Well Bob (and any others),,, THAT was the original intention and goal. I am actually very glad you asked this question. This is an excellent place to speak once and be heard infinitly now and evermore. So, here goes.
HMS began design and fab on the HRT-Hannigan Reverse Trike in 2006. The Prototype was completed in early 2007 and began rigorous and thorough testing. During this time, numerous spring changes and slight tweaks to the A-Arm/H-Arm front end were implemented and tried. Also, the rear was "stretched" at various lengths once the optimal front config was determined. After 2+ years of this ongoing process and investment of a ton of effort and resources, it was evident that it would/could never be as good as Dave required in order to offer it to all the public. The unit posessed some characteristics that were somewhat unpredictable in aggressive situations that would require greater than average skills and experience to react and adapt to. Without going into a voluminous exhortation, that pretty much says it all.
When HMS set out to create this HRT, the goals were simple, non-negotiable/steadfast, and as follows:
1. Create a conversion for the GL1800 that would give the current and future riding public 3-Point safety and stability they both needed and/or wanted.
2. Do so at a turn-key Price-Point of $8000 or less to appeal to and be affordable to a larger demographic than was currently being served by conventional rear trikes.
3. Be as capable, stable, reliable, safe, operational, and non-experience demanding as current conventional trikes for the same or larger segment of the population.
That being the Mission Statement coupled with the refusal to accept anything less than attainment of ALL 3, Hannigan could not do anything other than abandon the project. They accomplished #1 with no issue, #2 was close (maybe close enough?) but,,, #3 was not possible without busting #2 all to pieces thus rendering it an abject failure regardless of the other 2 goals being met. Doubt and argue, if you should unwisely choose, the Standards and Character of Hannigan (both Company and Dave & Ruth Anne personally) but I assure you they are impeccable and unquestionable as evidenced by this historical reference. The vast majority of Manufacturers would have never even included #3 in the Mission Goals and if they did would have ignored it and gone forward with the project without blinking an eye. The HRT would have been a HUGE success financially and equally rivaled if not out-sold the Can-Am (It WOULD have-EASILY***). However, Profit, although obviously "A" goal of any Company, is not "THE" goal with them or THEIR Company.
Obviously true and accurate or there would be a plethera of these running around over the past 5+ years of production.
The ONLY way to have ethically gone ahead with the HRT would have been to Pick-N-Choose the prospective Owner/Operators based on their individual experience and abilities requiring a waiver more tedious and ironclad than Tom Cruise's next Pre-Nup. Again, not acceptable to Hannigan as such completely violates the original intention as well as standards of ethics. It's also way too flawed judgementally and to do so would have been discriminatory and ostracized good people and clients and ultimately ineffectual.
Before anybody gets started on the comparisms to the Can-Am dynamically and operationally.... Don't. The comparism CANNOT intelligibly be made due to such a huge difference at their cores. Snowmobile/Sled VS. GL1800. Not apples to oranges-more like Mars to Venus. Plus the Can-Am is loaded with electronics and "drive-by-wire" assemblies and systems which without, it would be a brutal unforgiving machine (not meant to be taken as a bashing of the BRP at all in any way shape or form.
They are nifty and tons of fun for many who own and greatly cherish them).
That brings us to the Quad...
In 2007 during the Testing & Tweaking phase of the early HRT, HMS had the idea "Wonder what would happen if we mated the HRT and the Trike together?"... Well, they tried it and the rest is history. When the HRT front was mated with the Trike rear, all the issues experienced with attempting to satisfy #3 above were easily and successfully overcome. Likewise, if 3 points are good 4 points are better so #1 was covered as well. The Quad was all of those and more. Of course, #2 couldn't be met by any means therefore: Only 19 have been produced since the total Quad conversion runs between 23 & 26 G's. However, due to it's shear size and naturally polarizing appeal and attributes, #2 doesn't apply in the first place. Also, in this day and age where $40K-$50K 2-wheel bikes aren't out of the question and do indeed sell, still a viable product to certain segments of the motoring public.
There you have it. The History of the HRT Project and the Tale of the Quad all in one.
P.s.
There will be NO sequel or prequel.
Any further questions about the HRT: Keep them to yourselves!
Any further questions or interest in the Quad: Call Hannigan ThumbUp
P.p.s.*** Within the segment of those who would actually consider both fairly prior to making an informed and educated buying decision.