Just a thought on what other folks think sometimes and a perception about trikes

[Bill G]

A guy pulled up when I was test driving our new 2017 Tri Glide at a light on his Road King and said to me in small talk do you really like those things. I said what a trike as I smiled. Then I said very much so, I acutely prefer them over two wheelers my self.

I will start by saying I love riding a trike and with that said there is a perception out there about them that I have seen. Many riders think you must be older or even handicapped in some way to ride one. Also I will add I have ridden two wheeled cycles since I was a kid and a street bike since I could legally do so.

Now for the trike thing and my mindset about it today.

Well for me I started riding a trike in 2015 at the age of 49 years old just shy of 50 when we got our first Freewheeler but had been wanting one since 2009 when Harley first came out with the Tri Glide. For me the bigger Harley touring bikes after my knee surgery when I was 49 years old made two up loaded riding a little painful. But the funny thing is as I said I have wanted a trike since 2009 long before my knee issue. My wife back then being 9 years younger thought we were to young to be on a trike and followed the common mind set out there at the time. Well I wish I had not let that misconception or mind set stop us back then from getting the trike.

Knowing what I know today I would have got a trike long ago long before any knee issues.

For me riding a trike came to me very easy and I had none of the issues you hear about when first learning to ride one, it was as if I had always ridden one.

Trikes are for any age or any person and are very enjoyable in there own way and yes they may not be for everyone.

I am starting to see more and more of them and in time I think the misconceptions I mentioned will fade or tone down out there by the two wheeled community about them. I still get that question every now and then when a bike pulls up next to me and they say do you really like that trike, followed by you seem a little young for that. I smile and say you don't know what your missing and then I say I should have got one years before I did.

Just my two cent's on the subject

Ride Safe All,

Bill G

[consitter]

Definitely not too young. I was 48 when I bought my TG. I bought it to be able to take my special needs child for rides. As a bonus, I was able to get my wife to ride along with me.

I have had two wheelers for most of our 20 year marriage, and she would never ride with me because she felt afraid. Not so with the trike.

The only problems I've had adapting to my trike is pain in my shoulders after a long ride, especially when riding on twisties. Other than that, the transition was easy as pie.

[30glock]

For sure their popularity Is exploding where I see so many on the roads and at events.
I usually get asked the same question, and more often It's asked by riders older then me on 2 wheels, my answer could be snarky as I ask aren't you to old for that bike.

I almost traded my 2016, thinking I was done with 3 wheels, the wife clearly said she would never ride again If I got a 2 wheel, and Instead said to go buy a 2 wheel for my personal riding. The choice was easy since I'd rather have her ride then not.

After some mods and making It my own, I think I'm coming around and am actually enjoying my rides now, for sure a head turner as everyone gives a when you ride past them.

[bronxbill]

I bought my first Triglide in 2011, I just liked the way it looked. I rode it for two years and then traded it for a 2013 Roadglide Ultra; I thought I was done with trikes. Rode the Roadglide for a year and a half and realized that I missed the Triglide. Long story short, I am now back on the Triglide and plan to stay there. I have no physical reason for the trike, I just like it. I have ridden two wheels for over 40 years, so I don't have any need to go back.

[Bill G]

For sure their popularity Is exploding where I see so many on the roads and at events.
I usually get asked the same question, and more often It's asked by riders older then me on 2 wheels, my answer could be snarky as I ask aren't you to old for that bike.

I almost traded my 2016, thinking I was done with 3 wheels, the wife clearly said she would never ride again If I got a 2 wheel, and Instead said to go buy a 2 wheel for my personal riding. The choice was easy since I'd rather have her ride then not.

After some mods and making It my own, I think I'm coming around and am actually enjoying my rides now, for sure a head turner as everyone gives a when you ride past them.

Good point, I have had older riders ask how I like the trike and they have always been kind and interested. My wife now has come completely around and loves the trike and prefers it to the two wheelers as well, she really loves the Tri Glide. She has ridden with me now for 20 years since we met, most of that time on two wheels. She has been a trooper and never complained and has always been a great passenger (she loves Harley Davidsons, the feel the sound and the outfits..Lol). I am also lucky my wife knows how to get on and off a bike she has never scuffed a saddle bag or fender as she is very careful . Yes, I also agree with you on your statement that I would rather ride with her. Also your right about the trikes being a head turner for lots of folks out there.

Ride Safe,
Bill G

[Mykneesbehurtin]

I have been ridding 2 wheels for 45 years until this April,my wife has ridden her own bike since 1986 together we have put down a lot of miles together.She started having issues with her knees about 6 years ago and her riding started to become very limited.I bought my last 2 wheeler in 2012 it was a Road Glide and i was just starting to have knee and hip issues,so instead of making it difficult for me to handle us both she stopped riding all together.In the spring of this year she told me she was getting depressed from sitting home all the time,so for me it was a no brainer.We traded the RG in on a new 16 Tri Glide then in Sept we traded it for a 17 Tri and the difference in my wife is huge, we have put 10,000 miles on the two trikes,she is now happy again.So for me i started on 3 and i will end on 3.

[Fearless]

Some ex-riders now sit at home rather than come to grips with advancing to three wheels. This is sad a great deal of experience and great times is lost to their ego's. I know I have good friends that just will not ride three, it's sad. I plan on riding ole Shiney it they pry my cold dead hands from the bars! God bless all ride safely Fred

[Steve on 3]

Bill ,

I get more comments about age than I did when I rode a so called Geezer GLide, then folks look at the storage and the stability and start to ask questions about the comfort. We talk about traffic jams and traffic lights and sitting with feet up at both. The never believe it when you tell them you can not only keep up in the curves but push them. After riding a few curves with us , they suddenly want to know more about the trike. I could still be on two but prefer 3 because the wife has no hesitation on taking a long trip on 3. She always worried what might happen if I got hurt and we were 10 states away. Now she knows, she can just get up front and drive. She could not pick up my Limited off the kick stand much less with both of us on it but has no trouble riding the TG. That peace of mind and her willingness to ride and bring the backrests with her mean more enjoyment during and after the ride.

Be safe man and keep on triking !

Steve

[Trampas]

Well I have been riding 2 wheelers for over 50 years, still have 2 now, but have been thinking of a triglide for over a year, finally bit the bullet and got one, no regrets, I enjoy it, since I got the triglide haven't rode the 2 wheelers at all, did a complete detail on both of them and put stabil in them and they now reside on jacks all covered up until next year and both are on tenders also.

Few of my friends have called me grandpa, old man, etc etc , but I looked at them and say yes to all of it, I am old and they are younger, told them some day you will be on one to if you want to keep riding. Now I can still handle a 2 wheeler just fine, I just prefer the 3 wheeler is all for now, not giving up the 2 wheelers yet, my best friend of 50 years plus said I wouldnt even take it off the jacks next year, time will tell. Plan on selling the road king and keeping the softail next year. Should have traded the road king in but I didn't, I think I can get more out of it selling than trading.

All for now Trampas

[Bill G]

Bill ,

I get more comments about age than I did when I rode a so called Geezer GLide, then folks look at the storage and the stability and start to ask questions about the comfort. We talk about traffic jams and traffic lights and sitting with feet up at both. The never believe it when you tell them you can not only keep up in the curves but push them. After riding a few curves with us , they suddenly want to know more about the trike. I could still be on two but prefer 3 because the wife has no hesitation on taking a long trip on 3. She always worried what might happen if I got hurt and we were 10 states away. Now she knows, she can just get up front and drive. She could not pick up my Limited off the kick stand much less with both of us on it but has no trouble riding the TG. That peace of mind and her willingness to ride and bring the backrests with her mean more enjoyment during and after the ride.

Be safe man and keep on triking !

Steve

I am with ya all the way on the subject Steve

Ride Safe,

Bill G

[Peter A.]

I totally agree with ALL you fellow riders - been riding now for 50+ years and still have my 2-wheeler, bought
the trike in 2010 just because I LIKE THE LOOKS of them - now as I grow older I ride "3" more and more, but thank goodness I still have the choice!
Wife has her trike and WON'T go back to "2" - we LOVE our Harley trikes!

RIDE SAFE ALL.

[tbear]

[QUOTE=consitter;397333]Definitely not too young. I was 48 when I bought my TG. I bought it to be able to take my special needs child for rides. As a bonus, I was able to get my wife to ride along with me.

I have had two wheelers for most of our 20 year marriage, and she would never ride with me because she felt afraid. Not so with the trike.

The only problems I've had adapting to my trike is pain in my shoulders after a long ride, especially when riding on twisties.

Other than that, the transition was easy as pie.[/QUO+

- - - Updated - - -

Definitely not too young.

I was 48 when I bought my TG. I bought it to be able to take my special needs child for rides. As a bonus, I was able to get my wife to ride along with me.

I have had two wheelers for most of our 20 year marriage, and she would never ride with me because she felt afraid. Not so with the trike.

The only problems I've had adapting to my trike is pain in my shoulders after a long ride, especially when riding on twisties. Other than that, the transition was easy as pie.

a pair of 10" handle bars will fix the shoulder problem. a almost for sure thing.

[56Elwood]

I echo the sentiments of everyone on here too. Back in 2008 or so the wife and I were at Old Orchard Beach in Maine to visit the Traveling Wall when on the way back to our bike two couples pulled in riding Goldwing trikes pulling trailers. That was an eye opener for me to be sure. We were certainly happy with our ride (2007 Ultra Classic with a paintjob similar to OP's) but that certainly stuck in my mind. Last year I had a CVO Softail that just wasn't my kind of bike anymore so I made a deal with a member here and we swapped rides. I have been alternating riding the trike and my two wheel Goldwing and love both. Wife actually prefers the two wheeler (likes the lean) but she is such a natural co-rider that she's adapted to the trike perfectly. I'm not too old for either, for me it's just choosing what to ride depending on the ride at hand. I do prefer the two wheeler for large group rides as it's more nimble than the trike. Basically we love to ride together and have been for 37 years.

[MikeyTX]

Definitely not too young. I was 48 when I bought my TG. I bought it to be able to take my special needs child for rides. As a bonus, I was able to get my wife to ride along with me.

I have had two wheelers for most of our 20 year marriage, and she would never ride with me because she felt afraid. Not so with the trike.

The only problems I've had adapting to my trike is pain in my shoulders after a long ride, especially when riding on twisties. Other than that, the transition was easy as pie.

You might want to add the extended reach bars. The 2" longer pull back will do wonders for your issue. I had the opportunity to sit on a fellow riders tri glide with them. They were perfect.

No more forward lean while riding and I could place both hands on the grips with ease instead of riding with my palms on the ends as I did before if i wanted to sit in a comfortable riding position.

[rhino 2]

Most people that come up to me and ask questions Like the idea of a Trike' And say they wont mind having one. I might add that many of them aren't into Motorcycles so their big turn off is that they would have to get a Motorcycle license first to ride one... And i can understand why that would be a problem...Especially since riding a Trike has very little in common with a Motorcycle.

[Trikesyke]

Most people that come up to me and ask questions Like the idea of a Trike' And say they wont mind having one. I might add that many of them aren't into Motorcycles so their big turn off is that they would have to get a Motorcycle license first to ride one... And i can understand why that would be a problem...Especially since riding a Trike has very little in common with a Motorcycle.

Here in NY, a trike license is different from a 2 wheeler. BUT, you can't ride a 2 wheeler with a 3 wheeler license. However, it is fine the other way.

I have ridden 2 wheels for decades too, and fought the 3 wheel ride. My wife had been saying that she wouldn't ride on 2 anymore so I kept that in the back of my mind.

Last year I decided to take a test ride on a TG. It was very different and took some time to understand it, but it peaked my interest. So, I rented one for a few days. My wife rode along and liked it; so did I. The next step was rent one for a week to a state HOG rally, to get more saddle time.

Liked it a lot.

The final step was a 10 day trip to Tennessee with some local HOG members. I really liked it! I bought that same rental TG instead of a new one, due to finances, although I will be changing out the seat for long distances and then a taller windshield. I might add that I was nervous about the TG on Tail Of The Dragon, but it was a real riot! And there is something to be said about being stuck in traffic for lengthy periods of time and propping my feet up on the top of the lowers. Especially on a down hill road where you don't have to use the clutch, just work the hand brake!

Yes I spent $ on the rentals but it was worth it in the long run. I have talked to people who bought a trike thinking they might like it and it ends up parked in their garage. Certainly they lost more $ than my rental fees!

[Mykneesbehurtin]

Here in NY, a trike license is different from a 2 wheeler. BUT, you can't ride a 2 wheeler with a 3 wheeler license. However, it is fine the other way.

I have ridden 2 wheels for decades too, and fought the 3 wheel ride. My wife had been saying that she wouldn't ride on 2 anymore so I kept that in the back of my mind.

Last year I decided to take a test ride on a TG. It was very different and took some time to understand it, but it peaked my interest. So, I rented one for a few days. My wife rode along and liked it; so did I. The next step was rent one for a week to a state HOG rally, to get more saddle time. Liked it a lot. The final step was a 10 day trip to Tennessee with some local HOG members.

I really liked it!

I bought that same rental TG instead of a new one, due to finances, although I will be changing out the seat for long distances and then a taller windshield. I might add that I was nervous about the TG on Tail Of The Dragon, but it was a real riot! And there is something to be said about being stuck in traffic for lengthy periods of time and propping my feet up on the top of the lowers. Especially on a down hill road where you don't have to use the clutch, just work the hand brake!

Yes I spent $ on the rentals but it was worth it in the long run. I have talked to people who bought a trike thinking they might like it and it ends up parked in their garage. Certainly they lost more $ than my rental fees!

3 years ago the wife and I went to Biketoberfest and the first day there she sprained her ankle so she coudnt get on the Road Glide so we rented a Tri for 3 days and this made me feel very comfortable making the decision to traed this past April.

[rchays57]

I was talking to an older gentleman the other day and told Him I had gotten a trike and we loved it. His response was "Oh, a Harley with training wheels". I'll admit I didn't know how to respond.

[MikeyTX]

I was talking to an older gentleman the other day and told Him I had gotten a trike and we loved it. His response was "Oh, a Harley with training wheels". I'll admit I didn't know how to respond.

Just enlighten said troll it beats sitting on a park bench feeding pigeons as he is !

[Bill G]

I was talking to an older gentleman the other day and told Him I had gotten a trike and we loved it. His response was "Oh, a Harley with training wheels". I'll admit I didn't know how to respond.

I tell them best training wheels I ever had...

Ride Safe,
Bill G