I realize everyone has a different schedule due to work/family or retired. I purchased my 2021 Tri glide July of 2021 and to date has just under 9,000 miles. I see a lot of used trikes for sale with hardly no miles and am starting to think I really can’t justify the cost/ use aspect of ownership. Anyone really ride their trike a lot, for instance 15 thousand miles a year average? I’m 68 and always averaged higher mileage on 2 wheels. Just wondering
Miles on a Tri Glide
- Thread starter Zigzag
- Start date
wlivin2
400+ Posts
I rode anywhere from 8000 to 15000 a year
nucseal
1000+ Posts
My 2020 Tri 28,539mi as of yesterday.
NC Triker
200+ Posts
Annual Milage
I rode just under 8K miles last year.
I rode just under 8K miles last year.
rhino 2
100000 + Posts
I always put between 10 and 15 thousand miles on my two wheelers even when I got my first three wheeler back in 2008. I still put that type of mileage on the combination but as time progresses. My family obligations increase and it’s just hard to put that kind of mileage anymore, I would ride up to my hunting club on the spur of the moment twice in a week that’s about a 2 hundred mile round-trip on bikes and or the trike now when I go Grandson my Son go with me so we take his truck or mine that’s just the way it is when you’re on two wheelers you’re young and a fighter pilot zooming from one mission to another, as you get older (77+for me )You don’t go so far alone…
Last edited:
Olddog
150+ Posts
I'm a light weight compared to you folks. I've only ridden about 2,000 miles last year.
cycle7447
800+ Posts
Tom- I have a 2021 Ultra that I converted to a trike late last year. Bike had just 800 miles on it when it was converted. I had hand surgery and could not ride. Bike was done early to mid-May and I put about 6000 miles on it. Our season here in Michigan is somewhat short. Still, late April, I am hoping to get on the road.
You mentioned not being able to justify the cost/use? Are you saying the cost/use of the trike - or, the cost/use of the bike period? I ask because, in my opinion, there is not a lot of difference is the cost to use the trike vs the two-wheeler.
I will add this - I am 70 years old and my wife and I believe we will ride the trike more that we had planned to ride the two-wheeler. Plus, she has her license and can ride it.
Mykneesbehurtin
1500+ Posts
When I was younger, 30's it was nothing for me to ride 25,000 a summer. Now between the Road King and the trike somewhere between 6000-7000 miles. Even if I only ride 500 a year, I will not stop riding until I cannot safely operate it.
Sorry I guess I didn’t explain that very well, I apologize. I was referring to the purchase price of the trike versus a two wheel bike. My Trike was $38,000 not counting some additional things I’ve done to make it more comfortable for me. I know I could easily spend less than half of that and have a nice 2 wheel bike.
cycle7447
800+ Posts
No need to apologize - we are all here to help one another. I better understand your comments now.
While the trike was $38,000, my bet is for you to purchase a similar 2-wheeler, say an Ultra, you are somewhere around $28,000.
Just for comparisons, I went to the Harley site and pulled the numbers. An Ultra is $29,160; the TriGlide is $36,000. So, these are basic figures, and you are really close (say $6000).
Now, for me, I was a bit like you and wanted some things to make my bike a bit more comfortable for me. My Ultra was $33,000 - I added a lot of features, Gauntlet Grey, Blacked Out - that was about $2700 more than standard. Plus, I got the RDRS system. So, all of that ran about $33K. Then, I added the tike kit - cost for that was right around $18K. So, not I am looking at $52K - the cost of the Harley CVO trike.
All along, this is what I wanted - and I will never look back at what I did because it is just perfect for me and, I will ride it more.
.
Very good points indeed and it sounds like your decisions have worked out well for you. For myself though I’m starting to think a bike in the $15,000 or so range would be more than sufficient. Just not riding enough miles anymore. Safe travels!
Koolbreeze
100+ Posts
My 2019 Tri Glide has just over 30K on her and I also ride a 2003 Sportster and a 2015 Yamaha FJ-09. Probably put close to 20K on the bikes combined per year.
Reason I went to a Trike is that a full dresser was getting a little heavy for my knees and balance to handle. The other bikes are much lighter so there is no issue.
However, for long distance traveling the Trike wins hand down.
Reason I went to a Trike is that a full dresser was getting a little heavy for my knees and balance to handle. The other bikes are much lighter so there is no issue.
However, for long distance traveling the Trike wins hand down.
Mykneesbehurtin
1500+ Posts
Ok now it's clear, my wife likes to ride as much as I do so getting rid of the trike is not going to happen. If you do a lot of solo riding then maybe getting a less expensive bike may be the correct move.
PosseRider
3750+ Posts
20 Tri w/ over 27k
DOKK
300+ Posts
Mine is a 2016 which I purchased used in 2020. It had around 20k on it when I bought it. It now has a little over 45k. I paid $20k for the trike and have made several upgrades and addons. Sometimes work, weather or life in general keeps me from riding when I want to but I'll still ride all I can. The cost is inconsequential as I will have and ride tis trike until I can't ride anymore. I hope to have over 100k miles when I'm done. I have way too many other hobbies and too much money sunk in them that I do not take part in as much because I ride now, but those hobbies will come back to the front once I can't ride and I will not have to make the investments needed to change hobbies at that time. My wife has said that I wasted money on those other hobbies but I explained this to her and that I will be enjoying them later in life and she got it. I think it's just all in how you frame it or justify it in your mind. Ride when you can and enjoy it while you can I say.
cycle7447
800+ Posts
I clearly understand your point - you have to do what makes you happy. If a $15K bike is what you want, then you should consider that.
Please remember, the $15K bike (if a newer model) may be nowhere as comfortable as your TriGlide. But, if you are planning to ride less and just tool around for short distances, then, this may well fit the bill for you.
For us, even on very short trips, our trike is the way to go. LOL - was on a short group ride before the weather got colder here. Buddy pulled up to me at the light and I asked, why do you guys keep putting your foot own when you stop.
Trikes can be a lot of fun - and, we added a CB just before putting her to bed for the winter. So, we are excited about the upcoming riding season.
Notgrownup
650+ Posts
I bought mine 2 years ago and it’s a 2nd bike, I still have my 07 Electra Glide that I bought new and it has 111000 miles on it. I’m riding less and less until I can retire. I did manage to put about 8000 miles on the trike, rode to Watkins Glen, then to Lancaster PA, then to WV mountains then twice to The Appalachian mountains… We love it for our first trike and probably will sell it and buy a newer on , I want a bigger motor.
Notgrownup
650+ Posts
You can find a well loved Tri glide for 15000 miles on it. May have a smaller engine and older stereo but they will get you rolling. The older ones are reliable bikes.
cycle7447
800+ Posts
I think he is looking for a bike at the $15K price range.
By the way, Happy New Year. You make any headway on that new trike?
hydraglide
150+ Posts
Picked up my 2021 Tri Glide this past March… put a little over 10k on it this past riding season.
I put way more miles on my Tri Glide than I had been putting on my Ultra.
Renewed confidence and comfort equates to more miles in the saddle, at least for me.
I too have seen many low mileage trikes sitting on the dealer showroom… My Trike has had some important improvements (bars and suspension most notably) that really made a difference compared to stock.
I can understand why some riders bail on trikes if left stock. It’s a shame they didn’t find this forum first… they would probably still be on three wheels!
I put way more miles on my Tri Glide than I had been putting on my Ultra.
Renewed confidence and comfort equates to more miles in the saddle, at least for me.
I too have seen many low mileage trikes sitting on the dealer showroom… My Trike has had some important improvements (bars and suspension most notably) that really made a difference compared to stock.
I can understand why some riders bail on trikes if left stock. It’s a shame they didn’t find this forum first… they would probably still be on three wheels!
Trike Talk Community
Welcome to a community dedicated to the most diverse and fastest growing powersports segment, Motorcycle Trikes. Come join the discussion about the best makes and models, popular modifications and proven performance hacks, trike touring and travel, maintenance, meetups and more!
Register Already a member? LoginForum statistics
Share this page
