Roundabouts are a little scary

[Southpaw]

I've only been on my trike twice now, and I must say, Roundabouts are a little nervewracking for me. Although I love my trike, that feeling of "wig-wag" is still new in general, and going around those roundabouts (and we have LOTS of them where we live) are a little scary at this point. Today I went out and did a few of them and being in 2nd gear (like on my two wheeler) feels best. Turning the handlebars while going around that constant circle, I need to use my muscle even though I've had Easy Steer put in. I guess I just need to get used to it. I still feel like I'm going to tip over! And how long till I get used to that different side to side sensation while riding? It's different than when I rode on two wheels. It's still loads more fun on three wheels. And I must say, highway riding is very enjoyable too.

 

[Gorilla]

just keep working on it. it takes 400 to 500 miles of riding just to get comfortable. your doing fine

 

[Stephen]

It's been about two years and I can still scare myself . But then I could do that on two wheels too. I've said WAAAAAAAAAA! way more than once. :laugh:

 

[Ozarkryder]

There are a few posts about turning in the Experienced Riders thread.
http://www.triketalk.com/forum/general-discussion-5/experienced-trike-riders-please-post-here-242/

Some of the advice is to use both arms and push/pull to point the trike where you want to go. A backrest helps, as you can push against the rest at take some on the effort off your back. Leanig into a turn doesn't work like on a 2 wheeler, but it can make the forces on your body feel less like you are sliding to the outside of the turn. Then you can always slow down. This may irritate some behind you, but it's best to ride in a way that you feel safe, not how others would have you ride.

 

[The Wolf]

Where I live...There are 12 roundabouts within a 3 mile radius. They can be very scary if diesel is on them and if the camber is steep then beware of riding them in the wet.ThumbUp

 

[Southpaw]

Ozarkryder, I do have a backrest, and I will use your suggestion!

 

[adaptolife]

Wow! That would be scary! My trike ride like a 2 wheeler on the roundabouts thanks to Ghost Wheels.

 

[rmrc51]

I have a few roundabouts in my area as well. I almost always take them in 2nd gear. That is unless there's a real slowpolk in front of me where I have to get in 1st gear. I've nick named these drivers, "The Driving Dead"! :laugh:

 

[bayoudave]

Roundabouts, what the heck is a roundabout, oh you mean a circle. Heck, here in Louisiana by the time they get the circle built around the swamps it's like a mile and a half road with four curves in it. It's really no different than any other road.:GL1800:

 

[leo3wheel]

Using lower gear and slowing down definitely helps on roundabouts. Leaning my body to the inside of the curves makes me feel more secure. Also, are you sure your trike is set up properly? Our trike was mushy in the front and would lean out on curves. Replaced the OEM front tire with a rear tire reverse mounted; raised the tire pressure to 40 psi; and stiffened up the front shocks. You may also have adjustments to stiffen up the rear suspension. When negotiating curves, pick the best line and pitch of the road. You will certainly get more confident with time. Happy triking!

 

[hdruss]

Try doing Roundabouts while riding on the other side of the road!! I went to Australia & New Zealand in 01 and we're still talking about how scary it was at first. It didn't take us long to adapt though.

 

[Southpaw]

Roundabouts on the other side??? I'm getting dizzy thinking about it!! Today we put on almost 200 miles. And yes, did some roundabouts. It's getting easier. Gas milage wasn't bad either, about 40.5 per gallon. I used to get close to 50 on two wheels.

 

[John Luciano]

We call them a Rotary.... Where 4 or more roads meet the put an island in the middle .you enter on one side and go around the island in a circle unti you get to the road you want to enter. Old fashion way to do an intersection without a traffic light.

 

[427dave]

Roundabouts on the other side??? I'm getting dizzy thinking about it!! Today we put on almost 200 miles. And yes, did some roundabouts. It's getting easier. Gas milage wasn't bad either, about 40.5 per gallon. I used to get close to 50 on two wheels.

Green Bay seems to just keep building roundabouts. We live in Lakewood in the summer so we get to Green bay quite often. We live in The Villages in the winter and they have a lot of roundabouts. Just keep practicing. I also have a back rest and lean into the turns using both arms, one pulling and the other pushing.

We are on our way back to Florida now are are in Helen Georgia for a few days. Want to go ride the Tail of the Dragon while we are here. That should wear out the ole arms pushing and pulling. We have the trike on a trailer and will unload it tomorrow.

 

[Southpaw]

Enjoy Florida, and take it easy on the Dragon!

 

[Shimpy]

Lots of 2 lane round-a-bouts or traffic circles here and my main problem is watching out for other drivers turning off the circle from the inside lane or continueing around on the outside lane. Best to not keep along side of anyone. I do lean as the more lean you do the more unlikely the trike will tip since you are putting weight on the inside of the turn. Try when you have the circle to yourself go as fast as you usually do, then give it a little more throttle. Next time just a little more to help yourself be comfortable as to what the trike can get away with.

 

[easymoney]

my trike is a bit different. i built it myself from a suzuki front fork, a volkswagen frame, a front wheel drive car motor and transaxle. it rides like a dream. i put a sway bar on it and it does not lean in the turns at all. i have a roll bar behind the seat with an aluminum automobile type racing seat and 4 point racing harness.
i could not believe the speedometer was right until i used my gps to confirm my speed. it did not feel that i was going as fast as my speedometer was indicating. it runs so quiet that the only sound i hear at speed is the wind from the windshield.
most of you will laugh when i tell that the engine and transmission i used was a 1300cc engine from a yugo. someone commented that i must have been going for reliability with that choice. i was using what i had laying around. i plan on riding all winter as long as it is not raining or snowing.
living on a retirement check i can not buy a high dollar trike so i build my own with what i have in my junk pile.