Trikes are so much more fun

[Capt.Bob]

It was a beautiful day in North Florida/South Georgia and I went on about a 200 mile ride on my 2005 Harley Road King. Although there was a bit of nice feeling being able to take curves leaned over or migrate within my lane with a touch of countersteering and/or slight lean, I realized that I really don't enjoy riding on two wheels that much anymore.

Having ridden for about 50 years and owning 99 motorcycles (just got a 2017 TGU) with three of them being trikes, I used to pride myself on constantly reading the road surfaces and adjusting to changing conditions. That was especially true when we were going "supersonic" on our uber high-performance sport bikes (i.e. Yamaha R1, Honda VTR1000, Ducati 748) when I was in my early 50's. Yesterday's ride just seemed kind of tedious having to do all of those things and also worry about putting a foot down at a traffic light.

The realization came over me that I am about to get rid of the Road King and forever more just enjoy the pleasures of three wheels on the ground. The simplicity of trikes is such that you can loaf if you want to or get as aggressive as you think prudent and still have a great time. Seems to me that the trike offers the best of both worlds and gives up very little in terms of enjoyment for the type of riding that is pleasurable these days. Of course YMMV but this is TrikeTalk and I am sure that my sentiments are echoed by others on this forum.

[Bronson512]

I agree with everything you said Capt. Although I've had a lot of fun on bikes over the years I am really enjoying this new experience with my trike. On my first ride on my trike I found myself in a serious traffic jam. Traffic was stop and go for miles thus not having to put my feet down to balance was nice. ..........but I think the best part of the trike is my co-riders confidence. She has never had concerns while we were on a bike but says she really likes the way the trike feel to her.

[ol' school]

I totally agree with both of you. Had a lot of fun over the years on two wheels but three has it's own pleasures, one of which is not having to put your feet down at stops (which really bugs my two wheel riding buddies), and my wife absolutely loves the stability of riding on three wheels. Now when she naps while riding behind me when we are on longer rides she don't have to worry about how hard I am leaning in turns... Riding on three is awesome!!!

[Bronson512]

I run into an old motorcycle riding friend the other day. I told him I had bought a Trike. He looked at me in amazement and ask "Why didn't you just buy a convertible car? I told him there is only one kind of person who would say that .......Someone who hasn't rode a trike. Kind of like what many of my friends used to say about bikes with a fairing, bags etc. Now the ones who still ride are on bikes with fairing, bags especially if they ride anywhere other than to Dairy Queen.

[trikermutha]

I found that putting my foot in oil on the road on more than one occasion and almost dropping the bike was enough for me . As I was getting older I decided it was enough and went to 3 wheels at 35's YO. Have not regretted it one bit. I did buy a 2000 ultra and really liked that bike then bought a 2010 Tri glide to add to my 96 conversion at that time.

[paws]

I drove a Kawasaki Voyager VII for several years and just loved that bike. Through the years and several bikes later I decided I wanted another big, comfortable touring bike but really wanted a Gold Wing this time. Due to the fact that Gold Wings have such a low center of gravity I could have still been able to drive one but I knew the moment it tipped one way or the other a little too much I would not have the upper body strength and leg muscles now to save it and the bike and I would both be toast!

When I drove Jim's GW trike home from the seller's place I knew this would be the only way I could drive my own GW now so I bought myself a GW trike also. Not having to put the feet down in heavy traffic has been a treat! I also appreciate that a trike is level and comfortable to sit on while waiting for someone in a parking lot, when there is no place else to sit and wait. Plus I don't have to be concerned about slow turns and uneven, rough surfaces while trying to park! Carla

[DK Custom Products]

It was 75* and sunny at noon today.

Mary said she wanted to go for a ride.

I told her both the Softail and the Tri-Glide are gassed up, which one did she want to take?

Trike, she said.

We went for a 100+ mile putt, all country roads. Some of them covered with wet leaves.

It would have been fun one either, but it was More fun, and More relaxed on the Tri-Glide.

Kevin

[Springman2007]

I have to readily admit that piloting a trike (when you get use to doing so) seems to take less mental overhead for me, anyway. And, it seems to stem from the fact that others seem to take more, or better notice of me....bigger vehicle I guess...

So, maybe it is that I feel more relaxed and less on guard on a trike (maybe not a good thing....sometimes.)

Anyway....I am working at it - FUN! (GRIN!)

Springman

[kybigmac]

When I bought my first trike I thought I'll keep the bike and ride which one I was in the mood for. After about a year I sold the bike because I never rode it. I rode the motorcycle about 500 miles and had to force myself to ride it because I would rather be on the trike. The other plus is my wife loves the trike and is always ready to ride,she was scared of the bike and wouldn't ride!

[geezerglide11441]

When I bought my first trike I thought I'll keep the bike and ride which one I was in the mood for. After about a year I sold the bike because I never rode it. I rode the motorcycle about 500 miles and had to force myself to ride it because I would rather be on the trike. The other plus is my wife loves the trike and is always ready to ride,she was scared of the bike and wouldn't ride!

kydigmac, same here with my wife and I. I had a 2013 V-Rod Muscle and my current 2013 Trike and found myself feeling guilty for not riding the V-Rod so just sold it this last year. Wife loves the Trike and I would NOT rider her on the V-Rod and she was fine with that. However, I also loved to ride the V-Rod but enjoyed the more relaxed way of riding the Trike!!

Roger

[Trent]

The fact that my BOB {Babe On Back} loves to ride behind me is all I need to justify ridin' a Trike. The original poster nailed it just right. More relaxing, safer, less work, more chrome crap to buy, and many more reasons also. We love our Trike.

[Mykneesbehurtin]

My wife had reconstructive foot surgery 12 weeks ago and she lost out on some late fall riding last year,so she gets her cast off this Wed so today i asked her if she thought she could get on the trike for a New Year's Day ride she beat me too the garage even walking with a cane and low and behold she was able to get on without any issues.Had this been a two wheeler there was no way she could have gotten on.So she was very happy to take a ride with me today.We didn't go far was 42 out but managed about 30 miles.Having this trike has been great for us.

[graygoat]

Well said by all, love this thing & having my wife on back is great!

[Jack Klarich]

I ride every day I do not own a car

[Trailridr]

I bought a new Victory (2010) Cross Roads. Biggest bike I'd ever ridden. It wasn't set up properly at the dealer - took 4,000 miles to figure that one out. Great bike after I figured out the rear wheel was out of alignment. By that time the damage was done though. I'd dropped it a couple of time in the parking lot and my wife wouldn't ride with me anymore. In 7 years of owning the Vic I put around 7,000 miles on it - mostly solo. The first full year I had the TG we put 3,000 on it, and now she's interested in learning to ride it. I'd rather ride 2 up on 3 wheels, than sole on 2. The Tri-Glide is a lot of fun, but it's definitely NOT a motorcycle. There will be another motorcycle in my future to go with the trike.

Trail Rider

[GARYD]

I bought a new Victory (2010) Cross Roads. Biggest bike I'd ever ridden. It wasn't set up properly at the dealer - took 4,000 miles to figure that one out. Great bike after I figured out the rear wheel was out of alignment. By that time the damage was done though. I'd dropped it a couple of time in the parking lot and my wife wouldn't ride with me anymore. In 7 years of owning the Vic I put around 7,000 miles on it - mostly solo. The first full year I had the TG we put 3,000 on it, and now she's interested in learning to ride it. I'd rather ride 2 up on 3 wheels, than sole on 2. The Tri-Glide is a lot of fun, but it's definitely NOT a motorcycle. There will be another motorcycle in my future to go with the trike.Trail Rider

1 It looks like a motorcycle
2 It sounds like a motorcycle
3 It has a handlebar like a motorcycle
4 It has a seat like a motorcycle
5 It has brakes like a motorcycle
6 It is registered as a motorcycle
7 It's sold in a motorcycle shop
8 It has a gas tank like a motorcycle
9 It has to obey all the rules and laws as a motorcycle
10 It has the exact same view from the riders position as a motorcycle
11 It has a front wheel as a motorcycle
12 It's repaired like a motorcycle
13 It has the same parts as a motorcycle
14 You get just as wet in the rain as a motorcycle
15 You get bugs in your teeth just like a motorcycle

By god, IT IS A MOTORCYCLE

My insurance card says so at least.

People that say it isn't are the same people that say a Sportster is not a Harley.

[alienwulf]

Only thing you left off was lean..who says you can't lean a trike? I have leaned mine a few times..

[rhino 2]

Harley calls them Trikes..... They build them they ought to know..
When i go out for a ride, And my Wife asks which bike are you taken, If I'm gonna take the Tri-Glide i tell her I'm taken the Trike.. If I'm going to ride the Victory i say I'm taken the Bike.. Just saying...

[gerald martin]

IMO anyone that thinks a trike is not a motorcycle is well starts with an S. or has been watching too many outlaw motorcycle movies where only the tough guys ride two wheelers. Three wheel motorcycles were invented long before two wheeled motorcycles 7000 miles in 7 years. What an amazing amount of riding

[LadyonaMission]

I always call my Freewheeler a motorcycle and my Schwinn a trike.