I recently moved from a Can-Am Spyder RT to a 2013 GW/Lehman. While I love the Wing and am happy I made the move, I find the steering to be very sensitive, almost like the front wheel is on ball bearings. I guess this is just something I have to get used to, but thought I'd ask if this is normal? I have only ridden other trikes a mile to two and didn't notice the same tendency.
Steering
- Thread starter MangoMike
- Start date
I had a similar problem I just installed All-Balls steering stem bearings instead of the OEM roller bearings I had and re-torque the bearings to the recommended 30 lbs. I also drained and refilled to fork tubes with new fork oil. Makes a big difference in the solid feeling of the steering. Since your trike is new, you might have or DIY the torque lbs on the steering nut to make sure it's tight enough. From the little I know, I don't believe the steering should be that loose.
Trikes steer very differently than 2 wheelers. 2 wheelers lean and counter steer but the trike is all in the turning. The bigger the rake, the more sensitive it is. You will get used to it quickly. Everyone does
Mike, what air pressure do you have in the front? I tend to run mine about 2 PSI lower than recommended.
I've been running the recommended 36 psi. I've read about people running 40, would 34 help my problem?
The only trike I'm familiar with is the Spyder but I wonder if the different feel might also be related to the front tire. With that motorcycle tire you have a much smaller contact patch than you had on the Spyder. Remember the front tire has a rounded profile versus square. Heck just one of your old Spyder tires had probably twice the contact patch than your GW does.
What tire are you using on the front? If it's stock radial tire that may be your problem. Most of us run a bias ply and keep it at 41 psi. My RS steers easy with this set up but not overly sensitive.
It sounds like whoever installed the rake kit needs to re-torque the steering stem to 32- 35 lbs. Also ask the what degree the rake is.
whne you say rake i am assuming you meant tail....with different rake in the tree the rake certainly can increase without increasing the trail...
that said actually it is just the opposite.... the more trail the harder it is to steer.... thats why we reduce the trail to make for easier steering...
imo i would think you are probably just fine... if the bearings were loose you the front end would probably be shaking especially around 35 mph..
personally i like a very light front end make a big difference at the end of a 4 or 500 mile day
stace
I agree with FRR on this one.If it's a new build and was a good installer,the stem bearings are most likely tourqed properly.
Our trike has 6.5 degree rake and at first was very sensitive to me.Seems like the more miles I put on the more relaxed I would feal and steering didn't seem so sensitive any more,like getting used to power steering on a car when you never had it before.
The Spyder steering is assisted at different speeds and is completely different than your Wing.The Spyder seemed hard to get used to for me do to the feel in steering at different speeds.
The more miles you put on your new Wing the more relaxed you will get and the way it steers will be second nature to you.
Our trike has 6.5 degree rake and at first was very sensitive to me.Seems like the more miles I put on the more relaxed I would feal and steering didn't seem so sensitive any more,like getting used to power steering on a car when you never had it before.
The Spyder steering is assisted at different speeds and is completely different than your Wing.The Spyder seemed hard to get used to for me do to the feel in steering at different speeds.
The more miles you put on your new Wing the more relaxed you will get and the way it steers will be second nature to you.
Comanche
Contributing Member
Wow! 6.5 degree rake angle is a lot. By the time you are contemplating turning the trike it is probably in the next lane. But, since you know the steering is very sensitive, you should move the bars accordingly. I have 5.5 on my trike and after 400 - 500 miles my 74 year old shoulders are bushed.
I have a 6 degree rake on my trike with All Balls bearings, Michelin Pilot Active tire mounted backwards, and Kuryakn Fork braces. The steering is much more precise than the original setup. This is on a Motor Trike but the front end isn't modified by them anyway.
<div class="bbcode_container">
<div class="bbcode_quote">
<div class="quote_container">
<div class="bbcode_quote_container"></div>
<div class="bbcode_postedby">
<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>FRR</strong>
<a href="showthread.php?p=166350#post166350" rel="nofollow"><img class="inlineimg" src="images/buttons/viewpost-right.png" alt="View Post" /></a>
</div>
<div class="message">Trikes steer very differently than 2 wheelers. 2 wheelers lean and counter steer but the trike is all in the turning. The bigger the rake, the more sensitive it is. You will get used to it quickly. Everyone does</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>That's for sure. Just be happy you have the rake, or your trike would steer like a Wal Mart shopping cart.
<div class="bbcode_quote">
<div class="quote_container">
<div class="bbcode_quote_container"></div>
<div class="bbcode_postedby">
<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>FRR</strong>
<a href="showthread.php?p=166350#post166350" rel="nofollow"><img class="inlineimg" src="images/buttons/viewpost-right.png" alt="View Post" /></a>
</div>
<div class="message">Trikes steer very differently than 2 wheelers. 2 wheelers lean and counter steer but the trike is all in the turning. The bigger the rake, the more sensitive it is. You will get used to it quickly. Everyone does</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>That's for sure. Just be happy you have the rake, or your trike would steer like a Wal Mart shopping cart.
<div class="bbcode_container">
<div class="bbcode_quote">
<div class="quote_container">
<div class="bbcode_quote_container"></div>
<div class="bbcode_postedby">
<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>Shimpy</strong>
<a href="showthread.php?p=168971#post168971" rel="nofollow"><img class="inlineimg" src="images/buttons/viewpost-right.png" alt="View Post" /></a>
</div>
<div class="message">That's for sure. Just be happy you have the rake, or your trike would steer like a Wal Mart shopping cart.</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>That may or may not be true.
<div class="bbcode_quote">
<div class="quote_container">
<div class="bbcode_quote_container"></div>
<div class="bbcode_postedby">
<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>Shimpy</strong>
<a href="showthread.php?p=168971#post168971" rel="nofollow"><img class="inlineimg" src="images/buttons/viewpost-right.png" alt="View Post" /></a>
</div>
<div class="message">That's for sure. Just be happy you have the rake, or your trike would steer like a Wal Mart shopping cart.</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>That may or may not be true.
Trike Talk Community
Welcome to a community dedicated to the most diverse and fastest growing powersports segment, Motorcycle Trikes. Come join the discussion about the best makes and models, popular modifications and proven performance hacks, trike touring and travel, maintenance, meetups and more!
Register Already a member? LoginForum statistics
Share this page
