idea, but I’m a hands-on kind of guy, so I started messing around with some spare parts I had lying around.
My DIY Project Begins
First, I took the front end of an old ATV and tried to figure out how to attach it to my Street Glide. It was a mess of metal and tools, let me tell you. I spent days just trying to get the alignment right. Then came the rear. I used parts from another quad bike, and man, welding that stuff was a pain. I even made some sketches.
After weeks of work, sweat, and a few choice words, I finally had something that resembled a 4-wheeled motorcycle. It wasn’t pretty, but it was mine. I took it out for a test ride, slowly at first, then a bit faster. It felt weird, different, but surprisingly stable. I even took it off-road a bit, just to see how it would handle.
It’s still a work in progress, of course. I need to fine-tune a lot of things, like the suspension and the steering. And I definitely need to do something about the looks. But hey, it’s a start. It’s my own unique take on a 4-wheeled motorcycle, and who knows, maybe it’ll inspire someone else to build their own crazy contraption.
