using clutch on 90 degree turns

[krazybob]

I've been riding two wheels for over 55 years, and just bought my first trike last summer. (Voyager kit) One thing that just doesn't feel right to me, is making a 90 degree left turn from a stop sign. I'm doing the push and pull thing, plus slowly letting out on the clutch. Just doesn't feel right I guess maybe, I should be pushing harder with my right hand, and letting my left relax a bit ? I also noticed, that with the added weight of the trike kit, that I seem to have to slip the clutch when taking off too. Slipping the clutch I feel is going to come back and haunt me later down the road, with clutch repairs. Yes ? I plan on a long trip this coming summer, which is going to include lots of twisties, and I'm wondering if this 73 year old fart ( I'm in great shape for my age BTW ) is going to out last the twisties Any insight to my questions will be appreciated

[Gold Rush]

Hey Bob,

I'm a few years behind you but the twisties hasn't seemed to slow me down any. If anything I may be pushing a bit harder now. That being said.... There is nothing that says we have to keep up with the kids. I ride as fast or slow as I want. I'm planning on riding this '06 GL1800 for lots of years and if that means not beating it quite as hard then I'll make that choice when the time comes...

BTW -- we had a gentleman in our small informal riding group that finally gave it up in favor of he new bride at age 91. He lived a couple more years but still hung with the "Kids"

Ride Safe!!!!!!!!!!!

[Nana]

Bob, with your Voyager kit, you almost certainly do not have a rake kit. That means your steering is definitely heavier and more difficult than most of us have. The rake is NOT recommended for yours, because your kit is removable. But with the traditional trike kits, the rake is frequently added as the effect is to give us power steering. Perhaps others with no rake kit can chime in to give you suggestions that would ease your steering issues.

[maestro319]

Hey Nana, I think I've heard this before but, WHY is a rake kit NOT recommended for a Voyager trike? Is it because IF it was sold at a future time or the kit removed it would cause problems as a two-wheeler?
I don't EVER plan on removing the kit from my '86 Goldwing so would it still be a concern?

[kwakasix3]

A rake kit gives the effect of making steering much lighter on a trike or sidecar outfit. Turning the trike or sidecar back to a solo bike and leaving the rake as it was is a deadly deal. Ever pushed a shopping trolley with wabbily wheels ? It feels very similar. With the weight and speed involved on a bike, a bad idea.

I now have a trike with a leading link front end. Same effect as a rake kit, different application. I have had sidecar outfits with and without leading link front ends and the change of rake makes a huge difference.
I have used extra wide handlebars with standard front ends. That gives you greater mechanical advantage to help with steering. That may not suit the look of the bike and you have to lengthen all the cables and wire to suit.

If you are going to keep the trike as a trike only go for a rake kit but never be tempted to see how it goes solo.

In OZ leading link front ends seem to be the most popular set up for trikes and sidecars. Maybe because they are very sturdy to cope with the many very ordinary bits of road about.

[TNTriker]

I've been riding two wheels for over 55 years, and just bought my first trike last summer. (Voyager kit) One thing that just doesn't feel right to me, is making a 90 degree left turn from a stop sign. I'm doing the push and pull thing, plus slowly letting out on the clutch. Just doesn't feel right I guess maybe, I should be pushing harder with my right hand, and letting my left relax a bit ? I also noticed, that with the added weight of the trike kit, that I seem to have to slip the clutch when taking off too. Slipping the clutch I feel is going to come back and haunt me later down the road, with clutch repairs. Yes ? I plan on a long trip this coming summer, which is going to include lots of twisties, and I'm wondering if this 73 year old fart ( I'm in great shape for my age BTW ) is going to out last the twisties Any insight to my questions will be appreciated

I had that same problem when I first started riding the trike. I quickly learned, that as soon as I rolled on the throttle, you don't have to have much speed for the next gear, I released the clutch, so I could make my turn. By the time you are through your turn, you will be ready for your next gear. I hope I explained that correctly. As far as the twisties, just gear down one or two gears, depending on your speed, and when you are at the apex, just like two wheels, roll on the throttle. I don't use the break much in the twisties and believe me, I ride the twisties!

[motorcyclemania]

I've been riding two wheels for over 55 years, and just bought my first trike last summer. (Voyager kit) One thing that just doesn't feel right to me, is making a 90 degree left turn from a stop sign. I'm doing the push and pull thing, plus slowly letting out on the clutch. Just doesn't feel right I guess maybe, I should be pushing harder with my right hand, and letting my left relax a bit ? I also noticed, that with the added weight of the trike kit, that I seem to have to slip the clutch when taking off too. Slipping the clutch I feel is going to come back and haunt me later down the road, with clutch repairs. Yes ? I plan on a long trip this coming summer, which is going to include lots of twisties, and I'm wondering if this 73 year old fart ( I'm in great shape for my age BTW ) is going to out last the twisties Any insight to my questions will be appreciated

I have the same problem with mine to try and turn and shift at the same time is very hard. With the electric shift on the handle bars. I have to turn pull the clutch in and push the button to shift up is very hard. Hope to get better I only been riding now for two months.

[Ironhorsepilot]

I just ride through the sharp turn in first, or whatever low gear you are in. Shift as soon as the turn starts to straighten out. From a stop, you should be in first. Clutch in, take off, switch gears after the turn. From a slow down, just roll through in low gear, switch when through turning. No need to keep clutch pulled in. I would try to do that and switch to higher gear also, when I was first starting. Very awkward.

[TNTriker]

I just ride through the sharp turn in first, or whatever low gear you are in. Shift as soon as the turn starts to straighten out. From a stop, you should be in first. Clutch in, take off, switch gears after the turn. From a slow down, just roll through in low gear, switch when through turning. No need to keep clutch pulled in. I would try to do that and switch to higher gear also, when I was first starting. Very awkward.

Joan, that is what I was trying to say, but didn't make it as clear as you! It does make it much eaiser, that way you have both hands firmly on the handlebars and don't have to try to work the clutch while needing that strength. I would think it's a little harder for us gals, since most of us don't have that strength in our hands the men do.

[Ironhorsepilot]

Joan, that is what I was trying to say, but didn't make it as clear as you! It does make it much eaiser, that way you have both hands firmly on the handlebars and don't have to try to work the clutch while needing that strength. I would think it's a little harder for us gals, since most of us don't have that strength in our hands the men do.

Oh heck, girl. You said the exact same thing that I said. I was just being a woman and making sure that a man with much more years of riding then we have, understands how to do it.

[skuuter]

"Rake Kit".....in Trike Version, it's practically a must. Once the Trike starts moving, come on off the clutch. The faster the Trike is rolling, the easier the steering effort becomes. Even when taking off from a dead stop, then going left or right: Look as far down the road as possible....it will steer easier.

Wanna' test this, find a parking lot on a "non-traffic" Sunday mornin'.....pull out as Your turning left looking directly in front of You...make mental note. Do it again, lookin' as far up the highway as possible while makin' the turn...make mental note....It will have taken much less effort, because the Trike goes where Your eyes are lookin'....."Brain" instead of "Brawn" is drivin'......the Brain does a much better job.....

[thomocon]

2 things. Bigger handle bars would give you more leverage ... Are you bogging into the corners?

[krazybob]

2 things. Bigger handle bars would give you more leverage ... Are you bogging into the corners?

My handlebars are 35" wide, and I have 4-1 risers. Don't bog the corners, but power through, just like I've always done on my two wheels

[TNTriker]

"Rake Kit".....in Trike Version, it's practically a must. Once the Trike starts moving, come on off the clutch. The faster the Trike is rolling, the easier the steering effort becomes. Even when taking off from a dead stop, then going left or right: Look as far down the road as possible....it will steer easier.

Wanna' test this, find a parking lot on a "non-traffic" Sunday mornin'.....pull out as Your turning left looking directly in front of You...make mental note. Do it again, lookin' as far up the highway as possible while makin' the turn...make mental note....It will have taken much less effort, because the Trike goes where Your eyes are lookin'....."Brain" instead of "Brawn" is drivin'......the Brain does a much better job.....

Skuuter, I also use this when riding the twisties. I guess it comes from riding two wheels, but it does make a difference. I tried just looking right in front of me and it was harder in the turns. I didn't mention it because after riding two for 55 years, just guessed it would be a normal habit for him. Glad you thought of this.

[rmrc51]

I just ride through the sharp turn in first, or whatever low gear you are in. Shift as soon as the turn starts to straighten out. From a stop, you should be in first. Clutch in, take off, switch gears after the turn. From a slow down, just roll through in low gear, switch when through turning. No need to keep clutch pulled in. I would try to do that and switch to higher gear also, when I was first starting. Very awkward.

+1. That's the same thing I do.