New member with a question regarding performance upgrades

[Trike4u]

Welcome to TT!


The Milwaukee-Eight is so new that I personally would wait a few years if I was looking to buy new. As already stated there are plenty of new 2016's still out there and many dealers will be motivated to move them.

Good evening, all.

I am a new member on the forum, and new to three wheels, sort of. I say sort of because once upon a time, I did ride three wheel ATVs. Needless to say, those days are long passed. I have never ridden a street-legal trike, however, but intend on entering the realm with the purchase of either a Freewheeler (my preference) or a Tri Glide (wife's preference).

I like the looks and concept of the new 107, but have a couple of good offers from local dealers on '16s. The 103 can be upgraded to perform pretty well, I understand, but when added up the intake, tuner, and exhaust adds a fair amount to the price. While I am not cheap, I prefer to invest in things that are worth the money. With that in mind, how much do I really gain by upgrading the '16? Is there anything wrong or bad with running a 103 bone stock?

My wife will be riding with me, when possible, and together we tip the scales at about 500 pounds.

Rarely will we have luggage with us, however.

Thank you all in advance for any advise or thoughts.

Take care, and have a great night.
Aaron

You can get over $3500 off of a new 2016 but dealer(s) will not sell a 2017 with money off.

Something to think about.<o></o>

[RedOregon]

So I really don't understand this "I HAVE to increase the power" thinking that almost everyone has when they buy a Harley - or any vehicle for that matter. Do you really have to get to 65 mph a second or two faster??? I guess so.

Wait til the first time a semi decides he wants your lane when you're about 2/3 of the way up his trailer and you'll understand!

[UltraV]

Not sure if anyone else has said this, but one big difference to me between the 17's and earlier models the addition of ABS. Never understood why the trikes did not get ABS

[The West Virginian]

As I said, I ride solo (190lbs) with maybe 60~70lbs of luggage. The power is more then adequate for me. I don't know what your combined weight with luggage is, but if you plan on doing a lot of mountainous trips, you might be better off the a little extra. You will have to decide that yourself.

Some riders like more power so they don't have to continuously downshift in the mountains. I like to shift, that's why I bought a motorcycle = it's fun going through the gears.

Our combined weight will be around 500, GARYD, though, once in a blue moon we may have an overnight bag that will come in around 10-15 pounds. As we both work and have wee ones, long, multi-day trips aren't going to happen for a while. Most of the riding will be me solo going to and from work, with occasional jaunts with the wife thrown in.

[The West Virginian]

We have a 2014 with de-catted stock head pipe, stock mufflers, stock A/C, and Nightrider FL-Vied-10 fuel enrichers.
Did the above to get the heat issues under control .... got a little more power and slightly louder exhaust.

We drive conservatively and listen to music.

Combined weight with luggage about 400 pounds.

Never a problem in the hills of PA (including a recent run to the PA Grand Canyon area).

I only need to downshift going up steep hills. Trike runs great. I never lug motor ... it likes RPMs.

36 - 38 mpg pretty consistently unless driving above 65 mph .... and then who cares!

Bob

Thank you much for the numbers, Bob. I think we'll be ok with the 103 stock, at least for a while. We can always do a Stage I, II or III at a later date if power becomes an issue. The power and cooler running temps of the 107 still appeals but I just can't bring myself to pull the trigger on a '17.

- - - Updated - - -

"If there wasn't such a price difference between a '16 and a '17, roadking, I'd probably be all over a '17. I say probably, as I'd still have to battle my worry about a first-year product, and it's tough to beat down habit lol.

The numbers of the 107 look fantastic and the design has me very interested.

The 107 has so many benefits over the 103, but...sigh, I just can't deny my concern over a new product.

Don't get me wrong, I think change is a good thing, but I also think it may be in my mind's best interest to go with the known product for now."

Hey, I said I was drooling but my head says enjoy what you have. I think you would be perfectly satisfied with the 103. I know I would be but being satisfied with the 103 wouldn't stop me from wanting the M8. Heck, mine isn't even a 103. It's a 95 and I'm keeping it. I want the M8, but I ain't getting it. I could, but what I have was perfectly fine for me before I saw the M8 so it's still perfectly fine for me now. I somewhat share your 1st year concerns.

I liked the TC when they first came out, and I was ready for a new bike, but I didn't want 1st year one, so I waited. No matter.

I think you will be happy no matter which way you go or what you do or don't do to it when you get it. You can always make them better, but they aren't bad to begin with.

I've pretty well decided on the 103, roadking, for just the reason you mentioned.

If Les and I were going to be making long, multi-day trips with hours at a time riding, I might feel differently about want versus need for the 107, but I suspect for what we will be doing, the 103 will be more than adequate. Factor in that dealers are willing to deal on the '16s and it becomes almost a no-brainer for me.

- - - Updated - - -

You can get over $3500 off of a new 2016 but dealer(s) will not sell a 2017 with money off. Something to think about.<o></o

Exactly, Trike4u, and that is the primary reason we are going with a '16. My only quandary now is Freewheeler or Tri Glide.



Decisions decisions lol

- - - Updated - - -

Not sure if anyone else has said this, but one big difference to me between the 17's and earlier models the addition of ABS.

Never understood why the trikes did not get ABS

I thought the same, UltraV, but every dealer I have talked to said the HD site is incorrect and that the trikes did not get the new rear suspension or the ABS.

I am befuddled.

[GARYD]

I'm glad the TG doesn't have ABS. I hate ABS and don't want ABS in my autos or bikes. I don't even like the linked brakes I have on my '14 TG. That's just me.

Freewheeler vs TriGlide. Biggest difference is storage capacity. Freewheeler is about 1/6 as much. Don't know the exact percentage, but it is waaaaay to little for me.

Passenger comfort is almost non existent on the Freewheeler compared to the TG.
Plus the radio is an absolute necessity for me.
If you are a bare bones person, the Freewheeler is perfect for you.

Good luck - I guarantee you will love whichever one you get.

[roadking2]

I'm glad the TG doesn't have ABS. I hate ABS and don't want ABS in my autos or bikes. I don't even like the linked brakes I have on my '14 TG. That's just me.

Freewheeler vs TriGlide. Biggest difference is storage capacity. Freewheeler is about 1/6 as much. Don't know the exact percentage, but it is waaaaay to little for me.

Passenger comfort is almost non existent on the Freewheeler compared to the TG.
Plus the radio is an absolute necessity for me.
If you are a bare bones person, the Freewheeler is perfect for you.

Good luck - I guarantee you will love whichever one you get.

Good grief! 1/6 the capacity and comfort non existent? A bit of a exaggeration wouldn't you say?

I totally understand liking your trike, but come on now.

Throw a tour pac on a freewheeler and you haven't got enough more storage on your tri to hold more than a pair of jeans.

[The West Virginian]

I'm glad the TG doesn't have ABS. I hate ABS and don't want ABS in my autos or bikes. I don't even like the linked brakes I have on my '14 TG. That's just me.

Freewheeler vs TriGlide. Biggest difference is storage capacity. Freewheeler is about 1/6 as much. Don't know the exact percentage, but it is waaaaay to little for me.



Passenger comfort is almost non existent on the Freewheeler compared to the TG.
Plus the radio is an absolute necessity for me.
If you are a bare bones person, the Freewheeler is perfect for you.

Good luck - I guarantee you will love whichever one you get.

Thank you much, Gary.

Les prefers the Tri Glide but we've thought about this long and hard and we think - think being the key word - we're better off with the Freewheeler.

You're absolutely right that the Tri Glide offers more storage and more comfort for the passenger, and Les loves them. In a few years, when the wee ones are old enough to be left alone for more than an evening, we'll likely trade up for one.

Right now, though, it's a luxury we don't really need.

We can't get away for too long at a time, plus, the Freewheeler is 150 pounds lighter. While 150 may not sound like much on paper, I suspect it will make a difference when hauling both of us with the 103. Plus, the Freewheeler is more sporty. Makes me feel more manly, especially after I have some Z bar 14" apes and chrome wheels added LOL!

[gerald martin]

I own a 2015 freewheeler. I have been from BC Canada to New Orleans, Sturgis twice, Nashville, and down the Oregon trail. I had a 2010 street glide trike FLHXXX before the freewheeler. The Freewheeler handles better, is much faster and the comfort level is Identical. Both have and had Mustang seats. The suspension on the free and on the tri are identical and with the right luggage the capacity can be made the same