Is the UK Eco Exo Project Dead Or Is There Hope?

[Stiggy]

I assume I will see Kelvin at the show this weekend so I will ask about his plans.

[davej98002]

Wishing I could go to that car show. Good luck.

Stuart, Kelvin did contact me last week by Email. He wants to do a Skype meeting but I have not set up a Skype account yet. So he kind of put the ball in my court.

Roger and I also have been chatting a lot. We both would love to see the Eco-Exo being updated to newer Burgman 400 Fuel Injected engines and some over the counter suspension parts just in case of a crash into the Bugaboo's. Getting a lower control arm for a Eco-Exo right now is not possible, no spares on the shelf. If I could kick off a kit, Roger and I agree that I should make about 5 frames and have some spare parts on hand. Stuart Mills had offered me a limited production license with the understanding that I could only do maybe 5 to 10 kits per year. Being that I am 100% retired  I have time but also have some disibilites from a 2015 major motorcycle crash (70 MPH into a Concrete wall) so that is my limiting issue on production.

So, if I can budget it, get Kelvin and Stuart to agree to terms that I can deal with, work a deal out with Kevin at Exomotive.com maybe by spring 2018 we could have some kits out there. I can not make any promises, on making kits or prices yet. Just a bit of hope.

[Stiggy]

If it helps push this forward and takes Eco-Exo out from collecting dust then I would be happy to leave you guys to sort out a deal without my involvement or demands for royalties. Lets get this going if poss.
Kelvin says he is busy with other work and has shelved Eco-Exo but hopefully it will not lay dormant any longer if a deal can be struck, let me know if I can help.

[davej98002]

May 3, 2016 21:29:28 GMT Albert said:

It's still alive. I just ordered mine through Exomotive. I traded some e-mails with Kelvin from Qdos and spoke with Kevin at Exomotive and you can still order them. Kelvin said there would be some extra lead time since he's working on the next generation of the kit but he's willing to do it. I have my '06 donor and I'm now just waiting for the kit.

Its been over 13 months. Has there been any updates?  Has Albert received his chassis? Bueller. Bueller. Bueller?

[davej98002]

As a kit, I think the ECO is done. I was wanting to step up and carry on with it but TOO MANY road blocks. It would be better if Stuart just came up with a NEW and simple design using more modern over the counter suspension, hubs and the running gears than the 2002-2006 Carb Burgman 400. There are over 10,000 Burgman 650's and Honda Silverwing 600's out there.... BMW's Kymco 650/700i's....

But enough crying in my beer, don't like drinking salty Diet Beer.

[Stiggy]

I had to laugh out loud when I read the "if Stuart just came up with a NEW" It's the word "just" that tickled me. Like if it were easy, quick and cheap.
The reality is far from that and the rewards are slim. If Eco-exo is considered dead for what ever reason then so be it but I won't be spending my time or money replacing it, sorry.

[davej98002]

Yes I did put that in with a smile. A new design just does not "JUST" happen.

But a future owner could just buy a tR1ke and put any engine in it and have a well sorted trike. A 200cc would not give you much top end but around town it could be a blast if you kept the total weight down. But a tR1ke with a Silverwing, Burgman, Kymco large cc scooter would give a good top end and fair gas mileage. With a few motor mount and frame mod's, a GL1800 Goldwing engine could be fitted.

I do hope someone would pick up the ECO kit manufacturing. Too nice of an inexpensive trike to just die off.

[roger32849]

This is a bit of a delayed response. I have been busy with all sorts of projects at home, while trying to do bits and pieces on my TR1ke and still get out and ride a bit more before it get to cold. I have to say, I for one am delighted with my Eco-Exo-R. It is an absolutely great inexpensive kit to build. The frame is solid, well constructed and in my estimation, quite overbuilt ......for safety. It’s like driving a small tank that you can see through. If I were to say it needed anything, it’s to find a manufacturer to start the process of putting kits together. If I’ve only learned one thing about building a kit...... it this: they naturally evolve. In making only 12 kits, the Eco-Exo went from handlebars and a 250cc engine to a highly modified completion with Eddy’s “R” model trike, complete with stereo, custom seat, radiator in the front and a real kick a$$ bonnet design. Then there is mine with a 2008 engine mod and side panels, a molded fiberglass gauge cluster, side frame panel and cooling air scoop. The list goes on, Erik’s build is unique and and reminiscent of the Ducati Monster minimalist design.

What the Eco-Exo needs first and foremost is a manufacturer, to make it available as it is. There are lots of Burgman Scooters out there as donors. The 2007 and up engine mod, is easy, the rest is a routine build. I would say, I have to agree in practice with Stuart, if it is dead, so be it, I also agree with Dave, it would be nice to see some mods on a newly designed model. The kit has great bones to build on, just needs a manufacturer to take on the project. Everything, including people evolve.

Dave’s post didn’t make me laugh, it made me smile, that someone thinks enough of a design to want to see it revived. It is a sturdy vehicle and the 400cc engine sends it all down the road chasing triple digit speeds. Perhaps there isn’t much of a monetary reward in the design phase of this vehicle, but there is something in it to take pride in as the designer. It was done balls on correct. Now you know why I bought a TR1ke kit.

Roger
Worcester, Massachusetts