POSTED BY

Steven Leckart

AT 8:45 AM
Monday August 24, 2009

Green • Retro • Vehicles

What's This Guy Driving?

reverse-trike-tri-magnum2.jpg

The Tri-Magnum is a fuel-efficient, reverse trike built from a motorcycle, usually a Kawasaki KZ900 or Honda Gold Wing. As evident by the design lines (not to mention the driver's 'stache), this three-wheeler was developed decades ago. However, you can still buy inventor Robert Q. Riley's $95 guide on how to build your own Tri-Magnum for $3,500, not counting the motorcycle.

Since the early 1980s, Riley's refined his reverse trike design quite a bit. The XR3 plug-in hybrid is essentially a re-tooled version of the Tri-Magnum.

DSC02347-web.jpg

After the jump, check out more photos of each vehicle...

Then...

t-mag_bklite1.jpg

t-mag_rear1.jpg

tmc3.jpg


Now...

DSC02354B-web.jpg

DSC02417B-web.jpg

xr3_012908_1.jpg

1

10 Comments

dculberson

#1 – 8:54 AM August 24, 2009

The "nose" on the front of the XR3 really spoils the look.

Rob Hale

#2 – 9:40 AM August 24, 2009

I would be happy with an XR3 but I would be even happier with a Carver!

Anonymous Anonymous

#3 – 9:52 AM August 24, 2009

I like the styling of the rear of the XR3, but prefer the front of the Tri-magnum. the "nose" of the new one is definitely a problem, I feel.

retrojoe

#4 – 9:57 AM August 24, 2009

I didn't know DeLorean was still in business.

xzzy

#5 – 10:50 AM August 24, 2009

The unfortunate part is that the new nose is a much better design in terms of aerodynamics.. less drag, better fuel savings.

Look at the nose of any airplane.. one of the most aerodynamic shapes you can make, but very difficult to make it look cool.

It amuses me that the rear-end design of the old version was much better from a drag standpoint. Two steps forward, one step back. ;)

muteboy

#6 – 10:59 AM August 24, 2009

Not to be confused with an old Ford Escort XR3i, complete with spoilers and those classic alloys...

This made me think of the old Logans Run series vehicles: http://www.snowcrest.net/fox/logantv/cars.htm

Enochrewt

#7 – 11:10 AM August 24, 2009

#6: Gah! They made a Logan's Run TV series? How did I miss that?

I have to say I like the looks of the old version better, but I did just get excited about Logan's Run, didn't I? I think the nose on the new one would look OK if it was even more rounded and bulbous like the rest of the car. Aerodynamics permitting of course.

technogeek

#8 – 3:43 PM August 24, 2009

So how does this compare on price, capacity, efficiency, and availability, with the Aptera?

strider_mt2k

#9 – 4:45 AM August 25, 2009

Please don't fall into the Gizmodo trap of asking what things are to entice participation?

It's probably not what you're doing, but still i beg of thee.

theawesomerobot

#10 – 8:14 AM August 25, 2009

Looks way better from behind, that's for sure.

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