Welcome back to 3 Fuzzy
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Returning to Three wheels.
Some of you guys might remember when I first got the 15 Tri, my first ever trike. Most of that might have been posted on the HD "dark side" forums, before I was recruited to Trike Talk by Zook. (thanks man ... best move I ever made, Love this place).
As a review incase you don't know. I went on a ride with a group in September 2014 to Monte Vista, Idaho. Kind of in the boonies, but, some great rides out there.
Anyway, the day we came home it was 34* when we left. Liked to freeze my ninnies off. That ride was the day I decided I was old enough to use electric gear. Anyway, when we got to our first fuel stop, my knees had swelled up and I couldn't feel them. The guy that pulled in behind me saw me having a hard time holding my 2011 Ultra Glide up. He ran over, grabbed the tour pan and basically saved my bacon.
After 20, minutes of walking around in the sun and several Aleve, I was able to continue. The next day I went to my Harley dealer to look into electric gear and there she was ... the white and blue 2015 Tri Glide Ultra. Took her for a test ride, and almost didn't make it out of the parking lot without hitting anything. Turned around and told them no way ... I'd kill myself.
By December, even with electrics, I was unable to hold the Ultra Glide up, SO ... I bought the Tri. I was surprised it was still there.
There was lots of "growing pains" to get "used" to the ride of three wheels. Took probably 400-500 miles to get used to it, and even then it was "different".
Okay ... so since I lost that in the bankruptcy, I did own a 2008 Honda Gold Wing with a Champion Conversion that I liked.
So ... fast forward to yesterday. I hadn't been an owner of a trike in over a year, but, I did drive Paw's beauty in Kerrville. That trike is IRS, so, I was a tad uncertain that there might be some "growing pains" again going back to a Tri.
I'm happy to report that I hopped on the Tri and didn't look back ... i'm guessing once you get over that initial "unease" of going from 2 to 3, you don't get that "unease" again. At least not in my case. When I got the first trike, I couldn't imagine being able to have a bike and a trike and ride each regularly. I can now see how that wouldn't be a big deal. Just some observations on yesterday's test ride. It was short, but, included curves, hills, highway and stop and go. In total about 20 minutes ... at 8:30 it was like 32* so I kept it short.
I got mine in September. I had the same trouble pulling out of the lot I got mine at... Off a curb at the drive, stupid way to make a transition to the street, then a hard 90* turn to the left... Two lane, no parking... I had a old 45 service car chopper in the early 70s. So I knew they handled better that that. Along with if they were that bad, nobody would be buying them...
Anyway... I've trained myself to ride it... Probably 500 to 600 miles... Now the trick will be after riding all this summer on normal roads, I'll be in the Black Hills on the twisties that I lay the ultra around like a sport bike... Thats were the learning is going to be... I hope I'm over my other style by then... Bad thing I still have the softail, so I will still be leaning in corners... On two, I dont even have to think... On the trike I still have to remind myself at times...
What took u soo long
Looks like you have a keeper this time Best of luck to you
Nuff Said," Were Burnin Daylight, Lets Ride"(Sober 37 years)
Current ride : 2021 FREEWHEELER M8, oldest ride 1960 FL
Happy for you. First time I test rode a TG several years ago because the wife thought she might want one a fellow instructor at a local dealership took me to the range. Had me do the 'box' - tight figure eight turns. Wife and I both freaked out. Thought we were going to tip over. So yes I was anxious when finally in September, 2017, I decided to move to a TG. I mean what the heck I've got over half a million miles on two wheels, I've been a MSF rider coach for ten years and I see other folks riding trikes and some are brand new riders. So my logic said if they can do it I can too! And I did. Only real learning curve I had was not realizing how much effort was required to make the turn out of my drive into the street. I made it be was hesitant. Now I don't even notice any effort at all being required, lol.
Once on the street I relaxed and rode. And first time I got into the Arkansas twisties (and they have some for sure) I took it easy for a bit to 'get the feel' and then started inching the speed up to my normal riding level as I became more confident. It didn't take long at all - just a few miles.
I honestly think that transitioning to three presents the same dilemma as brand new riders - we overthink the riding experience and become anxious. I've seen it numerous times in classes I've coached. Relax, get your anxiety level down and you'll be fine. JMHO
It was a shock to me, how much effort it took to get the tri to swing through the twisties. First ride in the mountains, my shoulders and chest were pretty sore. Learning to push/pull was a huge help. I tend to need to be careful in the twisties, I get enthralled in the beauty of God's creation and loose track of what I'm doing ...Originally Posted by ultrafxr
I think you are spot on with the over thinking thing ... imagine that ... me being a freak about controlling something .. LOL. All seriousness aside,, five seconds after getting on the tri this time I was good. At least I thought until I got out on the highway, I70, I kind of had to "sneak up" on 75 mpg. LOL, At first it was a little un nerving, but, within a mile, I was chewing on bugs cause I couldn't quit smiling.
Fuzz, you have stories to tell and they fit right in here, thanks for sharing. I think you have found what you are looking for, and now you can begin to farkle.
Bill
To be honest ... the hardest thing to get used to is two turn signals ... got used to only one on the left hand control ... LOL.
I'm guessing when I go back to heal toe shifters ... that is gonna be fun too ...
Once you learn to lock that pushing elbow (and it becomes reflex), you'll find yourself riding up the tailpipes of the two-wheelers in the twisties. Only way you're ever going to roll a trike is by really really trying. Even if you started to lift the inside wheel, you'd know it real quick, but realistically, the only time I've ever seen or heard tell of it was people really pushing it in really tight turns, like in a parking lot, never out on the open road in real world curves.
2024 Tri Glide! Only modifications so far - transferred Rider backrest from old 2015 Freewheeler, just added highway pegs!
I got my 15 tri on two wheels ... on I70 doing about 75 mph ... messing with the pv ... Looked up ... curve ... hit brakes, clutch and turned .. rear wheel chirped just a tad ... and I was back in the lane ... now I know why they have the warning on the infotainment screen ... watch the road ... not the toys.
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