Harley Freewheeler Trike Owners Thread

[0pini0nated]

My wife and I went to York Pennsylvania Harley Davidson Open House on Friday 9/19. We were the third and forth people in queue to test ride the FLRT Freewheeler demo that morning. My wife tried the trike test ride too, as I value her opinions ~ she and I ride side-by-side on two-wheel motorcycles, so I debriefed her after her demo ride.

All our impressions are filtered through my two years of riding my Sportster XL1200 / Lehman Raider trike. H-D in York set up a demo circuit (on local roads) that were smooth and well-paved. The only rough surfaces I encountered were manhole covers ~ not much of a 10 minute "test" ride to base a $30K purchase on. It was more of a "scratch and sniff" then a real test ride.

We both liked the power. The 103 cu in engine pulled from any gear. I got up to up to fourth gear; she claims she got up fifth, although the test circuit was limited to 35 MPH. No pinging, and LOTS OF TORQUE, even more than my FXST!

We appreciated the great brakes, esp. the rear brake pedal linked to the rear and (two) front disk brakes - smooth and powerful.

We both liked the *luxury* of 2 cu ft of storage.

We both commented on the fact we could lock two helmets IN THE TRUNK The Lehman Raider "trunk" was more like a glove compartment in a car ~ it was tiny. My Softail had *no* place to store anything, and my wife has a small set of saddlebags behind her V-star.

My wife liked mounting and dismounting using the passenger floor boards. My Lehman Raider passenger pads were much lower and to the rear, forcing the rider and passenger to step-though directly over the saddle. The FLRT was configuration much better.

My wife liked the clutch lever pressure. The new hydraulic clutch made her clutch effort as light as her V-star Classic.

I gave the steering a mixed review - no wobbling or handlebar shake, but it wasn't very easy to steer. I compared it to my Lehman Raider / Hawg Halter 5° rake kit, which made my Sportster very light to steer. The FLRT was relatively cumbersome, which gave me the impression that the whole machine felt heavy.

The other thing I couldn't gauge was the rear suspension ride. I did encounter a few minor bumps on Arsenal Road, and it didn't seem very smooth. The demo ride manager commented on air-adjustable rear shocks pressures, tire pressure, blah, blah, blah.. I didn't want to get into a discussion about air pressures, so I'll have to wait until I get a longer ride, or better yet, a day on a rental FLRT.

In MY opinion, I didn't like the missing bits and pieces AKA "options" H-D quotes a price as $25K, but I needed more "options" just to make it usable.

No windshield? - add $250 No sissy bar and back pad? = add $360 A thicker seat? = $350 Add those essentials + sales tax, and it adds $1K to the price.

Also, in MY opinion, although I've commented on the fenders before, the "Rushmore" team must've been out to lunch when H-D voted to use the fenders on the FLRT. But it's nothing a third-party fender vender can't correct . . . . with more $.

Lastly, we saw a line of Amber-colored Freewheelers at the plant ~ up until now, I'd only seen Vivid Black. *Very* pretty

[Stan66]

I'm using a deactivated Samsung Galaxy II cell phone Velcro'd to the dash as an MP-3 player, GPS, and remote monitor and controller for the GoPro, so the power cord is kind of necessary as I keep the screen on all the time.

OK, I'm curious...how does the Galaxy II act as a controller for the GoPro? I do not have a GoPro (yet), but am interested in just what can be controlled.
Stan66

[screwball]

OK, I'm curious...how does the Galaxy II act as a controller for the GoPro? I do not have a GoPro (yet), but am interested in just what can be controlled.
Stan66

OUTSTANDING!!! Load the GoPro app, pair the camera to the Galaxy and you have a viewfinder on screen, and can change from 1 function to any other. With a new GoPro you are working with a little window and 2 buttons to work through the menus. With the App and a smart phone it is a lot easier.

[DocnLou]

picked up my new Freewheeler this am and went for a 200 mile ride! so much more a motorcycle than my old tri glide (which I enjoyed a lot!).
Totally impressed with ride, handling and power.
I did drop the rear tire pressure to 20 lbs and the suspension to 15 lbs. For me it was a big improvement - I ride solo.
With the rack and collapsible bag I have tons of room
for 8-9 days before laundry - fine for me.
BTW still totally stock other than windshield, rack grips etc
cant wait till tomorrow! clapping:

[Brentwood Bob]

picked up my new Freewheeler this am and went for a 200 mile ride! so much more a motorcycle than my old tri glide (which I enjoyed a lot!).
Totally impressed with ride, handling and power.
I did drop the rear tire pressure to 20 lbs and the suspension to 15 lbs. For me it was a big improvement - I ride solo.
With the rack and collapsible bag I have tons of room
for 8-9 days before laundry - fine for me.
BTW still totally stock other than windshield, rack grips etc
cant wait till tomorrow! clapping:

Sounds great, now lets see some pics. Congrats and safe riding.

[0pini0nated]

I did drop the rear tire pressure to 20 lbs and the suspension to 15 lbs. For me it was a big improvement - I ride solo.

I suspected as much ~ I'm hoping I can pull off to the side after the Saturday 9/27 demo ride begins, and check / adjust the rear tire pressures. 20 PSI sounds about right.

[stroker 23]

I looked at the bike today at an open house. Not for me, looks totally incomplete and in need of help. I bought a TriGlide for creature comfort, not the cool factor. Buy a two wheeler if you want to be kool, maybe you'll save some money. A rat bike may have more of a finished look to than the Freewheeler. Just my thoughts.
dan

[Stan66]

Started calling dealerships this morning after breakfast; on 4th call found a dealer with 5 Freewheelers in stock. All black except for ONE blue one. Told them to mark it SOLD, we were on our way.

85 miles up I-95 to Quantico HD, Dumfries, VA. What would normally take an hour and a half, turned into 2 and half hours due to congestion on I-95. Got to dealership at about 3pm. Deb spied the one she wanted...."That's it. Is it ready to roll?" They added the windshield she wanted, familiarized her with the changes this year, wrote it up and she wrote them a check. I asked if she wanted me to drive it back to Richmond and her drive my truck and she said, "What, are you nuts? It's my new bike and I'm riding it!".



So off back down I-95 we go. She took to it like a duck to water. Traffic? Shoot yeah, lots of it. And anybody that drives I-95 between Washington and Richmond can attest to the craziness of it! Great day, great dealer, good people to deal with. Now, up in the AM and we both ride our trikes to church on a perfect VA fall day. Life is good. Now to make room in the sheds for 3 trikes, 3 HD two-wheelers and the BMW w/hack. That is gonna be interesting!

[Gorilla]

Started calling dealerships this morning after breakfast; on 4th call found a dealer with 5 Freewheelers in stock. All black except for ONE blue one. Told them to mark it SOLD, we were on our way.

85 miles up I-95 to Quantico HD, Dumfries, VA. What would normally take an hour and a half, turned into 2 and half hours due to congestion on I-95. Got to dealership at about 3pm. Deb spied the one she wanted...."That's it. Is it ready to roll?" They added the windshield she wanted, familiarized her with the changes this year, wrote it up and she wrote them a check. I asked if she wanted me to drive it back to Richmond and her drive my truck and she said, "What, are you nuts? It's my new bike and I'm riding it!".



So off back down I-95 we go. She took to it like a duck to water. Traffic? Shoot yeah, lots of it. And anybody that drives I-95 between Washington and Richmond can attest to the craziness of it! Great day, great dealer, good people to deal with. Now, up in the AM and we both ride our trikes to church on a perfect VA fall day. Life is good. Now to make room in the sheds for 3 trikes, 3 HD two-wheelers and the BMW w/hack. That is gonna be interesting!

congrats

[screwball]

She sounds like my wife. Picked up her Tri on Wednesday (2009) and rode to Las Vegas on Friday. Hope you enjoy your Freewheeler as much as I enjoy mine!

[Stan66]

She sounds like my wife. Picked up her Tri on Wednesday (2009) and rode to Las Vegas on Friday. Hope you enjoy your Freewheeler as much as I enjoy mine!

Haha...yes they do sound like 'birds of a feather"!. Deb's Storm was picked up at 5pm on Friday and she rode it to Maggie Valley for the Trike Talk meet Saturday morning. Brought it in for its 1,000 mile service (actually 1150 miles) on Monday.

She is keeping the Storm, keeping it "down on the farm", for when she is down there. The Freewheeler will remain with me in Richmond until she comes home on the weekends. I rode it for a short test ride today, and it is much quicker than my bone stock 2010 FLHXXX and handles easier. I just may change over to a 19 or 21 inch front wheel on mine; like the way it handles.

[Stan66]

Question: Does anyone know why Harley did not opt for the heat deflectors under the seat on the Freewheeler? Deb's only complaint after driving it 85 miles down I95 was the heat coming up around the back of the tank and front of the seat. Looks to me that the stock 2010 and later deflectors should "bolt right up".
Thoughts?

According to HD web-site, this one fits the Freewheeler:
http://www.harley-davidson.com/store...eflectors#tabs

[0pini0nated]

Started calling dealerships this morning after breakfast; on 4th call found a dealer with 5 Freewheelers in stock. All black except for ONE blue one. Told them to mark it SOLD, we were on our way.

Looks beautiful in Superior Blue. Congratulations

[kubotajim]

picked up my new Freewheeler this am and went for a 200 mile ride! so much more a motorcycle than my old tri glide (which I enjoyed a lot!).
Totally impressed with ride, handling and power.
I did drop the rear tire pressure to 20 lbs and the suspension to 15 lbs. For me it was a big improvement - I ride solo.
With the rack and collapsible bag I have tons of room
for 8-9 days before laundry - fine for me.
BTW still totally stock other than windshield, rack grips etc
cant wait till tomorrow!

Just wondering how big a person you are,, Im 6'2 and hoping I have room as I do on tri

[Papa Zook]

Question: Does anyone know why Harley did not opt for the heat deflectors under the seat on the Freewheeler? Deb's only complaint after driving it 85 miles down I95 was the heat coming up around the back of the tank and front of the seat. Looks to me that the stock 2010 and later deflectors should "bolt right up".
Thoughts?

According to HD web-site, this one fits the Freewheeler:
http://www.harley-davidson.com/store...eflectors#tabs

So they can sell you a set...

[Stan66]

Just wondering how big a person you are,, Im 6'2 and hoping I have room as I do on tri

Can't speak for the other guy, but I am 6ft with 34" inseam and 170lbs. I took my wifes new Freewheeler out for a short spin and did feel a little cramped. If the seat was replaced with Triglide or Streetglide standard seat, believe it would fit like a glove. Footboards and dimensions from neck to box are the same as a TG/SGXXX; the box is shorter. The seat is more like the ReducedReach Harley seats. My wife, who you see in the picture in this thread, is 5' 3" and has short legs (feet do not touch the ground if she tries to walk the trike) and you can see in the picture that she is "up on the tank". Hope this helps.

[0pini0nated]

Here's a link from the Harley Davidson site http://www.cycleworld.com/2014/09/19...pecifications/

And although the writer doesn't say how tall he is, the picture of the rider is telling ~ he looks like he's on a child's tricycle. The copy claims the H-D FLRT moved the seat 1" closer, and 6" lower.

Like Stan66 wife 'Deb" in her picture, I used the front half of the floorboards on my (2) demo rides. Although I prefer heel-and-toe shifting, I noticed that I tended to shift with my toe only. I'm 5',10"

PS: I noticed that Steve's (Screwball) pictures had the same tendency ~ to place the feet forward on the floorboards: http://www.triketalk.com/forum/attac...2&d=1410213321

Just my 2¢...

[HDB0B]

Writers should HAVE to ride for over 500 miles to make comments on Trike handling. They REALLY have no clue as to how a trike can corner and how a trike can brake while in a corner. "Lifting a wheel, upending, hanging off" are not something we trikers do on a regular basis. We are not all old farts with medical conditions!! We are cool trikers that love our rides!!

Bob

[0pini0nated]

We are not all old farts with medical conditions!! We are cool trikers that love our rides!

[RANT] It's not just the magazine media that's ignorant about trikes. As my wife and I want to several dealerships to inquire about the price and availability of the FLRT and Spyder F3, we were constantly amazed that the salesmen didn't know what we were asking for:

At one BRP Can-am Spyder dealership 9/02: What's an F3?

At our local H-D dealership 9/02: Spyder? Are they the ones with the two wheels in the front?

At Lansdale Bike "Night" Can-am Spyder tent 9/07: Freewheeler? Aren't they coming out in the Spring?

When my wife and I attended our second H-D demo test ride 9/27, I ended up answering other rider's questions about the FLRT! One of the sales managers asked if I wanted a job there (yes he was joking, but I had all the answers ~ the salesmen in attendance didn't know squat.)

Overall, the salespeople weren't knowledgeable about 1) their trike product, or 2) the basic information about their competitor's trike product.

Meanwhile, trikes are high-end (priced) products. [/RANT]

(Bazooka - sorry about the off-topic rant)

[screwball]

I'm 5' 10" and used to weigh 275 pounds. Down to 230 and 30 more to go, but enough bragging. My left foot is 'forward' in the picture because I wear a size 13 shoe and you will notice that the heal of my 'tennie' is about an inch in front of the heal shifter. Not any more, the heal shifter is gone. According to Harley the Freewheeler and Tri-Glide are on the same chassis, one has an Electra-glide front end, the other a Road king. The difference in length is the trunk / body. It does have a 'sundowner' type seat, lot less padding but still comfortable. I have almost 900 miles on mine now, would be a lot more but we are doing some extensive remodeling on the house and can't get away as much as we usually do. The trike is VERY comfortable and SEEMS to handle better than the Tri. For most of the riding we do it is just perfect. We will be doing a 4000+ mile run as soon as the addition is complete, I can give you a better idea then. BUT for years I rode Softails and Dynas all over the country and loved it. Not big on a lot of storage space, just a place to keep lots of not so necessary stuff..... like my wife's Tri. When we travel we bungee a rolling suitcase to the back seat. Lot easier to get in and out of motels.