new tri-glide hard to steer??

[jackf1950]

hey guy's, traded in my VTX1800R on a new tri-glide.. was gonna go to trike soon, but, had some health problems last year, and balance and strength are not what they were..so... not sure if what I feel is just weak arm....

I have put about 75 miles on it, goin slow to get used to it.. but.. it seems like I have to put constant pressure on the right side bar, not so much pull left, to keep it goin straight down the road, now, I been on back roads, and here in FL a lot of them slope to get rain off...could be that,,,
I checked tire pressure, 30 in both rear... not sure how to check the rear suspension w/ out the gauge for oil??(read something in the manual) and looked at the steering damper (ok, don't know what it should do, but it is free moving when I turn the bike)..
don't wanna look like a fool to the service dept. and this weekend, gonna take it to the college parking lot, to see just how sharp it will turn if I don't hold it.. bike should go almost straight.. rite??

any one think of anything I can check(not to mechanical) or try??

thanks in advance..
Jack

 

[tkglider]

I have a 2010 TG and it tracks well,turns well and isn't much different than my 2 wheel Ultra was.Why yours is pulling to the right I do not know.My air shocks are set at 25#,rear tires at 30 psi.Try steering with just the palms of your hands using really light pressure.If the road your on does not have a big crown in the surface your trike should track quite easily.

 

[Ironhorsepilot]

If you have the 2011, check and see that is is sitting level from behind. I have heard several people say that it was off quite a bit from the left to right side. That may be your problem. The dealerships have been fixing them with no issues.

 

[Bikerbozo]

On straight level with my 2010 Tri-Glide I have taken hands off bars and it seems to track for a bit.

 

[jackf1950]

thanks guys,it is a 2011 i had thought the back was off a lil' put a level on it, and it sure ain't level, ironhorsepilot, have you got a clue what they do to fix it??

 

[Ironhorsepilot]

Sent you a PM

 

[Helipilot]

Just had my 2011 Tri leveled, and it will pull to one side until you do. Not a big deal just take it to your dealer and they can fix it. They have to take all the tupperware of the rear, and there are 8 bolts, 4 on each side to level it. Measure up to the fender on each side from the floor usually about 1 and 1/4 inch off low on the left. The front or motorcycle part is leaning in conjunction to the rear axil that is why it pulls to one side or is easier to turn one way over the other. Set the front forks straight and the disks on the front wheel will be leaning, you can check it with a carpenters square against the floor. It is covered under warranty. Jerry

 

[jackf1950]

thanks guys, seems like a known, fixable problem.. any of you got a HD case number on it?? so if the dealer aint aware I can send him there??

 

[tfdeputydawg]

Also, when you do get it corrected-be aware the "pull" will still exist on crowned roads.

 

[jackf1950]

well, printed a few messages from the other post, called, then went to dealer.. they hav enot heard of this... but...there gonna get mine on Tue. AM...letting them pick up as it is aways away.. and back road is next to a canel.. safer... they are not gonna check w/ Haraly till they get the bike...oh well.. progress has been made..I hope

 

[tkglider]

It is amazing what" they haven't heard".

 

[Boom]

Jack, let us know how you make out.

 

[jackf1950]

will do!!! and, if I get a "HD case" number or something, i will post that also

 

[bikerbill]

Mine , a 2011. is brand new delivered to me on the 15th. Only about 300 miles so far and it tracks straight and true. But it does take some force to turn it; wants to stay straight.

 

[jackf1950]

well, no call from dealer, and they have had trike from Tue, called them this mornin.. won't go into that... but.. the "service manager" on mine called me back at 4pm(ok, at 915 am i was told they would check and call me back) here is the gist of our talk

Said the tire pressure in the back was off, and, it tracks the way it should.. I am feeling the crown of the road.. I asked him about putting a level on the back end, and, oh, yep, THAT is off… and they need an ok from HD to fix that, cause it’s a 1-1.5 hour job..and that will be Monday
So… as they have not even talked to the factory guys..but the know it do lean, and, are gonna work with the factory on Monday, I saw NO sense in talking/arguing about the lean and stuff…
He did ask if I wanted it for the weekend, I told him to keep it till it’s fixed…and.. when they get that, I will see how the steering is.

 

[Boom]

Good luck on that! Sadly so, many dealers can't service what they sell.

 

[jackf1950]

ok, when I called the dealer yesterday afternoon, yep, they got authorization..
but
the "guy that do that" was off.. and they were gonna try to get to it today.. talked to servicemanager...bottom line... got a call around 11 AM that it was ready.. now I had them pick it up as from the "C" I am a lil' weak, and stuff..so.. he asked me if I wanted it delivered....I asked how much ALL this was gonna cost...
nada, nuthing, warranty!!!
I asked if they had put a level on it... yep.... said it still pulls a lil'... but level now..
so,, had them deliver it, got here around 1215...checked it w/ my level in the same place as before!!! level!!!
took it out, rode a few miles..and.. yes I was on "crowned roads" but all I had to do was keep a LITTLE pressure on it... not oversteer it.seems fixed.... thanks guys!!!!!
he didn't give me a case number.. but.. goin down there tomorrow to pick up friends that are dropping there's off.. I will try to get one!!!!

 

[BlueTrinity]

That's great Jack! Now you can play around with the tire pressures a bit and probably get it it in balance.:Flag:

 

[JimMc]

It is a shame that people have such a tough time getting their trike fixed. You would think for the amount of money shelled out, they should be good to go from the factory. Yet, the dealer has to check and fix a lot of stuff on a new trike. Some dealers wait to see if the customer complains before they fix it.

 

[jcolson]

I have a 2010 TG and it tracks well,turns well and isn't much different than my 2 wheel Ultra was.Why yours is pulling to the right I do not know.My air shocks are set at 25#,rear tires at 30 psi.Try steering with just the palms of your hands using really light pressure.If the road your on does not have a big crown in the surface your trike should track quite easily.

I have a 2011tri-glide & it pulls to the right also. I know it's the crown because I can go on the oncoming lane & it pulls to the left. Some roads are crowned more than others. So you always have to have tension on the bars to go straight. I installed the 2"pullback bars on my trike. What a difference. It's easier to steer into corners & easier to stay straight down the road. I don't have to reach so far. I can sit back & relax.