Thinking about a trike - never ridden a motorcycle

[GregNYC]

Hello all,

I don't know why, but can't get the idea of a trike out of my head! I'm heading towards retirement, so I would be able to put a lot of time into it.

Never ridden a motorcycle, but for the last 10 years I've been riding some great recumbent (human-powered) trikes. So I'm very comfortable with the overall 3-wheel geometry, both "delta" and "tadpole" designs.

I'll probably go to a Harley dealer to see a Tri-glide soon.

Here's what I've ridden. Is there hope for me?

--Greg

[GRR]

My wife never rode a motorcycle until she took her class for her license two weeks ago.

We looked at a 2007 sportster with a Frankenstein conversion and bought it for her 3 weeks ago. I showed her how to ride it and she drove it up and down the street a few times, took her safety class and passed with flying colors, and is now a licensed rider.

The license is a motorcycle license, so she had to take the course on 2 wheels. But, they provide small (i.e. 250 cc) bikes for the class.

She is taking it slow with short trips near home, but loves it.

I would say to start slow. Maybe buy something used, instead of jumping on an expensive tri-glide. But if you want to ride it, you certainly can.

[Gorilla]

Welcome aboard Greg. One way to look at it is that you don't have motorcycle habits to break when you learn on a trike. Like not putting your feet down when stopped or leaning to make a turn. Some states have a trike license and a couple don't require a separate license for a trike so you need to find that out first. The HD dealer MAY even have lessons at their location. Good Luck and have fun Trikes are a blast.

[LadyonaMission]

This is fun to ride.



This is a BLAST to ride.

I do think before you buy one you should ride different trikes until you find one that you can't go home without.

[LadyonaMission]

Welcome to Trike Talk from San Antonio, Texas.

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Welcome to the Gang from Western Colorado.

[mwebster]

Welcome from W.V.

[Fearless]

I believe you will take to it like a duck does to water. You really should take a safety class it would possibly save your life or someone else's. Not to be smart just please don't ride faster than your skill set God bless you and enjoy your Harley, I sure love our's. ride safely Fred

[GregNYC]

Thanks everyone. This will be a process, definitely. I'll have to take a few courses, get my license and then go test-riding.

One thing I know from lots of riding is this - I'd like a posture that supports my lumbar area, while also not making me lean forward too much (my lower back won't like that). The 2016 Tri-Glide I sat on would have required longer handlebars and a backrest. I don't mind admitting it!

Anyway, it's going to take some time! Thanks again!

--Greg

[GregNYC]

Another question ... I live in NYC. I think I need a motorcycle license. I can call the schools, but do I have to own a motorcycle in order to do the course and take the test? I'd like to get some degree of skill and a license before I go test-ride. Is that the proper order of things?

--Greg

[Marc H]

Welcome from Tn.

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Another question ... I live in NYC. I think I need a motorcycle license. I can call the schools, but do I have to own a motorcycle in order to do the course and take the test? I'd like to get some degree of skill and a license before I go test-ride. Is that the proper order of things?

--Greg

A lot of the courses provide a small cc bike to take the course. Very light weight and easy to learn on. I know my local Harley dealer provides courses with bikes. All you need to provide is gloves and shoes/boots that cover your ankles. After completion of the course the state (CO) waives the road test, you just take the written and you are licensed.

After that, test ride as many trikes as you can. Go with what speaks to your heart.

Once you get one you like, practice, practice, practice. I recommend an empty parking lot and do figure eights, tighter and tighter circles, and lots of straight line driving. Will get you comfy towards the bike so when you go on the road, you can concentrate on not getting hit by the crazies.

[desertclassic]

Welcome from New Mexico. Jim

[Gone2Three]

Howdy Greg hope you find yourself a nice ride here soon. Take your time and do the research... and those test drives are a must

[Keystone]

to TT Greg!

Follow your dreams. All of us at one point in our lives had never ridden a Motorcycle. I started riding at age 12. My oldest sister on the other hand did not start until she turned 61.

[GregNYC]

Thanks for the warm welcome and the good advice everyone!!

[2006gold]

My wife was not a motorcycle rider either, but thought she wanted to drive one so we purchased her a Can Am RT that had no clutch or shifter to eliminate all the hand, foot, throttle co-ordination needed for most motorcycles. After a bit she decided she'd much rather be a passenger - go figure. Anyway, you might want to look into one as it would most likely be the easiest one for a novice.

[GregNYC]

I have a logistics question about kits. Let's say after my test-riding, I discovered that I'd like a Honda kit. How does one proceed? There aren't any dealers that sell new Goldwings and install kits too, right? How does one go about it? Get the kit and the bike to a third-party mechanic? (Maybe this should go into the newbie-questions thread?)

[Gorilla]

I have a logistics question about kits. Let's say after my test-riding, I discovered that I'd like a Honda kit. How does one proceed? There aren't any dealers that sell new Goldwings and install kits too, right? How does one go about it? Get the kit and the bike to a third-party mechanic? (Maybe this should go into the newbie-questions thread?)

Greg yes there are Honda Dealers that also do conversions of their product. There is the used market and the new market. Just start looking around talk to trikers that you come across and get an idea what you like. Remember everyone usually likes best what they got. That being said there are several conversions companies for peoples different tastes. Ask questions we will answer the best we can.

[1dn5up]

Lola, we will nickname ya Aunti-M

Welcome Greg, NYC is not Trike friendly, need to get out of the jungle to appreciate one.