Making The Switch - Bike to Trike - Great Info!

[poppajim]

I did not see this thread till yesterday, skipped through it wow a lot of great info. I am one of those riders that is having a tougher time than most you can say getting the trike down. I have a 2007 wing with a 2015 Roadsmith Trike Kit. One of my big problems was the pulling to the right and I see that on here a lot. I rode a 2 wheeler ( Harley Dresser ) for many years and its not because I can not ride any more this is some thing I wanted to do mostly to get my wife back on the back.

We belonged to H.O.G. for many years and have rode in large groups most of the time. 2 weeks ago we rode up to the Finger Lakes in New York State which was 250 miles from where I am in Northwest Jersey. We rode with 15 other bikes ( 2 wheelers) for the first times since getting the trike kit put on and it was a very long terrible ride for me trying to keep up with the group. They averaged 10 miles over the speed limit most of the time and it just was too much. We made it up there but it just was not much fun at all. I jumped in for the big ride too soon. I got a ride home and got my trailer and went back to get it. I am going to get this down as I signed up for a beginner trike course where there are only 3 trikes in the class and my installer will be working with me also.

I also found out after I picked up my trike about getting the stock front tire off their, you would think the trike installers would push the on us when we get these expensive trike kits put on. I will read this whole thread also as just skipping through it there is so much helpful info out there by all of you great people that are out there trying to help others master these trikes. I plan on riding with a friend of mine who has a tri glide before trying a groups again. Ride Safe

I forgot to mention on that ride most of the trip was Pennsylvania back roads and they are very heavyly crowned.

 

[Hocky]

making the switch

Hey Papa, I understand completely. After 50 years on a 2 wheeler, I reluctantly made the switch. At 1st it's really work to learn the diff. and to get comfortable. I've been doing all I could to get as comfortable on the trike. After 1000 miles I'm starting to enjoy the trike. It's definitely a different experience. I found that short trips were the best teacher. So after 4 months I did a 6 hour, 300 mile trip that used to easy on 2, I was exhausted, but I love a challange and I got it. So, take it easy on yourself! I can't believe 3 wheels can be as comfortable as 2 with 1/2 a car under your rear end running THRU road stuff as riding AROUND road stuff on 2 wheels. Welcome to The Trikers.......... orag:

 

[RTwing]

I have a 2007 wing with a 2015 Roadsmith Trike Kit. One of my big problems was the pulling to the right and I see that on here a lot.

This is quite common with all 1-2 conversions of all brands due to the 30 degree caster angle (rake) on the front end. Offset trees will help as they drop the trail from 5+ inches to about 2 but the rake or caster cannot be changed without cutting the frame.
2-1 trikes like CanAm don't have this issue as the caster (rake) is 2-3 degrees and trail is around 1/2 inch vs the 2-5 inches on a 1-2. While the CanAm and other 2-1 trikes will tend to follow the road crown also the required user input from the rider is close to zero as the pull is almost unnoticeable and can only be realized when the hands are off the bars where the bike will very slowly drift to the right.
Learning curve is also in the 100 miles or a couple hours less if you have ridden snowmobiles or ATV as the feel is similar. The handling and physical effort required even in the twisties is about on par with a 2 wheeler and after a long day you will be refreshed and ready for tomorrow.

Tomorrow I am taking a buddy for his very first Trike ride on one of my reverse trikes. He is a snowmobiler so I told him we will be going on a 250 run through one of our more twisty areas. You have 10 minutes to adjust. I am sure he will.

 

[CobraXL]

I can't explain it but the trike became second nature to me quick ... curves are not a problem and I feel I could ride this ride twelve hour days without a problem...

The first time I rode a trike I found it the same, fortunately. I spent 4 years and about 10,000 miles ATVing in Wisconsin and other places and the minute I jumped on a trike it was like being home--more natural than 2 wheels for me. I thought I had wasted all that money ATVing but I guess I'm getting some benefit from it after all.

 

[RTwing]

In July we are heading to the Deadwood trike rally with some friends. They have never ridden or driven a trike before so today I called Dennis and said swing by and let's go for a quick 200 mile ride so you acclimate to the trike before the rally.
He has ridden snowmobiles and ATVs along with motorcycles so I just told him pretend it's a snowmobile and you will be fine. For the first couple turns he was apprehensive but then I told him don't steer - push. If you want to go right the push on the left handle bar and the opposite if you want to go left. He said that's the ticket and he did just fine.
We put on 206 miles on tar and 16 miles on gravel and he said he actually felt better on the gravel than the tar. 40-50mph on gravel was a given.
Dennis is also 70 now so as I say he did just fine and I think the Deadwood Rally will be OK.

 

[poppajim]

The first time I rode a trike I found it the same, fortunately. I spent 4 years and about 10,000 miles ATVing in Wisconsin and other places and the minute I jumped on a trike it was like being home--more natural than 2 wheels for me. I thought I had wasted all that money ATVing but I guess I'm getting some benefit from it after all.

I have heard the same thing from friends that rode atv's while they were younger, it was second nature for them when they got their trikes.

 

[CobraXL]

I have heard the same thing from friends that rode atv's while they were younger, it was second nature for them when they got their trikes.

In fact I'd recommend ATVing as a way to get the feel of a trike beforehand if a person doesn't have access to a trike before they buy. Quads are pretty commonplace in this part of the country and the big utility atvs people use on their land can come close to the width of a trike conversion. It's a way to get the feel of maneuverability at reasonable speeds before dealing with the added road hazards.

 

[Sandlapper]

Awesomeness

read all 28 pages....Great advice from "turns" to "how to mount a trike"..... (can I say that ?)

Thanks guys and ladies.

 

[headheaded]

i adapted very quickly with one short ride. rode 3 and 4 wheel atv's alot over the years so it was natural to me. i think people who feel uncomforable should give it a try in the dirt first.

 

[RTwing]

I am going to do a "how to" video focusing mainly on the stiff arm technique of cornering. I find those who can get past the macho man mentality are very quick to adapt and get the jist of riding a sport trike along with the rear wheel conversion trikes with ease. As odd as it seems the weekend riders who think motorcycle have to lean are the ones most intimidated.
In most cases a sport trike (front wheel conversion) will out handle and out corner a standard cruiser using the stiff arm technique. Having ATV experience is also a great asset. It took me all of 30 miles to get the hang of the trike experience so anyone can do it if the just have the presence of mind to understand a properly designed trike does not lean just like dune buggies to dump trucks most vehicle do not lean and for good reason.

 

[alienwulf]

For someone making the switch from 2 wheel to 3 this is the go to thread. Should be mandatory reading for all new riders. Answered my questions and concerns thanks to all that posted.
:clapping:epper:

 

[alwrmcusn]

Ok nobody mentioned this yet/ The first ride will be scary (scarier for some more than others) Don't be discouraged! If you are not feeling comfortable even after 100 miles it may take 200. After you get the hang of it it is second nature.
Also POWER thru corners.
I have been triking for 6 years

That first ride is scary part is true! On my ride home that first day, I was scared silly! I thought I was going to fly off the high side on every corner!! Took about two weeks to become "used" to the cornering and about 6 months later I was pretty much keeping up with the two wheelers.
Triking now for about three years, won't go back!

 

[3 4 the road]

One thing that helped me immensely on the curves was setting the shocks on my Roadsmith trike to a stiffer level.
When I got it, they were set to the softest setting. I always felt like I was going to roll out on the curves. I could never keep up with my buddy on his Spyder. After adjusting them to the middle setting, the ride is much better. I have probably added 15-20 mph to the curves I am used to, just because the ride feels safer.
BTW, I don't notice the ride being any rougher.

 

[TGCarol]

Great Thread

I have learned a lot from this thread. I realize that the last post was quite a few months ago but I have a question.

First, thank you for the info on riding crowned roads. It's comforting to a newbie like myself that this "pulling to the right" feeling is normal and that I can compensate for it and know I'm stable. It's an odd feeling for sure and it came into play the other day when I was out riding with my husband. We turned onto a neighborhood street close to our home. I've ridden this road many times in my car but this was the first time on my Tri Glide. This road is the opposite of crowned. Each lane slopes toward the center where there are periodic grates that allow water to drain. Also, this road is heavily potholed and patched. I'm glad it's a slow speed neighborhood road because between bumping around on the unmissable road damage and the feeling of being pulled toward the center of the road, I had to slow way down. The speed limit is 30mph. I think I was at 20. Any one have any tips for dealing with this? My husband said "we just won't go that way" but I want to master the situation not avoid it.

Another situation, which I guess is similar, is riding sideways on an incline. There are a couple of sloped parking lots in my area where the traffic travels sideways along it instead of up and over. At what point does my trike become unstable? Is there something else I need to do besides compensate the steering for my trike wanting to pull to the downhill side?

I'm really enjoying my Tri Glide :clapping:. I get more comfortable every time I go out. I'm really looking forward to traveling the country someday. What an adventure that would be epper:epper:

Thanks in advance.
Carol

 

[pcombe]

I have learned a lot from this thread. I realize that the last post was quite a few months ago but I have a question.

First, thank you for the info on riding crowned roads. It's comforting to a newbie like myself that this "pulling to the right" feeling is normal and that I can compensate for it and know I'm stable. It's an odd feeling for sure and it came into play the other day when I was out riding with my husband. We turned onto a neighborhood street close to our home. I've ridden this road many times in my car but this was the first time on my Tri Glide. This road is the opposite of crowned. Each lane slopes toward the center where there are periodic grates that allow water to drain. Also, this road is heavily potholed and patched. I'm glad it's a slow speed neighborhood road because between bumping around on the unmissable road damage and the feeling of being pulled toward the center of the road, I had to slow way down. The speed limit is 30mph. I think I was at 20. Any one have any tips for dealing with this? My husband said "we just won't go that way" but I want to master the situation not avoid it.

Another situation, which I guess is similar, is riding sideways on an incline. There are a couple of sloped parking lots in my area where the traffic travels sideways along it instead of up and over. At what point does my trike become unstable? Is there something else I need to do besides compensate the steering for my trike wanting to pull to the downhill side?

I'm really enjoying my Tri Glide :clapping:. I get more comfortable every time I go out. I'm really looking forward to traveling the country someday. What an adventure that would be epper:epper:

Thanks in advance.
Carol

Learn to shift your bum :kpzxvq: on the seat in situations like these and in hard corners, so that one foot is more solid on the foot board, It will give you a more solid seating and less feeling you are being thrown off the bike ok?

Steering a trike is an exercise in push and pull. When steering the trike straighten the arm (lock the elbow) you are ( pushing ) with and use your shoulder and upper body strength instead of your arm muscles, It will give you better control, and you will have less fatigue. along with shifting your bum you will find corners, slopes etc. much easier. This may help you control drift caused by centrifugal force as well.

I cant tell you at what stage your trike will become unstable but if you ever get close you will certainly know it! Try to accelerate out of a corner whenever it's possible on the open road.
All I can really say is take it slow until you learn your own limitations?

If you get head shake (front end shake) either accelerate a little or tap the brake or back off on the throttle to bring you out of it.

ALWAYS run your trike in a gear where the engine is pulling ThumbUp

lugging it can more easily create headshake. (LUGGING CONTRIBUTES TO HEAD SHAKE) sixth gear isn't always good on a hill, gear it down so you have more power at your finger tips on a hill or in mountain riding etc. Not lugging your engine is especially true in town, Many times I hear folks say the tri-glide is underpowered when gearing down will take care of it.
My friend put a thunder max ignition on his and it makes a whopping difference.

My 27 year old tour glide is a five speed and in truth I seldom wish for a sixth gear riding where I live, I would constantly be gearing down.

 

[TGCarol]

Thanks

Thank you pcombe for your reply. I am learning to plant my outside foot in a turn and to lock my elbow. So I treat an incline like a curve in that I shift to the uphill (or inside if it was a curve), and plant my downhill (or outside in a curve) foot? :AGGHH: I want to learn everything I can.

Carol

- - - Updated - - -

....btw.....really cool trike ThumbUp

- - - Updated - - -

....oh....forgot to mention that I have the gear shifting down. I've been driving a manual transmission most of my life. It's just more fun :clapping:

 

[alienwulf]

When in turns I find I lean my upper body more into the turn and push with the shoulder. Seems very much like with a side car if you ever watched an old movie like the Great Escape. As pcombe said slide your bum on the seat helps a lot. I would think as far as a slope it would take a very steep one to make me worry about it. Enjoy riding get out every chance you get.ThumbUp

 

[TGCarol]

When in turns I find I lean my upper body more into the turn and push with the shoulder. Seems very much like with a side car if you ever watched an old movie like the Great Escape. As pcombe said slide your bum on the seat helps a lot. I would think as far as a slope it would take a very steep one to make me worry about it. Enjoy riding get out every chance you get.ThumbUp

Ok. Thanks. I am enjoying myself so much. epper:

 

[pcombe]

thank you pcombe for your reply. I am learning to plant my outside foot in a turn and to lock my elbow. So i treat an incline like a curve in that i shift to the uphill (or inside if it was a curve), and plant my downhill (or outside in a curve) foot? :agghh: I want to learn everything i can.

Carol

- - - updated - - -

....btw.....really cool trike thumbup

- - - updated - - -

....oh....forgot to mention that i have the gear shifting down. I've been driving a manual transmission most of my life. It's just more fun :clapping:

sounds like you got it

 

[pcombe]

Thank you pcombe for your reply. I am learning to plant my outside foot in a turn and to lock my elbow. So I treat an incline like a curve in that I shift to the uphill (or inside if it was a curve), and plant my downhill (or outside in a curve) foot? :AGGHH: I want to learn everything I can.

Carol

- - - Updated - - -

....btw.....really cool trike ThumbUp

- - - Updated - - -

....oh....forgot to mention that I have the gear shifting down. I've been driving a manual transmission most of my life. It's just more fun :clapping:

Thank you, I built it myself and then had to rebuild it when it got hit last spring. It's ready for the road now. I got it on the road shortly before snow flew.