Click above for high-res gallery of the Cirbin V13R
Does anyone know where the line that differentiates a car and a motorcycle exists these days? Because we just can't tell anymore. Take this, the Cirbin V13R, first unveiled at SEMA and due to hit the streets imminently. The Harley-powered roadster/trike takes a similar form to the T-Rex we checked out in Montreal (near where the Cirbin is also made, incidentally), only while the T-Rex is more rice-burner, the Cirbin is more custom chopper. Think modern racecar vs. 50's hot rod crossbred with a tricycle and you won't be far off.
The retro fiberglass body hides the tubular steel chassis that includes a front crash zone and cradles the 1250cc v-twin from the Harley-Davidson V-Rod that's mated to a five-speed sequential transmission. The cabin incorporates two seats with chrome roll-over hoops, adjustable pedals and an instrument cluster that includes a speedometer, tachometer and fuel gauge. The full lighting system incorporates headlights with high-beams, low-beams and daytime running lights, turn signals, brake lights and reverse indicator. It's even got a trunk up front. Heck, you could confuse this thing for an actual car, especially after learning of the $40,000 sticker price. All in all, this looks like one pretty sweet... whatever it is. Check out the information in the press release after the jump and the big gallery of big pictures below.
[Source: Cirbin via Luxurylaunches.com]Press Release
CIRBIN is proud to announce that the new V13R® has been launched at the SEMA show in Las Vegas, Nevada, on October 30th 2007.
CIRBIN main focus is on the design and manufacturing of fun, stylish and performing 3-wheels vehicles that provide their owner sheer fun and a great riding experience.
The new V13R® delivers just that.
Its soul inspiring sound and acceleration provided by the Harley-Davidson® liquid cooled V-Twin engine can put a smile on your face for miles and miles. Designed to be a little Hot Rod with great appeal, the V13R® will make everybody's head turn when you drive by.
The V13R® is a reverse trike, which means it has two front wheels and an oversize propulsion wheel at the rear. The Harley-Davidson® engine unleashes awesome torque and horsepower. The low center of gravity and weight distribution deliver maximum traction and great handling. It all adds up to a three-wheel drive with one sole purpose: pure fun.
Both powerful and powerfully seductive, the V13R® is flair on wheels, complete with its own signature engine purr and roar. It's where hot rod culture meets mainstream culture. This is why there's no hot-rod like a V13R®.
For a limited time, the V13R® starts at 39,995$ and will be available at dealers across the USA and Canada by the spring of 2008.
About CIRBIN INC
CIRBIN INC is a company that designs and manufactures three-wheel vehicles commonly known as reverse trike. The cofounders of this innovative Canadian company are André Morissette (president) and David Neault (vice-president). Together, they have translated their love for recreational vehicles into three-wheel machines that are as exciting to ride and easy to handle. Their first incarnation is the road savvy V13R®.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tragedy @ Mar 20th 2008 5:10PM
That looks like a fine piece of machinery.....
....for me to POOP on.
Andrei @ Mar 20th 2008 5:17PM
My thoughts exactly
Sean Flanagan @ Mar 20th 2008 5:11PM
Looks like someone motorized a woman's pump.
Luis @ Mar 20th 2008 5:26PM
Where do you kids come up with these imaginative posts?! No need to reply, I can only imagine...http://spyder.brp.com/en-US/
Eric Liberatore @ Mar 20th 2008 5:27PM
This would look better blurry.
a.sintic @ Mar 20th 2008 5:43PM
It's not that bad but the price point tells me they're not interested in selling too many. I mean, come on! 40k? To me, the point of buying something like this is to spend less on getting around town, not more.
Randy @ Mar 20th 2008 11:18PM
i agree. It should b 15K MAX given the size of it.
MajorGeek @ Mar 20th 2008 5:48PM
Considered a T-Rex once, but decided it had no resale, is almost laughable on the streets and typically on these sort of things, its really titled as a motorcycle, so a helmet is required.
Dustin @ Mar 20th 2008 7:18PM
there is no blurring the lines.
2 wheels in back, 2 in front - car/truck/whatever
2 wheels in back, 1 in front - trike
1 wheel in back, 1 in front - bike
1 wheel in back, 2 in front - kill it with fire
Marvelous @ Mar 20th 2008 9:10PM
Its obvious they're trying to catch the dissappointed would be buyers of the VW GX3 and vehicle immediately reminds you of that concept. Even the headlights have some semblance to the GX3. The chrome is what sets it apart from the VW though, its not very sporty ,but like the engine, more Harley. The most crucial and agruably the only mistake on this vehicle is the price tag of $40000. What got people excited about the GX3 was the under $20000 price point. That would make it accessible to almost anyone. I know they are a small manufacturer and there is only so much they can do as far as cost cutting ,but a better price target would have been under $30 grand. That would have taken many prospective T-Rex buyers and brought into the sight of a possible bigger manufacturer who could've gotten better suppliers and brought the price down even more.
ckm @ Mar 20th 2008 11:16PM
The reason for this is that 3-wheelers are considered motorcycles, and that avoids many government regulations regarding emissions and safety. Not that these pollute more or are unsafe, it's just that proving that is hella expensive.
fm @ Mar 21st 2008 12:00AM
Come on! Is it that hard to determine if something is a car or bike?
3+ wheels + Steering wheel = car
3- wheels + handlebars = bike
Simple.
Personnaly, I don't want to get a freakin motorcycle license to drive a three wheeled car.
mdesigner @ Mar 21st 2008 6:26AM
The concept of another mass market three wheeled vehicle has viable market potential as evidenced by the enthusiasm over the Volkswagen concept as well as (somewhat) for the production T-Rex...but, this car pushes the boundaries of good taste a bit too far.
They're gonna have to work very hard to make it into something more than an unusual novelty item for those with significant disposable income.
It definitely needs further refinement. The SUB 3-wheeler has a much more sophisticated and better executed design.
http://www.sub3wheeler.com/
I hope the manufacturers get some useful feedback and make this into a success.
Based on the posts before this one...they've got their work cut out for them.