Considering going trike

[captain slow]

New to the forum. As I get older and more feeble, yet still enjoy riding, I am considering moving from two wheels to three.

I currently ride a 2012 BMW K1600GTL which I dearly love. I have lots of concerns about the conversion and am leaning (heh) to getting a Harley Tri-Glide. The cost is hard to justify, though.

If anyone has information that can ease my mind about the conversion - tire wear, gas mileage, comfort, handling, braking - I’d appreciate it.

Thanks

 

[David357]

Hey David,

:welcome: to Trike Talk from South Florida.:wave4:

You have come to the right place to collect valuable insights into your questions and concerns.ThumbUp

 

[TGCarol]

Hi David:wave4: Welcome :Santa:

 

[mwebster]

:wave4:Welcome from WV

 

[nvwildoates]

welcome

Welcome from Las Vegas, NV, It is a big step to convert, and takes time to adjust, but worth the trouble IMO

 

[Jack Klarich]

Welcome,

You wil find tons of info here:clapping:

 

[fatotis]

Glad I went trike

I was very hesitant to go trike at first , having ridden on two for over 40 years. love it. Not as big a deal as some made it out to be. Have made a couple of 2k miles trips since going to three wheels. Rear tires will rot off before you wear them out. Front life is about the same.

 

[Trail Blazer]

hi David

Welcome to trike talk, going to 3 was a big step for me, my m/c shop and the wife, said I should go to a Trike, I told them if I ever got old I would.

well a couple of years later I had my 2000 gl1500se triked out with a champion kit. it was a change in riding but in 30 min. I was doing ok it took a month or so to really get comfortable, and learn just how much fun a trike can be. they will stop faster then 2 wheels, and in the rough stuff it take a good rider on 2 wheels to stay with a trike. don't put you foot down at stops. as far as gas mileage you will drop 3 to 5 mpg. the rear fenders are like sails they catch a lot of wind. Tires the rear will not wear out age will get them first. front tires some or getting 20000 miles. ( that on flat land)

I can only give you my opinion. I wish I have triked my MC out years before I did. last june the wife and I road up to Montana and looked around along with other states. we put 5400 miles on the trike and love it.

you have found the best forum on the net for trikes . a grate bunch of people and helpful.

 

[RMGM]

---

We converted this year... should have done it earlier. No evidence of unusual tire wear, slightly higher fuel consumption, braking good, handling... well different but still lots of fun with more of an upper body workout in the "twisties". Biggest factor is one can go anywhere... no worries about rutted roads, heavy gravel etc. Reverse makes it a lot easier to find a parking place. Go for it.

New to the forum. As I get older and more feeble, yet still enjoy riding, I am considering moving from two wheels to three.

I currently ride a 2012 BMW K1600GTL which I dearly love. I have lots of concerns about the conversion and am leaning (heh) to getting a Harley Tri-Glide. The cost is hard to justify, though.

If anyone has information that can ease my mind about the conversion - tire wear, gas mileage, comfort, handling, braking - I’d appreciate it.

Thanks

 

[jaxbobg]

Welcome David,

I rode a BMW K1200LT for years with the Hannigan conversion and loved it. Put quite a few miles on her but the maintenance was a little pricey. Currently riding an 1800 Goldwing with the Roadsmith conversion.

If you trike the 1600, definitely look into getting the Hannigan. Personally I prefer it to the Roadsmith, but both are good.

Big plus with the trike (for me) is the trunk space to hit the road for a week or so and visit the kiddos. Generally put on 1500 to 2000 miles on these trips. I've found the trike to be less tiring to ride on long trips than my 2 wheelers, and don't mind getting worse gas mileage since my trikes have had reserve tanks for close to a 300 mile range between gas stops.

 

[desertclassic]

Welcome from New Mexico. I went to 3 wheels 3 years ago. It was a great move for me. Jim

 

[rhino 2]

David Welcome..........:wave4:

 

[1dn5up]

:welcomeave , you’ll know when it’s time. :scooter:

 

[Triglide1950]

Welcome David

You'll find a ton of great information here, and a ton of experienced trikers. If you're looking at a Triglide consider renting one for a weekend.

 

[olddawg]

Hey Dave

I bought a 04 classic new because I wanted paid for before retirement.After 34 years working on concret my legs gave out.So it was stop riding or go to 3 wheels.I have never looked back wish I would have done it earlier.I have a 14 tri glide and love it.I agree about go rent one but remember it takes a little time to get use to it:qpnmt:

 

[Big Juice]

Welcome, David! You might consider converting the BMW you got since you really like it. We have seen a rider around here that has one and it is beautiful! Good luck on which route you take....

 

[paws]

Hi David! Welcome from west Texas!

 

[LadyonaMission]

David, welcome from San Antonio, Texas. I don't know of anyone who has gone from 2 to 3 and not been really thrilled that they made the leap.

 

[captain slow]

Thanks

Thanks for all the kind welcome messages. I am certain that a trike is in my future, now to convince the family finance minister.

 

[hardwickbv]

Welcome from Indiana!!!!

I got my wife to take a test ride with me on a Tri-Glide 3-4 years ago and when she got off she asked when we were buying?

Bought a 2017 TG this year and love it.

Bob

 

[John Luciano]

Only comment I ever hear is I should have done this years ago. Been riding my 1997 Gold wing 1500 for 20 years now. On the open road it is a motorcycle. Feels the same on the Highway. Feels pretty much the same as a motorcycle on fairy straight back roads. . Don let people tell you it's like a car. ( why don't you just buy a Miata ) trike what you got. If you know some friend that are good with a wrench. Buy the kit. If not check out a dealer. On good thing it will increase the bike value . ( that BMW will always be worth what you spend on the kit . I can still sell my 97 for $8,000 as a 2 wheeler it is worth $1,000

GO FOR IT. SOON . Make sure to stock up on dental floss for getting thoes nasty bugs out of your teeth from all the grinning you will be doing.

 

[DK Custom Products]

Welcome from our team in MS at DK Custom!

Kevin(the K in "DK") and his wife, Mary, have a Tri Glide and they love it. They've gone on several road trips, including to Alaska, and they really enjoy it!

 

[LadyonaMission]

Thanks for all the kind welcome messages. I am certain that a trike is in my future, now to convince the family finance minister.

Explain to the finance minister that if drop your bike and break something the healing process is longer at your age and she will have to nurse you back to health then buy you a trike.

It's a win/win to do it now.

Good luck.

 

[Fearless]

Welcome from Pennsylvania Trike put us in the wind after 40 yrs. on porch you will never look back. :good: Ride safe Fred

 

[Lucky]

Welcome glad you joined us. Ride safe

 

[Marc H]

:wave4:Welcome from Tn.

 

[consitter]

Welcome to Trike Talk from eastern Kentucky!