Do you think Trikes are Safer than Bikes?

Do you think Trikes are safer than Bikes


  • Total voters
    972
The only safety on either is respect, awareness, ability, experience, and maintenance. Risk is an inherent part of living as is passion and unfortunately/fortunately, enthusiasts only have control over themselves. That being said, don't allow two, three, four, or any number of wheels give you a false sense of safety or it becomes your first enemy. When I become hesitant/uncomfortable), that'll be the time I stop being the Captain of a ship rather than placing others and myself into an unnecessary danger zone. No machine exists without pro/cons attached so exercise your freedom of choice and enjoy your passion with the safest attitude at all times. Just a refresher for myself, I'm aware all of you employ the proper tools for the utmost safety possible, because 100% safety is unrealistic.
 
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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>jeffjeney</strong>
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<div class="message">Absolutely safer. My wife hated going out on the 2-wheeeler. Now with the trike, she is the one that suggest we go for rides.</div>

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</div>Yup, same here. Mine never rode with me once last year on the two-wheeler. Now she's asking every other day when we're going out on the trike again and is picking out a bunch of summer riding destinations. Now if only the weather would cooperate here in NE Illinois. Was snowing again this morning.<br />
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I always think the more rubber you have on the road the safer you are, so given the same rider under the same conditions, I think the trike has the edge in safety. But a trike in the hands of an idiot is just as dangerous as a 2-wheeler.
 
I recently had two independent testers from Minnesota Motorcycle Monthly stop in and spend several hours testing, riding, thrashing my builds to see how far they could push them.
Both tried intensely to lift a wheel both were unsuccessful however they did get to slide sideways on gravel. Both testers appreciated the absence of the "nanny" as they could go all out. Even without ABS they both felt braking was superior to a standard motorcycle and both agreed the overall safety was immensely better.
When you think about it the process of testing really is a leap of faith. These guy don't really know if the trikes they are now testing are safe, they don't know if the wheels will fall off or steering shaft suddenly snap. I guess they grit their teeth and just take the chance.
The overall theme of the article they came up with was, fun, comfortable, quick and safe.

Yes a properly designed trike is much safer than a two wheeler and more versatile.
 
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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>jimfreeman</strong>
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<div class="message">Am contemplating my first trike purchase. Are "reverse" trikes (i.e. 2 wheels in front) more or less stable/safer than a traditional trike?</div>

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</div>I had a reverse trike [Spyder] and now i have traditional trike [Tri-Glide] Both are just as stable/safe as each other.. Just different driving techniques are needed... But none harder than the other...<br />
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One thing i did notice is that the Spyder is a great Squirrel catcher' What with the two tires up front Squirrels tend to run out in front and straddle them.... And then Squash the rear tire turns them into road pizza....<img src="images/smilies/laugh.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Laugh" class="inlineimg" />
 
From a engineer/designers view the RT is much more stable especially during panic situations or braking. The wheel base width on RT's will be in the 60" range also which is about 6" wider than the wheels back trikes. Most importantly you have two large braking surfaces up front where it's needed the most.
Then take into account steering geometry which on a wheel back trike consists of a bunch of caster and lot's of trail but no other geometric inclusions. The RT on the other hand takes full advantage of over 10 tuning adjustments to facilitate a light handling predictable vehicle. On an RT you have 3 automotive tires which will offer solid footprint and traction opposed to the MC tire up front on a conventional trike which does not offer much footprint or braking traction in comparison.
 
Animals, Gravel, Drunks, Drugs,Texting, Nuts Humans, Trees on road

We know all biking is more dangerous, but its fun.<br /><br /><br />
Animals, Gravel, Ice, Snow, Hail, Rain,Bad X-Wind, 23 degrees and 13% grade for 10 miles with loose salt and snow,Drunks, Drugs,Texting, Nuts Humans, Trees on road,Spilled Corn on curves, "deliberately" We were told by locals in Texas Hills 3 sisters ride. Some locals hate loud bikes. Thanks Loud asses. Oil spills, Things flying off trailers, and yesterday a mattress flew off in front of us the interstate,and the nuts girl didn't or care.<br /><br /><br />
We have been hit by a huge rubber raft that totaled my BMW 1200 and wrecked parts on me even though I kept it up, the big rope was wrapped around us so we couldn't get off the bike if it was on fire. Fl last winter a drunk old lady came onto a 4 lane , Night, No lights on and pushing us into the guard rail, and another like it 2 days later..Wing Trike 1800's have power and lots of brakes, and we need every option and skill to defend our self. <br /><br /><br />
We live on a muddy loose gravel washboard road. <br /><br /><br />
We have experienced ALL these things in the last 3 years on 2 wheels,then Fl drunks last winter when triking.. We have allot of deer around here, thats the big thing after evening. I got the trike cause I wanted to try it and friends said I'm now an old fart. Yes but we can ride what we want.<br /><br />
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If I rode trike disabled I would be offended by these rude stupid people.<br />
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Disabilities don't make the man..58000+ Dead Nam vets would be happy riding along today.<br /><br /><br />
I don't know of a perfect bike for all conditions, but if I try to identify the risk of that moment I try to slow down for it.

We like having allot of gear,water,food,tools along, so the early 1800 Wing Trike does everything cheap for this quality.<br /><br /><br />
Never having a Forn car, I feel strange saying that, but I had a couple Jap bikes.<br /><br /><br />
Happy Day friends, even you loud guys annoying most of us.
 
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more stable. imagine hitting a deer going at speed. you have two wheels to stabilize the bike verses one. try going off the road with just one wheel up front. two wheels are always going to give you more stability and the ride IMO is much smoother. my wife agrees with it being smoother as well for the passenger. <br /><br /><br />
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my first venture on the Spyder the guy took me for a ride. he took me off the side of the road past the shoulder and into the grass on the side of hill with very steep grade. he stopped the bike and we sat there and talked. it was amazing feat that I sure as heck wouldn't dare try with just one wheel up front.<br /><br />
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knowing that if I ever have to go off road I know my spyder will be able to take it.<br />
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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>jimfreeman</strong><br /><br />
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<div class="message">Am contemplating my first trike purchase.

Are "reverse" trikes (i.e. 2 wheels in front) more or less stable/safer than a traditional trike?</div><br /><br />
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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>jeffjeney</strong>
<a href="showthread.php?p=354746#post354746" rel="nofollow"><img class="inlineimg" src="images/buttons/viewpost-right.png" alt="View Post" /></a>
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<div class="message">Absolutely safer. My wife hated going out on the 2-wheeeler. Now with the trike, she is the one that suggest we go for rides.</div>

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</div>And that's what counts! My wife says she feels fine on the bike, but when I ask what she wants me to take .... it's the trike. <br />
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Personally, I enjoy the bike more if just considering the ride part of the ride from a rider's POV .... but when a longer trip and weather is iffy, roads unpredictable, etc .... I will take the trike first. <br />
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Trike is especially nice on Photo-Trips with a Nikon DSLR hung around my neck .... pull over and don't even have to put me feets down! Easy also to just pick up and snap.
 
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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>Mattel</strong>
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<div class="message">One of the reasons I purchased my Trike was because I thought it was safer than a two wheeled bike. What do you think? Do you think the Stallion is safer than a regular trike? What do you think is the safest trike and why?<img src="images/smilies/confused.gif" border="0" alt="" title="huh??" class="inlineimg" /></div>

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Id say yes, especially for me. I have no balance at all and two wheels are not an option.
 
I felt I was losing a bit from take off and at slow speeds but once up to speed I have always felt comfortable on a bike. Only a couple months into a trike I feel pretty good but I think I've said this before I'm not sure in a "panic" situation I would make the right imput(s).
 
Going from 2 wheels to 3 wheels, I must say I feel much more safe and secure on the Trike. And, I concur with all the other posts as to why 3 are safer than 2.
 
Trikes may be slightly easier for the knucklehead motorist out there to see, but all other things considered, trikes face every other danger that two wheelers do (cars running stop signs, turning left in front of you, pulling out of driveways, etc), except for falling over. I wouldn't count on their being "safer".
 
Trikes may be slightly easier for the knucklehead motorist out there to see, but all other things considered, trikes face every other danger that two wheelers do (cars running stop signs, turning left in front of you, pulling out of driveways, etc), except for falling over. I wouldn't count on their being "safer".

Just one scenario….You are going down Main Street at under 30 miles per hour and a vehicle comes out from a side street making a left turn.’ Now with out any way around said vehicle you have to lock up the brakes to stop from hitting it …Try that on two wheels…And see what happens..Done that with a Trike and with a two wheeler….I still have a bone knot on my left elbow…(Low Sided my CB 750)…
 
One of the reasons I purchased my Trike was because I thought it was safer than a two wheeled bike. What do you think? Do you think the Stallion is safer than a regular trike? What do you think is the safest trike and why?<img src="images/smilies/confused.gif" border="0" alt="" title="huh??" class="inlineimg" />

No. It's not me I am worried about. It's everybody else.
 
No. It's not me I am worried about. It's everybody else.

I always worried about everyone else….But as I’ve gotten older I started getting worried about me….And so around 2018 I kept my trikes but sold my last two wheeler a Victory Gunner….My Son has a garage full of Two wheelers (4) and says anytime I want I can use any of them….. But discretion is the better part of valor so I’ll just stick to three wheels..
 

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