this is a wonderful thread, thank you, thank you
Never owned a bike or trike but thinking of getting a trike.
Currently own a bike and thinking of switching to a trike.
First owned a trike 0 - 1 year ago.
First owned a trike 1 - 2 years ago.
First owned a trike 2 - 3 years ago.
First owned a trike 3 - 4 years ago.
First owned a trike 4 - 5 years ago.
First owned a trike more than 5 years ago.
..if it has WHEELS, I'm in...ThumbUp
this is a wonderful thread, thank you, thank you
Just got my 2013 Tri-Glide on 7/20. We've put about 1200 mi on her so far. REALLY wish I found this sight before that but ah well lol. Lots of great tips on here that I pretty much had to figure out thru the school of hard knocks.
Hardest for me (and I still do it sometimes) is not to lean into a curve. Been riding since I was 13 (47 now) and that is damn hard not to do at times. Getting much better about it tho.
Best advice I got from this thread tho is the one on how to get on and off the trike. LOVED that bit of advice. Can't wait to try it out tomorrow!
Rax
Did a Lehman conversion on my 91 ultra in 2005. I have added a Spyder and a triglide as well as a few more bikes.
Ozarkryder,
Your beginning thread advice is priceless, especially about the crown in the road ways. For cycling I ride a two wheel recumbant, with my wife on a three wheel recumbant and that is an impact even on her bicycle.
I hadn't considered the same effect on a trike. I pick mine up Fri. and will be riding I70 from Ohio to Pa turnpike. I expect now the local driving rodes I will take note of 'till I get used to that effect.
tks so much for your input!
Any new trikers should read the beginning comments I mentioned of this thread to be concious of local stret riding.
cooltech
I don't know if this is practicle for cycle/trike parking for fear of folks cking out your ride but, I almost always park my car, and will do the same when I have my trike this weeknd, away from other vehicles because I don't want door dings, shopping carts driffting into my vehicles, plus the bit of a walk to the door of the store I'm going to is good excercise.
I'll look for end parking spots and park into the spot away from the line so if someone else does come in they have plenty of room.
There are still times someone parks close to me even though I've left plenty of room. My Honda Element has several door dings, one of which is about 6 inches in length top to bottom, from when I was in a hurry and didn't take the time to evade the careless!
Gosh, this Friday can't get here soon enough! Want to plant myself on my new/used Goldwing!
cooltech
Thanks to all who posted helpful hints to riding and enjoying life with a trike. One other thing that I found made a difference in handling was adding an easysteer kit.
I too have experienced people stopping by and asking questions about our trike and trailer.
Looking forward to many more posts.
Hope my several recent posts aren't anoying. Just trying to be helpful.
cooltech
Trikes are the only segment of the motorcycle market that is growing.
Good one, Al. You are right.
John Luciano, great advice. I've been riding my 1500 as a trike since 1995. It took me about 5 miles to get used to the drive from Columbus, Ohio to Toledo. I have 75,000+ miles on it so far, and it is awesome. You never get away from the questions from people when stoped for fuel or food. All of the above advice is great, and I guess there is nothing to add. Ride safe.
VW trikes handle differently than regular trikes
With the light front end, powering thru corners is a bad idea. You drive them more like 4x4 SUVs
You pull up to a corner, SLOW DOWN,
And then turn. The first time your front tire skips when you try to turn in town, you will understand
Continuing
You get better at not popping the clutch.
The first time the front end comes off the ground
It is a LEARNING experience
(did it ONCE by accident)
As others have said,
Either pull thru parking spaces and face out
or back into a stall.
Since mine has no emergency brake
I always back in on a slope so my back tires are STOPPED by the curb
Even if I have to walk all the way around the parking lot to get into the cafe.
Nice thing about a VW, a lot of little stuff can be fixed with a monkey wrench, two screwdrivers
and a pair of pliers
They ride in the handle bar bag with the registration, and insurance paperwork.
The last two items are in a sealed plastic freezer baggie.
Actually, throw in a couple more more baggies, gives you something to
put the cell phone and wallet in before it RAINS
This is a suggestion for those who have a front brake lever. Use a very small bungie cord and wrap it around the front brake. No need to park it in reverse. Besides parking in reverse can and will lock up the gears, sooner or later. Then you will have to call a tow truck.
Hope this helps
Hi Bill just tricked my 2002 1800 goldwing with a champion kit went for a ride last week end and notice st that the front wheel wanted to move to the center line as I was going around A turn is that because I am going to fast around the turn are not taking the turn write. and the factory said that they adjusted my shocks for a trailer because I told them that I hall a trailer some times I am wounded if they adjusted them to tight. ps the kit has indempemt sespion with coil overs set at 2.5 turns on them. Any help thanks. Gary pepper
Have read this thread twice so far, plan to read it again in total! Why, because I expect my first trike in a week or two and need to know all I can about riding/driving a trike! I am triking my '06 Yamaha StratoLiner with a CSC kit through a local trike dealer and in hopes of many, many great miles of triking. I have been riding 2 wheels for 40+ years and the input of the experienced members is of great value to someone like me and it is much appreciated!
Thank you, and hope to see some of you on the road in the near future!
O J Miles - now riding "Lucille", a 2017 Spyder F3-Ltd. Roadster.
When 2 wheels aren't enough and 4 are too many.
Ahhhh, a hot cup of coffee and a good cigar, after a good ride.......