Two Wheels to Three - any regrets?

[HarleyTri2017]

Hello group. New to forum. In recent months I’ve become really intrigued by trikes, specifically Tri-Glides. I have a friend who has one and he loves it. If I buy one, I would have to give up my Street Glide (can’t own two mc’s). For those of you that have made the switch to three wheels - any regrets? I know the riding experience is completely different, and I’m concerned that I might miss the sportiness of my two wheeler. Appreciate your comments.

Just bought our trike last summer and after a little learning curve, we LOVE it! I'm only 66 but my knees tell me otherwise. Like others have said, I miss the 2 wheels, but 3 is always better than 2. It's just plain fun to drive!

[HarleyTri2017]

None at all. I just recently made the switch from two wheels to three in September, 2017. Got about 3k on the 2018 Tri-Glide and loving every mile as does my co-rider. Honestly I don't miss the two wheeler as I didn't realize just how much stress was involved (especially when loaded and two-up) when coming to stops and checking the road surface for potential issues, going slow in parking lots and being concerned about some a-hole not paying attention and forcing me to brake quickly when turning, etc, etc. While I am extremely careful and aware as always there it is much more comfortable to have that third wheel and not have to worry about a spill. I won't go back - only forward and on three wheels.

TOTALLY agree!

[DK Custom Products]

I went to a Trike because I can no longer safely hold up a loaded & 2 up bagger.

I am fortunate to still ride Sportsters and Softails, so I have the best of all worlds.

Trikes are definitely different, and their own kind of fun. Mary and I have enjoyed our long trips on the Tri-Glide MORE than we did on two wheels.

They handle great, and are a much more relaxed ride...this really makes a difference in all day riding.

If I go too long riding only the Tri-Glide, I do miss leaning in the curves. That is cured by jumping on the Sporty or Softail.

If I had to make a choice between the two, the Tri-Glide would definitely win out.

Kevin

[Capt.Bob]

I went to a Trike because I can no longer safely hold up a loaded & 2 up bagger.

I am fortunate to still ride Sportsters and Softails, so I have the best of all worlds.

Trikes are definitely different, and their own kind of fun. Mary and I have enjoyed our long trips on the Tri-Glide MORE than we did on two wheels.

They handle great, and are a much more relaxed ride...this really makes a difference in all day riding.

If I go too long riding only the Tri-Glide, I do miss leaning in the curves. That is cured by jumping on the Sporty or Softail.

If I had to make a choice between the two, the Tri-Glide would definitely win out.

Kevin

Kevin, Very close to my sentiments but with one big caveat that I have been weighing the past several days. Since I had a complete left hip replacement 4 months ago, riding is more comfortable than ever! However, with the hip replacement comes the limitation of not being able to safely do deep squats and some weight lifting limits and although I have been toying with the idea of getting another two-wheeler, if on the off chance that I dropped it, I likely could not safely lift it back up like I used to. I only dropped one bike in 50 plus years of riding and that was in the garage wearing flip flops that slipped on my painted garage floor. However, I am afraid that not being able to safely lift a bike up takes me out of that game? Bob

[DK Custom Products]

Kevin, Very close to my sentiments but with one big caveat that I have been weighing the past several days. Since I had a complete left hip replacement 4 months ago, riding is more comfortable than ever! However, with the hip replacement comes the limitation of not being able to safely do deep squats and some weight lifting limits and although I have been toying with the idea of getting another two-wheeler, if on the off chance that I dropped it, I likely could not safely lift it back up like I used to. I only dropped one bike in 50 plus years of riding and that was in the garage wearing flip flops that slipped on my painted garage floor. However, I am afraid that not being able to safely lift a bike up takes me out of that game? Bob

I dunno...I've only done this once, but it worked pretty easy.



Kevin

[Capt.Bob]

I dunno...I've only done this once, but it worked pretty easy.



Kevin

Kevin, That is a great video for folks who don't know how to pick up a bike. Sadly, I do know that technique and used it that one time, but after hip replacement surgery, it is recommended that folks don't postoperatively do deep squats, EVER (sob). Unfortunately that very easy technique does require a pretty deep leg squat. I am walking 2-3 miles every day 4 months out of surgery and continue to strengthen my body. Hopefully one day I may be able to disregard the suggestions of my surgeon with a margin of safety? I don't know yet and have not researched it enough at this point?

[rhino 2]

I dropped [crashed] my Cb750, Facing up hill on the corkscrew coming out of the Lincoln tunnel , It took me and a guy who stoped to block cars from hitting me to get it upright, But i did have a smashed elbow from the fall...Another time with my Sv650 i got it up with just adrenalin.....And in recent years there were two other times but ill leave them for an embarrassing moment thread......

[GARYD]

There's a tiny little gal that goes around to all the bike shows and does this demonstration for the crown.

If I ever have to do this with a trike, I'll give up riding!

[Jack Klarich]

At times I miss 2 wheels

But the Trike is way more comfortable for a long haul

I can no longer hold baggers up

I did have a lot of fun on my Streetbob tho

My last ride on it was from Jax FLA to Sturgis and back

The ride there was stock seat and NO windshield Never again

[Firewrench22]

I had 3-wheeler ATV's back in the 80's, before the quads came out. Had a lot of fun on them. Got spit off a time or two...

Fast forward to 2002, I had a Gold Wing, mostly used for commuting on the ferries here in Seattle. Bikes go to the front of the line, first on, first off. So my wife and I had just gotten together, took her for a few rides, she was just "OK" with riding on the back of the Wing. Not sure if she didn't like seeing the ground on each side, or if it was the leaning. We took a test ride on a TriGlide around 2008-09. She loved it. Her first comment was "We're getting one of these!" Wow, that was an easy sell...She also said we have to pay off the HELOC before we get the trike. She put every extra nickel towards paying that off, she really wanted the trike.

Since I was comfortable on 3 wheels, I had no problem making the swap. We bought our 2011 TriGlide new. One of the best things about the Tri is the big trunk. We can both bring a second jacket, extra clothing, or whatever else we want. Heck, we even went to Costco on it once. OK, we didn't get the bale of toilet paper, we only needed a few things...

I thank God I don't have any severe health limitations, just a bad back from being a lifetime mechanic. I'm "only" 62, hoping to ride for many more years, and glad I have the trike. Ain't getting any stronger...

[GARYD]

62? $hit, you're just a kid. You have lots of time to ride your TG. Probably go through 2 or 3 TG's before your times up.

Enjoy it - I do mine every single day.

[DK Custom Products]

Kevin, That is a great video for folks who don't know how to pick up a bike. Sadly, I do know that technique and used it that one time, but after hip replacement surgery, it is recommended that folks don't postoperatively do deep squats, EVER (sob). Unfortunately that very easy technique does require a pretty deep leg squat. I am walking 2-3 miles every day 4 months out of surgery and continue to strengthen my body. Hopefully one day I may be able to disregard the suggestions of my surgeon with a margin of safety? I don't know yet and have not researched it enough at this point?

Understood.

Kevin

[Zahnsflyer]

Encouraged by so many of your “no regrets” comments, I made a trip to my local HD dealership this week. They happen to have a 2018 anniversary model (blue/black) Tri-Glide on the floor. Sure is pretty! I was short on time so didn’t talk with a salesman. Thinking I need to go back and take a better look. Maybe leave my checkbook home!?!

[Jack Klarich]

Encouraged by so many of your “no regrets” comments, I made a trip to my local HD dealership this week. They happen to have a 2018 anniversary model (blue/black) Tri-Glide on the floor. Sure is pretty! I was short on time so didn’t talk with a salesman. Thinking I need to go back and take a better look. Maybe leave my checkbook home!?!

Now may be a good time to deal

Sales are flat

H D stock isdown

[FuzzyWuzHe]

It really wasn't regret, but, I've decided to go back to two. Might only e for 5-10 years, but, the new knee is making me feel like a kid again.

Just bought a 2014 Ultra Limited.

[ultrafxr]

Friend I've ridden with for several years just told me he and his wife decided to get a trike. Guess my doing so may have gotten him to thinking about it. Now he's five years younger than me and has no physical problems or limitations so I was a bit surprised. Further discussion revealed his concern about maneuvering his big Harley dresser around - not riding per se but being concerned about where to park for best egress, being on uneven unstable surfaces, having to brake at low speed while turning, etc, etc. Heck I never knew he was stressing about this. And as I said in my previous post I didn't realize how much stress riding a loaded Harley dresser two-up placed on the rider. Those beasts weigh over 900 lbs themselves and when you add a rider and co-rider with luggage it can sure top 1,300 lbs. Glad I switched to three wheels even though like my friend I thankfully don't have any physical limitations that would keep me off two wheels.

[paws]

It really wasn't regret, but, I've decided to go back to two. Might only e for 5-10 years, but, the new knee is making me feel like a kid again.

Just bought a 2014 Ultra Limited.

Well then Fuzzy we’ll be expecting to see you do some 2-stepping when you get to Kerrville!

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Well then Fuzzy we’ll be expecting to see you do some 2-stepping when you get to Kerrville!

There's 2 things nobody wants to see Alan do ... dance and wear a speedo ... ... to quote a line from Wild Hogs, "The music moves me, but, it moves me ugly." and I'd just add, it's real ugly.

[rhino 2]

There's 2 things nobody wants to see Alan do ... dance and wear a speedo ... ... to quote a line from Wild Hogs, "The music moves me, but, it moves me ugly." and I'd just add, it's real ugly.

What a guy 'Fuzzy, Always looking out for your fellow man...

In this case their eyesight...

[Capt.Bob]

Well, I had an eye opener yesterday which I think essentially cements my commitment to three wheels. A neighbor had a like-new cult bike for sale (Honda Pacific Coast 800) which happens to be a pretty heavy bike at about 650 pounds. Honda made the kickstand short and so the bike leans way over when on its side stand. I went over to test out my ability to safely lift it off the stand being almost 5 months out from a left hip replacement and found that even using my thighs to snatch it up that it hurt my left leg. I was not a happy camper and then contemplated the fact that if I dropped the bike that I would not be able to use a deep squat technique to lift the bike up.

Yesterday ended my interest in riding on two wheels again. Yes, I could get a real light bike and even something like a flickable Grom but the whole concept of having to worry about putting my feet down is going to be a thing of the past. I very much enjoy my Tri Glide Ultra (TGU) and my F3S Spyder and so will be content to be in the wind with three wheels underneath me.

BTW, some Harley trikers have opined that they would not enjoy having the wheels out in front like on the Can-Am. However, the other day, I went on a 300 mile ride on the TGU and noticed that the two large pods containing the wet-head coolant system are somewhat similar in terms of views to a front-wheeled Spyder. Additionally, on the TGU, the bat wing fairing completely blocks out the front wheel on my 2017 ride and so I do not even get a sense of a front wheel being there on the Harley.

I really enjoy riding the somewhat apples and oranges differences in the two trikes.