Making The Switch - Bike to Trike - Great Info!

[BlueTrinity]

Joan,
Beyond all the correct technical answers here, remember what your hubby learned long ago and what you've seen him do for ages: "Look where you want to go, not where you are."
Nothing is more intimidating than looking at the edge of the road you're worried about. Unfortunately, it's just human nature, but our neuro-sensors assume you want to go toward what you are concentrating on, even though your brain is screaming, “don’t go there.”
I teach motivation techniques, and an illustration that I frequently use works here too.
It’s sort of like a coach telling his pitcher, “Now you can get this guy out; just pitch him low and inside. He’s a sucker for that pitch, and even if he connects, the best he can do is pop it up.” So the pitcher concentrates, does just that, and strikes out the batter.
But if the coach tells the pitcher, “Whatever you do, don’t give him a high outside pitch or he’ll hit it out of the park,” guess what the pitcher is concentrating on? Where he’s most likely to pitch the ball and what the batter does with it.
As Yogi Berra once said, “90% of this game is mental…the other half is physical.”
Good luck and happy Trikin'

 

[1800 06 Champion Trike]

I bought our Trike in 06 and we just love it.
I have bad knees from years of working and it's the answer to my problem.

 

[Ironhorsepilot]

Ozark....That is what I do...keep my wheel in the center. That is where I like it. Now when I am going into a right curve, not a problem, I ride the apex with no problem.

Dave, you are right....I do look at that shoulder. BAD.....

 

[Mr.Wizard]

First, get on the trike so you can ride. For me, it was how to get on and off without kicking the fenders.

I can't remember who told me this, but it was someone from this site, and I've been asked why I mount that way, even by dealer salesmen. Now they are teaching the new owners of the Tri Glide this method. It's funny how a good suggestion goes a very long way.

So, thank you to whoever you are! :yes:

To Mount a Trike:

1. Put down the passenger floorboards.

2. From the left side of your trike, step on your front floorboard or peg with your right foot.

3. Hold on to your left grip with your left hand.

4. Stand up on your right foot and step back with your left foot, placing it on the passenger floorboard.

5. Place your right hand on the right grip.

6. With the weight on your left foot, lift your right foot up and over the tank/seat.

7. Place your right foot on the right front floorboard and take your seat.

To dismount:

1. Reverse the process above, but the first move is to place your left heel/foot on the passenger floorboard.

2. Stand up, holding on to both grips.

3. Lift your right foot over the tank/seat and walk off the trike.

For the Passenger:

1. The passenger gets on first and off last.

2. Follow the same rules for mounting the trike except the passenger holds on to the sissy bar or tour pack instead of the grips.

3. The passenger places their right foot on the right passenger floorboard and takes a seat. They will adjust for the rider's backrest by stepping over it or laying it forward.

4. The passenger dismounts in a similar fashion and walks off the trike.

Again, thank you for this lesson.

It has saved many hours of buffing and scratch repair since I have metal toe tips on my riding boots!

-dave

 

[Ozarkryder]

reksul writes:
First, get on the trike so you can ride. For me, it was about how to get on and off without kicking the fenders.
I can't remember who told me this, but it was someone from this site. I've even been asked why I mount that way, including by dealer salesmen. Now they are teaching new owners of the Tri Glide this method. It's funny how a good suggestion can go a very long way.
So, thank you to whoever you are!

I taught my wife how to mount that way. You explained it better than I did, and others contributed too. In fact, Dave, you started the thread -

http://www.triketalk.com/forum/harley-trike-forum/906-rest-not-rest.html

You are right; other people see the method and understand it as an easy way to get on and off, avoiding nasty fender scuffs.

 

[Mr.Wizard]

Well, there ya go.. mystery solved.

Thanks Don.. it may travel the world a couple of times.

 

[Mutton & Sweetie]

Hello,

Personally, I step over my seat with my right leg and then sit down.

I took the BRC in May of 2004 to get my license. We got our trike back at the end of May. A friend had loaned us his trike for the month of May so we would know how to ride a trike when we got ours. Great friend, huh? We did get him a gift certificate to the Harley shop, as he was riding his Harley and not the trike at that time.

Anyway, later that year (September), we went to a motorcycle rally at Opryland in Nashville. We took our first trike course then. One of the best things I have done. We took our second course in 2006 in Murfreesboro.

If you get a chance, take a trike course. You practice curves, braking, etc. One of the things they made us do was drive in a circle and accelerate until we lifted one wheel off the ground. What you find out is that all power to the rear is lost while a wheel is off the ground; you therefore slow down, and the trike returns to the ground.

Hope this helps.

 

[John Luciano]

1 video is worth 1,000,000 words
YouTube - Getting onto a TRIKE motorcycle

 

[ben721364]

1 video is worth a million words.

This is the way I do it. However, as someone pointed out, it isn't necessary with a cruiser-based trike (low seat), especially if not equipped with running boards.

 

[Mr.Wizard]

1 video is worth a 1,000,000 words

YouTube - Getting onto a TRIKE motorcycle

Bingo.. now that's what I'm talking about!

 

[John Luciano]

Thanks, it sounded strange until I tried it. I personally just stand on the left peg with my left foot and swing my right leg over the tank. My wife does the same, before I get on, and then she just hops back on her seat using the rider boards. I put the video together so they could see just what I was talking about.

 

[Mr.Wizard]

So that was you in the video?

 

[John Luciano]

YES that is me talking and walking

 

[Mr.Wizard]

Man.. thought I was ugly



Just kidding.. :yes:

That was a nice job. I had thought about doing it myself but I keep tearing up video cameras for some reason. <there's an open door for ya if I've ever seen one>

 

[rmrc51]

1 video is worth a 1,000,000 words

YouTube - Getting onto a TRIKE motorcycle

Thanks so much for posting this! I've already tried it a few times and it helps tremendously!

 

[Mr.Wizard]

John should have made it Pay-per-View. LOL

Wait until you mount the trike this way and hit a light bulb with your head or the garage door opener..

This is the best, most wonderful way to mount your trike. With a bad back, blown knees, and the most damaging, crippling condition of all time "a sarcastic wit," this way works great for me.

 

[spiritdream]

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Yeah Ben, but the TRI massage board is just fantastic! It is filled with wonderfully informative tips that are life changing for every intelligent trike owner.

Here's just one example that actually started a thread

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 11:31 am Post subject: ever have this happen.

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ever be pulling out some aluminum foil and have the roller to jump out of the box and run across the floor and you try to roll it back on....well,Reynolds Wrap...now has push tag on the end of the box that well stop it from happen...I just found it....
_________________

I've completed my membership application and am FedExing it today.

Dave

OK, I apologize in advance to all you TRI members...just havin' fun!

HEY!! I answered that post somewhere!! (Tells you just how bored I can get, now doesn't it?? )

 

[Ozarkryder]

We are continually welcoming new members, and since many of them are new to trikes, I thought this thread should be bumped. I hope it helps someone.

 

[ThirdWheel]

Ozark..Good idea!! Thanks

 

[Calman]

I'm picking up my Trike in Texas next week but have enjoyed reading this board. It has helped me understand many things, and much of what I've learned about trikes also applies to cycles with hacks. This is especially true regarding adding time to your rides since everybody and their buddy want to "gee", "gawk", and ask questions whether it be a "pit stop" or a gas stop.

 

[Ozarkryder]

Hey Calman—good deal about picking up your trike. Bet you're looking forward to it!
Having been a hack pilot, I can say the biggest difference is that you have something sticking out on both sides of the bike now. With the chair, the mindset has to be to keep to the left of things to avoid any unpleasantness like running over curbs, hitting poles, or dropping the wheel off the side of the road. With the trike, it's like there is a sidecar on both the right and left sides.

 

[frankentrike]

Most noticeable for me was the tire wear. You need to pay attention to your tire pressures, mostly the front. The tire is expected to lean on the sidewalls; with a two-wheeler, a trike changes all that. You are now running on a bit less than 3 inches of the center of the tire every mile. When we turn, the trike no longer leans; it stays almost upright. I have about 3,000 miles on a Dunlop E3, and the little nibs are still on the sidewalls.

The center of the tire, though, has worn significantly in only 3,000 miles. Just remember that all those vibrations and tracking issues can be adjusted endlessly with the setups being built today. It's pretty much the same system as a Nascar suspension. The absolute most popular comment you'll hear from Trikers is "I wish I'd have done this trike thing sooner!" Good luck, jimsjinx. Weird.

I'm reading all the dos and don'ts of triking and thinking, "I've done all this from day one," then realize why I do it. I drive a semi tractor-trailer and constantly check where I'm turning, slow for turns, power out, and such. Now about the quote... my trike has more rake on it, I guess. My front wheel leans just as much as my bike did and wears the same and all. Anyway, very good advice for newbies.

 

[hitime]

I just placed the order for my trike 2 days ago, and it will be ready in 2-3 weeks. (Paint is on backorder ) I will read this thread more than once to commit the ideas to memory before I get on the seat and ride. Thanks to the experienced ones from a noob. :yes:

 

[Randylic]

I know that all you trikers are paying close attention to the dealer when he delivers your trike regarding the do's and don'ts, but please also pay close attention to the service of the suspension bolts every 2,000 to 3,000 miles. I have found that these bolts, even with the nylon nuts on them, can work themselves loose and cause vibrations and strange noises. This is particularly important if you ride two-up most of the time. Thanks, Ozark! This has been a great thread to read. :yes::yes:

 

[Mr.Wizard]

Funny that you mention this about a Motor Trike. My left fender shakes so much that it rattles between 2400 and 2800 RPM. It doesn't matter how fast I am going. Pulling in the clutch stops it.

I have examined it myself but with no success, so I took it back to the MT dealer. They thought the body needed larger fender washers attached to the frame, so they replaced them and tightened everything, but still no improvement. Now they are blaming it on my cams?? They are mild cams too: Andrews 26H.

Yeah, what a joke. A Harley vibrates, so get over it, but I fear that soon the body will crack, and they will not repair or replace it. I'm considering calling MT to see what they have to say about it. Oh well... I'll keep looking. Sooner or later, I will find the reason.

 

[John Luciano]

Tip # 10: When you park your TRIKE/ Motorcycle in a crowded parking lot, don't pull all the way in. Stop so the rear is visible from behind. I had a guy start to pull in behind me.

 

[WildBillH]

Tip #11: Avoid road rage! A motorcyclist made obscene hand gestures, pulled in front of a motor home, and then slowed down, resulting in a fatality.

 

[roadkill]

that doesn't look so good.

 

[Gorilla]

Now there is an understatement.