Need some advice on Trike fit

[TGCarol]

Hi guys.

Now that I have some time and miles on my Triglide I would like to see if I can make it fit me better. I realize this is a very subjective topic so maybe there is no answer to my question except spending the money to try things out. I'm hoping that maybe some of you can steer me in the right direction.



This is a picture of me on my trike (the day after I got it ). It demonstrates my riding position pretty well. While riding straight, I'm leaned slightly forward with my arms almost straight. When I turn I have to lean forward. I have the Harley Adjustable Backrest on it now. It's in the farthest forward position but my back doesn't touch it. Seat and bars are stock.

One of my goals is to go on some long trips. I've only been on fairly short ones so far. I have no aches and pains or stiffness from this riding position but I think on a longer ride I will.

So, my question is where should I start? I'm afraid I'm going to blow a bunch of money on things I don't need or don't help. I once read a post (I think it was from Kevin of DK) that said to sit on the trike, close your eyes and place your hands in a comfortable position. This is where your hands should be while on the bars. This is a great idea but, since this is my first real, long term motorcycle, I really don't know what a good, comfortable position is for me yet. Are there guidelines to help figure this out?

Any advice you smart, experienced trike riders could give me would be great . Thanks in advance.

[triglide15]

I think you should start with handle bars. The khrome werks 2+2's They are 2" higher and 2" rearward. They can also be rotated back to move them closer yet to you. Bars are about 90.00 find an independent shop in your area to do the install would be a lot less then a dealer would charge. They have two different widths Narrow Sweeper is 31 3/4 wide - Sweeper is 34 1/4 wide the wider bars would make turning a little easier

[rhino 2]

Looks like you need a seat to move you forward, Or handlebars to shorten your reach...

Or maybe both....

[TGCarol]

I'm reading up on the different handlebars and seats that are available. It seems that the Khrome Werks 2+2 Sweepers are very popular.

If you don't mind me asking, when you're seated on your trike, how much bend is there at your elbow?

[rhino 2]

I'm reading up on the different handlebars and seats that are available. It seems that the Khrome Werks 2+2 Sweepers are very popular.

If you don't mind me asking, when you're seated on your trike, how much bend is there at your elbow?

Carol' Some Harley dealers have a wall with a bunch of demo seats [My Dealer doe's] that you can try out on your Trike.....That might help you...

[triglide15]

Reach out to your bars but stop 2" short of them and then raise your arms 2" that will get you close to where the 2+2 bars would be. Remember the bars could then be rotated backward to give you more bend in the arms and or set you back into the backrest

[Papa Zook]

Carol, here is a TriGlide handlebar thread from a while back with 112 posts.

Handlebars

[Fireman Will]

If you haven't gone on any long rides, do that before you spend $$$. Everything is new to you, sometimes all you need is miles. Check with your dealer on your back rest, there are more adjustment under the seat. also review how to steer a trike. (video)

[Jack Klarich]

Try a reach seat, it moves u forward closer to the bars

ANY touring seat will fit ur trike, don't let anyone tell u otherwise

[Trampas]

As others have said I would try a demo seat from the dealer and as Jack said a reach seat would get you a little closer. Then you will know if the seat helps and maybe go with bars later on, as others have said the 2+2 bars are popular, I have the 12.5 wild 1 bars and love them, lucky I got to ride a trike with them on so I knew that is the bar for me. Looks to me you are sitting to straight up and with yours are not bent so to speak, I don't think I could ride like that for very long, maybe it feels comfortable to you but for me I don't think it would, I'm 5' 9" and not very long arms so to speak or least compared to other people.

If any bike nights in the area go there and see if any trikes are there with bars or seats, I'm sure they would let you sit on it to see how it feels.

All for now Trampas

[Fearless]

Carol I can't add much I was experiencing shoulder and back pain with OEM bars. I was looking to straighten my wrist angle movement has been impaired since a crash involving a Collie in 1974. I looked at many different bars apes modular you name them I looked at or sat on bikes with them on.

I choose 2+2 Wide sweepers for two reasons, first angle of the wrists they are straighter than OEM secondly the convex curve coming off triple trees to clear the tank lift. Maybe three reasons Khrome Werks is a great company and treat customers fairly and does not over charge for a product just because the could. Fair pricing and they will answer all questions if you contact them.

I would suggest you look over their website. This bar change is a very personal thing what works for one may not fit you. I'm 5'8" tall and average length arms. Good luck if I can answer questions or be of help let me know. By the way great Kitchen you just opened... ride safe Fred

[TGCarol]

I just got done reading through the thread that Papa Zook linked (thanks Papa Zook). There's a lot of great information there. 2+2 Sweepers and HD Reach Bars seem to be the most popular ones. I went out to the garage and sat on my trike this morning and tried to measure and imagine my hands resting on each of the suggested bars. It's hard for me to visualize this kind of thing but it seems the 2+2 Wide Sweepers would feel the most comfortable. Three inches wider, two inches taller and two inches closer seemed to feel pretty good.

There is no way I will be installing these myself like those brave souls did in the other thread and the $1000 that was discussed for a dealer install is too much right now (still paying for the kitchen), so I will be calling a couple of different recommended bike shops in the area to see if I can get a better price.

I'm hopeful that this will fix my problem without changing my seat. I have fairly long legs and like my foot position. I tried sliding a bit forward on my seat and I felt a bit cramped.

Thanks again for for all the ideas everyone. You guys rock

[TGCarol]

Check with your dealer on your back rest, there are more adjustment under the seat.

Thanks for this. I will check it out.

[BillR]

Carol, I had my wife take this before I left this morning. I'm 5'8" with a 29" inseam. These are the narrow 2+2 bars. I have the Road Zeppelin seat which puts me an inch higher than stock. I don't think it moved me much front or back.

Nice relaxed arm position with bent elbows. I have them adjusted toward the higher end of their travel. I started with them farther back and lower, but decided I liked this position better. The narrow 2+2s are about the same width as the stock bars.

[TGCarol]

Thank you so much Bill. This is very helpful. I realize that your riding position is not going to be the same as mine but this picture gives me an idea of how close these bars would move towards me. I appreciate your time and thank your wife for me.

Also, nice trike!

[Fearless]

I just got done reading through the thread that Papa Zook linked (thanks Papa Zook). There's a lot of great information there. 2+2 Sweepers and HD Reach Bars seem to be the most popular ones. I went out to the garage and sat on my trike this morning and tried to measure and imagine my hands resting on each of the suggested bars. It's hard for me to visualize this kind of thing but it seems the 2+2 Wide Sweepers would feel the most comfortable. Three inches wider, two inches taller and two inches closer seemed to feel pretty good.

There is no way I will be installing these myself like those brave souls did in the other thread and the $1000 that was discussed for a dealer install is too much right now (still paying for the kitchen), so I will be calling a couple of different recommended bike shops in the area to see if I can get a better price.

I'm hopeful that this will fix my problem without changing my seat. I have fairly long legs and like my foot position. I tried sliding a bit forward on my seat and I felt a bit cramped.

Thanks again for for all the ideas everyone. You guys rock

Carol try rolling up a towel and place it behind you on the seat. The towel will move you forward on the seat giving you a better Idea where you need to be. That is what I did to see how the bars felt when the towel was in place. Fred

[FuzzyWuzHe]

If any bike nights in the area go there and see if any trikes are there with bars or seats, I'm sure they would let you sit on it to see how it feels.

All for now Trampas

This would apply to two wheelers too ... Just get someone to hold the bike up so you can concentrate on the bars or seat. The tri is basically an Ultra (albeit on steroids), so a two wheeler Ultra would works as well.

[rhino 2]

If you don't mind me asking, when you're seated on your trike, how much bend is there at your elbow?

If i can Splane this right, Holding on to the bars [Stock bars] in my riding position, and if i pored water on the top of my hands it would run down to the elbows and drop off at that point... Your arms are straight out in your picture, I'm willing to bet 'If you were to make a tight U-turn to the left , You would have to lean way forward or you right hand won't reach the right grip....

[TGCarol]

If i can Splane this right, Holding on to the bars [Stock bars] in my riding position, and if i pored water on the top of my hands it would run down to the elbows and drop off at that point... Your arms are straight out in your picture, I'm willing to bet 'If you were to make a tight U-turn to the left , You would have to lean way forward or you right hand won't reach the right grip....

I think you "Splaned" it great Dezi. Thanks

[Fearless]

Carol check out Tank lift thread in Triglide section. Bronxbill did use them on his 16 FYI. Fred