I'm new to trike riding, it feels as though the trike wants to drift to the outside of curves, is that normal? I slow down now to go into curves maybe that is what I need to do??
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Hi Roadking! First of all, you are perfectly normal.... there is a learning curve when you move from 2 wheels to 3. You are probably still trying to counter steer, as you did with your 2-wheeler. Take things slow, allow yourself 300-500 miles of riding, and you will find you are quite comfortable and enjoying the trike.
This thread has a lot of discussion on this that might help you: http://www.triketalk.com/forum/honda-trikes/1065.htm
I am very new to trike riding and have found it helpful to use my knees on the tank. I just press them against the gas tank when going into a curve and it helps relieve the feeling of being thrown opposite. Similar to just pressing down with your feet.There's one thing you mentioned about "pushing" on the handlebar. That, my dear, IS the major answer (secret) to handling/driving a trike at any speed. Pulling will make you tired and you feel like your "fighting" the trike. Cupping your hands at the end of the handle-bar is best (more so the left hand) as this also takes the tension away from your hands/fingers/shoulders. Yes, those telling you to use your feet is also a good idea...but if the pushing method is used, one doesn't need to do it unless your really hustling down the road.
One has to use the momentum (speed) and "pushing" of handle bar of the bike to turn into a corner and then use "power" to exit the other side of the corner. My wife and I were both taught this method years ago and it's the best advise we ever got for driving the trike. And , no, I don't have a "rake kit" but will be installing one soon. More for her than me as it helps those with not a lot of strength or medical limitations.
The method of outside/inside IS truly the way to handle most corners (pushing the bars). However, off-camber corners (corners that look like they go away from you) are a tad different. Letting off the power helps with this road issue that trikes don't like. So keeping a lookout for this issues is paramount to riding safely. Otherwise you'll cross the center line of the highway at your most vulnerable time.
Where I live in PA, we have a lot of road crown...so I add a few more pounds of air pressure (6-10lbs.) to my right-side rear tire. This helps to keep the trike running straight with less effort from the right hand/arm. Rear air pressures are also one of those little secrets to get the trike to ride straighter and smoother for both driver/passenger. Experiment with them...might bring a BIGGER smile for those tasty bugs. ThumbUp
2TZ
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