First ride: handling..does it improve as the bike breaks in ? Or inexperience.?

[missedem]

Just wondering if I should take the bike back to the dealer and have it checked out or if I just need to get used to how the trike corners and rides vs. a regular bike. I can not believe how different they are. Feels like the trike just fights you in 90 degree turns. Bike pulled right once today so hard due to a bad road that was way off camber sloping downward to the right I just let it go off on the side before getting back on the road. 90 degree Left turns seem damn near impossible. I certainly gained respect for you long time trike riders today.

I bumped the rear right tire once, turning left ; on a curb. Because I turned too wide (forgot about the extra distance with an extra wheel in width vs. a bike) and felt the right wheel go part way up the curb before settling back down.

It was a rounded curb. Thankfully I was not going that fast at the time. Probably 10 mph. All in all one wild first days ride. I tried to be very cautious . I stuck to back roads, side roads and low traffic areas since I live in the boonies (Thank God). I did not scuff up the side wall, curb hit the bottom of the tire, and did not hit the right side tire too hard on the curb (I hope).

Tomorrow Im checking the air pressure in the rear shocks to make sure there is enough air in them. And checking tire pressure. If after I do the basic checks if the handling does not improve with time as I get used to the bike Im going to get it looked at.

Thoughts?? New to triking or something out of adjustment? Seems like it wants to pull to the outside a lot. (Even before I turned wide and bumped tire). Also seems to wander some. Thanks.

[Rick Kay]

If you're new to triking, I'd give it 400-500 miles. There's a learning curve, and as you get experience, riding the trike becomes more natural. The biggest change, as you noted, is how the trike corners vs a two wheeler. Push/pull with the bars through the turns...it's much easier. Trikes feel a little twitchy, too, especially at highway speeds. You'll get used to this, and won't give it a thought. Watch out for gas islands-remember the rear end is much wider! Hope things get easier for you!

[rhino 2]

Handing doesn't improve as the bike breaks in, But it will feel like it did as the rider breaks in.
You can't compare the handling to a 2 wheeler- [Apple's to Oranges] Hang in there after a while you'll get it figured out... Some people will get it right away, And some will after a few hundred miles..

[Keystone]

If you're new to triking, I'd give it 400-500 miles. There's a learning curve, and as you get experience, riding the trike becomes more natural. The biggest change, as you noted, is how the trike corners vs a two wheeler. Push/pull with the bars through the turns...it's much easier. Trikes feel a little twitchy, too, especially at highway speeds. You'll get used to this, and won't give it a thought. Watch out for gas islands-remember the rear end is much wider! Hope things get easier for you!

Handing doesn't improve as the bike breaks in, But it will feel like it did as the rider breaks in.

You can't compare the handling to a 2 wheeler- [Apple's to Oranges] Hang in there after a while you'll get it figured out... Some people will get it right away, And some will after a few hundred miles..

X2.

You will learn how the Trike reacts to road conditions etcetera. As rhino2 said, it doesn't compare to a 2 wheeled bike. In no time at all you will find your self handling the rough road conditions and how they affect steering.

You may find yourself with a huge grin on your face in a week or two also. Perfectly normal.

[hogcowboy]

Although the handling is different yet with a Spyder, it still took my wife 500 miles to get "somewhat" comfortable and I could really see an improvement after 1,000 miles. I did make some changes. Air pressure and sway bar but I think it was really her just getting used to three wheels instead of 2. And she had been without a bike for 20 years. The two are just totally different in the way they handle. Now she can out corner me. Amazing the difference once she wasn't afraid it would tip over since she couldn't "lean" like normal but had to actually put her body into it.

[roadking2]

Concentrate on keeping the front tire in the middle of the lane and forget about everything else that you are feeling. After you get some miles under your belt, You will be easily handling all kinds of road conditions without even thinking about it.

[Gorilla]

It would also be nice to know what make/model of trike you are riding. Wheelbase, tire pressure, rider size all make a difference. A trike rides much like a ATV or a snowmobile as far as steering goes. If all else is good with the trike then give the rider time to adjust. They are vastly different and some people have a longer learning time needed on then. Good luck

[screwball]

You didn't test ride a Freewheeler before you dropped $30,000+ for it, then modify the suspension??? There are a ton of threads here and on the 'other' trike board talking about the difference between a trikes handling and a 2 wheeler. I'm kind of worried when you say you ran it off the road because of the camber, then hit the curb on a left hand turn going slow.

Good Luck!

[pcombe]

#1. check tire pressure, Front inflated to the maximum. (so the wind don't push you around and road surfaces doesn't make the sidewall flex)(this one advantage to a rear tire mounted backward rotation on the front of your trike)

#2.The rear tires are part of your suspension, 22-26 lbs. press.

#3.Next air press in rear suspension if so equipped?

#4.Take it to a large LEVEL parking lot and see if it pulls one way or another, if it does have it looked at to make sure the front forks are equal to one another in the triple tree clamps, Or if the rear axle is out of alignment.

If it doesn't pull your the problem.

When riding, understand the steering is a push- pull exercise and locking the elbow on the arm your pushing with makes the steering easier, more confident and results in less fatigue. (especially important for folks without a great deal of upper body strength)

Your using muscles you don't normally use on a two wheeler.

When turning, If necessary learn to SHIFT your bum on the seat so as to be able to plant one foot more securely on the foot peg and better handle centrifugal force.

When going into a turn in the road always make sure your trike is in a gear where the engine is pulling rather than coasting so you can accelerate or decelerate as needed instead of just relying on the brake etc.

Also running your trike in a gear where the engine is always pulling instead of lugging will cut down on front end head shake and give faster response when needed.

by running in a pulling gear if you do get head shake a little acceleration should bring it out of it as well as deceleration or brake application as the riding situation demands. (this is good to know in town on crappy streets)

Hope that helps?

[FuzzyWuzHe]

#1. check tire pressure, Front inflated to the maximum. (so the wind don't push you around and road surfaces doesn't make the sidewall flex)(this one advantage to a rear tire mounted backward rotation on the front of your trike)

#2.The rear tires are part of your suspension, 22-26 lbs. press.

#3.Next air press in rear suspension if so equipped?

#4.Take it to a large LEVEL parking lot and see if it pulls one way or another, if it does have it looked at to make sure the front forks are equal to one another in the triple tree clamps, Or if the rear axle is out of alignment.

If it doesn't pull your the problem.

When riding, understand the steering is a push- pull exercise and locking the elbow on the arm your pushing with makes the steering easier, more confident and results in less fatigue. (especially important for folks without a great deal of upper body strength)

Your using muscles you don't normally use on a two wheeler.

When turning, If necessary learn to SHIFT your bum on the seat so as to be able to plant one foot more securely on the foot peg and better handle centrifugal force.

When going into a turn in the road always make sure your trike is in a gear where the engine is pulling rather than coasting so you can accelerate or decelerate as needed instead of just relying on the brake etc.

Also running your trike in a gear where the engine is always pulling instead of lugging will cut down on front end head shake and give faster response when needed.

by running in a pulling gear if you do get head shake a little acceleration should bring it out of it as well as deceleration or brake application as the riding situation demands. (this is good to know in town on crappy streets)

Hope that helps?

What he said ... I hated mine when I first bought it ... Hated it after the test ride ...

but after reading these threads for three months pulled the trigger ... took about 20 miles and I liked it ... after a couple hundred I loved it ... after 3200 mies ... you couldn't pry it away from me and I wonder every day why I didn't do this sooner.

[hogcowboy]

When turning, If necessary learn to SHIFT your bum on the seat so as to be able to plant one foot more securely on the foot peg and better handle centrifugal force.

This one probably needs repeated. Lean into it and kiss the mirror.

[screwball]

Honesty time. It is VERY unlikely the dealer delivered a 'Free with the tire pressure, shock pressure, and everything else screwed up. Steering and handling "don't break in" The only thing that will break in is you. You can bolt on a ton of 'stuff', dump the cats, add air dams, change the grips, seat, and floor board and it will steer and handle just about the way it does now. As was said, trikes steer more like quads than motorcycles. A day riding the 'twisties' will hurt your back and shoulders. There is no other way to steer than twist the handlebars. There is no power steering or power breaks. I say that because usually the second thing people complain about on the boards is the breaks.

IF it were me, I'd put the first 1000 miles on it then let the dealer have it for the first service. I'd maybe let someone with some trike experience try it.

After it goes to the dealer 2 or 3 or 4 times "because it doesn't handle right" your credibility is down the drain with the service people.

Good Luck

[missedem]

Im on a freewheeler ..I did test ride the trike but you cant really get the feel of how things are going to go in a dealer parking lot. Was all I could do , it was snowing too hard , windy , starting to sleet and frozen rain etc. You get the picture. For all you guys/girls in sunny locations spring in the rocky mountains can be weather bi-polar, manic depressive. It can go from sunny to snowy to rainy to icy to sleeting to rain/snow mix and back again in ten minutes.

I have not modified the suspension in any way. The only modifications were a decatted head pipe and some V&H mufflers with a dealer re flash on the ECM.

When I checked the tire pressure today it was 18 PSI in the back two tires . I filled them to 26. Put 22 LBS of air in the air suspension , it was set to 19 originally so only a bit of difference there. .

I will check the front tire and put air as necessary before riding tomorrow. In the dealers defense that sold it to me. It snowed here in MT. and took almost a month to get the bike actually in my garage. It sat for a long time at the dealer , so even if it was set up properly at first I lost some air pressure in the tires for sure. I should have checked out the air pressure in the tires , suspension etc right off but was so excited to ride that I got a bit lazy on delivery and once again I had to beat the snow.

I appreciate every ones encouragement. I felt pretty dumb about bumping the curb last time out but I would wager money i'm not the first person who forgot there was an extra wheel on the outside and took a corner like a two wheeler.

I have been riding 35 years on two wheels so I am having to unlearn a huge amount . I'm gonna stick to back roads for awhile.

I am looking forward to getting past the learning curve and really getting the hang of this. I will have the bike thoroughly gone over at the 1K service. Just in case its not just me. Once again thanks for the encouragement and help for the FNG....much respect to all.

[missedem]

#1. check tire pressure, Front inflated to the maximum. (so the wind don't push you around and road surfaces doesn't make the sidewall flex)(this one advantage to a rear tire mounted backward rotation on the front of your trike)

#2.The rear tires are part of your suspension, 22-26 lbs. press.

#3.Next air press in rear suspension if so equipped?

#4.Take it to a large LEVEL parking lot and see if it pulls one way or another, if it does have it looked at to make sure the front forks are equal to one another in the triple tree clamps, Or if the rear axle is out of alignment.

If it doesn't pull your the problem.

When riding, understand the steering is a push- pull exercise and locking the elbow on the arm your pushing with makes the steering easier, more confident and results in less fatigue. (especially important for folks without a great deal of upper body strength)

Your using muscles you don't normally use on a two wheeler.

When turning, If necessary learn to SHIFT your bum on the seat so as to be able to plant one foot more securely on the foot peg and better handle centrifugal force.

When going into a turn in the road always make sure your trike is in a gear where the engine is pulling rather than coasting so you can accelerate or decelerate as needed instead of just relying on the brake etc.

Also running your trike in a gear where the engine is always pulling instead of lugging will cut down on front end head shake and give faster response when needed.

by running in a pulling gear if you do get head shake a little acceleration should bring it out of it as well as deceleration or brake application as the riding situation demands. (this is good to know in town on crappy streets)

Hope that helps?

Took trike to the dealer today. Back rear right brake is dragging badly. Trike pulls right hard when you use the rear brake.

Might be the reason the trike has had a slow pull to the right ever since I got it. Should hear something back on Monday or Tuesday. This is good and helpful information you posted I appreciate it and everyone who submitted information. Thank you.

[cavie]

Soon you'll be like riding a horse. let the bike move under you. Loose the death grip on the handle bars unless in a turn. When I'm going straight I have the bars in my finger tips. do you have raked kit steering? If not get it. It is power steering for trikes. Plant your knee into the tank when turning. The light blub will come on soon.

[DK Custom Products]

Took trike to the dealer today. Back rear right brake is dragging badly. Trike pulls right hard when you use the rear brake. Might be the reason the trike has had a slow pull to the right ever since I got it. Should hear something back on Monday or Tuesday. This is good and helpful information you posted I appreciate it and everyone who submitted information. Thank you.

Sounds like you will get it back tracking straight.

Once that is good, there are a few things you can do to make it a nicer ride, and a easier to steer.

(There is no doubt, a trike takes more physical effort to go thru the corners)

Getting wider handlebars will give you more leverage...equals less effort to muscle it thru the turns.

36-38 psi front tire will make steering easier.

Standard or Comfort Lift Kit will lessen the effort in steering input also.

They will also give a bit more traction to the front tire for braking. This was the biggest learning curve for me .... On two wheels I use my front brake for 80%-90% of all my normal braking power.

Can't do that on the Trikes...not enough weight on the front tire. I finally started using my back brake after locking up the front tire who knows how many times.

By using either one of the Lift kits it shifts a bit more weight to the front tire, giving you more front braking power.

They also will give a bit nicer (more comfortable) ride.

Running 20-22 psi in the rear tires will also smooth out the bums some.

Getting the PSI dialed in on the shocks can make a big difference in ride quality also. Ignore the manual and experiment with the shock PSI. As little as 2 lbs can make a significant difference in the ride quality.

Take your time getting to know the nuances of 3 wheeled riding. Hopefully it will become second nature before too long. Once that happens, you'll be amazed how well they handle the sharp curves!

Most of all, Have Fun!

Kevin

[missedem]

Awesome video. I appreciate the input and experience.

I am getting better at around town. Went through Missoula on the way to the HD shop and had no trouble at all.

However up the hwy a bit on 93 is some serious curves . 75 MPH and really sharp. That is my main concern. The hwys here in MT. and in ID going through the mountains where I live are very fast and very curvy. 75 and 80 MPH are common place.

Its going to take some time before I feel comfortable on such sharp, hard , fast turns. Id love to slow down but its not safe to do so since you will get run off the road here literally for not keeping up. And frankly if you cant do 80 on the hwy in a posted 75 MPH I would do better on 2 wheels.

Hopefully everyone tells me once you are used to trikes they work great in the corners and hard turns. I am hoping so. Most of the riding I do in the western states includes speeds of 75-80 MPH just as the speed limit. Thanks for the input and concern.

- - - Updated - - -

Soon you'll be like riding a horse. let the bike move under you. Loose the death grip on the handle bars unless in a turn. When I'm going straight I have the bars in my finger tips.

do you have raked kit steering? If not get it. It is power steering for trikes. Plant your knee into the tank when turning. The light blub will come on soon.

The stock freewheeler does not have raked trees to my knowledge unless they come from the factory that way. I never thought to look at the rake and my owners manual is in the trunk of the trike at the dealer. Ill have to check it out when I get the trike back. thanks for the help and suggestions.

[DK Custom Products]

Awesome video. I appreciate the input and experience.

I am getting better at around town. Went through Missoula on the way to the HD shop and had no trouble at all.

However up the hwy a bit on 93 is some serious curves . 75 MPH and really sharp. That is my main concern. The hwys here in MT. and in ID going through the mountains where I live are very fast and very curvy. 75 and 80 MPH are common place.

Its going to take some time before I feel comfortable on such sharp, hard , fast turns. Id love to slow down but its not safe to do so since you will get run off the road here literally for not keeping up. And frankly if you cant do 80 on the hwy in a posted 75 MPH I would do better on 2 wheels.

Hopefully everyone tells me once you are used to trikes they work great in the corners and hard turns. I am hoping so. Most of the riding I do in the western states includes speeds of 75-80 MPH just as the speed limit. Thanks for the input and concern.

- - - Updated - - -

The stock freewheeler does not have raked trees to my knowledge unless they come from the factory that way. I never thought to look at the rake and my owners manual is in the trunk of the trike at the dealer. Ill have to check it out when I get the trike back. thanks for the help and suggestions.

We try and get to Missoula most every year to visit our grand-daughter.

You aren't kidding about some of those roads and the speed folks are traveling.

Coming over the pass, and heading down into Missoula is one road where the limit is 70 or 75 thru some fairly gnarly curves.

99% of the time the posted speed limit is slower than I want to go thru curves. On that road, I take many of the curves BELOW the speed limit. If there is traffic I just put my flashers on and ride at a speed that I am comfortable at, regardless of the max speed limit.

I had to do that once coming out of Vegas to LA, everyone was going 90-95 mph and I just was not comfortable at that speed. I stayed in the right lane with my flashers on and kept a good cushion in front of me and kept an eye on my mirrors.

Ride your own ride, so you are around to enjoy more riding.

I would get fully comfortable on the the trike before riding in any questionable areas...and there is no doubt, that with every passing mile you should get more and more of a feel for your trike and get comfortable with how you enjoy riding it.

Kevin

[missedem]

We try and get to Missoula most every year to visit our grand-daughter.

You aren't kidding about some of those roads and the speed folks are traveling.

Coming over the pass, and heading down into Missoula is one road where the limit is 70 or 75 thru some fairly gnarly curves. 99% of the time the posted speed limit is slower than I want to go thru curves. On that road, I take many of the curves BELOW the speed limit. If there is traffic I just put my flashers on and ride at a speed that I am comfortable at, regardless of the max speed limit.

I had to do that once coming out of Vegas to LA, everyone was going 90-95 mph and I just was not comfortable at that speed. I stayed in the right lane with my flashers on and kept a good cushion in front of me and kept an eye on my mirrors.

Ride your own ride, so you are around to enjoy more riding.

I would get fully comfortable on the the trike before riding in any questionable areas...and there is no doubt, that with every passing mile you should get more and more of a feel for your trike and get comfortable with how you enjoy riding it.

Kevin

thanks for the friendly reminder.. being around to enjoy the ride is the entire point.. much respect and thank you.

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Running 20-22 psi in the rear tires will also smooth out the bums some.
Kevin

Been riding with 22 psi in the rears for awhile now .... bum is still rough ...