2024 Road Glide 3 Disappointments

[Exile]

I am new to trikes; I've ridden Harleys since 1995 and have owned a few. My last Harley, before this Road Glide 3, was an Ultra Classic. The reason I switched to a three-wheeler is that my back started to catch up with my military career and age. Most of my complaints, which I will list, are my own fault because I should have conducted more research on this trike before I bought it. The only excuse I have is that I really didn't know the right questions to ask. It has taken time to discover what I consider flaws with this Road Glide 3.

To start, I thought I was buying a touring bike or trike, but I quickly realized that I was mistaken. It began when I paired my phone and then tried to connect the Bluetooth in my helmet. The phone paired, but the helmet did not. The reason the helmet did not pair is that there is no WHIM module on the Road Glide 3. Next, I wanted to install fog lights on this Road Glide. 3 and use a Harley Davidson auxiliary light switch. However, I found out that, unlike this trike's two-wheeled cousin (Road Glide), Harley Davidson did not run an auxiliary power cable under the frame. The ride on this trike feels like you're riding in Conestoga wagons, and for God's sake, do not hit a pothole. There are several other things I don't like about this Road Glide 3, but the final big issue, or at least something I don't understand is, why Harley Davidson put a 114 cubic inch engine on a 1200 lbs trike and a 117 cubic inch on a regular Road Glide that weighs 400 lbs lighter.

To sum up my disappointments with this nearly $40K trike: I thought I was buying a replacement for the Ultra Classic I had, but I found out I did not. This Road Glide 3 is missing a lot of creature comforts that I believe should have come on this trike.

 

[Papa Zook]

Welcome Tom,
Everything you listed is repeated in the "What did you do to your RG3 today?" so you're not alone.

 

[JTJersey]

Welcome to TrikeTalk. I had no such expectations when I bought my '21 Freewheeler, which is basically what your RG3 is except trimmed out a little different. None of the HD trikes are what I would call a luxurious ride, nor was I looking for that. I've never owned a bike (HD or otherwise) that had a soft ride feel to it, so I wasn't expecting it when I bought my Free. There are things you can do to it to make it more to your liking. The crew in here can fill you in on them, but like a sports car the trikes are never going to give you a Cadillac ride. Good luck. Hope you stick with it.

 

[ROAD DOG]

Welcome to TrikeTalk Harley has been making trikes Cence the thirty's, had a few upgrades Cence then, they got rid of the flat head, they got rid of the rigid frame, but it still rides like shit, the reverse was better in the thirty's, you can make it your own for $ 10,000. to $ 15,000. Enjoy that new Harley

 

[ROAD DOG]

Sorry it's too easy!

 

[Exile]

Thanks to everyone who replied! I’ve made several changes to my Road Glide 3 to make it feel like mine. I'll post some pictures as soon as I get it washed; it’s been raining. On a positive note regarding the Road Glide 3, last Saturday I went on a charity ride with 40 other Harley riders, mainly on two-wheeled bikes, though there was another trike, someone on a Tri-Glide. We navigated many curvy backwood roads at decent speeds, and I was pleasantly surprised by how well the Road Glide handled. However, there's one thing for sure: on a two-lane road, you aren’t riding beside another rider. I'm sure you all know why.

 

[pwhoever]

Welcome to TrikeTalk Tom. I'm glad to see that it's not all negatives for you. Each choice has its drawbacks and good things about it. Hopefully with this forum you will find stuff to make your longer rides more enjoyable.

 

[RKplus10]

Welcome to TrikeTalk from Texas!

 

[Marc H]

Welcome to Trike Talk Tom!!! Lots of info on ways to help some of your complaints here.Hopefully its gets better and you end up enjoying it for years to come.

 

[rwtrick]

Welcome, Tom! Like you, I transitioned from an Ultra Classic to an RG3 this year. I've spent the summer (and a significant amount of finances) getting the trike to where it feels, looks, and rides terrific—almost all the upgrades I've made to the trike are ones I also did to my Ultra. So, no surprises for me. Now that I've got it where I want it, I love it. By the way, it's terrific to tour on! Good luck with yours!

 

[HDUSA1]

I was riding a 2020 Ultra Limited and was very happy with the bike and its setup, especially after I added a cam and exhaust. I’m getting older, and my knee and hip joints hurt too much when riding two-up, especially while stopping and maneuvering in a parking lot.

Several of our friends are riding trikes now, and I noticed they all ride at the back of the pack, always slowing down whenever they go over tracks or bumps in the road. I asked why, and they said they’ll launch their wife off the seat, and they both laugh about it.

We test rode a new trike at our dealer, and they were right. I liked the trike, but it rode terribly, and they wouldn’t negotiate a fair trade for my bike.

That’s when I started researching trikes and found this website. I spent all last winter reading everything I could find here and asked a few questions. I finally pulled the trigger and ordered a Roadsmith kit.

I installed it myself late summer, along with their rake kit, and wow, what a dream! It rides smoothly and handles like it’s on rails.

We have no problem keeping up with the two-wheelers, and our friends on trikes are asking questions now, while our local HD dealer isn’t very happy with me.

We don’t have a Roadsmith installer (for Harleys) anywhere close to us; the nearest one is 230 miles away, and they don’t like working on HDs because they have to tear apart the primary. I’ve literally got five couples now begging me to build them a trike. just like ours after letting them take ours for a spin.

 

[JTJersey]

I myself, tried (tested out a brand new Harley TRIKE, [zero miles] ) and I found that the Harley didn't even come close to the "smoothness" I get from my Goldwing.. (Roadsmith)
The salesman tried ALL he could to convince me to purchase, this new bike, BUT I'd be going from a 100% paid in full smooth ride'n Honda, to a rough ride'n Harley, and have $450.00 a month, loan for 60 months to pay off... NO THANKS
I rode off on my Honda with a hugh smile on my face, I still feel like I made the correct decision here!!
Sorry! Too all you hard core Harley ride'rrrr, I'm not try'nnn to insult any of you at all, here, by post'nn this last message!!

Ronnie
12/11/24

Did you buy your Goldwing trike from Honda?

 

[Burnerboy]

Did you buy your Goldwing trike from Honda?

I did buy my Honda (brand new in 2010) from a Honda dealer, and then put approx 50,000 miles on it, as a two wheel'rrr, then decided to TRIKE her out, at that, 50,000 mileage, I now have approx 78,000 miles on her , so I have ridden 28,000(ish) miles as a three wheel'rrr.. @ 74 years old, I can't see myself ever ride'nn a two wheel'rrr again, so I got to make my present bike last at least another two or three years... [she's in hibernation/as we speak/in a 18* degree garage]

Ronnie
12/14/24

 

[JTJersey]

I did buy my Honda (brand new in 2010) from a Honda dealer, and then put approx 50,000 miles on it, as a two wheel'rrr, then decided to TRIKE her out, at that, 50,000 mileage, I now have approx 78,000 miles on her , so I have ridden 28,000(ish) miles as a three wheel'rrr.. @ 74 years old, I can't see myself ever ride'nn a two wheel'rrr again, so I got to make my present bike last at least another two or three years... [she's in hibernation/as we speak/in a 18* degree garage]

Ronnie
12/14/24

I know the feeling, that's where my Freewheeler is at the moment. Sleeping in the garage. My point with the question is you spent, at a guess, $25,000 for the new Goldwing and then spent another, again just a guess, $25,000 for the trike conversion. I dare say Harleys trike sales would plummet if they were selling them for $50,000. Concessions have to be made to have a marketable item. Could be why Honda doesn't make their own trikes.

 

[ROAD DOG]

I know the feeling, that's where my Freewheeler is at the moment. Sleeping in the garage. My point with the question is you spent, at a guess, $25,000 for the new Goldwing and then spent another, again just a guess, $25,000 for the trike conversion. I dare say Harleys trike sales would plummet if they were selling them for $50,000. Concessions have to be made to have a marketable item. Could be why Honda doesn't make their own trikes.

Was at Teddy Morsey's How ever you spell it, in Daytona Thanksgiving week they had a 2024 freewheeler they did the 1000 page accessary add Ons the price on the headlight was $ 65995. I bet out the door price would be close $ 72000. The salesman come over I pointed at the headlight we both laughed.

 

[cycle7447]

Was at Teddy Morsey's How ever you spell it, in Daytona Thanksgiving week they had a 2024 freewheeler they did the 1000 page accessary add Ons the price on the headlight was $ 65995. I bet out the door price would be close $ 72000. The salesman come over I pointed at the headlight we both laughed.

Well, perhaps someone will buy it.

 

[JTJersey]

Was at Teddy Morsey's How ever you spell it, in Daytona Thanksgiving week they had a 2024 freewheeler they did the 1000 page accessary add Ons the price on the headlight was $ 65995. I bet out the door price would be close $ 72000. The salesman come over I pointed at the headlight we both laughed.

My brothers local Indian dealer in TN had an Indian Trike, he sent me a pic, beautifully done, he was asking $75,000 for. Then $65,000, then $50,000. Final sale price was closer to $30,000. Conversions can be difficult to sell.

 

[radismukes]

I am new to trikes, I've ridden Harley's since 1995 and I've owned a few. My last Harley, before this Road Glide 3, was an Ultra Classic. The reason I went to three wheel is my back caught up with my military career and my age. Most of my complaints I will list are my own fault because I should have done more research on this trike before I bought it. The only excuse I have is, I really didn't know the right questions to ask. It taken time to discover that things that are what I consider flaws with this Road Glide 3.

To start off, I thought I was buying a touring bike/trike, I found out rather quickly that I did not. It started when I paired my phone and then tried to pair the blue tooth in my helmet. Phone paired, but the helmet did not, the reason for the helmet not pairing is, there is no WHIM module on Road Glide 3's. Next issue, I wanted to put fog lights on this Road Glide 3, and use a Harley Davidson auxiliary light switch. Well, I found out that unlike this trike's two wheeled cousin (Road Glide), Harley Davidson did not run an auxiliary power cable under the frame. The ride on this trike feels like you're riding in a Conestoga wagons and for God's sake do not hit a pot hole. There are several other things I don't like about this Road Glide 3, but the final big issue, or at least something I don't understand is, why Harley Davidson put a 114 cubic inch engine on a 1200 lbs trike and a 117 cubic inch on a regular Road Glide that weighs 400 lbs lighter.

To sum up my disappointments of this almost $40K trike; I thought I was buying a replacement for the Ultra Classic I had. I found out I did not. This Road Glide 3 is missing a lot of creature comfort that I believe should have come on this trike.

Check out CarLinkkit Carlinkit Wireless CarPlay Adapters: Universal Compatibility, Plug and Play
Works very good for me.

 

[ROAD DOG]

My brothers local Indian dealer in TN had an Indian Trike, he sent me a pic, beautifully done, he was asking $75,000 for. Then $65,000, then $50,000. Final sale price was closer to $30,000. Conversions can be difficult to sell.

And my sisters aunts brothers cousins dads brothers lesbian's son said he seen a Freewheeler for $ 185000. his aunt bought for $ 3000. You never do what they will take

 

[Noodles107]

I think that being out on any bike or trike is always a ton of fun … as we get older the trike is a great way to keep us all riding.

But … you can’t even begin comparing a HD Factory Built Trike to the aftermarket Honda Goldwing Conversion.

It’s like comparing a Corvette to an Escalade. The HD Trike line allows you to pick from The Roadster (FW), The Sport Coupe (RG3), or The Sedan (Tri Glide) … the only thing that they have in common with the GW is 3 wheels.

That being said … something else comes along with the HD’s that will always be missing from Honda. A culture, a lifestyle, a comradery.

Corvette has the same style of dedicated enthusiasts. Escalade not so much. I think GW Trikes are amazing … like a Custom RV loaded with comforts and tech beyond belief. Literally everything is adjustable from the drivers seat. You can even get them with an automatic transmission.

I do have a Corvette and it’s a pisser to drive. It’s like a video game. It rides like a rock, is a challenge to get in and out of, has a glass roof so it stays like 100* inside during the summer. Certainly not the comfort or convenience of Escalade.



I ride the 2017 Freewheeler (which I have added over 50 upgrades) It (IMHO) looks great, runs great, sounds great, rides great … but not like a Goldwing.

These are 2 dramatically different vehicles and everyone here knows that they can’t be compared to each other. Both are very special in their own way and we all get to choose. Very cool, right?

Can’t remember being at the Tattoo Shop while anyone was ever getting a Honda tattoo Great machines … something for everyone!

 

[Zammy]

Wow Jeff, very articulate post, you should have been a writer.

 

[HDUSA1]

“Can’t remember being at the Tattoo Shop while anyone was ever getting a Honda tattoo”

No, these aren’t mine! Last pic, iykyk!

 

[Noodles107]

“Can’t remember being at the Tattoo Shop while anyone was ever getting a Honda tattoo”View attachment 129916View attachment 129917View attachment 129918View attachment 129919

That’s pretty cool “HDUSA1” … but only 1 of those 4 pics is a Goldwing tattoo. I especially like the Dairy Queen one Even the actual Goldwing tat doesn’t say Honda on it … so kinda like I said … “No Honda Tattoos”

 

[HDUSA1]

Couldn’t prove it by me, they were posted by guys on the Goldwing forum!

 

[Noodles107]

Couldn’t prove it by me, they were posted by guys on the Goldwing forum!

I believe that … but ya don’t see Honda written anywhere in any of those pics. I guess the race guys do get them

 

[Noodles107]

 

[pwhoever]

Well the one that says Goldwing with 1832 CC under it is no doubt a Honda Goldwing tattoo. GL1800 motors are 1832 cc's




The wing side view with red oval may not necessarily be a Goldwing tattoo but is definitely a Honda tattoo it fits.




Not sure about the wheel with wing but it could be implied to be a Honda or Goldwing photo. And the Dairy Queen one fits as just about anyone who rides a Goldwing can understand. It's part of the group culture.

So I would say 3 out of the 4 are without a doubt Goldwing oriented tattoos. My guess is many tattoo places don't want to run a foul of copywrite laws so they leave the Honda lettering off.

 

[Noodles107]

Well the one that says Goldwing with 1832 CC under it is no doubt a Honda Goldwing tattoo. GL1800 motors are 1832 cc's

View attachment 129934


The wing side view with red oval may not necessarily be a Goldwing tattoo but is definitely a Honda tattoo it fits.

View attachment 129938


Not sure about the wheel with wing but it could be implied to be a Honda or Goldwing photo. And the Dairy Queen one fits as just about anyone who rides a Goldwing can understand. It's part of the group culture.

So I would say 3 out of the 4 are without a doubt Goldwing oriented tattoos. My guess is many tattoo places don't want to run a foul of copywrite laws so they leave the Honda lettering off.

I like that … next bike week here (we have 3 a year) and we average 175K to 250K bikes that come in … I’ll post pics of all the peeps with “Honda” tattoos. Don’t hold your breath.

I like how this thread started out with the silly concept that we can “compare” a HD Factory Trike to the Custom Built Aftermarket Honda Goldwing Trike … A fantasy!

Has this now evolved into yet another fantasy thread where you’re actually pretending that you have seen these abundant “Honda” tattoos in your daily travels … or did you have to search the World Wide Web to find one … silly no?

I have been to the Tattoo Shop several times. No one cares about “copyright” laws (or any other kind of law) I also rode a Goldwing everyday for years as my only transportation and it is a spectacular piece of equipment!! No GW shade here … I don’t think there’s a finer built bagger from any other manufacturer …

 

[ROAD DOG]

O M F G GET OVER YOURSELF & YOUR TATTOO

 

[Noodles107]

O M F G GET OVER YOURSELF & YOUR TATTOO

Ya know when I read back “my” last post it did sound pretty grumpy and that was certainly not “my” intention … I’m sorry for that.

Let’s get back to complaining about the RG3 and comparing it to the Goldwing Trike. Let’s do it IN ALL CAPS …