Do you think Trikes are Safer than Bikes?

[Mattel]

One of the reasons I purchased my Trike was because I thought it was safer than a two wheeled bike. What do you think? Do you think the Stallion is safer than a regular trike? What do you think is the safest trike and why?<img src="images/smilies/confused.gif" border="0" alt="" title="huh??" class="inlineimg" />

[John Luciano]

I don't think the Stallion is much safer than a Motorcycle trike. Trikes are safer. , Better brakes because of the rear tire surface area and most have 2 rear brakes some disk. slow moving and bad road surfaces ( SAND, Steel bridges , Groved highways to name a few) makes it more stable. MHO of course.

[Mattel]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>John Luciano</strong>
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<div class="message">I don't think the Stallion is much safer than a Motorcycle trike. Trikes are safer. , Better brakes because of the rear tire surface area and most have 2 rear brakes some disk. slow moving and bad road surfaces ( SAND, Steel bridges , Groved highways to name a few) makes it more stable. MHO of course.</div>

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John,<br />
Have you ever rode a stallion? Lower center of gravity, wider tires, able to take sharp turns at high speeds witout tipping?

[Big Dog]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>Mattel</strong>
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<div class="message">John,<br />
Have you ever rode a stallion? Lower center of gravity, wider tires, able to take sharp turns at high speeds witout tipping?</div>

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</div>I agree with Mattel, even the people who teach the trike course in Florida agree.:yes:

[Ozarkryder]

I ride both a trike and a 2 wheeler about equal miles a year. Trikes are, IMNSHO safer, mostly for the reasons John noted. Also things like not tipping over if you forget to put your feet down at a stop, (seen even graybeards do this) nore stable on the "gravel" roads, (around here there are a few with rocks as big as your fist) and I've never seen anyone get off a trike and have it fall over due to forgetting the kickstand was up, or taking off while it is down. I have seen both many times, even done one of them. (I'm not telling which one)

[Okie]

I agree that the trike is safer for all the above reasons. I've only gone almost 2,000 miles on mine but I feel they are a lot safer. We still have sand on our streets here from the winter weather and the rains have washed it back on the roads and now I don't have to worry about it as much as on a bike.
Now I even feel they are safer on the curves because of rough surfaces and sand and gravel. 1500 miles ago I don't know if I felt that way but I do now.
I have yet to ride a stallion but I understand they are very stable.
Okie
Tulsa, Ok.

[Chuck]

I agree with the reasons mentioned above that trikes are safer, but another couple reasons that I think trikes are safer:

1) visibility and presence on the road. People see trikes sooner than they see motorcycles.

2) speed and agility on the road. This may be more personal than general, but I've noticed my behavior when driving a motorcycle is a bit riskier than when I'm on the trike. I pass more often and at greater speeds, move through traffic more quickly, find and take open spaces more quickly, etc.

[John Luciano]

I have tried to raise a wheel off the ground and have yet to succeed. I have actually squealed my rear tires on a corner. If it tips over anything would.<br />
I know someone that tipped over a T bird. <br />
The Stallion is maybe a little more safe as you legs are protected and you are more in a seated position .<br />
Honey sleeps on the back of mine on long trips.<br />
HAS anyone made there trike go up on 2 wheels? I would be interested in knowing this.

[Trikerjim]

OK, here's my :2cents:
For the reasons already stated here, I agree that the trike is safer. And no John, I have not been able to get up on 2 yet either. I can normally stay with or "push" 2 wheelers on the twisties without much problem. The other way of looking at this question is if you are involved in an accident, and IMHO no matter which one you're riding, the outcome is not going to be good..

[Mr.Wizard]

+1 for a trike being more safe if you can categorize and define safe. Also think the Stallion has it's advantages over a standard trike and visa verse.<br /><br />
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Before my conversion I was able to get my Ultra on the back wheel pretty easy and even when hitting a hard second gear it would come up a bit or burn the back tire doing so. Don't get the wrong impression. I'm not a hot rod by any means but I do want to know what I can expect if I need to get out of the way so to speak.<br /><br />
<br /><br />
Although more difficult to do, my trike will raise the front wheel off the ground a little and will fully extend the forks when hitting a hard second gear shift. Wheel spinning is not my cup-o-tea. Being familiar with the trike's abilities is. Now for those who are thinking of trying this please remember that my motor and drive train is not stock. Even my drive belt is beefed up so please be careful.<br /><br />
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In a big empty parking lot I have tried to corner as fast as I can for practice and confidence. Not once did a rear wheel lift that I could tell but the stock front tire would start to push through a corner and straighten out my ability to turn the trike. While practicing panic stops I did notice that a trike is about as agile as a sports car when locking up the back tires and counterstearing out of a slide.<br />
<br />
It was very impressive.

Will get my front tire changed to a bias soon.

[Juju]

I don't yet have enough experience to judge about absolute safety of a trike over a bike, but I know that I FEEL safer on my trike than I did on my bike. In the month I've owned my trike, I've put almost 1500 miles on it, whereas in the 2 1/2 years I had my two-wheeled bike, I only put a total of about 2500 miles on it in all that time. I KNOW the difference is a consequence of my feeling safer on my trike.

[Gorilla]

Light the front up and because it is broader it is more visible, there for safer. Ted

[adventurer]

I agree with all of you for the reasons already stated. That is also the reason I went to a trike. I also believe the safest thing that you can have going for you on a trike is a sensable and safe rider. If you are in a group and feel uncomfortable with the speed you are going don't try to keep up, ride your own ride. I was in a group of trikes last week, I was on my Stallion and all the other trikes were conversion trikes. The trike in front of me lifted a wheel and came to a stop on its side. My Stallion didn't, was it safer, I don't think so. The gentleman that went down was very inexperenced and he and his wife both went to the hospital. Thank goodness they were released that night just very sore and with a few stitches.<br />
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I guess what I am saying is all trikes can be safe and all trikes can be dangerous.

[Gorilla]

Additional comment. You still have to drive like they do not see ya.

[adventurer]

I agree with all of you for the reasons already stated. That is also the reason I went to a trike. I also believe the safest thing that you can have going for you on a trike is a sensable and safe rider. If you are in a group and feel uncomfortable with the speed you are going don't try to keep up, ride your own ride. I was in a group of trikes last week, I was on my Stallion and all the other trikes were conversion trikes. The trike in front of me lifted a wheel and came to a stop on its side. My Stallion didn't, was it safer, I don't think so. The gentleman that went down was very inexperenced and he and his wife both went to the hospital. Thank goodness they were released that night just very sore and with a few stitches.<br />
<br />
I guess what I am saying is all trikes can be safe and all trikes can be dangerous.<br />
<br />
Please, make your trike one of the safe ones.

[Nana]

Well said, adventurer! Knowing your own, and your vehicle's, limits is first! Works for any vehicle from bicycle on up to a truck, I think! I've got to think that the inherent stability of a trike has to be safer than two wheels in so many circumstances, though.

[Ironhorsepilot]

I don't know what the statistics are for trike safety, but I will say that I feel a lot safer on my trike then I did 2 wheels . I think if the rider has more confidence then that would make it safer IMHO. A fearful rider is never a safe one.

[saybel]

When riding the trike, Pat is usually riding with me, so I ride conservatively. Although, I have cornered at 70 MPH, with the tires squealing and never raised a tire. I also know my insurance company thinks trikes are safer. They told me that even though the trike is worth more, and statistics show trikes will be rode more miles than two wheelers, they are safer, and therefore my insurance premiums went down. :yes:

[ben721364]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>John Luciano</strong>
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<div class="message">I don't think the Stallion is much safer than a Motorcycle trike. Trikes are safer. , Better brakes because of the rear tire surface area and most have 2 rear brakes some disk. slow moving and bad road surfaces ( SAND, Steel bridges , Groved highways to name a few) makes it more stable. MHO of course.</div>

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</div>Weight transfer requires the front brake(s) to provide 70% to 80% of braking on a bike, a conventional trike, a reverse trike, a car or a 2 axle truck. Theoretically at least, a reverse trike will have greater stopping power than a conventional 1f/2r trike, all things equal, because of more front tire surface and larger, more powerful front brakes.

[Angelbymyside]

I must add my :2cents: to this question!! Last June, had I been riding 2 wheels, I can guarantee you that I would not be alive today!! When the pickup truck and my trike collided, (I was going about 55-60 mph), had there only been two wheels, I would have laid the bike down, slid it under the truck and it would have buried me in the concrete barrier. This truck had been rear-ended by a car, lost control, spun around twice and slammed into me. My beautiful purple 1800 Goldwing rode up the truck's drivers-side door, did a flip, turned me loose and gave herself up for me, (she hit the barrier). I ended up with a broke left arm, bruises and road rash. My purple baby was totaled, but I believe with all my heart that the Lord, his Angel, and three wheels saved my life. <b>Three Wheels?</b> -- <b>It's the only way to ride</b>!!