Shoulda bought a Roadsmith!

[Ben_D]

I’m sorry I let myself be talked into a CSC. I rode 250 miles, most of it Mountain twisties, on Saturday. Even with the rake kit, my arms were so tired by the time I got home, that I was wondering how women are able to drive trikes. 110 miles to a tankful. (5.8 gals.) That’s crap.

 

[rhino 2]

I’m sorry I let myself be talked into a CSC. I rode 250 miles, most of it Mountain twisties, on Saturday. Even with the rake kit, my arms were so tired by the time I got home, that I was wondering how women are able to drive trikes. 110 miles to a tankful. (5.8 gals.) That’s crap.

My Old Man would say ......If the Dog didn't stop to take a pee, He might of caught the cat......That said' Could the Lloyd'z [Pine Bush NY] timing wheel.....Which works well on a Vic two wheeler not a good combo with the extra weight And the torque curve needed for the conversion kit...:Shrug:

 

[FuzzyWuzHe]

I'm not positive ... but I'm guessing any trike conversion kit will yield the same mpg ... a little more or less depending on weight. Also, most trike will wear you out on the twistie's until you get used to it. Lot more work than a two wheeler.

 

[ol' school]

I'm not positive ... but I'm guessing any trike conversion kit will yield the same mpg ... a little more or less depending on weight. Also, most trike will wear you out on the twistie's until you get used to it. Lot more work than a two wheeler.

Ben, I agree with Fuzzy. You just need to give it some more time. All trikes are more work in the twisties. You will get used to it.

 

[Ben_D]

My Old Man would say ......If the Dog didn't stop to take a pee, He might of caught the cat......That said' Could the Lloyd'z [Pine Bush NY] timing wheel.....Which works well on a Vic two wheeler not a good combo with the extra weight And the torque curve needed for the conversion kit...:Shrug:

I’m testing that theory today. I just pulled the Power Commander, now I’m going to pull the Lloydz timing wheel. I’ll get back to you all.

 

[paws]

Do you have a driver’s backrest? It helps to be able to lean back into it.

Are you reaching/leaning forward too much? Handlebar risers to bring the handlebars back to you help can help a lot with this.

The mechanics of steering the trike through the twisties is pretty much universal for all trikes...push with one hand, pull with the other..at the same time.

 

[1dn5up]

Just another proven fact that real people ride trikes, and can relate to Pop Eye arms :clapping:

 

[Ben_D]

Do you have a driver’s backrest? It helps to be able to lean back into it.

Are you reaching/leaning forward too much? Handlebar risers to bring the handlebars back to you help can help a lot with this.

The mechanics of steering the trike through the twisties is pretty much universal for all trikes...push with one hand, pull with the other..at the same time.

I do have a backrest, and two inch longer than stock, bars. Maybe I am too eager, but that’s me!

 

[bikerbillone]

Speaking of pushing with the right bar in the twisties, I have the handle bar cruise assist hand rest, it does get in the way of the 'push' in the twisties. Anyone remove that for mountain riding?

 

[paws]

Ben...

Try to relax a little while driving - don’t take every ride as a white-knuckle project - get plenty of time on regular roads and work into the twisties.

As you get more and more and more seat time you will find yourself getting a little stronger and this becoming less of an issue.

Just think what a good cardiovascular workout you are getting! Your doc would be proud!

Keep us informed - we all like to hear how someone worked through an issue with their trike so that maybe one of us can benefit from your experience. Thanks!

 

[1dn5up]

At the firehouse we have a gym. Once in a while I go to use the weight machine . Primarily use the accordion resistance feature for shoulders and for arms. :showoff:

 

[Gray Biker]

Speaking of pushing with the right bar in the twisties, I have the handle bar cruise assist hand rest, it does get in the way of the 'push' in the twisties. Anyone remove that for mountain riding?

When I picked up my trike, it had one on it... It was the first thing that came off when I got home. It was bolted on the end of the aftermarket grip. Every time I'd turn left, it would give it more throttle. No Idea why they had it on the bike... it has cruise on it. :Shrug:

 

[dougv]

Pick your lines in the corners, like a race car driver does, the quickest way is a straight line so you have to use the whole lane. The more you try to follow the corner, the more work it is...

 

[bikerbillone]

When I picked up my trike, it had one on it... It was the first thing that came off when I got home. It was bolted on the end of the aftermarket grip. Every time I'd turn left, it would give it more throttle. No Idea why they had it on the bike... it has cruise on it. :Shrug:

Handy gadget in heavy traffic, but you have a point, I might remove the thing and see how it goes.

 

[trikeman]

This works for me. In curves I lock the out side elbow and turn with my upper body. :wave4:

 

[ol' school]

This works for me. In curves I lock the out side elbow and turn with my upper body. :wave4:

ThumbUp That is exactly what I do... so much easier on the shoulders and arms!!!

 

[Marc H]

I have to admit I use every style suggested and combos I don't even realize but I can say this.Give it some time and relax with it it will get easier as confidence and familiararity grows.Gas will get some better as you get smoother.Maybe not allot but things will get better.Don't try to be in a rush till you get comfortable on it.

 

[Ben_D]

I appreciate all the advice! Thanks, everyone. I’m 67 and can bench 110# ten times and do 26 push-ups in 30 seconds. I belong to a gym and found this out during our end of sessions evaluations. I’m sorry for coming with a rant. Let’s ride!

 

[paws]

I appreciate all the advice! Thanks, everyone. I’m 67 and can bench 110# ten times and do 26 push-ups in 30 seconds. I belong to a gym and found this out during our end of sessions evaluations. I’m sorry for coming with a rant. Let’s ride!

Rants always welcome! No need for apology. It’s who we are.

 

[stacebg]

I’m sorry I let myself be talked into a CSC. I rode 250 miles, most of it Mountain twisties, on Saturday. Even with the rake kit, my arms were so tired by the time I got home, that I was wondering how women are able to drive trikes. 110 miles to a tankful. (5.8 gals.) That’s crap.

dont blame the conversion brand... some will say oh u dont need a raked tree w our conversion cuz we build em right... that is the biggest load of horse hockey on the planet... 2 wheel geometry is wrong for 3 wheels no matter if its trike or sidecar.. have a look at sidecars over the pond where there are way more sidecars and hardly any stock front ends... most are center hub steer or leading link ... again the point 2 and 3 wheel geometry... not the same...

for all who say a trike in the twisties is a work out...

there is a big difference in raked trees... not so much about how many degrees said trees are but what the resulting trail is

personally i like about 1.5 - 2.5 again MY preference

another thing... i run a hd front wheel on my v max trike... because i made the raked trees and the harley trees and front end lead to the fastest way to get it done... had a trip coming up.. the tire i had was sorta flat from being on the trike and scalloped bad (never saw this before) and make her go all over the road... and was leaking on the sidewall a little (time for a new one) put on a fairly new tire, not flat across the tread at all, wandering went away.... and not that it was bad before but the newer tire made for way easier steering..

i have a torn rotator and some other issues with my arms dad enough i had to add an arm rest to hold up my right arm.. so no popeye arms or sly upper body here but i dont have to do the elbow in gut and or lock one arm an turn w my body thing like some talk of.. but if that what works for you by all means use it but really shouldnt be necessary ...... i sit normal and do a lot of riding with one hand... obviously twisty roads require both hands...

a 12 or 15k mile yr is not uncommon for me.... mem day weekend i road 575 miles on sunday for lunch with friends... some hiway some back roads... yes i was a little tired but not from "steering" i would be a little tired on 2 wheels too

my 1st harley trike i built had a corvette rear with wide tires... not the best for a trike.. and i left the front end stock, there wasnt time to change it before inspection... 6 men and a boy to turn it... even going slo like 15mph ... raked the trees almost 7 degrees a not perfect still but way better.... didnt bother enough to warrant redoing the trees

bottom line, i have found, most any 3 wheeler should be enjoyable with the right amount of trail..

as for the mpg perhaps one conversion might weigh a little more than the other.. do you have an irs is there any adjustment for toe in? are the tire properly inflated?

i think stock the v max was good for about 30 or 35 mpg now

usually 20 or so on the highway a little better if i stay under 60 or so

might do 25mpg or so putzin around

this is with local CT gas if i go to NJ figure at least 4mpg more ... no clue

i have the throttle / wrist rest no issues in turns probably because i am not fighting that hard...