Bloom Ready-to-Run Reverse Trike Kit?

[Trikewarrior888]

What do you guys think of this www.zoomescooters.com/registration
For $4999. Use your own engine or EV motor.

 

[Gorilla]

U think I would wait a little while to see if it pans out. Interesting concept.

 

[Trikewarrior888]

U think I would wait a little while to see if it pans out. Interesting concept.

Thanks for your input! They say they are ready to ship out now. Will try to talk to them for more details..

 

[pwhoever]

They leave an awful lot of information out. The FAQ section seems to be more about the electric scooters and not the trike. They also mention that it either comes with or without the body panels and you add your own and is basically just a rolling chassis. I'm curious about how much extra the body panels add to the cost. That info isn't there. I'm sure making your own body panels is not something an average person would be able to do. Also a little more info on what engine types would be comparable. Would you need too use a motorcycle motor and which style? Could you use a small vehicle motor?

They should expand with a lot more information up front. It does seem like a cool concept but not sure if it will be a winner. It would already be competing with the Polaris Slingshot. The Slingshot takes a very special buyer to be interested in something like that. I personally don't like that style but I'm not everyone.

 

[Trikewarrior888]

They leave an awful lot of information out. The FAQ section seems to be more about the electric scooters and not the trike. They also mention that it either comes with or without the body panels and you add your own and is basically just a rolling chassis. I'm curious about how much extra the body panels add to the cost. That info isn't there. I'm sure making your own body panels is not something an average person would be able to do. Also a little more info on what engine types would be comparable. Would you need too use a motorcycle motor and which style? Could you use a small vehicle motor?

They should expand with a lot more information up front. It does seem like a cool concept but not sure if it will be a winner. It would already be competing with the Polaris Slingshot. The Slingshot takes a very special buyer to be interested in something like that. I personally don't like that style but I'm not everyone.

Greatly appreciate your thoughts!
I will do more research definitely. They just told me the panels are $600 extra for whole set, ABS plastic pieces. So the chassis and panels total about $5600. I saw the video on their page and saw other customer's builds, seems like one used a honda 600cc engine, the other like a yamaha, but not sure which one. Thanks again!

 

[pwhoever]

Sounds like a much better deal price wise than a Slingshot.

 

[Trikewarrior888]

Sounds like a much better deal price wise than a Slingshot.

You are absolutely right! I can find a used Honda 600c engine locally for about $300-900 easily and add in some hardware and my own little touches. All for way less than 8k for a fresh new chassis. And get to have 2 seats and a proper steering system. Basically a compact roadster for weekend fun and mountain driving.. Will do more deep research on the engine choice. Thanks!

 

[pwhoever]

Make sure to post when you get more info. I'm sure there are plenty here that would like to know.

 

[Trikewarrior888]

Make sure to post when you get more info. I'm sure there are plenty here that would like to know.

For sure!

 

[geol]

If you use their body panels, looks like it would be hard to get in or out. Is there a fuel tank? Wiring for a motorcycle engine? How would you cool the engine? How to connect the engine to the drive wheel(s)? Too many questions and not enough answers. I think buying a current 3 wheel that is engineered and has an engine that is made for the vehicle might be a good idea.

 

[Trikewarrior888]

If you use their body panels, looks like it would be hard to get in or out. Is there a fuel tank? Wiring for a motorcycle engine? How would you cool the engine? How to connect the engine to the drive wheel(s)? Too many questions and not enough answers. I think buying a current 3 wheel that is engineered and has an engine that is made for the vehicle might be a good idea.

You are right. For most average buyers, it will be too much work. I looked into getting current reverse 3 wheel options, but they are still too much for me at over 25-40k brand new. With this kit, I can have it on the road for less 8k for about the same performance and look and get to choose my own bike engine.

This kit is definitely designed for home mechanics and tinkerers like me who loves to build and customize things. Did you watch their video on their customers rides here Trike Awesome Specs | Zoom USA99

i think it answers most of your questions and shows lots of details on wiring and cooling parts their customers used, though you need to watch it many times to learn anything meaningful on the detailed parts used.

Not too difficult to get in and out based on the video. i think the rear wheel comes with a sprocket so it is connected to the transmission sprocket like most motorcycles.

Still doing more research. thx for your inputs!

 

[geol]

The reason I asked about getting in and out is that the body on the version in the first link you posted had no cut outs on the side for entry/exit as do the ones in the video. I also didn't see enough in the video to make me think this project would be simple even for a bike mechanic (I am a bike mechanic). The one liquid cooled motor had a radiator coming off and to the drivers side behind the cockpit; not sure how this would play with bodywork. Didn't see a gas tank on any of the customer units nor a battery, regulator/rectifier, fuses, etc. Do they provide motor mounts, brackets for an exhaust, etc. A good drawing of the frame showing details would do more good than the video and the video had text over what you would want to look at for much of the thing. There is a 3 wheel like this in the classifieds for a lot less than it sold for new.

 

[Trikewarrior888]

The reason I asked about getting in and out is that the body on the version in the first link you posted had no cut outs on the side for entry/exit as do the ones in the video. I also didn't see enough in the video to make me think this project would be simple even for a bike mechanic (I am a bike mechanic). The one liquid cooled motor had a radiator coming off and to the drivers side behind the cockpit; not sure how this would play with bodywork. Didn't see a gas tank on any of the customer units nor a battery, regulator/rectifier, fuses, etc. Do they provide motor mounts, brackets for an exhaust, etc. A good drawing of the frame showing details would do more good than the video and the video had text over what you would want to look at for much of the thing. There is a 3 wheel like this in the classifieds for a lot less than it sold for new.

This is the first image i posted, looks pretty easy to get in and out of.
how much is the used one on the classified selling for, how much was it new? thanks.

I saw in the video the rear panels have vents and space for the radiator airflow and mounts for the exhaust. As for the motor mounts, it probably needs some minor modifications to the frame to fit each different engine, which I can do mostly with simple welding. Yes, i also saw mounts for gas tank and battery on the second and third builds toward the end. I really think these chassis frames were originally designed to fit with their own engine and accessroies before as shown on the above image, but now they offer it as a rolling chassis kit for builders like me. You probably need to watch till the end, it is very long video.

 

[Phu Cat]

Interesting. Buy a car without a source of locomotion? I see more problems than solutions.

 

[Trikewarrior888]

Interesting. Buy a car without a source of locomotion? I see more problems than solutions.

Again, it is not for most average buyers. It is a platform for builders and fabricators to customize on. Hence, they call it a chassis kit, instead of a car.. kind of like custom bike shops buying a bike frame and and build whatever. But this is more complete with steering, suspension, and brakes installed.

 

[geol]

 

[Trikewarrior888]

View attachment 131915

looks like a spaceship, kind of cool

 

[geol]

looks like a spaceship, kind of cool

Not sure why that silver bullet is pictured on the title page for their trike they are selling when the actual body is much different. Good luck with your project.

 

[Trikewarrior888]

Not sure why that silver bullet is pictured on the title page for their trike they are selling when the actual body is much different. Good luck with your project.

Thanks! I had the same question. They said it is one of their customer's builds with their own custom body panels they made.

 

[Trikewarrior888]

They have a pretty cool video here
View: https://youtu.be/T1bRwTkAYvM

 

[HDUSA1]

Please don’t take offense to anything I say here as I am not trying to criticize.

Being an engineer, I pay a lot of attention to the details and look at things with a different perspective, especially with safety in mind.

Looking through their pics, the first red flag for me were the frame welds. It’s obvious they are not frame builders with the less than desirable fabricated joint connections & sloppy welds.

The second red flag is they use some neat high tech off the shelf parts but integrate them poorly in to the frame. Look closely at the rear axle adjuster mechanism for example. If you want to see an example of a quality design, take a look at Roadsmith’s rear axle design - it will blow your mind.

Third, the front suspension setup with the horizontally mounted coilovers is using a high stress geometry for the suspension. The frame tabs the coilovers bolt to are not gusseted but rather butt welded and will be prone to high fatigue cracking. I would NOT want to be going around a curve at highway speeds when one of those let go. If you do take on this project, for your safety please consider reinforcing them.

If you notice, there are a lot of Japanese references and the short statured Asian girl seems to have some difficulty fitting in to the seat. Americans tend to be taller and I would be concerned how much leg room there really is.

Personally, it may be a fun project to build and putz around town in, but I would be concerned driving it at Highway speeds for any kind of distance from both a comfort and safety perspective.

I’m curious, did they say anywhere that it has a VIN and can easily be licensed legally?

 

[HDUSA1]

Was thinking about this overnight and you said you are wanting this for weekend fun and mountain driving. You'll obviously need at least liability insurance for it.

If it's not listed in the NADA Appraisal Guide (I looked and couldn't find it), many large insurance companies will only offer basic third-party liability coverage for it. I'm pretty sure this would fall under Custom Build as this is what the insurance company will ask you:

• Built from individual parts or a kit?
• Original frame replaced?
• Rebuilt or retitled?
• VIN assigned by the state?

I forget who the gentleman is on here that deals with motorcycle insurance, maybe he can chime in with some thoughts?

 

[geol]

I sure am not an insurance expert but a quick search on insuring "kit cars" yielded this:

American Collectors Insurance offers modified car insurance coverage for custom vehicles, including hot rods and restomods, with flexible mileage plans and various discounts for collectors with multiple vehicles.6

• Adrian Flux: Specializes in kit car insurance and offers tailored policies for various kit car types.
• NCM Insurance: Provides replica and tribute car insurance on an Agreed Value basis.
• American Collectors Insurance: Offers modified car insurance for custom vehicles with tailored coverage and discounts.

It will be possible to insure the car being discussed.

 

[Trikewarrior888]

Please don’t take offense to anything I say here as I am not trying to criticize.

Being an engineer, I pay a lot of attention to the details and look at things with a different perspective, especially with safety in mind.

Looking through their pics, the first red flag for me were the frame welds. It’s obvious they are not frame builders with the less than desirable fabricated joint connections & sloppy welds.

The second red flag is they use some neat high tech off the shelf parts but integrate them poorly in to the frame. Look closely at the rear axle adjuster mechanism for example. If you want to see an example of a quality design, take a look at Roadsmith’s rear axle design - it will blow your mind.

Third, the front suspension setup with the horizontally mounted coilovers is using a high stress geometry for the suspension. The frame tabs the coilovers bolt to are not gusseted but rather butt welded and will be prone to high fatigue cracking. I would NOT want to be going around a curve at highway speeds when one of those let go. If you do take on this project, for your safety please consider reinforcing them.

If you notice, there are a lot of Japanese references and the short statured Asian girl seems to have some difficulty fitting in to the seat. Americans tend to be taller and I would be concerned how much leg room there really is.

Personally, it may be a fun project to build and putz around town in, but I would be concerned driving it at Highway speeds for any kind of distance from both a comfort and safety perspective.

I’m curious, did they say anywhere that it has a VIN and can easily be licensed legally?

Thanks for your deep analysis!

Yes I plan to use this as a cool eye-catching toy around town and for local relaxing drives and meets, so this is kind of perfect.

I will be adding reinforcement at the locations you mentioned and some extra spots with some simple work. I found that their customers up to 6 feet 2 can comfortably drive it.

For long distance highway drives, I will just drive my other cars.

They mentioned they come with VINs. The best thing is the total cost can be less than 8K for a new compact roadster.