Millions of air cooled Volkswagons exist throughout the civilised world, even America. To this day, they still build the "Beetle" in Mexico and Bazil.

VW (Dak Dak or Chaff Cutter) components can be used to construct desert racers, dune buggys, home built aircraft and I have even seen a 1200cc engine squeezed into the modified frame of an old BMW-R series motorcycle.

After a serious car accident, Johann Kastner needed a project to keep him busy, so he built a trike utilising a VW engine and gearbox. Years later, Johann and business partner/engineer Josef Furrer, have taken that early idea and created a company that produces the Oz Trike. They build a new custom chassis into which a new VW engine and fully rebuilt gearbox are installed.

I met Johann at the recent Motorcycle Show, and he invited me to come to West Gosford to sample their extraordinary trike. After some instruction on the controls of the Oz Trike, Johann let me lose on the road and that’s where my fun began. It has a hand grip throttle, foot operated clutch and brake, bike blinkers and instruments, handbrake on your lower right-hand side while the four position (plus reverse) "H" pattern gear shift is on your lower left-hand side. It took a little time to come to terms with this bike/sports car hybrid where you ride/drive along attracting lots of attention and having the fun centre of your brain going ballistic.

The first round-a-bout had me trying to lean, and, laughing hysterically at my efforts to make the turn in a competent fashion. My favourite pillion was just as amused as I was, commenting later "it’s like being on a roller coaster, without the safety harness".

The blinker tell tale light could be higher and brighter, and the mirrors only vibrate in unison with the trike so you have good clear rear vision. Test trike seating was very comfortable but we tended to slide a little during hard cornering and, my pillion had some trouble climbing aboard. Pillion vision is superb and unobscured so is perfect for seeing all the scenery during a journey.

The 1916cc "flat" four cylinder engine produces 49kW and offers good performance all the way through the rev range. Top speed is approximately 160kph and can be reached fairly quickly, essential for safe overtaking. The trike is very stable, comfortable and steers easily.

I wanted to keep grabbing for a front hand brake, (motorcycle habit) however this’d be a bad thing seeing as most of the vehicle mass is to the rear and that’s where the majority of the braking should come from. The brakes (twin caliper disk rear & 4 piston single caliper disk front) have been carefully designed to give maximum performance without the added weight of boosters or such. The large rear is also something you need to keep in mind when negotiating traffic, from the front you feel like you’re on a bike but behind you is something the width of a car.

VW mechanicals are easy to maintain, extremely reliable and there are countless go faster goodies available. Unladen trike mass is around 439kg which keeps the package very economical fuel wise. $21,490 will get you a basic trike if you have your own engine/gearbox, but, with a very desirable list of extras, the price can rise to $35,000 or more. All you need is a car license or bike license and you’re away. Don’t take my word for it, hire it and judge for yourself.

Test trike courtesy of Oz Trikes, West Gosford, phone 02 43248377.

May your lid never skid....iparks@hunterlink.net.au....www.users.hunterlink.net.au/~mbbidp