Big test for my new Trike

[DRT]

After getting my motor trike Road Glide a couple of weeks ago. I finally had an opportunity to put it to the test. We took a trip down to South Texas hill country and rode the Three Twisted Sisters. For those that have not ever driven there. It is one of the Best MC roads in the US.
My conclusions on the trike conversion:
1. Push/pull steering is not quite as enjoyable as two wheels, but still had fun.
2. Had to do more shifting in order to keep the power band in right gear.
3. Tough to ever use 6th gear, even on open roads. Had to shift to 5th gear any time below 65mph or any type of incline.
4. Averaged about 33mpg.
5. Passenger (wife) very please with ride and feel of trike vs two wheels.

Takes bumps better.
6.

Wind does indeed effect your trike on the open highway.

Big gust of wind can easily move you more than with two wheels.
7. Little bit of sideways rock and roll on highway, when highway is not very level. Got to keep ready for those dips, ridges and uneven roads.

Overall I give it an 8.5 out of 10. Less stress, easy to turn around, no dropping bike at low speeds maneuvers, passenger happy.

I recommend anyone who needs great stability to go for a Trike.

 

[Fearless]

need 30 tooth on tranny

You must be geared like my 09 I have just recently picked up a 30 for front that is what comes as OEM now, changing this winter. good luck nice conversion you have there. ThumbUp ride safely fearless

 

[Sloride]

You must be geared like my 09 I have just recently picked up a 30 for front that is what comes as OEM now, changing this winter. good luck nice conversion you have there. ThumbUp ride safely fearless

"What Fearless said"

$$$ for $$$ the best performance mod you can do for your trike

then the performance bug bites...ask me how I know

I have had to start selling Roses on the street corner, "wearing spandex to attract attention"...to pay for my addiction (It ain't a pretty site)

 

[Gorilla]

Just for a FYI count the teeth on the front and rear belt sprocket. You very well might benefit from the sprocket change. If you can not count the front you should be able to find the specs on your bike which will tell.

 

[DRT]

OK Guys. I have had a few people mentioned changing sprockets and a few other friends say better cams.

So which is it sprocket or cams????? Or both?

 

[lzski326]

I would go with the sprocket first. It will make a big difference

 

[Fearless]

Depends

How many miles do you have on the motor are you happy with the power now. how fast do you want to go? how much weight to you carry on the trike? how much do you want to budget? all relative to your decision.
For me I don't need to go 100 mph I hate slipping the clutch pulling out of a intersection up hill in Pennsylvania we have lots! . For me a front pulley change, I don't have high miles on motor it would more than likely cost more to do cams than a pulley. If I didn't like it (cams) cost more to change do it again etc. something else to change.

Harley went with the 30 on front to resolve bottom end grunt good enough for me.

I'm not a performance nut.

to each their own though. :Shrug:ride safely fearless

 

[Sloride]

OK Guys. I have had a few people mentioned changing sprockets and a few other friends say better cams.

So which is it sprocket or cams????? Or both?

I would start with the sprocket, it is the easiest and most bang for the buck. mod to do.

To really help you, it would help to know the following

What year is your RG?
What motor do you have? Is it stock?
What exhaust do you have?
Has your motor been dyno tuned?

I live in Arlington and I have a 2010 RGC with a Motortrike conversion. When I bought it it had the SE 103 Stage II kit with 255 cams and 2-1 exhaust. I was very unhappy with the performance.

Your statements below sound exactly like my thoughts after riding my trike for a few weeks
"Had to do more shifting in order to keep the power band in right gear.
Tough to ever use 6th gear, even on open roads. Had to shift to 5th gear any time below 65mph or any type of incline."

My bike before this was a 2013 RGC CVO with Cams, headwork, exhaust and tune and it ran very strong, it was driving me nuts riding the trike

I ended up going with a 110 CI bolt on kit and a full build with cams, heads, better exhaust and tune.

the trike runs like a bat out of hell.



But with saying that, I would start with the sprocket change and see if that's enough for you.

If your still not happy, then look at cams, exhaust and a tune. S&S makes a cam specifically for HD trikes, the TTS-100 is a great trike cam.

DK Customs has performance kits designed for trikes, give them a call and see what they offer

 

[DRT]

Hey Sloride, your thoughts are right in line with what I was thinking. I have 2013 Road Glide Ultra 103 with 254e cams, big breather, vance/hines and race tuner. Your description of changing gears was exactly like my experience. So I guess the changes will now start. Who knew going to a trike would change the performance so much.

I think trike conversion companies in general should let know what to expect in performance issues, before you spend $1000's of dollars on add on accessories. I would have preferred to spend the money on upgradind the performance other than the looks.

 

[Sloride]

Hey Sloride, your thoughts are right in line with what I was thinking. I have 2013 Road Glide Ultra 103 with 254e cams, big breather, vance/hines and race tuner. Your description of changing gears was exactly like my experience. So I guess the changes will now start. Who knew going to a trike would change the performance so much.

I think trike conversion companies in general should let know what to expect in performance issues, before you spend $1000's of dollars on add on accessories. I would have preferred to spend the money on upgradind the performance other than the looks.

Hey DRT,

The 350-400 lb's additional weight and wind cross section is what kills our performance.

I looked up your cam and this is straight from the SE catalog
SE -254E Cam KitThis cam provides great low-end torque along with
good midrange. A good “all-around” cam, the SE-254E is a good match for a Dyna, Softail or light Touring bike
- Road King®, Street Glide® or Road Glide® Custom when the aggressive rider desires a little more top-end horsepower.

That same cam that made your RG Ultra run so good, is not a good choice for our HEAVY Trikes.

The gear change will help shift your RPM's a little more toward your power bands sweet spot.

But IMO...

I really think your going to have to do the gear change and change cams to get where you want to be.

I would be looking at the TTS-100 or the S&S 557 Trike cam. You already have the exhaust, Intake and tuner. BTW...Waco HD has a trike dyno and they were trained by Ed @ the Dyno difference.

Lets get together and do a Breakfast run sometime

 

[DRT]

Thanks for all the feedback. I think I will work on this project over the winter months.

 

[6bull]

Thanks for all the feedback. I think I will work on this project over the winter months.

DRT

I had the same problems that you have. I had a Motor Trike Gladiator Kit installed on my 2009 Electra Glide Ultra Classic. I drove home on interstate about 60 miles from where the kit was installed. When I went into 6th gear the Motor Trike started pulling down, I was headed east and had a wind blowing out of the southeast. When I came upon slight inclines the engine rpm's were dropping and 6th gear was usless. I searched the forums, read everything I could find and messaged several people on different forums.

The first thing I did was change the front pulley on the final drive from a 32 tooth to a 30 tooth. I also ended up having to change to a shorter belt. I thought this mod was going to be "The Fix" but that wasn't the case. The performance was better as the rpm's were higher now on interstate, but still lacking.

Again I searched the forums, read even more and still asked questions. I had SE 255 cams installed then got a map from Dynojet and flashed the map to the Power Vision.

It ran much better, now where I was losing rpm's on long steeper inclines I was hardly losing rpm's and speed.

I ran my Motor Trike with the pulley mod and SE 255 cams for a few years until I had a 103 kit installed. When I had the 103 kit installed, TTS 100 cams were installed and tuned with a TTS tuner. I know there isn't much of a difference cubic inch wise form the 96 that was in the Electra Glide Ultra Classic to the 103 kit I had installed. The TTS 100 cams and the TTS tune sure made a difference on the Motor Trike. I can't recall the dyno sheet from the 103 compared to the dyno sheet from the 96 when I first bought the Electra Glide.

I have since traded the Motor Trike and bought a 2016 Tri Glide. I'm impressed with the Rushmore 103, no complaints on how the 103 runs, pulls and happy with the fuel mileage. I was very impressed with the TTS 100 cams and very tempted to install them in the Tri Glide. One has to remember that a Motor Trike and Tri Glide catch a lot of wind with the wide fenders on the back, that will affect performance. I'm not a small guy and that has to be taken into consideration, also the weight factor of passengers and luggage when taking trips.

I'm not associated with Dynojet or TTS, each individual has their opinions and thoughts on tuners and cams.

I hope my experience with my Motor Tike helps you out in your decision of what to do mod wise with your Motor Trike.


6bull aka Jim

 

[clint44]

Thanks for all the feedback. I think I will work on this project over the winter months.

If you're not in a huge hurry, I have a new 30T front pulley that's still in the box, that will fit your trike. If interested, drop me a line.