First gear sucks

[Wylo761]

Have had the trike only 400 miles and am concerned about the ratio of first gear not geared low enough for an easy start - especially uphill with passenger. Am using too much clutch and will surely shorten the clutch life. For that reason I bought 5 years warranty.

Anyone else having this problem?

This is my first trike but have had several Harleys.

William

 

[Gorilla]

William, Need a little more info please. What Year Harley? What model? 6 speed or 5 speed transmission? What motor? Everything stock? You should not be having any problems normally unless if this was a kit build and a sprocket was changed to the wrong tooth count or something like that. Give us more info and there are some experts here that can help. Ted

 

[Mr.Wizard]

Smaller tires!!

OK, just kidding

Ted is right.. more info is needed then open your pocket book and hang on for a great ride.

 

[Wylo761]

Sorry - it is a 2009 Harley Triglide - Thought I was on a triglide forum.
Wylo

 

[Gorilla]

No we are a trike forum that covers all trikes not just Tri-Glides (TG). <br />
<br />
If you are saying you lack power all the time then your issue maybe a breathing issue for the trike (Air cleaner/exhaust) or an ECM issue. I have read of one other person who stated that their TG just lacked power. This is not normal. Take it back to the dealer and have it checked out. It might need re-flashing. Insist they get it right. I have ridden a factory TG and they have good performance for the weight right out of the box. It was not as peppy as my Road Glide was on 2 wheels, but it was enough.<br />
<br />
If your just saying that you can not get it going initially very well then maybe you are not giving it enough throttle to start with. The TG or any trike is a lot heavier then a bike and you need to give it some gas to get them moving.

Develop a good feather on the clutch with the throttle and it will go just fine.<br />
<br />
You might then want to consider a Stage one air cleaner and Screaming Eagle or Vance and Hines slip ons also with a re-flash or a Power Commander add on module for the ECM. That will allow the trike to run cooler and give you more power then stock.<br />
These mods will add some low end torque which will help the getting it going issues. If you want to really get serious you add the correct set of cams that favor the low end torque and you have it made in a shade.<br />
<br />
Ted

 

[1550vt]

Reksul mentioned smaller tires as a joke, but that is a consideration. I am not sure but I think the 2010 spec. indicates a 65 as opposed to a 70 aspect ratio. I think the 2009 had a 20570R15 and the 2010 has a 20565R15. I know this isn't much, but it would reduce the wheel diameter just a bit, resulting in lower gearing. I have the same problem, but have just lived with it. As soon as I get around to it, I am going to change my rears to the 20565R15 or maybe even a 20560R15. It will drop my rear ride height by around 1/2 inch, but will also increase my rpm by a couple-hundred at 70mph. Maybe the MOCO boys made this change to a little smaller tire to change gearing. Then....my next step would be to do what reksul already told me to do....drop a couple of teeth on the drive sprocket.

 

[Wylo761]

Thanks - Good info. Both suggestions really kill the 6th gear advantage. The real solution is a lower gear for first and a little on second but that doesnt seem available. The trunk lid is a constant problem and the low speed steering is way too stiff. Have been faithful to harley BUT---<br />
Seriously considering selling the Triglide and getting a Honda trike of some breed. <br />
Thanks Wylo

 

[BinIdaho]

You only have 400 miles on the TG.....it's not even broke in. It's a NEW machine. Guess if you want to snap-your-neck shifting, then Ted and Dave have good suggestions. We're not drag racing for pete's sake.

I must be the exception....my TG has more power than I would ever use! Keep the rpm's above 2000 and don't lug the engine. You have to remember (don't mean to keep harping) that the weight you're trying to move to more than a 2-wheeler!

Torque and Performance, blah, blah, blah.....

Barbara

 

[Gorilla]

I would pep up that motor a bit. I have ridden my trike in the mountains without any starting up in first gear issues ever. It was hard for me to compare to a stock TG setup, because I did my engine mods before I triked my bike. I am pulling around 90 hp and 103 ft lbs of torque depending on the humidity etc. recorded on 2 different dyno run days. Humidity and air temperature effect your readings on any given day by as much as several percent. My torque peaks in at between 3500 and 4000 rpms.<br />
<br />
My mods I have mentioned before: S & S 510G cams, True Dual exhaust with Screaming Eagle slip ons, High capacity air cleaner, and a power commander on a stock Police 103 motor. I know it's not cheap a little less than 3 grand for the mods depending on what you due yourself, but the difference in the motor is substantial for not having to crack it open. I did everything but the cams myself. You need special tools to due the cams. <br />
<br />
The change in the torque curve is the real significant change.

The torque comes in real early around 1500 rpms with these cams. I have no trouble cruising above 55 mph in 6th gear. I can pass without issue at that speed without down shifting. I'm at 2100 rpms and the torque is there. If I want to get it on I just go to 5th and it will blast by almost like on 2 wheels. At about 1500 rpms my torque climbs almost straight up to 80 ft lbs and then slops up to 103 ft lbs at 4500 rpms passing a 100 ft lbs at 3300 rpms, before it starts a slow down slope to 75 ft lbs at red-line of 6200 rpms. That compares to the stock torque curve of 50 ft lbs at 1500 rpm, only 72 ft lbs at 2000 rpms and 86 ft lbs at 2500 rpms where I'm all ready 90 plus ft. lbs. Stock peaks at 94 ft lbs at 3300 rpms and starts down to 68 at 5600 rpm red-line. That's why you need to get at around 2500 rpms before you start pulling strong. While I'm pulling strong right off idle at 1500 rpms.<br />
<br />
Yes changing the sprocket gearing will resolve the low end issue, but it can create one on the high end. Changing the sprocket gears changes how quickly the motor accelerates into the sweet area of the torques curve.

Because the rpms are higher for a given speed and gear you will need to shift sooner. That makes the use of the 6th gear more advantageous. The issue on the high end is even in 6th how many rpm are you turning to run on the highway. If you are on the interstate and are moving along at 80 mph what will the rpm be? If it is to high you will get poor fuel mileage and addition wear on the power train. Changing the sprocket gears does not change your torque curve it just gets you into the higher torque areas quicker. By the way max torque for the stock 103 is 90 ft lbs but it doesn't get to it until 5000 rpms. That's why cams are a better solution in my opinion.<br />
<br />
Baker transmissions makes a 7 speed that does what you are suggesting about a lower 1st etc. a little lower in 2nd etc., 7th is an overdrive gear. I believe .86 if I remember correctly. Expensive and you are still stuck with the stock torque curve.

<br />
<br />
Information for you to consider for what it's worth. <br />
<br />
Good Luck,<br />
<br />
Ted

 

[1550vt]

Opps! I am "almost" eligible for SS and I am practicing for when that day comes. Old people are allowed to make a mistake now-n-then. I went back and checked the specs, on the 09 and it also list the rear tire size as a 65. It is some other recent conversions that used the 70. In my case, a smaller aspect ratio will help my gearing a bit but not yours. I still will likely drop a couple of teeth off the drive sprocket.

As for the power, I am on a TC-88 95-inch stage II kit with a little porting and tuning done on the side and a Baker 6-speed. I can assure you that I can hang with any of the 96-inch dressers that I run with and can outrun some of them. If this is your first trike, remember you are pulling another 400-pounds or so.

 

[Mr.Wizard]

I wind up mine with a rubber band. Takes me a while to get it tight but when I let it go... whooooo hoooooooo... hold on!

 

[BinIdaho]

Ted, you crack me up with all the specs, rpm's, etc......I sit down on the seat, turn the switch on, turn the music up, put in 1st gear and head on down the road.

Barbara

 

[Ozarkryder]

Ted, you crack me up with all the specs, rpm's, etc......I sit down on the seat, turn the switch on, turn the music up, put in 1st gear and head on down the road.

Barbara

Wow Barbara - you must just putt along, only in 1st gear. Reminds me of that song by War - "Lowrider"--- "
"Low -ri - der don't use no gas now. Low-ri-der don't drive too fast now."

 

[1550vt]

Reksul.....U talkin' about your trike or your brain?

 

[Mr.Wizard]

Reksul.....U talkin' about your trike or your brain?

Yes