Trikes
With a wheelbase of 97.5” and a wide track of 78.5” there’s plenty of room for two to enjoy the thrills of racecar handling with throaty acceleration from the 1250cc V-Rod engine being snicked through its five speeds by a floor-mounted shifter that goes back and forth to select gears. The frame is made from 1.5” tubular steel with triangulated sidewalls and a front crash zone. The A-arm front suspension is controlled by Progressive Suspension coil-overs that are standard H-D length so anything goes if you want another suspension choice. The swingarm is unique to this vehicle and has a single gas-charged adjustable shock controlling wheel movement.
Modernly handsome five-spoke billet wheels are shod with 205/45ZRx17” performance rubber up front for a big footprint while a wide 295/35ZR tire on an 18” wheel out back transfers power to the ground. The cross-drilled rotors with four-piston calipers all round stop with a vengeance that’ll make you glad you’re wearing the three-point seat belts provided.
Powering this unit is Harley’s well-built but underused V-Rod engine. “The V-Rod engine was reliable, powerful, and bulletproof. It’s a Harley-Davidson so it can be worked on at any Harley dealer. With 125hp, it’s enough for nine out of ten people, but with aftermarket turbos, superchargers, and all the performance components available, it can be easily upgraded to the user’s need,” said David. The stock fuel-injection breathes through a Top Fuel dragster-style scoop just behind your head, so ear plugs might be a good investment. Cooling is via a large car radiator mounted in front of the engine and behind the seat bulkhead. Screamin’ Eagle dresser pipes are standard so you can change to other dresser-style pipes and still keep the symmetry of these exposed dual exhausts. Also taken into account was the lack of a reverse gear with the stock tranny and they provide a mechanical reverse gear with an offset pulley.
Cirbin took the time to analyze exactly what was more than acceptable for use in stock form to avoid having a customer wait for one-off replacement parts if at all possible. For instance, that custom-looking rear pulley is a re-machined stocker that incorporates the H-D cush-drive in the rear wheel so replacement rubbers are just a local dealership away. Final drive is stock V-Rod so if ever a replacement belt is needed, just go to your local H-D dealer and order. “We don’t want people to have to wait to fix a broken headlight because it’s a specific item. All the parts are basically stock OEM Harley-Davidson,” said David.
Clothing a trike is not easy to do attractively and this is where the V13 R shines with an aggressive yet flowing bodystyle that it wears like a form-fitting fiberglass tux. It’s got a look that makes you want to immediately jump into the two-tone leather-like (remember there’s no wet-weather protection) bucket seat with adjustable headrest and discover the fun of cornering G-forces as well as acceleration. Twin 1.75” rollbars are there in case you somehow do the unthinkable. The fully-instrumented electronic dash supplies all the info you’ll need with the space to add a sound system if you somehow get bored. May I suggest that supercharger instead?
The V13R is available in a trio of colors: Inferno Red, Brilliant Black, and Bright Silver, with a starting price of $39,995. “The proof is in the pudding. You need to feel what it’s like driving 5” from the ground and seeing the cornering performance,” said David. I gotta agree on that one, it’s a three-wheel driving experience you’ll never forget.
This bike feature originally appeared in Barnett’s Magazine issue #63, August 2008.
| SPECIFICATIONS | |
|---|---|
| Year/Make: | 2008 Cirbin V13R |
| Manufacturer: | Cirbin Inc.Delson, Quebec Canada |
| Frame: | 1.5″ tubular steel |
| Wheelbase/ Track: | 97.5″/78.5″ |
| Suspension: | Front-A-arms /Progressive suspension, Rear-Proprietary Swingarm w/single gas-charged adjustable shock |
| Body: | Laminated fiberglass body panels with barrier gelcoat |
| Wheels and tires: | Billet w/205/45ZR17 F – 295/35ZR18 R |
| Brakes: | Dual master cylinder 4-piston calipers/ cross-drilled rotors w/handbrake |
| Engine: | 1250cc Harley-Davidson V-Rod crate engine |
| Induction: | H-D stock fuel injection |
| Pipes: | Cirbin/ Screamin’ Eagle |
| Cooling system: | Car-style radiator |
| Transmission: | 5-speed V-Rod w/mechanical reverse |
| Final drive: | Stock H-D belt |
| Fuel tank: | 7.5 gallons |
| Instruments: | In-dash cluster of speedo, odo and trip meter, tach, engine warning lights, and fuel gauge. |
| Seats: | Waterproof two-tone adjustable buckets w/headrests and three-point belts. Grab bar and footrests for easy in-and-out. |
| Steering wheel: | General Motors |
| Lighting: | DOT approved |
| Colors: | Black, red, and silver. Roll bars, sub frame, swingarm, and A-arms come in chrome with black or red and black powdercoated with silver. |
| Storage: Standard: | Waterproof hood area and glove compartment |
| Optional: | Removable, lockable rear sidebags. |
| Starting MSRP: | $39,995 |
| Information: | www.cirbin.com, 800-985-4364 |