Quadro Qooder 2018 test: the 4th dimension !
The Quadro Qooder – formerly Quadro4 – has four wheels and a handlebar, but it is not a quad. It tilts in curves and is driven with the B license (car), but it is not really a scooter … Improved for 2018, this funny machine mixes genres for the benefit of astonishing sensations ! Test.
Test Quadro Qooder 2018 – Page 1: the more wheels, the more we laugh ?
Since our, Quadro would have sold "about 1500 copies" in France, first country ahead of Germany for this manufacturer of Italian origin based in Vacallo (Switzerland). Hitherto called Quadro4, it became Qooder in 2018 and introduced developments aimed at better meeting the needs of its users..
- MNC of April 4, 2018 : The Quadro4 4-wheel scooter becomes Qooder and becomes electrified
Faced with this imposing machine (2.20 m long and 80 cm wide on the handlebars!), MNC wonders: who exactly is the clientele targeted by this "scooter" with tilting 4-wheels? Three-wheeler, it was not already enough to guarantee stability beyond criticism ?
"The Qooder is aimed primarily at motorists, and not at traditional scooterists as is the case with 3-wheel scooters", replies Alain Bourdoncle, General Manager of Quadro France. "The challenge is to win over some of the 33 million French motorists, which represents enormous potential compared to the 100,000 users of multi-wheel scooters".
Presented in this way, this economic model offers a glimpse of tantalizing prospects. Provided, beforehand, to interest and convince the intended target … Another implicit objective: to differentiate itself from the steamroller, historical market leader far ahead of, and Quadro QV3. Because, yes, Quadro also produces a 3-wheel scooter !
The Qooder takes some muscle
The main change made to the Qooder concerns its engine, whose displacement goes from 346 to 398.8 cc to improve its performance (). The single cylinder assembled in Taiwan by Aeon now develops 32.5 hp and 38.5 Nm, a modest gain of 1.5 hp and 3.7 Nm compared to the previous one (31 hp and 34.8 Nm).
You might as well say it right away: the Qooder still lacks mechanical vigor, even if its revivals are gaining in tone. But that’s not really a surprise, with less than 35 hp to propel 281 kg fully loaded! Advantage: the distribution of power will not frighten the most fearful of motorists. Disadvantage: the 44.2 hp will turn it around !
Not very sharp at start-up, the thrust does not have the necessary nervousness to be sure to extricate itself at the head of the traffic at each red light: in addition to the mass to be moved, the valiant 400 cc must also overcome the resistance to friction exerted by the 14-inch 4-wheeler. However, its efficiency increases from 30 km / h, to offer correct reactivity up to the legal 80 km / h.
This smooth acceleration is nevertheless sufficient to fulfill "utilitarian" functions in and outside urban areas. With patience and a long straight line, hitting a small 140 km / h counter is even possible. Some will nevertheless judge its respondent disappointing in view of its price of 10,990 euros! Same observation concerning its any sound.
In addition, the engine heats up quickly in traffic jams and delivers vibrations under the buttocks. Features common to single-cylinder engine scooters that can however be improved. Not sure that this tempts a motorist, usually isolated from any inconvenience in the cozy cocoon of his cabin…
On the other hand, we appreciate the quality of its injection revised for 2018, soft and precise. The connection is free of jerks with the rear wheels which are each driven by a toothed belt. The drive stall when gas is released is also finely managed. So many advantages that all types of drivers will appreciate !
Confusing sensations
The Qooder also introduces a new two-stage saddle embellished with white stitching. The lower back is pleasantly maintained by the backrest located between the pilot and the passenger, which benefits from large grab handles. The handlebars, well designed, exert no constraints and fall well in the hands.
The general comfort is correct, but could be improved thanks to more thickness of the saddle and especially space for the lower limbs: impossible to place its feet obliquely to lengthen its legs in "cruising" position, as on a maxi-scooter. A shame compared to the size of the Qooder !
Another unexpected disappointment: the low carrying capacity of the trunk under the passenger seat, limited to a full face helmet and some small business. And to think that a "simple" two-wheeled scooter as can accommodate two helmets … Motorists as scooters risk ticking in front of this characteristic induced by the double rear transmission.
With its wide and high saddle (780 mm), the Qooder reveals limited accessibility for drivers under 1.75 m, in difficulty to put both feet on the ground. Restrictive ? Yes and no … It is indeed a limiting factor for moving it when stationary, especially in the absence of reverse gear, which is far from superfluous: beware of parking on a slight slope !
On the other hand, putting your feet on the ground to ensure your balance is unnecessary since the Quadro is freestanding when stationary. This is also the main advantage of a multi-wheeler over a "classic" two-wheeler, de facto more exposed to falls. With its four points of support on the ground, the Qooder undoubtedly exudes a reassuring effect. !
Two methods are possible to lock its oleopneumatic device HTS (Hydraulic tilting system), on which the inclination of the wheels up to 45 ° is based: either from a red lever on the left of the apron (impractical), or by pressing the lever. left brake that activates the compulsory coupled braking on class L5e tricycles to which the Qooder belongs.
When the front-to-rear braking is firmly engaged when stationary, the hydraulic pressure sent into the HTS cleverly "freezes" the tilt of the vehicle. This manual locking offers the advantage of mechanical simplicity over the competitor MP3’s "Roll-Lock" electronic control. A guarantee of lightness and probable reliability.
On the other hand, the HTS can only be locked when it comes to a complete stop, while the Piaggio system operates up to 10 km / h. In other words: impossible to block the inclination of the Qooder to let yourself be carried towards a red light at very low speed, as Piaggio tripods can do..
Also, locking the Qooder in an upright position via braking requires a bit of practice and some coordination. The 4-wheeler must in particular be placed as straight as possible before locking the HTS, otherwise when restarting the scooter will tend to start from the side where it is leaning.
This – logical – phenomenon is particularly noticeable between lines of cars, where it requires counteracting the effect of the list on restart to avoid scratching a door! The thing is complicated when the road presents a "convex" profile, which tends to naturally tilt the Quadro … Over the 40 km of our short test (mainly in town), MNC spent a significant part of his time taming this gymnastics.
What about unlocking the system? Very simple: all you have to do is accelerate and gradually release the brakes for the HTS jacks to regain their freedom of action. The Qooder can tilt again, and therefore turn! Two or three restarts are enough to take the fold.
Stable, but not lively
Thanks to its 4-wheeler, the Qooder offers imperial stability whatever the profile of the road. Bumpy roundabouts, cobbled streets, a ring road strewn with potholes: the Quadro plays with all these difficulties with a serenity that a two-wheeler cannot claim..
Its ability to take an angle on bumpy surfaces is remarkable, to the obvious benefit of safety and confidence. In this, it perfectly fulfills its vocation of reassuring motorists distressed by the risk of falls. Still, a three-wheeler already offers stability rarely compromised…
Furthermore, the behavior of the Qooder when entering a curve is not particularly natural because the HTS device exerts a significant restraint. This resistance makes it necessary to accentuate the counter-steering: the Quadro is driven exclusively with the arms, without accompanying the inclination with the chest as on a 2 or 3-wheeler..
"It is your experience as a biker that disrupts your bearings: it is not necessary to bend over", confirms a Quadro technician. "The grip is also more obvious for a motorist who has no experience of motorcycles or scooters." Possible … as long as it has never been on a bike either !
Because the Qooder is totally different from a two or three-wheeler: you have to "force" it to lie down, while a motorcycle or a tripod only asks to tilt. In return, the machine is literally placed on the angle: its trajectory is not affected by the grip of the brakes or a passage over bumps. It is even possible to let go of the handlebars at the maximum angle !
If this characteristic indeed returns a strong feeling of security, the fact remains that this heaviness of direction proves to be tiring in traffic jams. Going from one angle to another in traffic jams requires a certain tone, in addition to a good perception of its imposing dimensions.
Despite its correct turning radius, the Qooder does not actually go everywhere: its mirrors – rather effective – collide with those of the cars, while its length makes you think twice before undertaking a "gymkhana" change of lane. at the Red light.
Also be careful not to turn too short during tight maneuvers, at the risk of exposing its double rear axle to a collision with a curb. As with a car … except that even an entry-level city car has power steering, which is more obvious than that of the Qooder…
Verdict: 4-wheeler better than three ?
The Qooder is a confusing vehicle, whose astonishing capacities are expressed more on the secondary network than in the city center. Its stability beyond criticism is fully savored in the successions of turns, swallowed drum beating without worrying about the state of the surface or the weather conditions.
Driving then takes on another dimension – the 4th ?! -, within which inclination is no longer perceived as a risk factor. This feeling is reinforced by the power of its combined braking which can be operated from the left lever or the pedal on the right, moreover more accessible than on an MP3.
However, MNC has some reservations about the ambitious large-scale distribution goals that Quadro hopes. On the one hand, because the particular reactions of the Qooder will not necessarily be to the liking of motorists, accustomed if there is to a simplified driving to the extreme on modern cars.
On the other hand, the lack of practicality will work against it with the same target: its small chest and its limited protection to the bust and bottom of the helmet are clearly disappointing given its size! Hand guards and a reverse gear would also be very helpful.
In addition, its finish is not particularly up to its fairly high price of 10,990 euros, especially with regard to its fairly basic instrumentation and devoid of handlebar controls, or the very "plastoc" hatches of its voids. otherwise non-lockable pockets.
Fortunately, its price is down almost 1,500 euros compared to the first 2015 model, launched at 12,490 €! This repositioning – which will please the first buyers … – is carried by the general manager of Quadro France, Alain Bourdoncle, who ensures "to do everything possible to ensure that this price remains final".
Finally, even if Quadro denies aiming at the same target, the inevitable comparison with the MP3 clearly turns to the advantage of the Piaggio: the MP3 500 is not only better motorized (+12 hp and + 9 Nm of torque) and more handy, but also significantly cheaper (800 euros less).
The Qooder is therefore aimed at users looking for a different "muti-wheel", both reassuring and fun. In the end, the same niche occupied with some success by three-wheelers, also accessible with a "B" license, but much more efficient and sophisticated..
- All the details of our Quadro Qooder Test with our photos captioned in .
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