Greetings from a Total Novice

[ScooterMcGee]

Hiya (as my Scottish wife would say),<br />
<br />
Actually, I'm not even a novice yet, since I don't own a ride. But I joined this forum for a good reason. I need some solid advice from those "in the know." In the last 6 months, I've forked out $4K plus for repairs on my 2005 Jeep. That's it. I'm done. Knowing how frustrated I am, and knowing I've always been a wannabe Harley rider, my wife suggested getting rid of the Jeep and checking out a bike. I nearly fell over! Here's the thing. I'm a disabled Navy Vet with a fused left ankle, bad left knee, bad left hip, weak left calf muscles, and rheumatoid arthritis.

I know for sure I couldn't handle a two-wheeler, so I've got my eye on a brand new 2011 Street Glide trike. <br />
<br />
There's two things that concern me. One, I'm worried about being able to work the gear selector with the very limited motion in my bad ankle. The guy I've been talking to at the Harley dealer assures me I won't have a problem. Two, if I go for it, the trike will essentially be my permanent means of transportation, year 'round. My current commute to work is about 12 miles, one way. I'm concerned about whether a trike is safe enough to ride in snowy conditions. We don't normally get dumped on too bad here in northern Virginia, and I'm not so worried about staying warm enough. I do want to ride safe and not get myself stranded. So, what do you all think?

I'd really appreciate some feedback. Thanks.<br />
<br />
Scooter (Scott)

[tfdeputydawg]

Google Pingle then go to HD page and look at the air shifter.
Google Gerbing and look at all the heated clothing.
Only concern I would have is trying to turn on an icy/snow covered road

[Nana]

Hi Scooter, and welcome to the TrikeTalk family! You are in the right place to get a ton of questions answered, so make yourself at home here.<br />
We have at least one member in far more wintery weather than you have who's sole transportation is his trike --- our August Trike of the Month winner, Myth. He lives in New Jersey. PM him and ask him to share some recommendations with you for winter riding.<br />
I assure you, the trike is very stable! It is more the clothing you will need to keep warm.

[skuuter]

WELCOME to TRIKE TALK scooter (catchy name by the way...<img src="images/smilies/grin.gif" border="0" alt="" title="big grin" class="inlineimg" />).....I've been commuting for years (and doin' most everything else/grocery shopping, etc.) by Motorcycle. I ride year round from triple digit Summers to single digit Winters on two wheels with only about 20 or so days per year when I don't. <br />
<br />
I ride in light snow on two wheels, but heavy snow and/or ice pretty much forces me into a car or truck. I've got a real feelin' that the Trike will keep me on the road a lot more days this Winter....<img src="images/smilies/wink.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Wink" class="inlineimg" />...Clothing and Gear are the name of the game for weather survival on Trikes. My favorite Gear is an Olympia Motosports Phantom 1pc Suit....All Year/All Weather, and can be zipped over Your work clothes or worn by itself.....ENJOY the Forum....:wtg:

[ThirdWheel]

Greeting Scooter - with the heel-toe shifter you may be fine. You could just sit on it and try it out. I have no experience on snow except for playing around, like Nana said PM Myth.

[ScooterMcGee]

Hey Nana, Third Wheel and Skuuter, this is the kind of stuff I wanted to hear. Thanks. I'm a native Michigander, so a little cold weather doesn't bother me a bit. I'm going to see the dealer this Saturday and hopefully I'll be feeling the wind in my face soon. I'm so excited, I feel like a little kid. I'll keep you posted on how it goes. <br />
<br />
Cheers<br />
<br />
Scooter (Scott)

[katfish16]

Welcome to the board, I would try out the unit b-4 I bought it to make sure u can shift it. Also there is a product that will shift for U I think it is called a Killtronic shifter. Not sure on the spelling. but it might be something U might want to look into. Nana gave U some good advice on talking to Myth, he does ride year around. I rode in snow when I lived in Baltimore, but they really kept the streets clean. As far as the cold goes Skutter is the best dresser, so I would listen to his suggestions...

"Thank you for your service to our country"


Best of luck...and keep us informed on how things go..

[tis]

You also have another option you could look at, have you checked the Stallion out, quite a few members on this site own them, if that interests you check with Zook....

[Chumbly]

Greetings.... You might wanna look at the Pingle power shifter to meet your needs... check it out-<br />
<a href="http://www.pingelonline.com/eshifter.htm" target="_blank">Pingel All Electric Up/Down Shifters</a><br />
Nothin' to hold you back now... Good riding. Chumbly-<img src="images/smilies/cool.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Cool" class="inlineimg" />

[Shmick]

We get beaucoup snow in WI and I ride till they salt the roads. Just dress like a snowmobiler. Hands and toes may require special heated gear. But c'mon hey, it's Virchinia not the U.P. eh?
Good dealers will let you check out the fit and function of a ride.

[Big_Steve]

A trike builder that specializes in trikes for folks with limited physical ability, told me that there are certain cases where with the blessings of a Dr, the IRS will allow some or all of a trike build to be written off. She also specializes in electric shifters that are hand operated, not foot. Stand by, I'll try to find a link. My computer crashed a few months ago, and I lost all my bookmarks. Many-many folks buy trikes and have them shipped, you don't have to buy local if you can't fins what you need.

[Big_Steve]

Here you go. I don't know much about them. I only exchanged 1 email with them a few months ago, and it took them a few days to answer. I think it's a small operation.

DMR Trikes

[Big_Steve]

Here you go. I don't know much about them. I only exchanged 1 email with them a few months ago, and it took them a few days to answer. I think it's a small operation.

DMR Trikes

I didn't realize they were bolt on extra wheel kits. Well, it is an option anyway. On the site there is a link on the left side that discusses writing the kits off.

[Burbvarmint]

Hey Scooter, I'm in NoVa (Fairfax) also. I'm skeered half to death to get out in good weather here the way traffic is most of the time! Not sure if the CanAm types would be something you would be interested in, but Coleman Power Sports has some and they let a Legion Rider friend of mine test ride one. He liked it and his wife bought it for herself! Drop me a note and I'd be glad to help out any way I can. Burbvarmint.

[Gorilla]

Hey Nana, Third Wheel and Skuuter, this is the kind of stuff I wanted to hear. Thanks. I'm a native Michigander, so a little cold weather doesn't bother me a bit. I'm going to see the dealer this Saturday and hopefully I'll be feeling the wind in my face soon. I'm so excited, I feel like a little kid. I'll keep you posted on how it goes.

Cheers

Scooter (Scott)

Scooter Good Luck on the possible purchase. You all ready have the correct responses. Shifting should not be a problem. Winter either just take it easy. Cold weather is not that big of a deal if dress for it.

[ScooterMcGee]

Wow!! I truly do appreciate all the come-backs with advice. Thanks for making me feel at home. I'm going to PM each of you, but I wanted to get this quick reply off. This is my first opportunity to get online today.

Cheers,

Scooter

[redneckray]

Hello scooter,
welcome to the family, you will love it here, great bunch of friendly folks, hope you find what you are looking for in a trike as i know you will, good luck and thanks for serving,
ray[neck]

[Greydog]

I took my trike out in the snow last winter just to play around a little.....I gotta tell ya it don't steer worth a dam* in 3 inches of new snow!!! The rear wheels push the front wheel like a snow plow when turning. BTW...welcome from another old Navy Vet.....22 years...four burnin'...four turnin'....40 knots....no smoke!!!!

[John Luciano]

I know a guy with no left leg he shifted everything to the right foot and the Hand brake now operates front and rear. Anything is possible with a trike

[ScooterMcGee]

I have news. I didn't wait for tomorrow to go look at the trike. I went today, but the dealer only had one. A sweet loaded 2011 Tri-Glide. Harley Davidson preapproved me for financing, but I'm checking options with my bank to see if I can catch a better deal. If not, that won't be stopping me! She'll be mine by the end of next week. I keep having to pinch myself to make sure I'm not dreaming! Can't wait! I'm driving my poor Mrs. nuts 'cause I can't shut up about it. I'll post a pic when my trike's sitting in my driveway. By the way, shifting is a cinch. No difficulty whatsoever.

Later,

Scooter