4. "Superior handling" is going to be a major challenge with quad parts, and a skinny 19" front wheel/tire package. I'm using only the quad spindles and hubs. My a-arms are fabbed heim-jointed CrMo. I'm also using Wilwood brakes, custom wheels, scooter tires, buggy steering, air assisted shocks from a CB900 Honda motorcycle, and a custom snowmobile-based anti-roll bar.
I was with you all the way until you said "scooter tires"... Is your vehicle a tilting vehicle? Sounds like it is not. Scooter tires on a non-tilting vehicle are going to have VERY poor traction and handling.... All of your high quality suspension & braking components benefits will be nullified by scooter tires (IMHO)...
Yes, I think about this. My vehicle is not a tilting design. There are a few things to say:
1. I can always buy 10" car tires if the fattest scooter tires don't work out. If I can't tune my way into something acceptable, I'll punt and buy two Yokohama A008s, but...
2. I actually want the front end to push (understeer) relatively early. I'm using a rear wheel that probably can't take much side loading, so if the vehicle doesn't develop much in the way of lateral g forces before it pushes, that's probably better for me.
3. This isn't a roundy-round racer or even a sports machine. Its a super-efficiency runabout. Lateral forces are entirely avoidable, and I'm the only pilot it will have.
4. The scooter tires are going to be
much lighter and more efficient than any car or trailer tire, and they are better matched to my GVW.
5. I'm going to have full adjustability of the caster, camber, toe, ackerman, spring, damping and anti-roll settings. By the time I'm through fooling around with all that, I will really know whether the scooter tires are workable or not.
Still, I hear you, Eric, but I'm still willing to try it...