Honda Gyro

The Honda Gyro is a family of small, three-wheeled, single-occupant vehicles sold primarily in Japan, and often used for delivery or express service. These vehicles are tilting three-wheelers. They combine a tricycle's stopped & low-speed stability with a leaning main-body for stability while turning at speed. They resemble a scooter with a small hinged rear pod containing the engine and two drive wheels. This particular variation was developed and patented by George Wallis of G.L.Wallis & Son in Surbiton, Surrey in 1966. It was first marketed in the failed BSA Ariel 3 of 1970, then licensed to Honda.[1][2][3][4] Honda has built seven vehicles with this configuration. The first Stream was introduced in 1981, followed closely by three other personal transport versions, the Joy, Just, and Road Fox. All were short-lived, but the cargo-oriented Gyro line begun in 1982 found a ready market, with all three variants still in production in 2015.[5][6][7][8] It is notable that these vehicles were all powered by a 49 cc 2-stroke engine, while Honda has a long history of producing 49 cc 4-stroke mopeds and light motorbikes. It is possible these vehicles operate within a limited engine-size license class in Japan, forcing Honda to choose a 2-stroke engine to provide enough power for these relatively heavy small vehicles. However, in March 2008 Two-stroke engines of Gyro X and Gyro Canopy were changed to Four-stroke engine, and the production of Gyro Up was discontinued. Contents [hide] 1 Gyro variants 1.1 Honda Gyro X 1.2 Honda Gyro UP 1.3 Honda Gyro Canopy 2 Related vehicles 2.1 Honda Stream 2.1.1 Honda Joy 2.1.2 Honda Just 2.1.3 Honda Road Fox 3 References 4 External links Gyro variants[edit] Honda Gyro X[edit] Honda Gyro X Honda Gyro X Manufacturer Honda Motor Company Also called NJ50, BB-TD01 Production 1982–present Engine TA01E 49 cc air-cooled 2-stroke Power 4.6 hp @ 7,500 rpm Torque 0.45 kg/m @ 7,000 rpm Transmission Continuously Variable Transmission Tires 3.50-10 41J, 130/90-6 53J Wheelbase 1.205 m Dimensions L: 1.7 m W: 0.640 m H: 1.030 m <1.405 m> Seat height 0.735 m Weight 95 kg <93 kg> (dry) 100 kg <98 kg> (wet) Fuel capacity 5.0 l Fuel consumption 44.6 km/l @ 30 km/h <45.5 km/l @ 30 km/h> Turning radius 1.7 m This first Gyro was introduced in October 1982. It has front and rear tie-down racks, small low-pressure tires combined with a limited slip differential for good performance on slick surfaces like snow and mud, and a "one push" parking brake. 135,226 were sold by May 2002.[9][10] It is intended as an inexpensive vehicle. Honda's suggested retail price for the basic Gyro X in 2008 is ¥252,000, making it comparable with the simple 49cc Honda Zoomer scooter at ¥236,250.[11][12] Honda's early marketing contains the Engrish acronym Great Your Recreation Original.[13] Honda Gyro UP[edit] Honda Gyro UP Honda Gyro UP with accessory roof and box Manufacturer Honda Motor Company Also called TB50, BB-TA01 Production 1985 - 2008 Engine TA01E 49 cc air-cooled 2-stroke Power 5.0 hp @ 6,500 rpm Torque 0.57 kg/m @ 6,000 rpm Transmission Continuously Variable Transmission Tires 3.50-10 41J, 130/90-6 53J Wheelbase 1.240 m Dimensions L: 1.760 m W: 0.685 m H: 1.010 m Seat height 0.755 m Weight 105 kg (dry) 110 kg (wet) Fuel consumption 46.0 km/l @ 30 km/h Turning radius 1.8 m The Gyro UP was introduced in October 1985. It differs from the Gyro X by replacing the front and rear tie-down racks with a single heavy-duty baggage platform fixed directly to the rear engine pod, giving the appearance of a scooter pick-up truck. This platform has a rubber-mat loading area of 450 mm × 570mm that is rated for 30 kg. Honda claims it is sized for a 20 bottle beer crate, a container that is roughly similar to the plastic milk crate common in other countries. [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] The standard Gyro UP does not come with the roof-type fairing or box shown in the accompanying photograph. This fairing is an aftermarket modification by the company MRD. Honda Gyro Canopy[edit] Honda Gyro Canopy Honda Gyro Canopy delivery vehicle Manufacturer Honda Motor Company Also called TC50, BB-TA02 Production 1990 - current Engine TA01E 49 cc air-cooled 4-stroke Power 4.6 hp @ 7.500 rpm Torque 0.45 kg/m @ 7,000 rpm Transmission Continuously Variable Transmission Tires 4.00-12 65J, 130/90-6 53J Wheelbase 1.410 m Dimensions L: 1.895 m W: 0.650 m H: 1.690 m Seat height 0.700 m Weight 129 kg (dry) 136 kg (wet) Fuel consumption 41.9 km/l @ 30 km/h Turning radius 2.0 m The Gyro Canopy was introduced in December 1990. It is distinguished by a roof-type fairing and a rear cargo box that is attached to the tilting main-body. The front tire and brake are also enlarged to deal with this model's increased weight and slightly higher cargo platform. The 62 l cargo box is rated for 30 kg. By May 2002 62,600 Gyro Canopies had been sold. [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] Related vehicles[edit] Honda Stream[edit] Honda Stream Manufacturer Honda Motor Company Also called NV50, TB07 Production 1981-1983 Engine 49 cc air-cooled 2-stroke Power 3.8 hp @ 6,500 rpm Torque 0.46 kg-m @ 5,500 rpm Transmission Continuously Variable Transmission Tires 8-3.00-2PR Wheelbase 1.210 m Dimensions L: 1.665 m W: 0.570 m H: 0.970 m Seat height .658 m Weight 74 kg (dry) 79 kg (wet) Fuel capacity 4 l Fuel consumption 74 km/l @ 30 km/h Turning radius 1.7 m The Stream was introduced in November 1981. It is the first of Honda's tilting three-wheelers, and has the primary features of the type. It is a scooter-like single occupant vehicle with an automatic transmission and a "one push" parking brake. It has a small hinged rear pod containing the 49 cc 2-stroke engine and two drive wheels powered through a limited slip differential. The Stream was styled and priced as a luxury personal scooter. Honda's suggest retail price in 1981 was ¥198,000, compared to ¥114,000 for a 49cc Super Cub. Unlike the Cub, the Stream can only carry one rider and has no baggage rack. Its only cargo capacity is a small forward compartment rated for 5 kg, and a glovebox rated for 2 kg. It was discontinued in 1984. [25] [26] [27] Honda Joy[edit] Honda Joy Manufacturer Honda Motor Company Also called NM50 Production 1983-1984 Engine TB08E 49 cc air-cooled 2-stroke Power 3.7 hp @ 6,000 rpm Torque 0.47 kg-m @ 5,000 rpm Weight 46 kg (dry) The Joy was introduced in April 1983. It was a considerably less expensive vehicle than the Stream, being priced at only ¥99,800. It a personal transport vehicle, with only a small bicycle-style front basket and an equally small rear rack. The cargo-oriented Gyro X of the same year was twice as heavy and priced at ¥189,000. The Joy was discontinued in 1984. [28] [29] Honda Just[edit] Honda Just Manufacturer Honda Motor Company Also called NN50, A-TB09 Production 1983 Engine TB08E 49 cc air-cooled 2-stroke Power 3.7 hp @ 6,0000 rpm Torque 0.47 kg-m @ 5,000 rpm Transmission 2-speed automatic transmission Tires 2.75-10-2PR/3.00-8-2PR Dimensions L: 1.520 m W: 0.620 m H: 0.945 m Weight 53 kg (dry) 57 kg (wet) Fuel capacity 3.2 l Fuel consumption 80.0 km/l @ 30 km/h Turning radius 1.5 m The Just was introduced in May 1983. It is largely the same vehicle as its Joy stablemate. It has slightly more styling, and was priced at ¥129,000. Instead of a bicycle-style front basket, it has a glove-box behind the legshield. It was discontinued before 1984. [30] Honda Road Fox[edit] Honda Road Fox Honda Road Fox Manufacturer Honda Motor Company Also called TG50, A-TB10 Production 1984 Engine TB08E 49 cc air-cooled 2-stroke Power 4.0 hp @ 6,000 rpm Torque 0.49 kg-m @ 5,500 rpm Transmission 2-speed automatic transmission Tires 3.00-8-2PR/4.50-6-2PR Dimensions L: 1.595 m W: 0.605 m H: 0.915 m Weight 59 kg (dry) 63 kg (wet) Fuel capacity 3.7 l Fuel consumption