Independent Suspension

[Thomas L]

My wife has a CanAm Spyder - with independent suspension. My 2015 Tri-Glide is like a riding a 1950 Gravel Truck. ( It's like Night and Day. ) I still love the H-D.. BUT when oh when will Harley get it right and produce an independent axel.

[520fd]

My wife has a CanAm Spyder - with independent suspension. My 2015 Tri-Glide is like a riding a 1950 Gravel Truck. ( It's like Night and Day. ) I still love the H-D.. BUT when oh when will Harley get it right and produce an independent axel.

Ya know Thomas, I've been wondering that for years. I would love to have Harley come out with a trike with Independent Suspension. I sure it's got to do with money. I told myself when I bought a 2011 Tri-Glide that I will never buy another Harley Trike until the come out with the IRS. So here I go and buy a 2017. I'll never learn. Anyway, we can dream, can't we?

[rhino 2]

The'll come out with independent suspension when the competition forces them to....

And right now there is none......

[vito]

Body roll is a lot more difficult to control on a trike with a single front wheel. Maybe that's why Can Am chose the odd configuration. Also, ride quality is more a function of suspension travel than of independent suspension - the more travel the softer the ride can be but the softer ride = more body roll. I'm sure some custom shop could provide long softer riding spring/shock assemblies if there was a demand.

[hogcowboy]

That's why I'm waiting as long as I can to convert my Indian. My wife also has a Spyder and if we ever get around to putting a Ron Bar on it(she has a 16 and that's a beefier swaybar), she'll be able to out corner me without trying. As it is she's right on my tail unless in really quick right/left curves. I keep hoping Hannigan will offer their reverse trike for Indian or Tilting Motorworks does. The two wheels in front just perform so much better. But then I am keeping an eye on Harley in case they offer an independent suspension as well. Or I might just park my Indian and get another Spyder. Just holding out as long as I can because I just don't see anything else that I really really like.

[1dn5up]

Even if HD had IRS as a option, used a competers kit, and did the conversation at there factory, the cost would still be less than if you brought your bike to be converted. Plus your getting a new model bike. Like stated before, HD has NO competition as of yet. Therefor if it works , there not changing it.

[ISP-FL]

When and if my DW ever stops wanting to ride with me I will be going back to 2 wheels, probably a Harley WG if they still have them. The only thing that would keep me on a TG is if they change to IRS. For 5 or 6 months in SW Florida it is no big deal where all the roads are nice and smooth. Then for the rest of the year everyplace else I feel every rut, bump, and pot hole. Overall not a comfortable ride.

[GARYD]

My wife has a CanAm Spyder - with independent suspension. My 2015 Tri-Glide is like a riding a 1950 Gravel Truck. ( It's like Night and Day. ) I still love the H-D.. BUT when oh when will Harley get it right and produce an independent axel.

I hope never.

I had a 2012 and now a 2014. Maybe 2018 if I live long enough to justify it.

[Capt.Bob]

I don't quite understand the continued debate about IRS versus straight axles? I am on my second Tri Glide Ultra and upgraded to the 2017 for the M8 engine. My 2015 Can-Am Spyder F3s is sportier in some ways performance wise but I also had to add modifications to get it there. I had to add a Ron-Bar beefier anti-sway bar and Can-Am sourced 2-up rear shock.

On the Tri Glide, I tuned up the suspension by adding the DK Customs Custom Lift Kit and have the tire pressures and shock pressures really dialed in. I am sure that if I added the shocks that DK Customs sells that the TGU would ride somewhat better but maybe not all that much better because I primarily ride long distances solo.

On both machines, I have them both equipped with Air Hawk seat pads to vastly improve the ride and rider friendliness of both trikes. It is amazing how the adjustable air bladder pads add to comfort in the seat. I have been fortunate enough to have all my Air Hawks equipped with neoprene bladders as opposed to the more firm plastic bladders and understand that one might be able to still get the neoprene spec'd ones if they look hard enough on the Internet.

Although both trikes ride quite differently, I think that I could hustle either trike through tight twisties at relatively similar speeds. The Can-Am has the advantage of assisted power steering whereas the Harley has much heavier steering inputs. The Can-Am has more pronounced bump steer and tends to follow off camber road surfaces in a more pronounced way. For long distance riding, I fully prefer the Harley even though it is a bit rougher on rough roads.

[desertclassic]

When and if my DW ever stops wanting to ride with me I will be going back to 2 wheels, probably a Harley WG if they still have them. The only thing that would keep me on a TG is if they change to IRS. For 5 or 6 months in SW Florida it is no big deal where all the roads are nice and smooth. Then for the rest of the year everyplace else I feel every rut, bump, and pot hole. Overall not a comfortable ride.

I rode with a small group this past Saturday. One of the seasoned, I didn't say old, guys and his wife each had a new can-am. He is in the mid 70s aa well as his wife. She has always been the passenger and never the operator. They went from a GW to the can-am. Both said it was the best thing they ever did. She can do her thing and he can do his. They ride every day as this is their mode of travel. Jim

[paws]

Jim.. were the Can-Am's the fancy touring models or the sportier models? And..did they mention if they rode long-distance with them or just around the region? Just curious...I've been looking at the fancy touring model some. Thanks..Carla

[Thomas L]

One comment. - I forgot about the "Body Role" in a turn. That is a lot more in the Spyder than the Tri-Glide. And riding on the hyway "Crown" -- The H-D is much more forgiving. (Unless there are bumps )

[hogcowboy]

I don't quite understand the continued debate about IRS versus straight axles? I am on my second Tri Glide Ultra and upgraded to the 2017 for the M8 engine. My 2015 Can-Am Spyder F3s is sportier in some ways performance wise but I also had to add modifications to get it there. I had to add a Ron-Bar beefier anti-sway bar and Can-Am sourced 2-up rear shock.

On the Tri Glide, I tuned up the suspension by adding the DK Customs Custom Lift Kit and have the tire pressures and shock pressures really dialed in. I am sure that if I added the shocks that DK Customs sells that the TGU would ride somewhat better but maybe not all that much better because I primarily ride long distances solo.

On both machines, I have them both equipped with Air Hawk seat pads to vastly improve the ride and rider friendliness of both trikes. It is amazing how the adjustable air bladder pads add to comfort in the seat. I have been fortunate enough to have all my Air Hawks equipped with neoprene bladders as opposed to the more firm plastic bladders and understand that one might be able to still get the neoprene spec'd ones if they look hard enough on the Internet.

Although both trikes ride quite differently, I think that I could hustle either trike through tight twisties at relatively similar speeds. The Can-Am has the advantage of assisted power steering whereas the Harley has much heavier steering inputs. The Can-Am has more pronounced bump steer and tends to follow off camber road surfaces in a more pronounced way. For long distance riding, I fully prefer the Harley even though it is a bit rougher on rough roads.

I'm rather surprised you can easily swap back and forth between the two difference bikes. They each have completely different steering input. Spdyer known for the need for Spydie hands or something like that where you just barely hang onto the grips to keep from over steering them and making it wonder all over the road. Whereas the Tri-Glide is all hands on deck to muscle it down the road. Just surprise you can do it. Don't think I could. Hard enough for me to ride my wife's Spyder versus my bike now and then. Maybe it's similar in that you know it's coming like I know there will be a big change going to the Spyder.

[Capt.Bob]

I'm rather surprised you can easily swap back and forth between the two difference bikes. They each have completely different steering input. Spdyer known for the need for Spydie hands or something like that where you just barely hang onto the grips to keep from over steering them and making it wonder all over the road. Whereas the Tri-Glide is all hands on deck to muscle it down the road. Just surprise you can do it. Don't think I could. Hard enough for me to ride my wife's Spyder versus my bike now and then. Maybe it's similar in that you know it's coming like I know there will be a big change going to the Spyder.

Hogcowboy, Are you ever correct in recognizing that I have to recalibrate my head when riding the two very different trikes. One of the things that I did for the Can-Am was to add large oversized foam grips that allow me to use a very light grip on the handlebars and thus allowing me to surgically guide the Spyder effectively. On the Tri Glide, I added the knurled Harley Get-A-Grip grips which allows for a very different tactile feel and with the swelled palm area that allows me a comparable amount of proprioceptive feedback to muscle the Tri Glide into similar performance parameters as the Spyder. I must say that I have had a ball transitioning from one trike to the other. They both ride so very differently. I have the SM6 Spyder so have a standard clutch/shifter but still have some difficulties at times only relying on a sole foot brake for all integrated braking on the Can-Am. I also added floorboards to the F3s that comes standard with pegs so that I could get somewhat of a comparable feel for foot positioning as I ride down the road. It has really been a lot of fun and has made my transition to trikes extremely satisfying.

[DK Custom Products]

Body roll is a lot more difficult to control on a trike with a single front wheel. Maybe that's why Can Am chose the odd configuration. Also, ride quality is more a function of suspension travel than of independent suspension - the more travel the softer the ride can be but the softer ride = more body roll. I'm sure some custom shop could provide long softer riding spring/shock assemblies if there was a demand.

We already have...and with the damping we use, there is LESS body roll to go with the plusher ride.

14" Trike Series Shocks

Excerpts from Shock Testing Report-

Specific Ride Compliance Testing Strategies-

On 2 wheeled bikes we paid close attention to “wallowing”, and on the Trikes we paid close attention to body roll, testing for stability in curves. For us it is important to be able to go as fast thru a curve as you want without having wallow or body roll being a limiting factor. What this translates to, in daily riding, is better control/safer operation in the curves, even at normal speeds..

.

For folks thinking their Tri-Glide or Freewheeler would ride better with IRS-



Give a test ride on an HD with a conversion that has IRS.

Then ride a Trike that has the Trike Series Shocks with the 14" Comfort Lift™.

You will probably be surprised that the TSS equipped Trike will isolate you from bumps as well, or 95% as well as an IRS, and that the TSS equipped Trike will be MORE Stable with Less body roll than an IRS Trike.

Kevin

[Thomas L]

Totally independent...+

[desertclassic]

Jim.. were the Can-Am's the fancy touring models or the sportier models? And..did they mention if they rode long-distance with them or just around the region? Just curious...I've been looking at the fancy touring model some. Thanks..Carla

Super fancy, dark red, all the bells and whistles. really nice backrests and seats. They do travel and do a lot of Patriot Guard Missions. Jim

[hogcowboy]

Hogcowboy, Are you ever correct in recognizing that I have to recalibrate my head when riding the two very different trikes. One of the things that I did for the Can-Am was to add large oversized foam grips that allow me to use a very light grip on the handlebars and thus allowing me to surgically guide the Spyder effectively. On the Tri Glide, I added the knurled Harley Get-A-Grip grips which allows for a very different tactile feel and with the swelled palm area that allows me a comparable amount of proprioceptive feedback to muscle the Tri Glide into similar performance parameters as the Spyder. I must say that I have had a ball transitioning from one trike to the other. They both ride so very differently. I have the SM6 Spyder so have a standard clutch/shifter but still have some difficulties at times only relying on a sole foot brake for all integrated braking on the Can-Am. I also added floorboards to the F3s that comes standard with pegs so that I could get somewhat of a comparable feel for foot positioning as I ride down the road. It has really been a lot of fun and has made my transition to trikes extremely satisfying.

When we had the 2012 model I installed the aftermarket hand brake. Worked great but was a real pain to install so didn't do it on the 16 model. I have not ridden that bike one mile as a result. I just know I'd reach for the missing brake. I really think it's a mistake that they don't have the hand brake as standard let alone not offer it as a factory option. I wonder just how many sales they have lost as a result of a foot brake only in a world all too used to hand/foot braking?

[GARYD]

I'm rather surprised you can easily swap back and forth between the two difference bikes. They each have completely different steering input. Spdyer known for the need for Spydie hands or something like that where you just barely hang onto the grips to keep from over steering them and making it wonder all over the road. Whereas the Tri-Glide is all hands on deck to muscle it down the road. Just surprise you can do it. Don't think I could. Hard enough for me to ride my wife's Spyder versus my bike now and then. Maybe it's similar in that you know it's coming like I know there will be a big change going to the Spyder.

I switch back and forth a few times a year with my TG and a Limited with no problem. I don't even have to consciously think about putting my feet down.

I do have one pet peeve though. People that describe riding a TG as "it wanders all over the road and you have to MUSCLE it down the road". I think that is giving a completely inaccurate view - Maybe compared to a bike with a Cadillac power steering system - what's next - automatic trans??

I'm over 70 and I ride the BRP, Pig Trail and the Dragon almost every year with absolutely no handling problems. It does not wander all over the road - it goes where I point it without a gorilla grip on the bars (except on hairpin turns on the Dragon). Maybe there is an oddball unit or two out there but as a whole, I think they are great machines.

I'm sure the Spyder is a great bike for those that like that design. The main reason I won't buy a Spyder is the 2 front wheels. Like I said before, when I'm out riding I want to feel like I'm on a motorcycle not an ATV. Thankfully we all have a choice.

[rhino 2]

When we had the 2012 model I installed the aftermarket hand brake. Worked great but was a real pain to install so didn't do it on the 16 model. I have not ridden that bike one mile as a result. I just know I'd reach for the missing brake. I really think it's a mistake that they don't have the hand brake as standard let alone not offer it as a factory option. I wonder just how many sales they have lost as a result of a foot brake only in a world all too used to hand/foot braking?

I don't think BRP' Can-Am lost any sales, Most people who bought Spyder's never had any real intentions of buying a Standard Trike, Or for that matter riding a two wheeler! Some say they looked at others' But that was just to say they did... Most Spyder's are bought with the Auto Trans, And by first time riders who are intimidated with the thought of riding Motorcycles... I base my thoughts on this from being on the major Spyder forum since its inception in 2008....