UPDATED! Help - wife's trike test ride a mess.

[pcombe]

This is my daughter, no bigger than your wife in a big empty parking lot.

She grew up on this bike, first riding in a backpack with her little butt resting on the backrest, She moved to a car seat strapped to the passenger seat and grew to take her position as co pilot.

I had always promised the Harley to her when I kicked the bucket but she was way to small to handle a huge bagger.

This is right after I converted it to a trike, And in fact was her very first time piloting a motorcycle!

She took to it like a duck to water, The rest is history.

 

[Kristie]

Hi Kevinch,

I am a new rider, 5'4" and 57 years old. My husband, Jim has been riding for 30+ years and wanted me to join him as a rider instead of a passenger. We purchased a 2016 Heritage for me and after falling twice at very slow speeds in a parking lot, I decided it was too much bike for me.

We decided Jim would keep the Heritage and he traded his Ultra Limited for a 2016 Freewheeler for me. I made some changes to fit it better to me, Mustang reach seat, tallboy handlebars that are pulled back and closer together, adjustable clutch and brake levers and a stage 1 exhaust to help with the heat.

Being a new rider I didn't have to struggle with old habits or muscle memory. I had a very easy time riding the Free, much easier than Jim since he's been on 2 wheels, like your wife, for so long.

I have not ridden a Tri so I can't speak to that, but I am very happy with the Free. The push/pull turning that others are mentioning is spot on. I feel for your wife because when I had my mishaps I was embarrassed, humiliated and lost any confidence I had about riding.

I just want her to know there is a silver lining, she wasn't on the open road, she didn't wreck the bike and she didn't get hurt, thank goodness.

Best of luck to you both, I've learned a lot on this forum and we're all here to help.

 

[Kevinch]

Hi Kevinch,

I am a new rider, 5'4" and 57 years old. My husband, Jim has been riding for 30+ years and wanted me to join him as a rider instead of a passenger. We purchased a 2016 Heritage for me and after falling twice at very slow speeds in a parking lot, I decided it was too much bike for me.

We decided Jim would keep the Heritage and he traded his Ultra Limited for a 2016 Freewheeler for me. I made some changes to fit it better to me, Mustang reach seat, tallboy handlebars that are pulled back and closer together, adjustable clutch and brake levers and a stage 1 exhaust to help with the heat.

Being a new rider I didn't have to struggle with old habits or muscle memory. I had a very easy time riding the Free, much easier than Jim since he's been on 2 wheels, like your wife, for so long.

I have not ridden a Tri so I can't speak to that, but I am very happy with the Free. The push/pull turning that others are mentioning is spot on. I feel for your wife because when I had my mishaps I was embarrassed, humiliated and lost any confidence I had about riding.

I just want her to know there is a silver lining, she wasn't on the open road, she didn't wreck the bike and she didn't get hurt, thank goodness.

Best of luck to you both, I've learned a lot on this forum and we're all here to help.

Kristie - while I truly appreciate everyone who has posted - I really mean that - your experience as a woman of similar stature & age really hit home.

I read it word for word to my wife & it brought a smile to her face.

I trust you & your husband will enjoy riding together on 2 vehicles - I know Nancy & I always have!

 

[roadking2]

OK, I'll add my 2 cents. The one thing that helped me a lot was when I figured out that the only thing I had to worry about was the front wheel. Forget (ignore) anything you are feeling and just keep the front tire going where you want the bike to go. Forget about counter steering and all that. If you want the trike to go left, turn the bars and point the front tire in that direction. The big thing is to trust the trike. It will go where you point it.

 

[Kristie]

Kristie - while I truly appreciate everyone who has posted - I really mean that - your experience as a woman of similar stature & age really hit home. I read it word for word to my wife & it brought a smile to her face. I trust you & your husband will enjoy riding together on 2 vehicles - I know Nancy & I always have!

Thank you for the kind words. I could really relate to her and the experience she had. I hope she gets back in the saddle and enjoys many more happy and fun miles!

 

[Kevinch]

OK, I'll add my 2 cents. The one thing that helped me a lot was when I figured out that the only thing I had to worry about was the front wheel. Forget (ignore) anything you are feeling and just keep the front tire going where you want the bike to go. Forget about counter steering and all that. If you want the trike to go left, turn the bars and point the front tire in that direction. The big thing is to trust the trike. It will go where you point it.

That's worth more the $0.02 roadking2 - thank you.

 

[roadking2]

That's worth more the $0.02 roadking2 - thank you.

My very first ride was a white knuckle ride for sure. With every dip in the road that the REAR END communicated to me, I felt like I wanted and needed to steer out of it. That resulted in way more input on my part than the trike needed to keep it going straight. You feel that rocking of the rear end on a trike. Ignore it, and focus on where the front tire is going and you end up going where you want it to go. I'm not so sure my advice is worth more than the $0.02 I originally offered though. Take it with a grain of salt. What worked for me may, or may not work for you or your wife.

 

[BillyGA]

I am sorry this happened to your wife. After reading your post I thought I wrote it. When I decided to go to a trike I went to test ride one. It was a disaster, I put my feet down, strike1, I leaned, strike 2. I panicked. I can go on and on about my first bad experience so I can feel your wife's pain and embarrassment. However, with that said I decided to rent one and go where I could ride for more than 30 minutes. I went to an empty parking lot and just rode around in first gear until I got used to the bike. Than as everyone on here has said I started riding in circles and figure eights. I did the push and pull and roll for the turns.

I have had my TG for about 6 months and now have over 6000 miles on it.

I hope your wife tries it one more time.

She will love it once the jitters go away.

Good Luck be safe and have fun.

 

[GoSlo]

A lady that I've ridden with for years tried my trike one day and to say it didn't go well would be an understatement. She's been riding 2 wheels for about 15 years and was a very good rider, so I didn't have any hesitation about letting her try my TG. We were in a parking lot and she didn't make it 10 feet. It was as though she had never been on a motorcycle before and forgot where the clutch, brake, and everything else was. She panicked a bit and stood up, feet on the ground and tried to stop it. Fortunately, we were right next to her and got her safely stopped. She said that even though she rode a Street Glide for years, everything "seemed" different. She wants to try it again and so should your wife. Hopefully, she'll try it again with better results and I bet she'll love it.

 

[rhino 2]

A lady that I've ridden with for years tried my trike one day and to say it didn't go well would be an understatement. She's been riding 2 wheels for about 15 years and was a very good rider, so I didn't have any hesitation about letting her try my TG. We were in a parking lot and she didn't make it 10 feet. It was as though she had never been on a motorcycle before and forgot where the clutch, brake, and everything else was. She panicked a bit and stood up, feet on the ground and tried to stop it. Fortunately, we were right next to her and got her safely stopped. She said that even though she rode a Street Glide for years, everything "seemed" different. She wants to try it again and so should your wife. Hopefully, she'll try it again with better results and I bet she'll love it.

I'm willing to bet what seemed different to her was ... With the Tri-Glide Faring she could not see the front tire.

And if your not used to that it throw's off your sense as to which way the trike is pointed/going...

 

[trike lady]

She may like the Freewheeler trike better. No fairing to block her view and may be easier to handle.

 

[Jack Klarich]

History: my wife is in her early 60s. She's been riding a motorcycle for close to 20 years, & has been over the road on a few trips within about 600 miles from our home where she has ridden her bike, currently a Yamaha VStar 1100 Silverado. My point is, she has some miles under her belt on 2 wheels & not just to the local ice cream stand.

But, as of late, she's been getting a little unsteady on the bike when crawling in slow moving traffic & in parking lots. She (finally) agreed to go test fit a few trikes last weekend. That resulted in making an appointment at a local Harley dealer to test ride a trike today. When we arrived at the dealership, the salesman asked which one she had decided to ride. She pointed to the Tri-Glide. As we went to watch a video on riding trikes, he readied the TG & got it outside with another bike he would ride. Once we were all outside, the salesman went over the operation of the trike & then instructed her to take a few loops in the parking lot before we ventured out on the road.

We never made it to the road.

I'm not sure I can describe it, but it was hard to watch. She almost hit a customer's car, then came within a hair of hitting both a Street Glide & Road Glide - both customer bikes - parked in the lot.

Both times she had to stop & wait for assistance. I got on the trike & rode her on the back, explaining what I was doing as we rode in the lot. We all went to the back of the dealership where there were no cars or bikes & she tried it again with me on the back. We motored down the lot with the dealership building on the left side of us. Approaching the end of the lot, she managed a hesitant U-turn to the right. We headed to the opposite end of the lot, now with building to our far right & a ditch to our immediate left. As we approached the end of the lot, I instructed her to make another U turn to the right to head us back in the original direction. I guess she tried to counter-steer, as she turned the bike to the left & was heading towards the ditch. I reached up & grabbed her right arm pulling it back to steer to the right & she grabbed throttle as she did so. At this point, the salesman did the across the neck "cut it" motion - understandably worried about her & his $35k trike.

She was practically in tears, upset, embarrassed, & feeling like an uncoordinated numskull.

I feel so badly for her but have no idea what to do. She is not a tall woman; about 5'4" & this was a big vehicle with a fairing which she has never ridden behind. However, she is used to floorboards, heel-toe shifters, a clutch, etc. I don't think she is ready to give up & I certainly am not. But what can I suggest we do? She wondered after we arrived home if she would have done better on the smaller Freewheeler. Before the test ride, I suggested she also look at a Spyder due to the power assisted steering & not having a clutch, but she was absolutely against the idea saying she just doesn't like them. A quick Google search didn't list any trike training here in NE Ohio.

Any suggestions are appreciated. My wife is my closest riding buddy & she wants to continue to ride her own. We are both convinced to maintain that future means 3 wheels for her.

I'm certain this was a product of her learned motorcycle muscle reflex & counter-steering, & so is she - but where do we go from here?

More practice and confidence will return when ready?

- - - Updated - - -

She may like the Freewheeler trike better. No fairing to block her view and may be easier to handle.

I dig my Freewheeler with the tall windscreen

 

[paws]

With all of the excellent responses to your original post, just wondering, what have you two decided will be the next action to take? Keep us posted and know that we're cheering for her success!

 

[roadking2]

With all of the excellent responses to your original post, just wondering, what have you two decided will be the next action to take? Keep us posted and know that we're cheering for her success!

Don't ya just hate it when they leave ya hanging?

 

[trikeharley]

Test Ride

History: my wife is in her early 60s. She's been riding a motorcycle for close to 20 years, & has been over the road on a few trips within about 600 miles from our home where she has ridden her bike, currently a Yamaha VStar 1100 Silverado. My point is, she has some miles under her belt on 2 wheels & not just to the local ice cream stand.

But, as of late, she's been getting a little unsteady on the bike when crawling in slow moving traffic & in parking lots. She (finally) agreed to go test fit a few trikes last weekend. That resulted in making an appointment at a local Harley dealer to test ride a trike today. When we arrived at the dealership, the salesman asked which one she had decided to ride. She pointed to the Tri-Glide. As we went to watch a video on riding trikes, he readied the TG & got it outside with another bike he would ride. Once we were all outside, the salesman went over the operation of the trike & then instructed her to take a few loops in the parking lot before we ventured out on the road.

We never made it to the road.

I'm not sure I can describe it, but it was hard to watch. She almost hit a customer's car, then came within a hair of hitting both a Street Glide & Road Glide - both customer bikes - parked in the lot.

Both times she had to stop & wait for assistance. I got on the trike & rode her on the back, explaining what I was doing as we rode in the lot. We all went to the back of the dealership where there were no cars or bikes & she tried it again with me on the back. We motored down the lot with the dealership building on the left side of us. Approaching the end of the lot, she managed a hesitant U-turn to the right. We headed to the opposite end of the lot, now with building to our far right & a ditch to our immediate left. As we approached the end of the lot, I instructed her to make another U turn to the right to head us back in the original direction. I guess she tried to counter-steer, as she turned the bike to the left & was heading towards the ditch. I reached up & grabbed her right arm pulling it back to steer to the right & she grabbed throttle as she did so. At this point, the salesman did the across the neck "cut it" motion - understandably worried about her & his $35k trike.

She was practically in tears, upset, embarrassed, & feeling like an uncoordinated numskull.

I feel so badly for her but have no idea what to do. She is not a tall woman; about 5'4" & this was a big vehicle with a fairing which she has never ridden behind. However, she is used to floorboards, heel-toe shifters, a clutch, etc. I don't think she is ready to give up & I certainly am not. But what can I suggest we do? She wondered after we arrived home if she would have done better on the smaller Freewheeler. Before the test ride, I suggested she also look at a Spyder due to the power assisted steering & not having a clutch, but she was absolutely against the idea saying she just doesn't like them. A quick Google search didn't list any trike training here in NE Ohio.

Any suggestions are appreciated. My wife is my closest riding buddy & she wants to continue to ride her own. We are both convinced to maintain that future means 3 wheels for her.

I'm certain this was a product of her learned motorcycle muscle reflex & counter-steering, & so is she - but where do we go from here?

Unfortunately time comes to where you can not longer ride, being a 2 or 3 wheel. I would evaluate this as there is no sense in getting her or someone hurt in trying to find a bike for her to ride.

 

[03VolusiaTrike]

Don't know if you would be interested at all, but I have a Suzuki Volusia trike for sale. It is a smaller base trike but still big enough to do anything you want. My wife and I ride 2 up with no problems. You can check out pictures in my albums and I also have an ad in the for sale section here. Best wishes and good luck with whatever decision you make. Ride safe and enjoy every mile.

 

[Kevinch]

With all of the excellent responses to your original post, just wondering, what have you two decided will be the next action to take? Keep us posted and know that we're cheering for her success!

Paws, I'm sorry - work, family, & things I need to get done around the house has kept me really busy the past few days & I haven't had much time to spend on the internet.

As it is, I'm writing this at work....:AGGHH:

Nancy is still interested in a trike, & she still is drawn to a Tri-Glide as she likes how they look. Rental season is over here in NE Ohio, so renting one for a day is out for now. I think we'll probably put this on the back burner until late winter or early spring. I'm not convinced a smaller trike wouldn't be a better choice going in, but we'll see. I think we may have to roll the dice & buy something, then fit it to her, then have her learn to ride it. In that scenario I'd rather go for a late model (2014 or later) used HD. The options for fit are numerous, & in the event it didn't all work out (which I believe is unlikely) I think we'd be able to recover most of the money spent. I have a good relationship with the dealer where I bought my Ultra Limited, & I'm also a fan of the ABS & linked brakes on the newer models.

I'm not sure if I mentioned this in another post, but she's owned 4 motorcycles & never test rode any of them before we signed the papers. If she says she can do it, I'm inclined to believe she can.

Many thanks to all those who have posted advice, suggestions, & similar experiences.

Nancy isn't one to participate in forums, but I read many of the responses to her & she was comforted somewhat just knowing this isn't unique to her & her alone. Additional comments are welcome & I'll update this whenever we make a move. To all those living in warm climates: I hate you but be safe riding this winter while we begin to hibernate up here next month...

 

[baba67]

Have you thought about Outrigger Style Trikes

As she already has a bike she rides and is comfortable on, Have you thought of a Outrigger Style Trike to get the "feel" of a trike setup,
I installed a voyager kit so my wife could manage my GL1500 Goldwing.
I must admit after driving this unit for some time now I don't think I want to remove it.
Just something to think about at a LOT less money...

 

[silverbullet05]

My bride is a small petite woman. 5'3' 110 lbs soaking wet. She really loves our 650 Suzuki Burgman Trike. No shifting, Just give it gas & go & has enough power & comfort for all day touring. A true trike is a rare find in the Burgman world, Because the conversion kits are about the worth of the bike. But there out there.

 

[Burnerboy]

I'm glad I had the chance to read your post BECAUSE:

Due to a medical situation, I am forced to trike out my beloved 2010 Goldwing.. It is in a trike shop Now as we speak, getting converted to a Roadsmith model..

I, myself have never ridden a trike before, so now after reading this post: I'm thinking to myself, "gulp" did I just make a mistake, spending lot of money getting it triked first, instead of even test riding one.....? Todays date is 11/24/16 and I still have not even sat on the bike/trike as of yet, (still being built).......:xzqxz:

It's beginning to sound like I'm in for a new learning experience..(hence the reason I'm on ttalk in the first place) wish me luck when the time does come to test ride my new Roadsmith GL Honda 1800 Goldwing.....

I have been riding motorcycles fifty yrs since my Honda 50cc bike in highschool (1967) to my second Goldwing (7 bikes in-b-tween)..............

Let the new learning experience begin!!

Thanks all

Ronnie

Springfield, Massachusetts

 

[Marc H]

I'm glad I had the chance to read your post BECAUSE:

Due to a medical situation, I am forced to trike out my beloved 2010 Goldwing.. It is in a trike shop Now as we speak, getting converted to a Roadsmith model..

I, myself have never ridden a trike before, so now after reading this post: I'm thinking to myself, "gulp" did I just make a mistake, spending lot of money getting it triked first, instead of even test riding one.....? Todays date is 11/24/16 and I still have not even sat on the bike/trike as of yet, (still being built).......:xzqxz:

It's beginning to sound like I'm in for a new learning experience..(hence the reason I'm on ttalk in the first place) wish me luck when the time does come to test ride my new Roadsmith GL Honda 1800 Goldwing.....

I have been riding motorcycles fifty yrs since my Honda 50cc bike in highschool (1967) to my second Goldwing (7 bikes in-b-tween)..............

Let the new learning experience begin!!

Thanks all

Ronnie

Springfield, Massachusetts

Ronnie the best advice I can give is read the threads in the sticky section about making the switch also in the Honda forum in the sticky there is one about handling.Those will give you a basic idea of what to expect.Don't take off at a spirited clip like you've been doing it forever.Take it slow and cautious.Its not like cranking on a steering wheel small movements of the bars will get the job done the majority of the time.

 

[rhino 2]

Originally Posted by Burnerboy



I have been riding motorcycles fifty yrs since my Honda 50cc bike in highschool (1967) to my second Goldwing (7 bikes in-b-tween)..............



Let the new learning experience begin!!

Thanks all

Ronnie

Springfield, Massachusetts







If as you say you have been riding for 50 years' You are far from being a Nimrod... So Theres no reason you why you can't or think you can't ride a trike... Theres only three things to Un-learn.. No counter steering... No putting your feet down.. And remember a trike is wider than a bike. And you'll do just fine...Honest.ThumbUp

 

[driver10]

My wife is 5ft. 2 in. 108 lbs. and when she decided she wanted her own bike she tried a 2 wheeler but wasn't comfortable on it so I found a Honda 750 with a motortrike kit on it and she took to it right off and rode it for a couple years then decided to go bigger so I bought her a VTX 1300 with a Motor Trike kit now she really hauls ass on that thing.

 

[Kevinch]

UPDATE!

As the OP to this thread, I want to provide an update to all - especially those who took the time to read & offer suggestions on how to proceed.

After the unsuccessful test ride, my wife did ride her 1100 a few times on some short hops with me & confirmed her feelings that she did NOT want to be finished with riding. And, although there were no mishaps during those rides, she confirmed again it was probably time to go to 3 wheels from just 2. As we live in NE Ohio & had reached the end of the riding season, there was no rush to make a move. My only comments were reaffirming my opinion that she could, in fact, ride a trike & that when the time comes we inquire with the HD dealer I normally deal with.

In late October, while at that dealership Nancy commented that they had no trikes on the floor. We were told there was a black Triglide coming in mid-November. Returning in mid-November for an unrelated event; when we asked the status of the incoming trike we were told it lasted on the floor 1 or 2 days & was sold. As I'm there often, I know trikes don't last long on the floor before they are gone. We were told a 2-tone red TG was coming in a few weeks but that color combination doesn't appeal to her. Looking at the schedule, we were told that a blue TG would be in mid to late December but that color wouldn't work either. Again to the schedule, there was another black one due in "sometime" in January - could be January 3rd, could be January 30th. Before leaving that evening, we decided to put a 100% refundable deposit on that vehicle. It's a way to lock that bike to Nancy if she decides she wants it; further if there is a reservation on it HD is not to change the production schedule for that unit.

We got the call on January 5th. The trike was in. I was actually hoping it wouldn't be in until late January! We store our bikes during the winter - actually at this dealership - and one thing we've wrestled with is plunking down $$ for a vehicle & then putting it in storage. But we told them we'd be in on the evening of the 13th. Oddly, my wife was not really motivated in going to look at it. "It will be exactly like the one I couldn't ride" and "I'm still not confident I can ride one of those" were some of the comments during our conversation. But I convinced her that some time had passed & she should take another look. The trike was in the showroom, & after a walk around & a while sitting in the saddle her whole demeanor changed.

We're buying the trike - actually she is buying the trike. We'll have a different set of handlebars mounted (Harley's Reach Bars), a rear bumper, & chromed front forks before we take delivery - & then roll it into storage! We are currently weighing the options on financing, but this should be a done deal by the end of this week or the next at the latest. If I can manage a pic or 2 I'll post them up here; & I will definitely update after we get the trike home in the spring & we both learn about it. More to come! :clapping:

 

[Rollin Thunder]

Kevin; Congrats on the NEW Bike. If your retired you shouldn't put the Bike away you should go south for the winter months like we used to do. Here in Arizona there are so many RV with Park Model home to rent or buy and the park we stayed in was fantastic with plenty of Bike riders also.

Plenty to do out here and PERFECT for riding. While the rest of the country except Fla is snow covered were riding. LOOK up SUN FLOWER RV RESORT. You and your wife could rent a spot for 3 to 4 months and have the time of your life in the warm Sun. We have since moved on and bought a nice home here 4 miles away from the RV Park with most of our friend now close by. If you can post pics of your bikes please do. ......Rick

 

[gerald martin]

trike

This is just my opinion and I mean no disregard at all but after reading all of your comments it sounds to me that your wife really is not that interested in riding. If she was she would be dreaming about that trike day and night. As far a learning how to ride a trike it is not rocket science. Two year olds ride trikes and it takes them just minutes to learn how to steer.

Trikes can not tip over, they stop easy and turn on a dime. as far as them being wider so what, if your wife drives a car she will know how to judge for width. I would really not go and spend a whole bunch of money and then loose 10 to 20 percent of it if you have to get rid of it. Rent a trike first drive it to a quiet place with her on the back then let her ride it with you on the back then if she cant control it all you have to do is reach around her and take control by steering and stopping with the front brake

 

[Rosy]

Congrats, to you both.
Tell her to take her time in "learning" the ropes on her new ride. Tell her to clear her mind of all the years she has been riding a two wheel vehicle, because most of it does not apply. I know this is very difficult, but it must be done.
Had a friend in the 60s say he could drive a trike, took our friends trike for a spin down our Central Ave. Hit three parked cars on one side of the street, then veered to the other side and hit more cars. Tried to lean into the turns, doesn't work on a trike!
BIG empty parking lots are the best!
I am sure she will do very well, as I know many ladies who would not give up their trike rides for a million dollars!
The open road awaits her future!
Rosy

 

[Kevinch]

This is just my opinion and I mean no disregard at all but after reading all of your comments it sounds to me that your wife really is not that interested in riding. If she was she would be dreaming about that trike day and night.

:Coffee: No offense taken Gerald! But, in this case you are mistaken. While there may be some excitement, both my wife & I are very measured about large purchases. I currently ride a '14 Harley Ultra Limited that I bought new, but I had been talking about buying a new bike for 3 years before I pulled the trigger. Generally, if we find ourselves obsessing over something we'll wait until our emotions have leveled before we move forward. Obviously, the size of the purchase makes a difference but we both try very hard not to be emotional decision makers!

If anything, I think she may be having a little difficulty saying "goodbye" to 2 wheels. She learned to ride while we were dating & we have been married 17 years this fall. She'll be the first in our close group of friends to go to a trike. And, let's face it - this is a considerable purchase. But if it doesn't work out, we'll sell the bike & the loss will probably be about what we would spend on a nice vacation. If it works for her for a few years & then she's done - well, by that time I may be ready to move to 3 wheels. In any case, when I saw her going over the vehicle & checking it out with a smile I knew she was interested. After a while I pulled her aside & said, "Whatever you want to do is fine with me. Do you want this trike?". Her answer was immediate: "Yes". We'll see how it goes from here!

 

[gerald martin]

trike

well then congrats on the trike I am sure it will bring some good times