Do trikes like twisties?

[roadrunnerdavid]

Out of curiosity, how much fun are trikes when the road gets interesting? For instance a road like the dragon, are they fun, a work out, or both? I'm sure they're really in their element on the long open road....

 

[Nana]

Probably the best answer is BOTH.... but the fun far outweighs the workout! A rider who is experienced and comfortable with the handling of his/her trike can easily keep up with, and often out-run, almost any 2-wheel cruiser in the twisties.

 

[AzDaven]

I agree with Nana. Here in Arizona we have a lot of long stretches of straight road followed by some really awesome hairpin turns. There are two things to driving through twisties on trike you should remember. One is trust the machine that you're knocking a roll off the mountain. The second is pull with one hand and push with the other maintaining control. It does give me quite a workout of my arms and upper body to push on one Handlebar while l literally pulling on the other. Also hugging the line is a really good idea the last thing I will say which is probably the most important is to use your gas tank and hug it with your needs to get more stability.

 

[leo3wheel]

Trikes are more work in twisties than bikes. Having said that, trikes are just as much fun in twisties. Just returned from a 16-day, 4,000 mile trip, where our destination was the Arkansas/Missouri Ozarks. Definitely developed my arms and shoulders on this trip. Had no problems keeping up with the lead bike. Was on his tail all the time. However, I was much more busy than he was. Fellow on bike behind me was amazed how my driving skills have improved. He kept telling me over and over. Stayed in lower gears in the twisties, tried to stay off the brakes, entered curves wide, picked a straight line through the twisties and steered my way through.

Was having so much fun that I was unaware of the work I was doing. Let me make a couple more comments about trikes. Debris is the road is of much less concern, and could easily make u-turns in the middle of the road. Bikes would have to go down the road to find a safe place to turn. Had a great time and developed my upper body as well.

 

[hdruss]

I bought the Tri-glide because of the solid axle. I like the way it hugs the road and follows its contours. I've ridden the dragon & devils triangle & any other twisty road I can find. I'm addicted to them and smile all the way through them. Trikes are fun on the twisties.

 

[Trent]

Would be fun to ask those questions to my 2 wheeled Buds who cannot keep up with me in the twisties. I have a lot of upper body and arm strength, so it is not work for me. Nothin' but fun! A few choice modifications will also help the handling characteristics. My TG hugs the road really well and my Sweet Co-Pilot almost dozes off cuz she is so comfortable back there.

My latest issue of RoadRunner magazine just came today. It is a great magazine that I reccomend..It is very informative and has a lotta great articles about Motorcycle touring.

 

[Saltywheels]

Love the twisties! Lots of 'em around Southern Calif. Absolutely no problems 'tailgating' any cruiser or even sweeter, just passing 'em. A bit of work, but a whole lot less than when I started 3 years ago!

 

[extreme10]

If you really like riding twisties have a look at these photos. The are of the Stelvio Pass in Italy. Awsome riding. This was part of my recent 4500 ml tour of the alps this year on a trike. also the youtube



No doubt about it trikes do have fun.

safe triking

http://http://www.facebook.com/rowland.edwards.16?ref=tn_tnmn#!/photo.php?fbid=116932508458792&set=a.110058512479525.20031.100004261296001&type=1

&theater

 

[Oldmsocko]

+1 on all the above posts. Trikes love twisties. I do know the TG handles very well with their straight axle.

 

[Lucky]

I rode the Dradon twice in June.Once on Thur. with a friend from 411 to the store and on Fri.with the TRIKE TALK group.Had a ball both times.RIDE SAFE

 

[Ozarkryder]

I have a 1990 Harley FLHS and a 2004 Goldwing GL1800 Champion Solid axle. Been riding both that bike and a trike since 1992. I also live and ride in the Ozarks, the roads are very twisty around these parts. I can run through the same roads quicker on the trike than on the 2 wheeler and the effort is marginally more on the trike. A lot of the effort is not just steering, but there are forces trying to push you sideways, like in a car, while going around curves while on the bike the forces are down the center of you body and the bike because of the lean. That lean is the key to why I can ride the trike faster. At any reasonable speed I start scraping the floorboards long before traction is lost. On the Trike there isn't any leaning, so no limit due to the lean angle. I can at least keep and most of the time outpace any cruiser or touring bike.

 

[Gorilla]

MJ and I are in the Smokies now. Having a great time. Our trikes love the twisties

 

[leo3wheel]

Guess I don't appreciate the advantage of a solid axle. I can go plenty fast with independent suspension. Just a matter of gaining experience and developing courage.

 

[Mr.Wizard]

First thing first... I don't ride like a bat out of hell but I can.

Second thing... See the first thing!



.

 

[msocko3]

Trikes and twisties are a blast, throw in some hills and you'd swear your on a roller coaster.

 

[John Luciano]

Nice ride. Good job on the ride and video. Really proves the trike can take the curves.

 

[roadrunnerdavid]

Would be fun to ask those questions to my 2 wheeled Buds who cannot keep up with me in the twisties. I have a lot of upper body and arm strength, so it is not work for me. Nothin' but fun! A few choice modifications will also help the handling characteristics. My TG hugs the road really well and my Sweet Co-Pilot almost dozes off cuz she is so comfortable back there.
My latest issue of RoadRunner magazine just came today. It is a great magazine that I reccomend..It is very informative and has a lotta great articles about Motorcycle touring.

Awesome! So glad you like it, thanks for subscribing!

 

[Trent]

You guys should do an article about touring on a Trike, and about how they are just not only for people with certain limitations. A lot of us ride 'em just cuz they are so much fun, and to me, are the ultimate machine for 2up touring. The comfort, safety, and luggage capacity cannot be beat. Zippin' thru the twisties just happens to be a side benefit along with those other important items. This summer while going over Sonora Pass in Calif with 26% grades and shifting down to 2nd gear on some of those 26% hairpins, I was glad we were not on a 2 wheeler!! 3 made it easy and safer.

 

[roadrunnerdavid]

You guys should do an article about touring on a Trike, and about how they are just not only for people with certain limitations. A lot of us ride 'em just cuz they are so much fun, and to me, are the ultimate machine for 2up touring. The comfort, safety, and luggage capacity cannot be beat. Zippin' thru the twisties just happens to be a side benefit along with those other important items. This summer while going over Sonora Pass in Calif with 26% grades and shifting down to 2nd gear on some of those 26% hairpins, I was glad we were not on a 2 wheeler!! 3 made it easy and safer.

While I don't think we've done an article specifically on trikes, we have done tours on trikes, the most recent one is called Michigan:Riding 'round the Mitten and is in the May/June 2012 issue. The trike featured is a nice blue 2011 H-D Tri-Glide. We also recently did a extended tour following the Lewis & Clark trail on Can-Am's which will be featured in an upcoming issue. You can also check out some of the daily ride reports from that trip on our blog. Here's the first one:
Retracing the Lewis & Clark Trail Across America

 

[Trent]

Yep, I saw that Michigan article. That Blue TG is just like mine,, minus the $$$ in upgrades. Will keep readin' you mag..It is a good one.

 

[roadrunnerdavid]

Here's a pic from the article

 

[Short Bus Bob]

I'm going to find out next week. Riding from SoCal to Moab UT & back. My Motor Trike Solid Axle was like a Mack Truck. It just wanted to go straight. I got the 4-1/2 Degree Rake Kit from Zook last week and it really feels sweet now. Not such a workout. I think I'm going to love twisties now.
Bob

 

[KRUZR]

Believe what everyone is saying about riding a Trike. Mine is a HD Street Glide with CSC Daytona kit. The wheel base is about 8 inches longer than a Tri Glide. Not only is it an excellent riding experience, my back doesn't take a beating anymore. It's pretty good looking as well? Ride Safe!

 

[Chumbly]

Guess I'm the "odd man out" on this thread. My wife and I don't like twisties on a trike... and we ride alot in the mountains here. I used to like doing them on two wheels. The trike is very stable and I don't find steering through the turns to be an issue... trying to hold on with your knees and legs, against the "G" forces trying to pull you off the bike, I find is a big issue... but then I have lower back and leg problems anyway (that's why I now ride a trike). It used to be that on two wheels, you just lean into the curve and glide through it slicker than... Anyway, with the trike, the forces trying to pull you off eventually wear me down.... my wife just gets sick (like seasick), so no, we don't enjoy the twisties...any more.

 

[Short Bus Bob]

We rode over the mountain this week-end to Palm Springs with the new 4-1/2 Degree Rake Kit. It is soooooo much easier to steer in the twisties. My wife likes the Trike in the twisties much better than leaning on two wheels. I had fun but there will always be a bigger Thrill Factor for me on Two Wheels. I happen to like scraping pegs and pushing a bike to its limits.

 

[427dave]

I just came back from The Dragon. The trike loved itand I did also. It is a little more work than a bike. If you ride sinceabily it is not alot more work.

 

[Shriner Jim]

I live about 60 miles from Pigeon Forge, TN. Last Saturday we rode down to Tellico Plains, TN and hit the Cherohala Skyway, then rode the Dragon, then the Foothills Parkway, back through Pigeon Forge and home. This was a 320 mile day ride, lots of twisties, lots of shifting, lots of pushing and pulling. I couldn't have had more fun. My friend's Ultra Classic just can't keep up because he drags his foot boards.