My first trike ride- a day ride of 550 miles by C50 Tramp from Van Braun, Arkansas to Houston, Texas -was filled with the expected disconcerting lack of lean, and forgetting the parking brake 3 or 4 times. (quick tip, kids: don’t reach down and release the brake at speed) The absolute necessity of ergonomic modifications was clear immediately- the trike badly needs a back rest, and the foot controls angle and position must be altered.
Most striking, though, was the amount of force required to steer the beast- riding mountain twisties was a full on arm wrestling match. I thought riding a trike was just going to be a bore with the leaning dimension and intimacy removed, but not so- relatively effortless at-speed turns on 2 wheels became a struggle for survival. Strength- not friction -seems to be the limiting factor for how fast a turn can be taken. The challenge level is sufficient to keep my interest and distinguish the conveyance from any other sort of motor vehicle I’ve piloted. That said, I feel as though I’ve had my ass kicked at the gym, muscles worked and complaining. Sure, you don’t have to worry about dropping the cycle- but most everything else is MORE work with the third wheel.
Most striking, though, was the amount of force required to steer the beast- riding mountain twisties was a full on arm wrestling match. I thought riding a trike was just going to be a bore with the leaning dimension and intimacy removed, but not so- relatively effortless at-speed turns on 2 wheels became a struggle for survival. Strength- not friction -seems to be the limiting factor for how fast a turn can be taken. The challenge level is sufficient to keep my interest and distinguish the conveyance from any other sort of motor vehicle I’ve piloted. That said, I feel as though I’ve had my ass kicked at the gym, muscles worked and complaining. Sure, you don’t have to worry about dropping the cycle- but most everything else is MORE work with the third wheel.
