New member and builder - Qtec Q4 kit

[terebit]

Hello all, I'm a new member to this forum. I joined because I'm starting a project build using a 2010 Harley CVO Softail Convertible and adding a Qtec-Engineering Q4 kit and I might need some advice here and there. The Q4 is 2 wheels up front and 2 wheels out back (Quad). Before you all say anything negative, I'll explain the purpose of the build. First, medical reasons are pushing me to make the transition from 2 wheels to 3 wheels; and second, I wanted something unique to use in parades and take to bike shows. I'm sure there will be lots of down sides, but those are yet to be discovered. I'll start a separate thread to detail the build. By the way, I'm a retired Army Veteran and live in SE Ohio.

 

[rhino 2]

Hello all, I'm a new member to this forum. I joined because I'm starting a project build using a 2010 Harley CVO Softail Convertible and adding a Q-Tec Engineering Q4 kit and I might need some advice here and there. The Q4 is 2 wheels up front and 2 wheels out back (Quad). Before you all say anything negative, I'll explain the purpose of the build. First, medical reasons are pushing me to make the transition from 2 wheels to 3 wheels; and second, I wanted something unique to use in parades and take to bike shows. I'm sure there will be lots of down sides, but those are yet to be discovered. I'll start a separate thread to detail the build. By the way, I'm a retired Army Veteran and live in SE Ohio.

Terry..............Welcome To Trike-Talk........:wave4:-:wave4:.....

 

[Ray Paige]

:wave4:WELCOME ABOARD FROM MONTANA:wave4::clapping::clapping:

 

[Jack Klarich]

Hi Terry, :welcome:to Trike Talk

Best of luck on your build

 

[PosseRider]

:welcome:to Trike Talk from Dayton.:wave4::wave4:

 

[Sully]

Terry....Welcome To Trike-Talk....from North Ga. ..:wave4:

 

[bear1953]

looking forward to seeing your work !

 

[ol' school]

Welcome to Trike Talk Terry!

 

[trike lady]

Hello and :welcome: to Trike Talk, glad to have U with Us. :clapping:

Thank you for your service. Have you checked with the state motor vehicle laws to may sure it is legal to use a quad on the road? I'm not being negative, just want you to C.Y.A. with the state and avoid fines.

 

[David357]

Hi Terry,:wave4:

:welcome: to the Trike Talk Family and good luck with your build.:wave4::group:

 

[Marc H]

:wave4:Welcome to Trike Talk Terry!!!

 

[Zammy]

Hello Terry, welcome to the forums, thank you for your service and looking forward to following the build.

 

[Gorilla]

welcome terry

 

[cScjhb]

Welcome Terry. Check out American Bike and Trike here in Arizona. They have a pretty good web site and specialize in the kits you're installing. I have been to their shop several times and find them to be very helpful with advice. Good luck..... Jim

 

[terebit]

Welcome Terry. Check out American Bike and Trike here in Arizona. They have a pretty good web site and specialize in the kits you're installing. I have been to their shop several times and find them to be very helpful with advice. Good luck..... Jim

Thanks for the reference. I've been working with American Bike and Trike to put together the kit.

 

[terebit]

State Laws

Hello and :welcome: to Trike Talk, glad to have U with Us. :clapping:

Thank you for your service. Have you checked with the state motor vehicle laws to may sure it is legal to use a quad on the road? I'm not being negative, just want you to C.Y.A. with the state and avoid fines.

This is a fair question. I did a cursory check of State Laws and haven't found anything that would make it illegal to drive a quad motorcycle on the road or highways, but I haven't talked to the BMV or State Police about the project. From what I can tell, the laws aren't really written to specifically address the type of vehicle, but instead specify equipment requirements; i.e. headlights, taillights, turn signals, horn, fenders, etc... If I re-register the bike as a custom build, I'll need an inspection by the State Police. I'd hate to spend all the money on the build and only be able to trailer it to shows and parades.

 

[Woody]

Terry....Welcome To Trike-Talk....from Alabama :Coffee:

 

[cScjhb]

This is a fair question. I did a cursory check of State Laws and haven't found anything that would make it illegal to drive a quad motorcycle on the road or highways, but I haven't talked to the BMV or State Police about the project. From what I can tell, the laws aren't really written to specifically address the type of vehicle, but instead specify equipment requirements; i.e. headlights, taillights, turn signals, horn, fenders, etc... If I re-register the bike as a custom build, I'll need an inspection by the State Police. I'd hate to spend all the money on the build and only be able to trailer it to shows and parades.

Interesting problem. I think it will take some research. Maybe somebody here knows the answer. If a vehicle is legally registered and licensed in one state, does that make it legal in other states too? Here in Arizona we can register and drive many different "motorcycle" configurations. Two, three, and four wheels. When I had my Can Am side by side, (four wheel) I had it registered and licensed to drive on the roads. It's very, very common here to see what most consider off-road vehicles, driving around the city streets. Even golf carts can be licensed here. I also did not have any problem driving my side by side in town (and off road) after towing it to Mexico for a vacation. Lots to be researched. Good luck..... Jim

 

[bokobob]

Welcome

Hello and welcome from an Ohio native and now retired in North Carolina....I look forward to your build thread..

Best, Bob

 

[terebit]

Home away from home

Terry....Welcome To Trike-Talk....from Alabama :Coffee:

Woody, Hi. I spent alot of time in southern Alabama when I was an Instructor at Ft Rucker. Still an Alabama football fan, right behind The Ohio State...

 

[terebit]

Accepting the Risk

Interesting problem. I think it will take some research. Maybe somebody here knows the answer. If a vehicle is legally registered and licensed in one state, does that make it legal in other states too? Here in Arizona we can register and drive many different "motorcycle" configurations. Two, three, and four wheels. When I had my Can Am side by side, (four wheel) I had it registered and licensed to drive on the roads. It's very, very common here to see what most consider off-road vehicles, driving around the city streets. Even golf carts can be licensed here. I also did not have any problem driving my side by side in town (and off road) after towing it to Mexico for a vacation. Lots to be researched. Good luck..... Jim

I looked at motor vehicle laws from OH, PA, MI, WV, IN, IL, KY, and AZ. They are all pretty consistent in their definitions of a motorcycle; i.e. the part that says, "...designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground,..." So that includes trikes but does not include bikes with outriggers or quad motorcycles. I searched pretty hard in Ohio law and Arizona law for provisions that would include some kind of cycle with 4 wheels and didn't find anything (for more than about 50cc engine size or an all-terrain type vehicle). I also read a lot of the old discussion on various forums about the legality of outrigger kits such as the MTC Voyager kits; and I don't want to get into Voyager's answer to the issue of 4 wheels. The issue at hand is the quad kits (reverse trike in front and standard trike in the rear). Once you put 4 wheels on the motorcycle you fall outside of the legal definition of a motorcycle and States don't know what to do for certificate of title, registration, or operator licensing requirements. The easy answer, that I got from the title office after they checked with their home office, is to say it's still a motorcycle as per the original title; with accessory kits installed that don't change the basic motor vehicle described in the certificate of title. They looked at photos of the quad kits and said it's clearly still a motorcycle. I'm happy with that answer, even if they aren't willing to put it in writing. I'm not sure if the Ohio Troopers, lawyers, or judges will agree, but I'm going to take the risk.

 

[Jack Klarich]

Is there going to be a provision for seat belts on a quad wheel set up?

 

[terebit]

Seatbelt

Is there going to be a provision for seat belts on a quad wheel set up?

There isn't a provision for a seatbelt with the Q-Tech kit. Of course a builder could rig something up, but to what end? The quad still wouldn't pass an inspection as a car and the title office in this State won't even consider calling it anything that needs a seatbelt. I wouldn't want to be strapped to that thing with no rollover protection. I don't know of any trike manufacturers who make provisions for a seatbelt, but I could be wrong.

 

[trike lady]

Hannigan Trikes once offered a quad conversion for the GL1800 Goldwing, they may be able to shed some light on the legality of a four wheel motorcycle. As they are a manufacturer and would pretty much know the law. You may want to email them: hannigan@apex.net

This may help you a bit: https://www.motorcyclelegalfoundation.com/how-to-license-a-home-built-custom-motorcycle/

 

[terebit]

Hannigan Trikes once offered a quad conversion for the GL1800 Goldwing, they may be able to shed some light on the legality of a four wheel motorcycle. As they are a manufacturer and would pretty much know the law. You may want to email them: hannigan@apex.net

This may help you a bit: https://www.motorcyclelegalfoundation.com/how-to-license-a-home-built-custom-motorcycle/

Thanks for the input Trike Lady. I emailed Hannigan to see if they can provide any insights. The Hannigan quad conversions are still being offered by some dealers, such as American Bike and Trike.



Hannigan Honda Quadster for the GL1800 Series



The link you provided has good information but doesn't address the issue of certifying a homebuilt street quad. The article only talks about certifying homebuilt motorcycles. I talked to an inspector here who said that if I brought him a quad, he wouldn't even know where to start because there are no applicable inspection standards for a street quad (homebuilt or otherwise).

 

[cScjhb]

The information about motorcycle licensed vehicles having no more that 3 wheels just is not reality, at least here in Arizona. Here are some pictures of my former side by side that clearly has 4 wheels. It was licensed as a motorcycle and you can see the license plate on the rear. I bought it new and had a "street legal" option included when I bought it. There are many thousands of these vehicles on the roads here sporting motorcycle license plates.....

Edit for additional info.

It does not show clearly in the picture but my license plate had two different stickers that were renewed annually. One for street use and another for off road use. And we were required to pay additional fees for annual passes to ride on DNR property. My thought is the Government can't resist charging fees where they see an opportunity.....regardless of what the vehicle configuration is. They'll ignore their own definitions if they can find something to tax..... Jim

 

[terebit]

State Laws

The information about motorcycle licensed vehicles having no more that 3 wheels just is not reality, at least here in Arizona. Here are some pictures of my former side by side that clearly has 4 wheels. It was licensed as a motorcycle and you can see the license plate on the rear. I bought it new and had a "street legal" option included when I bought it. There are many thousands of these vehicles on the roads here sporting motorcycle license plates.....

State specific. Ohio issues titles and registrations for side-by-sides as All Purpose Vehicles and they can be plated to make them legal to drive on secondary roads here. But the State doesn't classify them as motorcycles. Funny though that some people in this area call them bikes. A street quad built from a motorcycle doesn't meet the definition of an All Purpose Vehicle here either.

 

[Uncle Fester]

Welcome from Greenfield, Indiana!!