After 48 years of 2 wheeled motorcycling… My first Impressions experiencing 3!!

[hydraglide]

1000 Mile Update -

Here’s my update on mod’s, learned skills and other observations as I approach my first service at the 1000-mile mark on my 2021 Tri Glide.

I'm quite comfortable now after making the transition from 2 wheels to 3. As a matter of fact, I'm loving riding my Tri Glide more and more every time out!

So... I installed DK’s Cooling Wings, and as advertised, they may or may not do much for buffeting. My experience was no noticeable improvement regarding reducing buffeting for me.

Experimenting, I discovered that riding with my full face helmet (a Harley modular model) quite definitely helped with dealing with the buffeting versus my half helmet (even with the visor removed). That was a big deal, however, I really prefer riding with my half helmet unless it’s cold or wet. So the quest for reduced buffeting continues...

As the weather finally warmed up, I was able to comfortably open the lowers vent as well as open the batwing air deflectors. The best set up for the least amount of buffeting for me had the batwing deflectors pointed so that air was hitting my chest. Seemed like it kept the turbulence away from my head, so I didn’t feel like a bobble head quite as much. Quite tolerable, but only while riding with the full-face helmet.

With this setup, I took a 400-mile ride into and with a 30-40 mph wind and I felt fine afterward. The cross winds? That was another story! Thankfully my route had very few east/west deviations that day. The occasional 40+ MPH gusts made it feel like my head was gonna be detached from my shoulders in that cross wind!

Another observation… if I placed my head say 6 inches forward of my normal riding position, I was then “out of the turbulence zone” and the air was calm. Of course, I can’t ride like that, but it was interesting (at least to me) to find where the turbulence zone(s) were. Perhaps a 15” windshield might help but I don’t want to look through, I like looking over. Besides, my 10” “oversized” Freedom Shields windshield seems to be perfect. It’s not the wind over the windshield that is the issue.

No question the air is coming from around the tank sides and front and up from between the lower and batwing. And here’s something I never experienced on my Ultra Classic… you know the “biker wave” where you kind of just let your left hand kinda hang out from you side a bit all cool like to acknowledge another biker? Hah, of course you all know that ritual! Well, on my Tri Glide, at speed, I felt like my left arm was going to literally be ripped out of its socket while “doing the wave”! Is it because the rear fenders changing the aerodynamics along the sides of the trike? Whatever it is/was, I’m doing the dinosaur arm thing from here on out when at speed! There was a jet stream of air just outside the cockpit zone if you will. Anybody else ever notice this?

So… here’s where I’m at on my quest to make my Tri Glide a long riding machine. This is what I’ve got planned to have my local dealer install soon:

JES Fork Fangs

Love Jugs CoolMasters

Harley CoolFlow Fan Harley Accessory Switch Panel Set

The consensus is strong in the trike community that the Fork Fangs are a great way to minimize or eliminate the buffeting… but at a price, and that being a hotter running motor due to less airflow.

That’s where the fans come in. I know some might scoff at the two fan set up, but I have reasons for both.

The CoolMasters for when running in higher ambient temps for sure, switched on/off as needed from the fairing switch I purchased

The Harley CoolFlow will be set up to run on auto, to “improve rider comfort” as they say. But I really believe that if they are sucking hot air away from the motor, they will also help cool the motor. Secondly, I feel that it may also help lessen the “hot air on the right leg” from the CoolMasters fan by helping pull the hot air down and away during low-speed riding.

Hey, I can’t image why two fans with different objectives can’t work together to improve not only my motor temps but also rider comfort on hot days, particularly while using the Fangs.

Why Harley Davidson can’t come up with a solution (they had the baffle under the triple tree for years and sold the fangs too) to improve the buffeting on their Touring models is beyond me. Do they test ride every bike with a full face helmet? Makes me wonder. They don’t feel what many of us are feeling? Come on… I miss that baffle under the triple tree!

I’ll keep you all posted as to what I find. Fingers crossed I’ll have come up with an acceptable solution to the buffeting while keeping engine temps within reason.

[Olddog]

1000 Mile Update -

Here’s my update on mod’s, learned skills and other observations as I approach my first service at the 1000-mile mark on my 2021 Tri Glide.

I'm quite comfortable now after making the transition from 2 wheels to 3. As a matter of fact, I'm loving riding my Tri Glide more and more every time out!

So... I installed DK’s Cooling Wings, and as advertised, they may or may not do much for buffeting. My experience was no noticeable improvement regarding reducing buffeting for me.

Experimenting, I discovered that riding with my full face helmet (a Harley modular model) quite definitely helped with dealing with the buffeting versus my half helmet (even with the visor removed). That was a big deal, however, I really prefer riding with my half helmet unless it’s cold or wet. So the quest for reduced buffeting continues...

As the weather finally warmed up, I was able to comfortably open the lowers vent as well as open the batwing air deflectors. The best set up for the least amount of buffeting for me had the batwing deflectors pointed so that air was hitting my chest. Seemed like it kept the turbulence away from my head, so I didn’t feel like a bobble head quite as much. Quite tolerable, but only while riding with the full-face helmet.

With this setup, I took a 400-mile ride into and with a 30-40 mph wind and I felt fine afterward. The cross winds? That was another story! Thankfully my route had very few east/west deviations that day. The occasional 40+ MPH gusts made it feel like my head was gonna be detached from my shoulders in that cross wind!

Another observation… if I placed my head say 6 inches forward of my normal riding position, I was then “out of the turbulence zone” and the air was calm. Of course, I can’t ride like that, but it was interesting (at least to me) to find where the turbulence zone(s) were. Perhaps a 15” windshield might help but I don’t want to look through, I like looking over. Besides, my 10” “oversized” Freedom Shields windshield seems to be perfect. It’s not the wind over the windshield that is the issue.

No question the air is coming from around the tank sides and front and up from between the lower and batwing. And here’s something I never experienced on my Ultra Classic… you know the “biker wave” where you kind of just let your left hand kinda hang out from you side a bit all cool like to acknowledge another biker? Hah, of course you all know that ritual! Well, on my Tri Glide, at speed, I felt like my left arm was going to literally be ripped out of its socket while “doing the wave”! Is it because the rear fenders changing the aerodynamics along the sides of the trike? Whatever it is/was, I’m doing the dinosaur arm thing from here on out when at speed! There was a jet stream of air just outside the cockpit zone if you will. Anybody else ever notice this?

So… here’s where I’m at on my quest to make my Tri Glide a long riding machine. This is what I’ve got planned to have my local dealer install soon:

JES Fork Fangs

Love Jugs CoolMasters

Harley CoolFlow Fan Harley Accessory Switch Panel Set

The consensus is strong in the trike community that the Fork Fangs are a great way to minimize or eliminate the buffeting… but at a price, and that being a hotter running motor due to less airflow.

That’s where the fans come in. I know some might scoff at the two fan set up, but I have reasons for both.

The CoolMasters for when running in higher ambient temps for sure, switched on/off as needed from the fairing switch I purchased

The Harley CoolFlow will be set up to run on auto, to “improve rider comfort” as they say. But I really believe that if they are sucking hot air away from the motor, they will also help cool the motor. Secondly, I feel that it may also help lessen the “hot air on the right leg” from the CoolMasters fan by helping pull the hot air down and away during low-speed riding.

Hey, I can’t image why two fans with different objectives can’t work together to improve not only my motor temps but also rider comfort on hot days, particularly while using the Fangs.

Why Harley Davidson can’t come up with a solution (they had the baffle under the triple tree for years and sold the fangs too) to improve the buffeting on their Touring models is beyond me. Do they test ride every bike with a full face helmet? Makes me wonder. They don’t feel what many of us are feeling? Come on… I miss that baffle under the triple tree!

I’ll keep you all posted as to what I find. Fingers crossed I’ll have come up with an acceptable solution to the buffeting while keeping engine temps within reason.

Thanks for the update, as I’m in the process of buying a 2021 Tri glide, and follow you posts carefully. Keep up the good work. Al

[GARYD]

Welcome to TT. Love your report on riding a TG. Hardest thing for me to remember is don't stop too close to the gas pump. I started with a 2010 then 2)2014's. I totaled one of the '14's on my way to the Tail of the Dragon 3 years ago. Still have the other 2014. Have a total of 55k on the '14. I have done a Saddlesore 1000, a complete 7 day Route 66 trip with my dealer (Wild Fire), I do Rolling Thunder every year and have ridden in 40 states and 4 Canadian Provinces. I average 15K miles per year. I finally retired 2 years ago and am now 78. I go to the gym every other day so I have no problems handling the TG. I still ride 2 wheels every chance I get - demo days and loaners when my TG is in the shop.

I do not feel any buffeting and I have no add ons other than floorboard extenders, Cobra slip ons and a 12" shield. I usually wear a half helmet most of the time. I also have a Road Zepplin seat and would never be without it. I removed the air shocks and replaced with a pair from Super Shox. I do not have an engine or body heat problem. The floor board extenders and a set of Capt. Itch's heat shields work wonders. Took me 51 years to switch to 3 wheels and haven't looked back since. I do a lot of "leaning" riding the Tail of the Dragon. You can lean on a trike in very sharp corners.



Continue enjoying your TG and maybe someday we'll run into each other - figuratively speaking. BTW Wild Fire is having a big party this Saturday if you're interested.

[hydraglide]

Welcome to TT. Love your report on riding a TG. Hardest thing for me to remember is don't stop too close to the gas pump. I started with a 2010 then 2)2014's. I totaled one of the '14's on my way to the Tail of the Dragon 3 years ago. Still have the other 2014. Have a total of 55k on the '14. I have done a Saddlesore 1000, a complete 7 day Route 66 trip with my dealer (Wild Fire), I do Rolling Thunder every year and have ridden in 40 states and 4 Canadian Provinces. I average 15K miles per year. I finally retired 2 years ago and am now 78. I go to the gym every other day so I have no problems handling the TG. I still ride 2 wheels every chance I get - demo days and loaners when my TG is in

I do not feel any buffeting and I have no add ons other than floorboard extenders, Cobra slip ons and a 12" shield. I usually wear a half helmet most of the time. I also have a Road Zepplin seat and would never be without it. I removed the air shocks and replaced with a pair from Super Shox. I do not have an engine or body heat problem. The floor board extenders and a set of Capt. Itch's heat shields work wonders. Took me 51 years to switch to 3 wheels and haven't looked back since. I do a lot of "leaning" riding the Tail of the Dragon. You can lean on a trike in very sharp corners.



Continue enjoying your TG and maybe someday we'll run into each other - figuratively speaking. BTW Wild Fire is having a big party this Saturday if you're interested.

Hey Gary! Thanks for your insights!

My Tri Glide is going in Monday for the updates I mentioned earlier as well as 1K service … Of course, 80+ temps forecast all next week! Oh well…can’t wait to get it back then out on the road.

Love my Road Zeppelin seat… had one on my 99’ Ultra and it served me and my butt well!

I plan to be out Saturday, might have to ride up to Wildfire to see what’s going on!

Thanks again! 👊🏼

[Amputee55]

You can enjoy the next 48 years. No more balancing the bike at traffic lights or jams. No more problems in gravel, grass , or dirt. Heavier bike reduces buffeting from 18 wheelers and headwinds. More luggage capacity and easier to recognize by the cages. Less fatigue from counter steering and lean angles. Enjoy. Get the lift kit for rear end to improve steering.

[hydraglide]

You can enjoy the next 48 years. No more balancing the bike at traffic lights or jams. No more problems in gravel, grass , or dirt. Heavier bike reduces buffeting from 18 wheelers and headwinds. More luggage capacity and easier to recognize by the cages. Less fatigue from counter steering and lean angles. Enjoy. Get the lift kit for rear end to improve steering.

Did get the lift kit… that plus the Kromewerks 2+2 narrow sweepers made a huge difference in improved handling and reduced upper body fatigue.

I agree with everything you’ve mentioned! It’s been a blast!

[Burnerboy]

When I first test rode a trike AT Sturgis IN 03 (first time ever riding one) I TOTALLY HATED IT......... It took the wind out of the sall. I swore I would never get one.. Well, a few years late'rr (I'm now 71 yrs old) I converted my 2010 Honda Goldwing, into a Roadsmith trike.. It was three wheel(s) or quite riding situation................ Well now, I will never own a two wheel vehicle again..........

Ronnie

5/31/22

[windsurfed]

Did get the lift kit… that plus the Kromewerks 2+2 narrow sweepers made a huge difference in improved handling and reduced upper body fatigue.

I agree with everything you’ve mentioned! It’s been a blast!

Buffeting is all gone wearing my 3/4 face Nolan N21 helmet at 55-63 mph with the 15 inch windshield, cooling wing deflectors from DK and the 1 inch tank lift kit from DK.

For me, I also keep the lower fairing vents closed, and the batwing wind deflectors closed, which had a large impact on the buffeting reduction act.

When I got up to 64-72 mph, buffeting on my 3/4 face Nolan N21 helmet was more noticeable as speed increased. If I was to wear my Full face Nolan N87 Plus helmet, then no buffeting till I hit around 78 mph.

Conclusion: I would rather wear my 3/4 face nolan helmet all the time. Sooooooo... I'm going to have to continue to try things to help reduce buffeting with that helmet. Such as maybe

getting some black fork fangs.

BTW: I've concluded (by watching my rear cylinder digital head temp gauge) (on long freeway stretches, and short in town stretches) that opening the lower fairing vents and pointing the batwing air vents towards the engine during hot weather, does not change the head temperature 1 degree either side of the spectrum.

[hydraglide]

Buffeting is all gone wearing my 3/4 face Nolan N21 helmet at 55-63 mph with the 15 inch windshield, cooling wing deflectors from DK and the 1 inch tank lift kit from DK.

For me, I also keep the lower fairing vents closed, and the batwing wind deflectors closed, which had a large impact on the buffeting reduction act.

When I got up to 64-72 mph, buffeting on my 3/4 face Nolan N21 helmet was more noticeable as speed increased. If I was to wear my Full face Nolan N87 Plus helmet, then no buffeting till I hit around 78 mph.

Conclusion: I would rather wear my 3/4 face nolan helmet all the time. Sooooooo... I'm going to have to continue to try things to help reduce buffeting with that helmet. Such as maybe

getting some black fork fangs.

BTW: I've concluded (by watching my rear cylinder digital head temp gauge) (on long freeway stretches, and short in town stretches) that opening the lower fairing vents and pointing the batwing air vents towards the engine during hot weather, does not change the head temperature 1 degree either side of the spectrum.

I have recently heard somewhere (can't recall where) that closing the left lower vent and fully opening the right lower vent made a difference. Curious if anyone can add to this. Chuck, you say you have a rear cylinder temp gauge... perhaps we can recruit you for this mission?

[windsurfed]

I have recently heard somewhere (can't recall where) that closing the left lower vent and fully opening the right lower vent made a difference. Curious if anyone can add to this. Chuck, you say you have a rear cylinder temp gauge... perhaps we can recruit you for this mission?

I have read and heard the same thing. I don't think that is something I would wager much money on. Just from my experience riding The Triglide, a fan blowing across the cylinders Makes a huge difference. Adding the DK Tank left kit and the DK coolings wings contributes also Keeping the engine cooler. Also, Harleys cool flow fan works At keeping the engine cooler. Souped up engines tend to Run hotter (IMHO) than stock engines. Therefore requiring a few additional cooling methods to equal The stock engine Temperature set-up. If you have a thirst for more engine power than what the Triglide 114 puts out, than, Knock yourself out. You can get some amazing power out of these engines.

[rhino 2]

I have read and heard the same thing. I don't think that is something I would wager much money on. Just from my experience riding The Triglide, a fan blowing across the cylinders Makes a huge difference. Adding the DK Tank left kit and the DK coolings wings contributes also Keeping the engine cooler. Also, Harleys cool flow fan works At keeping the engine cooler. Souped up engines tend to Run hotter (IMHO) than stock engines. Therefore requiring a few additional cooling methods to equal The stock engine Temperature set-up. If you have a thirst for more engine power than what the Triglide 114 puts out, than, Knock yourself out. You can get some amazing power out of these engines.

I think the left and right vent that some were referred to was not the vent doors ....But for the removal of one or the other plastic air scoops..(For lack of a better word)..On the left and right side under the bottom of the rear of the gas tank...??

[Marc H]

I have not tried or seen these but For the buffeting if your a vest or jacket wearer you might look at Jack's flaps.He is no longer in business but you might fashion your own or find one floating around on the net.His test was while riding and experiencing buffeting put your arm across your chest and if the buffeting stopped his flaps should help.

[windsurfed]

I think the left and right vent that some were referred to was not the vent doors ....But for the removal of one or the other plastic air scoops..(For lack of a better word)..On the left and right side under the bottom of the rear of the gas tank...??

OK, he was talking about the mid frame wind deflectors. Yes I have heard of guys doing that also. And they claim it helps cool the engine down. I do not doubt that.