Making The Switch - Bike to Trike - Great Info!

[harleymystique]

I researched for over two years before I did a dealer test ride [5miles] early this year. HATED IT.. I told myself I would never buy one. A friend of mine and my wife talked me into renting one for a weekend. Rode it over 500 miles. Best thing I ever did. It was a blast once you get past that 100 miles on it. My first Harley was when I was 15, I am now 68. Never has there been a time I didn't have at least one Harley in the Garage. Now I have a Tri Glide in the garage. Best thing I ever did. If anyone has been thinking of going for that 3rd wheel, feel free to contact me. I will give you a up front and honest answer.

[Gorilla]

I researched for over two years before I did a dealer test ride [5miles] early this year. HATED IT.. I told myself I would never buy one. A friend of mine and my wife talked me into renting one for a weekend. Rode it over 500 miles. Best thing I ever did. It was a blast once you get past that 100 miles on it. My first Harley was when I was 15, I am now 68. Never has there been a time I didn't have at least one Harley in the Garage. Now I have a Tri Glide in the garage. Best thing I ever did. If anyone has been thinking of going for that 3rd wheel, feel free to contact me. I will give you a up front and honest answer.

CONGRATS ride safe and enjoy

[Jack Klarich]

This is why I know I'm going to heaven. My 💯% belief in the Trinity. I even sin every now and then. 😀

Amen, I am in bondage to sin and cannot FREE myself

Thanks be to GOD

[TTNW]

1 video is worth a 1,000,000 words

YouTube - Getting onto a TRIKE motorcycle

This makes perfect sense to me. Thank you!!!

[wlivin2]

I triked my Harley sportster a few yrs ago due to hip problems and wife knew I would never stop riding. I used a paucgho rear conversion at first didn't add the 5 degree triple that's recommended and steering was hard added it and much better put 30000 miles on it till I bought a 2010 triglide mainly due to wife wanting a bigger seat. lol Just remember to steer to where you want to go was the best thing I could have done to keep myself safe.

[Handyandy65]

Hello triketalk readers. We bought a one owner 2015 Triglide this past Saturday, had it delivered Sunday and absolutely love it. I had converted my Kawasaki 900 Vulcan into a sidecar so that my wife could accompany me. She had shoulder replacement surgery and could no longer get up out of it. The Trike was a boatload of $ but is a mountain of smiles. She climbs into her seat, is comfortable and loves the ride. I feel like a king with my queen along for the fun. Driving the Triglide is a blast, it's so powerful. Miles of smiles, y'all! I'm 73.5 and hope to ride for many years.

[Doc Comer]

Found that you ride a bike but you drive a trike. There was somewhat of a learning curve there. Took a while to get the swing of things. Old habits die hard though, I still put my feet on the ground at a stop light.

[rhino 2]

Found that you ride a bike but you drive a trike. There was somewhat of a learning curve there. Took a while to get the swing of things. Old habits die hard though, I still put my feet on the ground at a stop light.

Welcome to Trike-Talk.......Doc...........

[ZooMan55]

I was on two wheels all my life and have some real problems with my right leg. I was riding less and less and making excuses. My wife didn't like riding anymore. I laid my '99 Vulcan Classic over in June of 2019 in my yard while warming up one morning, and I couldn't get it picked up vertical without help. Disheartening and depressing. I tested both Can-Am Spyders and TriGlide and Freewheeler.

The Freewheeler was the most fun I'd had since the first time I rode a snowmobile when I was a kid. It is a hotrod and and bike rolled into one I bought a "used" 2017 with 492 miles on it (in Sept. of 2019). It was like new. Loved riding it but the learning curve kept me going very slowly through the curves for the first 500 miles or so. In July of 2020, I was riding through an intersection and the man waiting to turn left decided that doing so after I had started through the intersection would be a good idea. I almost missed him . . . but wound up totaling that trike. But I lived and went and bought a new old Freewheeler as soon as the insurance company came through with the settlement the end of September '20.

My new 2017 had 940 miles when I got it in Oct last year. I have been riding it every chance I get and love riding again. The wreck (and my wife and daughter) have made me re-think "how" I ride now and I get why they didn't want me to ever ride again. I never ride without a helmet (didn't have one on the day I totaled that last trike and I was DAMN lucky), and an armored mesh jacket, except when its over 85 outside.

I'll say that I'm glad I came to accept my limitations and have re-discovered the joys of riding again on my trike. I really do forget I'm trailing two wheels behind me, except when I come into a curve or pull up to a gas pump. The Freewheeler (mine is a 107ci M8 motor) is very responsive with the Vance & Hines exhaust, EBS and Open filtration I have on it. I highly recommend you go test drive one of the new 114 ci ones and get ready for more fun than you've had in about a while. Peace Yinz . . .

[Rack_Hunter]

Hello all, I'm just getting back into riding and couldn't be more excited! I had ridden bikes long ago when I was in my early 20s and absolutely loved it. Then I had kids and priorities changed. Now, all of that is behind me but I've aged a bit, and found that a two wheeler was just not as comfortable anymore. I bought a new Harley Tri-glide in the cool "Snake Venom" paint a week ago and have almost 600 miles on it already.

With the above said, I have several observations and questions to put to the group.

1. I thought I had a big butt before, but with the trike, I really have to be conscious of where my rear tires/fenders are. I've not hit anything yet, but have been close a few times.

2. Left turns from a stop are still quite stressful. It just seems like pushing/pulling the bike through the turn, needing to shift, and not rolling my right wrist unintentionally is a lot to concentrate all at once. I'm sure that this will become a lot smother as I gain more experience, but for now it is difficult. Does anyone have any tips/techniques that could help with this?

3. Windshield choice. The standard windshield on a new Tri-glide is only 10 inches and I'm 6'3" tall, so my helmet is getting pushed around quite a bit on the freeway. I ordered a 12" touring model windshield from Freedom Shields (https://freedomshields.net/product/t...de-windshield/) and hope that will help resolve the buffeting that I'm dealing with. The touring model is also a couple of inches wider to help block the wind on the sides. Has anyone used a Freedom Windshield and what did you think?

4. Freeway pegs have been a life saver for my back. Being tall, and not so thin around the waist, I really feel like I'm almost sitting on top of the tank. The freeway pegs really help me to be able to stretch my legs out a little and alleviate a lot of the back strain.

5.Most of all, I'm having a great time with my new bike!

[Jack Klarich]

Hello all, I'm just getting back into riding and couldn't be more excited! I had ridden bikes long ago when I was in my early 20s and absolutely loved it. Then I had kids and priorities changed. Now, all of that is behind me but I've aged a bit, and found that a two wheeler was just not as comfortable anymore. I bought a new Harley Tri-glide in the cool "Snake Venom" paint a week ago and have almost 600 miles on it already.

With the above said, I have several observations and questions to put to the group.

1. I thought I had a big butt before, but with the trike, I really have to be conscious of where my rear tires/fenders are. I've not hit anything yet, but have been close a few times.

2. Left turns from a stop are still quite stressful. It just seems like pushing/pulling the bike through the turn, needing to shift, and not rolling my right wrist unintentionally is a lot to concentrate all at once. I'm sure that this will become a lot smother as I gain more experience, but for now it is difficult. Does anyone have any tips/techniques that could help with this?

3. Windshield choice. The standard windshield on a new Tri-glide is only 10 inches and I'm 6'3" tall, so my helmet is getting pushed around quite a bit on the freeway. I ordered a 12" touring model windshield from Freedom Shields (https://freedomshields.net/product/t...de-windshield/) and hope that will help resolve the buffeting that I'm dealing with. The touring model is also a couple of inches wider to help block the wind on the sides. Has anyone used a Freedom Windshield and what did you think?

4. Freeway pegs have been a life saver for my back. Being tall, and not so thin around the waist, I really feel like I'm almost sitting on top of the tank. The freeway pegs really help me to be able to stretch my legs out a little and alleviate a lot of the back strain.

5.Most of all, I'm having a great time with my new bike!

Hi Todd and welcome to Trike Talk

The left turns issues will soon become memory for you, that said if you still struggle I would chose an empty parking lot and practice. This will help to further develop your memory muscle and give you more confidence

[LadyonaMission]

Todd, your trike is beautiful. Welcome aboard and to the wonderful world of three. You can get a lot of information on the Tri Glide thread.

Harley Tri Glide (triketalk.com)

[Rack_Hunter]

Thanks LadyonaMission. My wife says this is just my new obsession, but I'm pretty sure that it is here to stay.

[Rack_Hunter]

Hi Todd and welcome to Trike Talk

The left turns issues will soon become memory for you, that said if you still struggle I would chose an empty parking lot and practice. This will help to further develop your memory muscle and give you more confidence

Thanks Jack, I can only hope this is true. Just kidding, I'm finding it easier every day, but it sure was intimidating at first.

[rhino 2]

Hello all, I'm just getting back into riding and couldn't be more excited! I had ridden bikes long ago when I was in my early 20s and absolutely loved it. Then I had kids and priorities changed. Now, all of that is behind me but I've aged a bit, and found that a two wheeler was just not as comfortable anymore. I bought a new Harley Tri-glide in the cool "Snake Venom" paint a week ago and have almost 600 miles on it already.

With the above said, I have several observations and questions to put to the group.

1. I thought I had a big butt before, but with the trike, I really have to be conscious of where my rear tires/fenders are. I've not hit anything yet, but have been close a few times.

2. Left turns from a stop are still quite stressful. It just seems like pushing/pulling the bike through the turn, needing to shift, and not rolling my right wrist unintentionally is a lot to concentrate all at once. I'm sure that this will become a lot smother as I gain more experience, but for now it is difficult. Does anyone have any tips/techniques that could help with this?

3. Windshield choice. The standard windshield on a new Tri-glide is only 10 inches and I'm 6'3" tall, so my helmet is getting pushed around quite a bit on the freeway. I ordered a 12" touring model windshield from Freedom Shields (https://freedomshields.net/product/t...de-windshield/) and hope that will help resolve the buffeting that I'm dealing with. The touring model is also a couple of inches wider to help block the wind on the sides. Has anyone used a Freedom Windshield and what did you think?

4. Freeway pegs have been a life saver for my back. Being tall, and not so thin around the waist, I really feel like I'm almost sitting on top of the tank. The freeway pegs really help me to be able to stretch my legs out a little and alleviate a lot of the back strain.

5.Most of all, I'm having a great time with my new bike!

Todd...............Welcome to trike talk...............

[Sully]

Todd…Welcome to Trike Talk.......from North Ga. ..

[carlkeigley]

I have been triking about 15 years. 11 years on a VW based Trike Shop Runabout, the past 4 or so on a 1995 GW1500 Motor Trike. Feel free to pick my brain (such as it is)! Pics of both are posted in the garage.

For new trikers, especially those coming from a 2 wheeler, a few tips:

-Keep that front wheel in the middle of your lane.

-Point the front wheel in the direction you want to turn (no countersteering!)

-Don't put your feet down at a stop.

-If you think you will be able to reach out and touch something to the side, you're too close! Watch out for curbs, toll booth & gas pump barrier poles, etc.

-When you hit a pothole or bump with one of your rear wheels, the bars will shake a bit. Don't worry, this is normal. The effect is a little more pronounced with solid axle rear ends.

-Add extra time at stops on a ride for answering questions from interested folks asking questions about your ride, from both two wheel riders and nonriders. (We could retire if we got $1 from every little kid we gave a quick 5 minute ride around a parking lot, and a couple of parents, too.)

-Don't worry about the small decrease in gas mileage. You now carry more weight, bigger wheels (and an extra one) and there are 2 air brakes right behind you, also known as "fenders"

-The soreness around your mouth and cheeks is from the extra big smile you will have for hours at a time. It doesn't go away, but don't worry - you'll get used to it.

I use chap stick for that smile.

[rhino 2]

I use chap stick for that smile.

Carl.........Welcome To Trike-Talk..............

[Gorilla]

welcome carl

[Kook]

I have rebuilt a trike wrecked a Champion kit and now has Harley DNA rear end. The champion set up worked awesome. It is a Yamaha 1700 which i bought triked and wrecked. I couldn't get another replacement Champion kit so I bought the DNA Harley and a shop ADAPTED it. The kit came with dual piston calipers and would never get right. Would either lock up and release after time or not stop it. Since the old kit had single piston calipers i changed it back to single pistons. have bled, changed master and now it will stop but to get good (has never been great since Champion kit) if i pump it a couple times. you can feel it initially engage but to truly stop it needs to be pumped a couple times. Have tried a proportioning valve and didnt do a noticeable thing.

Do any of you PROS and SEASONED trikers have any other ideas? I need major HELP!!!!!!!!!