Is it time??

[Deadeye]

Ok here goes- I'm probably going to sound stupid for this but here I go anyway. A little background- I'm 64 years old and have been riding for near 40 years. Goldwings since 1982.
Been a number of times to most states(Alaska twice) and all Canadian provinces and territories except Nunavit. I still play tennis so I can obviously still run around in circles and swing at a little ball!
Ok- that having been said,
1) I'm starting to have slight balance problems when backing my up GL1800.
2) My comfort level when making slow parking lot manouvers is not what it
used to be.
I love my wing and am afraid that if I go to a trike I will lose the "thrill of the ride".
My wife loves our wing and is afraid she would not be as comfortable on a trike.
I'm particularly concerned with my wife's comfort because we ride so much. We travel several weeks each summer and she loves mountain riding.

I'm seriously considering a GL1800 trike but my wife and I both fear feeling like "old coots" instead of "bikers" and would really miss the "handling" of the wing.
Can ya'll give any advice regarding getting used to a trike?

Please be kind(I know you will) as except for saying "howdy" this is my first post ever to any forum.
Thanks!

[Nana]

Welcome to TrikeTalk, Deadeye! Nope...... nothing stupid about the questions you have!
There is a difference when you move to a trike ----

• it is stable, it is almost impossible to "drop" it in normal riding and takes an outside blow or extraordinary effort to tip it over.
• gravel, wet roads, etc. suddenly are basically a non-issue to you.
• you don't have to put your feet down at stop lights, in fact it is recommended you don't as it hurts when those big tires catch your leg.
• Once you are at ease with the steering of a trike, you will find you are out-maneuvering the two-wheelers in that mountain riding you and your wife love so much. Your friends will want you in front of them so you are not pushing them around the twisties!

No doubt about it, you will have a learning curve time of around 500 miles as you adjust from leaning to steering in the corners (a rake kit such as EZ steer is indispensable for this!!!), but apart from that and from getting used to watching out for those fenders as you pull into the garage or up to a gas pump, etc., you will still have the thrill of the ride! The vast majority of folks wonder why they waited so long and struggled so hard with the decision!

Ask any question you want. Our members are more than willing to help you out!

[Blondie Gal]

Ok here goes- I'm probably going to sound stupid for this but here I go anyway. A little background- I'm 64 years old and have been riding for near 40 years. Goldwings since 1982.
Been a number of times to most states(Alaska twice) and all Canadian provinces and territories except Nunavit. I still play tennis so I can obviously still run around in circles and swing at a little ball!
Ok- that having been said,
1) I'm starting to have slight balance problems when backing my up GL1800.
2) My comfort level when making slow parking lot manouvers is not what it
used to be.
I love my wing and am afraid that if I go to a trike I will lose the "thrill of the ride".
My wife loves our wing and is afraid she would not be as comfortable on a trike.
I'm particularly concerned with my wife's comfort because we ride so much. We travel several weeks each summer and she loves mountain riding.

I'm seriously considering a GL1800 trike but my wife and I both fear feeling like "old coots" instead of "bikers" and would really miss the "handling" of the wing.
Can ya'll give any advice regarding getting used to a trike?

Please be kind(I know you will) as except for saying "howdy" this is my first post ever to any forum.
Thanks!

Welcome to you and your missus from the Great State of Texas!!

A word from the 'passenger' end of things: If your wife is comfortable on your wing, just trike it! Seat stays the same.

We went from the luxury of air-bladder leather seats on our Ultra to the 'regular' seats on our 08 GW 1800 CSC, and once we added the armrests and seat covers, I can sleep just as well on the trike! I don't have to worry about pulling Scalp Hunter down when I get off and on, and the IRS gives us a nice ride. I sorta miss the 'potato-potato' rumble of the HD, but wouldn't go back to two wheels after logging nearly 20,000 in two years on this beautiful machine!

[tommy loso]

welcome to both of you, from Tn.You've found the best forum on the e-net..We also are 64 and 51/2 yrs. ago we where forced to go to a trike due to medical reasons..It felt strange at first but it sure beats the alternative..it didn't take long for us to realise what a blessing it was..
82,000 miles later and we're still lovin it..2 yrs. ago my wife got her license to drive it ,just in case we ran into a problem and had to get to medical help..Go for it,you won't be sorry.........Tommy and Barbara (Old Coots on Scoots)...TOI-Tn.

We chose to be the old coots and are proud of it...Join us,it feels great

[skuuter]

These are examples of how I have ridden most of my Life, and can still do it on any given day.....







Now, that being established..... my 2010 Gold Wing 1800 Motor Trike IRS is my ALL-TIME FAVORITE BIKE...Period...

Yes, it took me some gettin' used to, but after about 1500 os so miles under my belt on it, and it was "old news", and more comfy than any 2-wheeler I've ever owned, and I've owned and ridden hundreds.

Your ability to maneuver tight twisties rapidly on a Trike, will be determined "mostly" by the same thing that determined Your ability on Two Wheels...Your Personal Riding Ability. I can pretty well run with most any Cruiser with even a really good Rider onboard, or run with Sport Bikes with below average or worse in the Rider catagory. Can I go as fast on my Trike as I can on a 2-wheeler..."No", but I can go faster than "Most" Folks ever feel comfortable going on most anything. Now, with the "Speed Thing" out of the way, let's move on to the Areas where a Trike really shines.....

(1) Comfort.....They are King of the Hill...Period...!!!
(2) Relaxing in Town and Traffic.....They are King of the Hill...Period...!!!
(3) Passenger Comfort.....They are King of the Hill...Period...!!!
(4) Overall Safety.....They are King of the Hill...Period...!!!
(5) Bad Weather Rideable.....They are King of the Hill...Period...!!!
(6) General Public "Gawkability".....They are King of the Hill...Period...!!!
(7) Best Tourer for Long Trips.....They are King of the Hill...Period...!!!
.....the List goes on and on. Am I sold on Trikes...You betcha'.....No matter what/if I own in the future on two wheels, there will ALWAYS be a Trike in my Garage..."Bite the Bullet", You'll be glad You did, and oh yeah.....

Best Trike Forum on the Internet...TRIKE TALK.com.....They are King of the Hill...Period...!!!..... :wtg: :Biker:

[Keystone]

1) I'm starting to have slight balance problems when backing my up GL1800.
2) My comfort level when making slow parking lot maneuvers is not what it
used to be.

Due to a medical reason I found myself buying a Trike at 48. I can still ride two wheels, but like the two reasons you pointed out doing so is a problem. I can tell you for certain that all but the best riders on two wheels get in my way on the twisties. Trikes handle extremely well. You most likely will not regret going to three wheels.

[screwball]

We were in the same boat. Chemotherapy left my wife's feet numb, couldn't really tell if her foot was down, so away went her Deluxe, hello '09 Tri-Glide. 2 years later open heart surgery did a number on my balance.... See Ya Electra Glide, Hi '11 Tri Glide. Took a little getting used to, still acclimating, but the trikes are a great compromise to a rocking chair on the porch. We ride them all the time, are called the crazy old people up the block. When you think it's time, go for it!

[Bikerbozo]

In a rare serious moment, some serious answers. I switched last year at 49. I ride about 18,000 miles/year. In ALL kinds of weather. I noticed that maybe 5% or the time I was having a stability issue. Also noticed I had been having problems seeing at night in rain. Also just felt like a change. My wife is handicapped. Walks, but not well. Finally found out I have beginning of cataracts. Also arthritis in hands and hips. One week shy of owning a Tri-Glide for 1 year and I have 19,000 miles and lots of smiles. I love it and so does my wife. My brother refers to it as the Geriatricycle. You just need a sense of humor about it. I still have some 2-wheeled rides for when I feel like it locally.

[Stan66]

Welcome from Va!

I bought my trike (2010 HD FLHXXX Street Glide Trike) last June. I am 65 years old and have been riding since 1956. Currently have:
2005 HD Nightrain
2003 Indian Scout
1975 Indian tribute HD (yeah...it looks like an Indian)
1974 BMW and
my all time favorite a 1966 Bobber shovelhead.
I got the trike when I finally got tired of dropping the Nightrain in parking lots! I have MS and the balance factor was the motivator to go back to a trike. (Had Servicars way back in the day). I still ride the two wheelers when I am having "good" days and when I have someone to ride with in case I drop it. (A 65 year old, 140 pound beat up old biker has a time picking up a 5-600 pound bike). By myself, it is ALWAYS the trike that I am on. Love my trike and the learning curve for handling was almost non-existant. It all came back to me quickly (and the XXX is a LOT quicker than the old 45s!).
Trike that Wing....you will NOT regret it!
Stan66 :Pepper:

[jim peacock]

Had our 96 1500 triked in 06, should have done it sooner!
I know of no one who has went to a trike ever wants to go back to two wheels.

[Gorilla]

Deadeye. I will second all the above. I like Skuuter can still ride a 2 wheeler. I have been on 3 for 2 years and 25k miles. I love it. You are STILL BIKERS. Just safer and more relaxed.

[curley03]

SAME PROBLEMS HERE. at 69 it was trike or side car. My present bike is a HD VROD. no side cars for it so on with the search for a trike rig. The MYSTREY independent suspension with tilt, chromed out was tops. but at $13,000+ installation , it was out of the question. I settled for a FRANKENSTEIN trike conversion. Although not exactly the most expensive at $9,500 complete I was hooked. Just got back from a short ride and felt so confident that I can and do spin the wheels whenever the need arises . Trikes are fun and safe and most people love to ask about what you have there. curley

[rwhgme]

All I can say Deadeye is once you Trike it, you won't really want to bike it! I can say that at 55, it was my wife who said, you want to get a bike, don't expect me to ride it! Once she sat on the trike, that was all it took. All I wanted was to feel the wind on my face and the freedom and comfort of the LONG HAUL RIDE! My Triglide provides that. We all have opinions on the BEST trike, but you know what they say about opinions...they are like buttholes, everybody has 'em and they all smell! Suffice to say, we all give ANY TRIKE a big thumbs up!:wtg:

[whitefatboy]

Still want to be riding at .....84 ?, Trike it! and welcome times 3.

[DonFor]

Welcome, you won't be sorry,triking your ride.Had my 2008 gold wing triked last June, had the same problem.Glad I triked. And the wife enjoys the ride,alot more.

[Beorn of Ga]

Ok here goes- I'm probably going to sound stupid for this but here I go anyway. A little background- I'm 64 years old and have been riding for near 40 years. Goldwings since 1982.
Been a number of times to most states(Alaska twice) and all Canadian provinces and territories except Nunavit. I still play tennis so I can obviously still run around in circles and swing at a little ball!
Ok- that having been said,
1) I'm starting to have slight balance problems when backing my up GL1800.
2) My comfort level when making slow parking lot manouvers is not what it
used to be.
I love my wing and am afraid that if I go to a trike I will lose the "thrill of the ride".
My wife loves our wing and is afraid she would not be as comfortable on a trike.
I'm particularly concerned with my wife's comfort because we ride so much. We travel several weeks each summer and she loves mountain riding.

I'm seriously considering a GL1800 trike but my wife and I both fear feeling like "old coots" instead of "bikers" and would really miss the "handling" of the wing.
Can ya'll give any advice regarding getting used to a trike?

Please be kind(I know you will) as except for saying "howdy" this is my first post ever to any forum.
Thanks!

I was in the almost the exact situation as you. I'm 65, been riding for 40+ years, had the same problems and concerns. Traded my 2 wheeler in for a Harley Trike (rode Goldwings for 20+ years). My Wife and I could not be more pleased. The little you give up is more than compensated for by the benefits. Try a Harley TriGlide at a Dealers. Rember to steer in the direction of the corner (biggest thing to get use to. No more counter steering). Hope this helps.

[screwball]

There is ONE problem that was barely touched above. Whenever or wherever you park it, crowds gather! A 15 minute drink break turns into 1/2 an hour. Lots of 'gray hairs' want the wanderlust life, but haven't been on 2 wheels in a long time, or ever. Last year at the Grand Canyon we were 'stuck' at a view point when a bus of "seniors" (most were younger than I) stopped, and instead of taking pictures of the Grand Canyon, were taking pictures of Wife's Trike. I think we sold 3 of them that trip! This year, we will have 2 of them to gather crowds.

Good Luck!

Gold Wings are faster, quieter, and have more power. Harleys get better gas mileage, and .......... well, they are just Harleys!

[Deadeye]

Many thanks folks. Great insights-much to think about!!
Deadeye

[kkaykk]

Deadeye let me give you one other point of view. I am close to your age and really debated the issue. I decided to have have both a two and three wheel option. Touring on the three wheeler is great for all the reason listed above, BUT, for me there is nothing like the feeling of leaning a bike (two wheels) into a corner and executing a perfect turn. I do not get that same feeling and sensation from a trike. So I have kept my BMW two wheeler for one up riding and use the three wheeler for two up riding. This may not be an option for everyone but it is one that was doable for me, and presents me with different riding experiences one has with 2 and 3 wheels. Just my .02 cents. Good luck with any decision you finally make.