First of all, thanks to everyone that contributes to this site. Without your opinions and insights I can't imagine how I would have ever come to the decision to buy a Tri-Glide.
As a bit of background, I am a single guy just shy of 70 and still reasonably fit. I walk the golf course a couple of times a week and bowl on a league twice a week. I have ridden motorcycles off and on since I was in the service and most of them were imports. My most recent ride was a 2007 Ultra that I bought new and did a lot of work on myself. But, about a year and a half ago I decided that I had had enough of two wheels and replaced it with a strong running two seater convertible. Now, don't get me wrong, that thing is fun, but it just can't replace riding even with the top down. I really enjoyed taking long trips on the bike. And, hours in the saddle were actually fun for me. I had started mixing in camping some nights when on long trips and that really made for memorable times.
So, in the past few months I got the itch to get another bike. The fact that I still had all my expensive riding gear and other goodies just added to the fire. Initially, I had the Limited in my sights, but as nice as that ride is, it just didn't get rid of my concerns about riding on two wheels, especially as I get older. Then I happened upon this site and I was back in "school" and loving it! The end result is that I am now the proud owner of a 2014, bone stock, sun-glo red and darkened cayenne, Tri-Glide that only had 420 miles on it when I picked it up last Saturday. Not even broken in yet! I spent five minutes driving around the dealer's parking lot that was marked off for an MSF course and then I was on the road. And, in spite of no small amount of anxiety with regard to switching from two wheels to three, I enjoyed every mile of the 40 it took to get home.
It took a few miles to get used to the amount of input you need for steering, especially when going around a 90 degree corner from a stop. I had to unlearn the need for more throttle in those situations. But, after another 50 miles yesterday afternoon and this morning it seems as natural as can be. I just have to baby it a bit since it is still in the break in stage.
The other thing I noticed was how rough the ride was compared to the Ultra. I know a lot has been written about that and was sort of expecting it. But, this was a little surprising. So, I checked the tire pressures and the front was fine at 36 but the rears were at 36 also! Plus, the air shock was only at 11. That's sort of like riding a rigid with a hard rubber tire. I haven't been able to ride it since correcting these two issues because it's raining, but I suspect that things should be greatly improved.
Now the fun starts - Planning trips, buying lots of shiny goodies, getting performance stuff, and making some of the mods that DK Customs offers. And lest I forget, hanging out with all the "really cool people" that ride trikes, both here on this site and on the road!
Thanks Y'all,
Gary
As a bit of background, I am a single guy just shy of 70 and still reasonably fit. I walk the golf course a couple of times a week and bowl on a league twice a week. I have ridden motorcycles off and on since I was in the service and most of them were imports. My most recent ride was a 2007 Ultra that I bought new and did a lot of work on myself. But, about a year and a half ago I decided that I had had enough of two wheels and replaced it with a strong running two seater convertible. Now, don't get me wrong, that thing is fun, but it just can't replace riding even with the top down. I really enjoyed taking long trips on the bike. And, hours in the saddle were actually fun for me. I had started mixing in camping some nights when on long trips and that really made for memorable times.
So, in the past few months I got the itch to get another bike. The fact that I still had all my expensive riding gear and other goodies just added to the fire. Initially, I had the Limited in my sights, but as nice as that ride is, it just didn't get rid of my concerns about riding on two wheels, especially as I get older. Then I happened upon this site and I was back in "school" and loving it! The end result is that I am now the proud owner of a 2014, bone stock, sun-glo red and darkened cayenne, Tri-Glide that only had 420 miles on it when I picked it up last Saturday. Not even broken in yet! I spent five minutes driving around the dealer's parking lot that was marked off for an MSF course and then I was on the road. And, in spite of no small amount of anxiety with regard to switching from two wheels to three, I enjoyed every mile of the 40 it took to get home.
It took a few miles to get used to the amount of input you need for steering, especially when going around a 90 degree corner from a stop. I had to unlearn the need for more throttle in those situations. But, after another 50 miles yesterday afternoon and this morning it seems as natural as can be. I just have to baby it a bit since it is still in the break in stage.
The other thing I noticed was how rough the ride was compared to the Ultra. I know a lot has been written about that and was sort of expecting it. But, this was a little surprising. So, I checked the tire pressures and the front was fine at 36 but the rears were at 36 also! Plus, the air shock was only at 11. That's sort of like riding a rigid with a hard rubber tire. I haven't been able to ride it since correcting these two issues because it's raining, but I suspect that things should be greatly improved.
Now the fun starts - Planning trips, buying lots of shiny goodies, getting performance stuff, and making some of the mods that DK Customs offers. And lest I forget, hanging out with all the "really cool people" that ride trikes, both here on this site and on the road!
Thanks Y'all,
Gary
