Do you think Trikes are Safer than Bikes?

[screwball]

Wife has been on a trike 3 years, me just under 1. Health took both of us off 2 wheels and onto trikes. Trikes and bikes are only as safe as the rider. A moron on a trike will crash it as fast as a moron on 2. I personally felt a lot safer on 2 wheels, more options to avoid bad things, but just couldn't hold up my Harley at a stop sign any more. I've ridden a couple of Stallions, again, don't feel any safer or in more danger than I did on 2 wheels, or on my Harley Trike. The steering wheel kind of throws me a little, but it was fun! Living on the desert, I like the wind in my hair, bugs in my teeth thing. Already took the lower fairings off the Harley. Felt kind of enclosed in the Stallion, you know, riding IN it, not ON it. Sure are good looking!

 

[skuuter]

Since participating in Triking for Many thousands of miles now under all kinds of conditions, and on all kinds of roads....I do definetly feel more secure on 3 Wheels than on 2. I have other varying Posts in this Thread, but I feel more like a "Trike Veteran" now, and enjoy my Trike more than any "Bike" I've owned.....Yes, I feel Safer on it....ThumbUp

 

[burgman2170]

Trikes are much safer. Motorist can see a bike much better than they can see a motorcycle. The major thing is you can't lay down a trike or is more difficult to turn one over. I had a bike and I went down. The repair to the bike was nothing but the repair to my body took two months to heal. I love my trike and I would buy another.

 

[Littlest Hobo]

The reason I went to a trike instead of a bike is that I felt safer.

All the reasons I have read are the same reasons I have justified my trike, stability , visability, etc

Not only that if you develop physical issues as we age ......I feel I will have a lot longer ride life than if I only did two wheels. I'm not getting any younger !!!

 

[Teal]

i kn two bikes who hit antifreeze on the road and one bike group survived.

 

[vicco27]

For me a trike is a lot safer than a bike because I have very weak legs. I had a difficult time holding the bike up making slow turns if I had reason to put my foot down, or on uneven ground unless everything was in my favor. We just returned from a 4020 mile, 10 state, 26 day vacation on our trike. It took me three and a half years to build our trike and the feeling of security that my wife and I enjoyed on the trip made it all worth while. On a bike and now on the trike I try to anticipate every possible scenario with traffic and what I can do if I have to. I find riding in heavy traffic to be just as humbling as being on a bike, there both pretty small compared to a 18 Wheeler or even a large SUV. Don't get me wrong I usually ride and drive fairly aggressively, most of the time above the posted speed whether it be an Interstate Hwy or a winding two lane road but on the trike I find loafing along a little slower very relaxing and my wife though she has not gone to sleep yet has gotten relaxed enough to doze of once or twice.

Vic----vicco27----Paladin Have Trike Will Travel

 

[jkchipster]

I have not been on 2 wheels for over thirty years but I do have a story I would like to tell. About two years ago my brother on a 09 ultra (2 wheels) and me on my 06 ultra Lehman trike were riding to Daytona Octoberfest. We both live in Maryville Tn. and had decided to run the interstate. Its about 600 miles and we only had a few days to enjoy the sun and fun. We usually run 75 to 80 when on the interstste and traffic while allow. We were on our last leg (I-95) between Jacksonville and Dayton. Very little traffic in the late afternoon. We are in the left (fast lane) a car in front, my brother behind the car, and me on the trike behind him. We are running every bit of 80 maybe a little faster. ( it's always that last leg going or coming home that you just cant get there fast enough) As I said we were running 80+ with maybe 5 to 6 car lenghts between us. I see the car in front of my brother hit the brakes hard and swerve to the right. My brother being younger than me with pretty good reflexes and 2wheel skills was able to avoid the car and the Dog ( a 150-200 lb. great dane) that started the chain reaction. By now I have also hit the breakes down ****fed and found what I thought was a safe place for me to take the trike to avoid the dog. the bike, and the car and still have at least the front and one rear wheel on the pavement. I have maybe slowed down to 65 when the SECOND Great Dane(just as big) comes into view maybe 3 feet off my front wheel. I don't know that I planned anything after that just instict but I put all three wheels in the grass median. The trike handled much like a 4-wheeler. The grass and sand went flying the trike got sideways but I steered it around the dogs and rode the median maybe 200 -300 ft and back onto the pavement. If I had been on two wheels and hit the median at 65 and had to avoid two large dogs there is no way I could have come out of that without a scratch not even one on the trike. AND WHO WOULD EVER THINK TO SEE TWO LAGRE GREAT DANES ON THE INTERSTATE IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE???? SLOW DOWN AND BE READY FOR ANYTHING. (-:

 

[Gorilla]

Good job.

 

[riverrat69]

not to be sarcastic but all vehicles are safe until they are driven.99% of 2&3 wheelers are driven by responsible,caring,courteous safety minded true american people! the drivers that cause accidents do not see semi trucks-school buses-emergency vehicles with all their "blue&red light specials"-trains-cement trucks -red lights-turn signals etc etc.you always ride safe but watch out for everyone else(and a4 legged animals) riverrat 69

 

[Ozarkryder]

I hear that riverrat69 - it always amazes me that people run into trains. How in the heck do you not see a train? :Shrug:

 

[blueystar]

being new to the trike world i would say i feel safer on 2 wheels
i hope this time next year i feel differant and feel safer on 3 wheels
bluey

 

[Doctoss]

I have been looking at trikes for about a year now, mainly because of feeling safer on 3 wheels rather than 2. That is why I have enjoyed this thread. I had not ridden for 15 years and felt I needed to conquer the fear of riding a big bike on 2 wheels before I switched to a trike. I looked and looked and finally just bit the bullet and bought a 2012 red level 3 goldwing. I have only had it for about 10 days and 300 miles, and have enjoyed the 2 wheel experience. I feel like I got the "monkey off my back" by just being able to ride it, but still am planning on a Hannigan trike when they come out with the 2012 kit. Looking forward to more time on this forum.

 

[Lucky]

Doctoss you are headed in the rite direction good luck.RIDE SAFE

 

[luckydog69]

you would think that with a larger area, that a trike would be easier to see on the road, but as others have said, you still must remember that you have to drive like others don't see you.

 

[blueystar]

got 2000 kays up now and feel a lot safer than i did a few weeks ago

 

[Reader1]

For me the trike is absolutely safer. I am terrified of the lean on the 2 wheel and even though I learned how, I was so afraid that I went around turns too straight up. When I finally explained it to my husband he and I decided that it was just a matter of time until I missed a turn and hit something...or someone head on. I quit riding (happily) and 2 years later found my trike. I really love it and feel very safe!

 

[rhino 2]

Absolutely 3 wheels are safer than two. I've been riding bikes for over 40 years [still do]. I ride all year and that's where Trikes come into my life.
It snows , I just Wait for the plows to go by and I'm out riding the same day, Never been able to do that on my bikes [safely]

 

[bmad]

I know that the trike is safer I have had 2,3 and 4 wheel and the best has been 3 wheels

 

[ben2go]

I think it depends on the rider,their knowledge of the bike's handling characteristics,their ability to know when something is about to happen with the bike during a maneuver,and their riding discipline.A vehicle,no matter the wheel count,is only as safe as the rider/driver.That being said,nothing is safe in a crash,especially with distracted doe does on the roads.

 

[adaptolife]

Trikes have some issues. When turning or on twisties, centrifugal force is trying to throw you and bike over, and a lot of effort is needed to turn the handlebars. When braking, having a single rear tire skid can cause quick loss of control. High-speed emergency maneuvers, such as avoiding a huge potholes on I75, can send you tumbling. It still beats not riding. Ride what you need. It's all dangerous, but so is taking a shower!

 

[gwtrike1]

I bought my GL1500SE new in 1995. I've been in situations where my feet would not touch the ground, due to each wheel being on a high spot of the road. I've lifted the bike up at least 4 times, and now think I can bench press it. Luckily, after seeing an advertisement for a Motortrike conversion, I had the bike changed over 6 months later. Best move I ever made. Also, pulling a camper is effortless. Ride defensively, Enjoy the Ride, and Stay safe.

 

[J.R.]

Trikes to me is much safer, lot easier to stop without going into a skid and etc, just lot of advantages in riding a Trike.

 

[yogi935555]

Both trikes and Bikes are dangerous. Bikes are safer for a mature safe rider and trikes are a necessity for an older rider who can't keep riding a stallion. If ridden unsafely both will get you killed. Keep your head on a swivle.

 

[Wild Betty Boop]

Not at all. You can have a mechanical issue, other vehicle issue, weather issue, or animal issue that can make you go down. A lot of it depends on rider and reaction to all issues stated above. Off my soapbox now..LOL!!!:wave4:

 

[scutter5151]

i very much think they are safer,i have been an absent rider for 35 years,had a 900 sportster when younger,i quit riding and done a long military career but riding was always in my blood,i.m getting ready to retire and wanted to get a 2 wheeler Harley ultra classic ,i took the freedom of road riders safety course for brush up and current laws and such and was ready to commit hummmmmmmmmmmmm ran it by the wife of 37 years my best bud btw,she said ok i see you really want this but do me a favor,starting going wow all the at a boys i'm going to owe her lol, well to my surprise she said lets do it on 3 wheels instead of 2 wheels,i was in reserve on this,A TRIKE GIMME A BREAK WOMEN GEEEZ,so i just wanted to feel free and said lets do it ok 3 it is,i then started pricing new gold wing trikes ouch on my budget there around 40 grand so i went used,looked online and found a 2003 gl1800 lehman trike in ohio about 600 miles away,i purchased this bike and i feel it was one of the best things i have done wow what a machine,the only thing i wanna do is bling it out more chrome chrome chrome,wingstuff.com really likes me.so i say get your trike and enjoy,and yes to answer your question are they safer imho i say yes without a doubt,apololigize for the long windeness.

 

[DonFor]

I think they are safer. I'm 69 years young and I do feel a lot safer riding my trike. I know my wife is a lot happier,and enjoys the riding alot more. Be safe and God Bless You All.

 

[rhino 2]

Of cause trikes are safer, 3 wheels Vs 2 wheels, It's a no brain er.
It's not 100% safe, But then nothing is.:Trike1:

 

[Buddy Moore]

Yes they are much safer.

 

[corvette]

i ride a trike because i have bad hips,they are safer than bikes because they are bigger and people see them more.i can keep up with the harley and gold wings in the twisties with no problem,i can bring the front wheel up at will,can put down a 100 plus feet of rubber and still feel safe.i did bring the ass end around but the roads had snow on them i ride all year here in ct.i ride a boss hoss trike

 

[bluetrikes]

Got Back into the fresh air three years ago and aint fallen of the trike yet
definatly would have come a cropper a few times in that same period if id been on 2 wheels