Whos Faster ? GL1800 or GL1800 Trikes ?

[Motogordo]

Sept. 28,2012

I get a kick out of all the people who talk about other bikes keeping up with them on the twisties. When I had the standard GL1800 I always slowed down on curves since I was scared that I might lean too much and the bike would fall. Now I drive the 2005 GL1800 Lehman Trike and still don't zoom around corners. I feel very safe on 3 wheels but I still want to live a few more years without my body being broken in various parts. LOL. I just enjoy the ride and don't care about speed. I just like smooth, quiet and comfortable with lots of BLING. LOL. I won't ride with some of my friends because they like to go way over the speed limits and scrape their pegs.

Not me.

I like to enjoy the ride and don't care if it takes a little longer to get there in ONE PIECE.

Motogordo

P.S.

That is why they make Ninja Crotch Rockets for those who like to live on the edge.

When I watch those riders go in and out of traffic, I feel that shortly they will be a hood ornament on someone's car or truck... I will leave that speed for the young and young at heart. I am young at heart but not CRAZY with a death wish.....

[Motogordo]

Sept. 28,2012

I get a kick out of all the people who talk about other bikes keeping up with them on the twisties. When I had the standard GL1800 I always slowed down on curves since I was scared that I might lean too much and the bike would fall. Now I drive the 2005 GL1800 Lehman Trike and still don't zoom around corners. I feel very safe on 3 wheels but I still want to live a few more years without my body being broken in various parts. LOL. I just enjoy the ride and don't care about speed. I just like smooth, quiet and comfortable with lots of BLING. LOL. I won't ride with some of my friends because they like to go way over the speed limits and scrape their pegs.

Not me.

I like to enjoy the ride and don't care if it takes a little longer to get there in ONE PIECE.

Motogordo

P.S.

That is why they make Ninja Crotch Rockets for those who like to live on the edge.

When I watch those riders go in and out of traffic, I feel that shortly they will be a hood ornament on someone's car or truck... I will leave that speed for the young and young at heart. I am young at heart but not CRAZY with a death wish....

Later today:

I just realized that it is NOT the bike it's the driver that determines the speed and handling. LOL

[rmrc51]

Sept. 28,2012

I feel very safe on 3 wheels but I still want to live a few more years without my body being broken in various parts. LOL. I just enjoy the ride and don't care about speed. I just like smooth, quiet and comfortable with lots of BLING. LOL. I won't ride with some of my friends because they like to go way over the speed limits and scrape their pegs. Not me. I like to enjoy the ride and don't care if it takes a little longer to get there in ONE PIECE.

Motogordo

I couldn't agree with you more!

[americanbadass]

Amen to that MG! Over the years I have been amazed a few times, and pi$$ed a bunch of times at our fellow "crotchrocketeers"! We are surrounded by canyons, many of which have hairpin curves, and challenging twisties. We can be riding in pack of 15-20 bikes-double yellow lines- and they are weaving thru us at 60 or 70 mph, on a posted 30 mph road. About 5 years ago one of these clowns, missed a curve while pulling this type of stunt. Very sad day-they had to pluck his remains out by helicopter (600 foot rocky ledge drop off)!!

[rhino 2]

I would think that the main reason most people buy Trikes is because they don't want to scrape pegs . Thems days are over for me.

[Ol' Grey]

Didn't mean to give the wrong impression in other threads about trikes, bikes and twisties........was only speaking from the point of view of different designs, different handling characteristics and different steering techniques. I'm done with that trike vs. bike subject, LOL!

That being said, I'm in total agreement with you about simply enjoying the ride, each to their own. I usually do the speed limit (can't afford the $peeding ticket$ ) but on a safe, long stretch of good road, will definitely twist the wick to blow out the carbs (and the stress.....hehehe). I also don't run the twisties hard, altho' I know some folks who do. When riding with them and we hit the twisties, I just let 'em go for it and I continue riding my own ride.

Was following one guy at my own pace and he was running the twisties the way he enjoys. These were mainly "blind twisties" (roads cut thru mountains where the mountain blocks the view from around the up-coming tight curve) Me doing the speed limit and him blasting out of sight around the next curve. As I rounded that curve, there he was DIRECTLY behind a trailer truck that was barely going 10 mph!

I was able to safely slow down, but I'm sure my bud nearly soiled himself trying not to ram the dang truck.........As you've said and I agree: His life, his choice, not mine.........

Ride Safe

[cscsonny]

Starting to agree with the above commnets more and more.On two recent 100+ rides with a group of mixed 2-wheelers and trikes,trying to keep up,was really starting to feel the extra "work" in my upper "older"arms and shoulders.I guess as we get a little older,hard riding the twisties isn't as much fun as taking in the scenery around us.
Another situation is that my co-rider (wife) of nearly 200,000 miles of riding on mostly 2-wheelers,is not enjoying the hard fast riding twisties and has problems with staying in the seat now without holding onto the grab handles wich she did not have to do when the bike was a 2-wheeler and we would lean into curves.She says this is not comfortable for her.
We have always rode as a team and I think our solution will be slowing a little more,letting others hard ride their ride and be able to enjoy our ride more.

[Rosy]

I say, enjoy the ride and don't force people around you to ride the way you like. If you like to go fast, go to the head of the line and speed. If you want to ride slow and enjoy the view, great, but give room to those who want to go faster. Make sure you know where everybody is going before hand so if you get left behind, you can find the way there. If it is a slow ride on "parade mode", keep pace and close enough as not to let cages in.

Make it a point as to have sevaral places along the route where you stop and regroup, that way everybody can meet & greet along the way no matter how fast you go.

Enjoy the ride, that's the beauty of motorcycling!

Regards,

Rosy

From NH

[Lucky]

Just a thought folks.Never out ride your ability or comfort level.Sometimes if you look those people that are going faster will give you a chance to help them back up.RIDE SAFE

[hisst]

I love the sensation of speed when I get in the twisties I jack my suspension to the max for maximun fun............. an try to get the front wheel to slide a little in the corners..than I am havin fun ...............an my 12 Roadsmith will only go 114..gps 114 for top end..............little slower than a standard gw............hisst

[hbrogan57]

Personally, I got mine for a number of reasons. ONE, my doctor told me that if I wanted to ride it would have to be on three wheels. TWO, I enjoy just cruising. And, THREE, the company that tried to screw me over for three years got to eat some MAJOR crow.....

I have seen many, MANY crotch rockets doing the zipping thing around here. Unfortunately, recently there has been a few accidents locally involving them. Most recently a young man was heading westbound well in excess of 100mph when he clipped a jeep. That one shut the interstate here for about six hours. Some of the posts from people that were stuck in the traffic said that the emergency personnel were "picking up body parts". Surely a very bad way to go.

It does NOT bother me to watch people go hauling past me. I know that I will not be receiving a ticket nor will I ((hopefully)) be involved in a speed related accident, unless it's caused by someone else.

I ride because.......well, I digress to an old saying.......If I have to explain, you wouldn't understand.....

[rmrc51]

All I have to say regarding this topic is, for myself I ride to relax and enjoy the experience. To me,, that means riding "AT" the posted speed limit, or maybe 5 mph over depending on traffic conditions. It's safer, relaxing and I also have the peace of mind that I'm not going to get pulled over for a speeding a ticket. Life, especially at this age is way too short to go rushing around for any reason. Why tempt fate!

[hbrogan57]

In my area, the posted speed limit on the interstate is 60. I travel at that or slightly above most of the time. I get passed like I am not even moving. People around here have little, if any, respect for the speed limit. And, unfortunately, enforcement of the laws is slim to none 99% of the time.

All I have to say regarding this topic is, for myself I ride to relax and enjoy the experience. To me,, that means riding "AT" the posted speed limit, or maybe 5 mph over depending on traffic conditions. It's safer, relaxing and I also have the peace of mind that I'm not going to get pulled over for a speeding a ticket. Life, especially at this age is way too short to go rushing around for any reason. Why tempt fate!

[skuuter]

GOOD RULE OF THUMB: NEVER ride above Your COMFORT Level...!!! Not Everyone knows Their True ABILITY Level, and most Riders/Trikers never push Themselves to this point to find it. If nervousness, or stress enters Your mind at the pace You are riding, back it down until You feel relaxed and are enjoying Your Ride. Never assume that all Riders that pass You and ride out of sight are above Their Comfort or Ability Levels...some are not. I also have a Firm Belief that Group Rides should be led at a pace that is Comfortable for the most Inexperienced Rider(s) in the Group.I would rather have my Best Riders in the Group Bored than even One Inexperienced Rider stressed.....Just Enjoy Your Ride and remain Comfy.....pepper

[hbrogan57]

Most certainly VERY good points. If only everyone rode in this manner. I find that is I get above 75 I am no longer riding in the relaxed zone. Hence the reason I spend most of my time, on the highway anyway, at 60-65.

If other riders want to pass then they are free to do so.

If I am on a group ride I do make it clear that, since I am usually in the tail-gunner position, I will not race down the highway.

GOOD RULE OF THUMB: NEVER ride above Your COMFORT Level...!!! Not Everyone knows Their True ABILITY Level, and most Riders/Trikers never push Themselves to this point to find it. If nervousness, or stress enters Your mind at the pace You are riding, back it down until You feel relaxed and are enjoying Your Ride. Never assume that all Riders that pass You and ride out of sight are above Their Comfort or Ability Levels...some are not. I also have a Firm Belief that Group Rides should be led at a pace that is Comfortable for the most Inexperienced Rider(s) in the Group.I would rather have my Best Riders in the Group Bored than even One Inexperienced Rider stressed.....Just Enjoy Your Ride and remain Comfy.....pepper

[Konrad]

I'm a pleasure-rider - why else have a bike? And for me "pleasure" translates to a comfortable and safe ride. I set the cruise control at the speed limit, knowing that I'm actually doing 3 mph less that the actual speed limit and I never worry about a speeding ticket and enjoy the scenary. People pass me on the left and that's just fine with me. I'm not in competition with anyone and with the reserves of power inherent in the GL1800 I have nothing to prove. If a crotch rocket passes me I give a wave to his rear-view mirror and wish him a safe journey. And I smile at all those guys bent over in the saddle like jockeys and know that someday, if they live long enough, they will grow up. Hopefully.

[bob22u]

Still riding my 02 CSC, love it

[Chazzman]

I am really enjoying my new trike, I always rode the twisties hard on two wheels, even on my 05 GL 1800. The main reason that I went to a trike is that at the age of 58 I was sill pulsing the limits hard; then I had a Revelation of sort, lol, After 42 years it's time to quit while your ahead. Rode 100+ miles after church today with my wife and dog, never went over 55mph. and it was really nice.

I must admit, nothing like 200+ mph on a ZX 14 but will never have those desires again.

[hbrogan57]

The "desire" will always be there. It's common sense that tells you not to.....

I must admit, nothing like 200+ mph on a ZX 14 but will never have those desires again.

[Hutch]

Doesn't matter!! Just FYI, enjoyed riding in Groups but have slowly removed ourselves from them and basically now ride alone; my Navigator (my Wife) and I. And have to admit much more enjoyable to us both!! With that being said we totaled our HD last Sep; a distracted driver T-Boned us. Spent 146 days on crutches; NOT fun. Slow and steady is good and as a rule, Wins-The-Race.

Hutch (Maine)