First Trike Road Trip

[riden2low]

2014 Triglide. It purred at 70 all day long with out a hitch. Very impressed with the way it handled. One problem I had was before I left, I had trouble with the water pump leaking and the Dealer repaired it. Like to really get a hold of the mechanic who did the work. Water pump was fine but the cover came off about 500 miles into the trip. Didn't know about it until I got to my destination. Was going to wait until I got back but all I had to do was hit some debris on the road and could have damage the water hoses or etc. So I stopped at a Harley dealer and got a new one.

No they would have to order the original one so I settle on a chrome one which was more money. Looks pretty but I wanted to protect that area as I had about another 1500 miles more into my road trip. As I put it on I noticed that the rubber grommets were missing that the two small pegs mounted into. They might have came off with the cover when it came off but the rubber grommets are the type that stays on the bike. But any ways the mechanic should have noticed the missing grommets.

The trip turned out great on the way back. Starting of the trip was a hard one for me. Here in Oregon we have rain and lots of it. But I had my trip planned out pretty good until the day I got ready to go and the weather changed big time. For the first 400 miles of my trip I was riding in rain. I had on rain pants and my leather jacket was water proof. The rain wasn't bad until I got into the mountain close to the CA boarder. WOW. On the weather channel, ever see the rain in green and in the middle is yellow then red. That's what I rode thru. Pull off and wait? I didn't have a choice but to ride it out. Thru the area I was riding was a construction area I was in between two trucks.

The rain was warm thank God but my visor was fogging up, the rain was getting in my rain pants somehow. But off in the distance I saw blue skies and I was coming out of the storm and I could feel the warmer air. Wow that was a hell of a ride going thru that rain and going thru the mountains too. What an experience. So by the time I got to my Best Western Motel I was a drowned wet rat and cold. Thought back that if I had to do it again, this boy is going to have a full riding wet suit plus water proof gloves. LOL

The last day of my trip on the way back up in the Northern part of CA, I hit a head wind that wouldn't stop. The triglide rides really good in the cross winds and etc but the wind was strong enough that it felt like it was beating me to death. But the total trip was great. Do it again? I'm ready. LOL

 

[DTR 11TG]

sounds like a good trip except for the rain.
Your right, the worker at the dealer should have noticed there was a problem with that cover panel, I hope you at least give that dealer the bill for the new cover panel, they might even do the right thing and pay you for it.
Did you figure out why your rain pants failed?:gah:

 

[jaxbobg]

I've never owned an H-D but believe me I have ridden for 6 or 8 hours in torrential downpours between FL (home), GA, TN and NC. Seems like every time I hit the mountains it starts raining. I've worn Nelson Rigg rainsuits for years and never had a leak. If you like to take long road trips every now and then, spend the extra money for quality riding clothes. It's worth it in the long run.

As for the mechanic who worked on your bike, I'd have a serious discussion with the service manager or owner of the dealership and ask them for reimbursement of your expenses on the road. There is absolutely no excuse for shoddy workmanship in this era of high tech training classes. If they are really crapheads, I'd file a small claims suit against them for consequential damages (I'm not a lawyer, so....)

Good luck. I know you'll love your trike. I'll never ride 2 wheels again.

 

[Gorilla]

Yep another road warrior is born. Congrats

 

[DK Custom Products]

Sounds like a memorable and fun trip!!! I bet you're already planning the next one.

Kevin

 

[coronetracer65]

About the same story as mine , after some 800 miles thought I had a coolant leak. They never found anything but in the process of inspection the Tech didn't put the cover on correctly. Same scenario grommets came out of holes and was on the cover. Rode 30 miles home from dealer and yep you guessed the cover got lost. Also had to spring for the chrome , looks better too except from rock dings , the front fender needs to be longer or a mudflap on it. Just think what would happen to the pump if the cover was not there !

 

[Bubba49]

2014 Triglide. It purred at 70 all day long with out a hitch. Very impressed with the way it handled. One problem I had was before I left, I had trouble with the water pump leaking and the Dealer repaired it. Like to really get a hold of the mechanic who did the work. Water pump was fine but the cover came off about 500 miles into the trip. Didn't know about it until I got to my destination. Was going to wait until I got back but all I had to do was hit some debris on the road and could have damage the water hoses or etc. So I stopped at a Harley dealer and got a new one. No they would have to order the original one so I settle on a chrome one which was more money. Looks pretty but I wanted to protect that area as I had about another 1500 miles more into my road trip. As I put it on I noticed that the rubber grommets were missing that the two small pegs mounted into. They might have came off with the cover when it came off but the rubber grommets are the type that stays on the bike. But any ways the mechanic should have noticed the missing grommets.
The trip turned out great on the way back. Starting of the trip was a hard one for me. Here in Oregon we have rain and lots of it. But I had my trip planned out pretty good until the day I got ready to go and the weather changed big time. For the first 400 miles of my trip I was riding in rain. I had on rain pants and my leather jacket was water proof. The rain wasn't bad until I got into the mountain close to the CA boarder. WOW. On the weather channel, ever see the rain in green and in the middle is yellow then red. That's what I rode thru. Pull off and wait? I didn't have a choice but to ride it out. Thru the area I was riding was a construction area I was in between two trucks. The rain was warm thank God but my visor was fogging up, the rain was getting in my rain pants somehow. But off in the distance I saw blue skies and I was coming out of the storm and I could feel the warmer air. Wow that was a hell of a ride going thru that rain and going thru the mountains too. What an experience. So by the time I got to my Best Western Motel I was a drowned wet rat and cold. Thought back that if I had to do it again, this boy is going to have a full riding wet suit plus water proof gloves. LOL
The last day of my trip on the way back up in the Northern part of CA, I hit a head wind that wouldn't stop. The triglide rides really good in the cross winds and etc but the wind was strong enough that it felt like it was beating me to death. But the total trip was great. Do it again? I'm ready. LOL

Congrats on completing the road trip! I feel your pain with the rain gear. When I bought my first trike I also bought Harley rain gear and I quickly found out it was useless. I made three road trips in the rain and ended up getting soaked each time with the Harley rain suit. I did some research and found Frogg Toggs to replace the Harley crap. They have a Road Toad jacket and pants that are superb for keeping you dry. I've been using them for 4 years now and haven't gotten soaked yet.

Bubba

 

[sprinkman]

Never had any problems with mine or the wifes Harley rain suits outside of being pricey. We have been caught in rain several times while on trips not just for a few minutes sometimes 3 to 4 hours if we were headed home.

 

[Casper]

I've owned several different brands of rain suits over the years, Frogg Toggs, HD, Nelson Rigg..just about all of them.
I have a set of Road Toads now, work well except watch the exhaust pipes, they will melt very fast.
also have a HD rain suit, the gray and black, works very well, keeps me dry and has held up very well...

Most suits work, some better than others. On a trike, not having to put the right leg down and have a chance encounter with exhaust, the road toad should work well, just watch the heat...

 

[bikerbillone]

Good trip post 'Riden', sounds like puker time in that rain, can't see very well can be dangerous, glad you made it through and the trip turned out well. Too bad about the dealer/tech screw up. Some dealers seem to not care, just pay and move on.

Rain gear is problematic. A friend gave me a pair of Tourmaster over pants, looks like rain, I'm into those, they fit really well. We all know how it is if you have to stop on the road, get in rain gear, no fun, no fun at all.

 

[Steve on 3]

Got into a torrential downpour, I was in my HD rainsuit and my bride was wearing her frogg toggs. when we got home she was mad becuae everything on her including her drawers was soaked. and of course it didnt help that I was dry. A trip to the dealer the next day and she got an HD rainsuit. Both of ours are the hi vis ones. Spendy but good

 

[BinIdaho]

There is nothing wrong with the HD rain gear! I've worn my from coast of Oregon, thru Portland, over the mountains....nice and dry. Don't think I've ever heard/seen "waterproof" leather jackets or gloves

 

[Lucky]

Best rain suit I ever had was a Harley. RIDE SAFE

 

[RickDeVon]

We like our Nelson Rigg rain gear...

 

[KJB]

Sounds like a memorable adventure. I'm reading the posts about rain gear with interest since I need to get some. I wish there was a consensus on what is the best but I guess that is evidently not the case. I went to the Frogg Toggs and the Nelson Rigg websites to browse. But with the difference of opinion maybe I should just stick with HD. I'm not in any hurry to make a purchase since I will be seeing a lot of snow before I see rain again.