Do you think Trikes are Safer than Bikes?

[Blondie Gal]

Have to agree with both Bounder04 and Nineon3 - it's both reasons!

 

[trikes4ever]

I think trikes are definitely safer. I've ridden both 2 and 3 over the years - more trikes than 2 wheelers. I've only had a couple of minor upsets on two wheels - one in a gravel parking lot, stopped (kickstand not all the way down), and one at about 20 mph (RR track grabbed the front wheel - didn't go down, but injured an ankle saving it). I'm on 2 for now, but have seen very recently of several severe injuries - riders laying down to avoid a head on, front wheel drifting onto soft shoulder (not bikes fault), several fatalities - usually not the riders fault. I'm getting up there in years, and a lightweight - the Harley took a while to get used to - quite a bit of weight for me. I love the Deuce, but am ready to get back on 3 and will be doing a Frankenstein this winter. Safety is certainly a prime motivator for me.

My very 1st trike was a Lithia Automotive VW kit (fiberglass body). About 2 months after I completed it, I was driving on a 2 lane 60 mph highway early in the morning. Straight road, high visibility in all directions. I saw a vehicle approaching the highway from a gravel road coming out from a farm on the right. I saw him, assumed he saw me. NO other vehicles anywhere. He slowed down, looked, then pulled right out in front of me. I was forced off the road to the right to avoid a collision, traveled some distance through a field, and stopped after a front end collision with a gas pipe sticking up out of the ground. Destroyed my springer front end but I was not hurt. If I had been on 2 wheels I probably would not be here.

 

[Frozenshrimp]

I agree with all the responces, but I feel personaly that Three wheels are safer than Two.

 

[unwired]

I have been riding for 42 years 40 of them on 2 wheels the last 2 on 3 wheels. I think trikes are safer than a 2 wheeler because of being seen better. We have a stallion and really enjoy it.

 

[Gorilla]

I have been riding for 42 years 40 of them on 2 wheels the last 2 on 3 wheels. I think trikes are safer than a 2 wheeler because of being seen better. We have a stallion and really enjoy it.

Welcome aboard unwired.

 

[skuuter]

Welcome aboard unwired.

"DITTO"...WELCOME to TRIKE TALK.....:wtg:

 

[White Knight 04]

I am new to trike talk, I just joined recently and have been reading here about the difference in 2 wheels verses 3.....I just pulled the trigger on a Motor trike Gladiator the 12th of last month and it is still in the building process... I have been riding 2 wheelers for 48 years and never gave a thought to going down till this summer...A friend of mine was in Jacksonville Fla on his new Ultra coming on or off of a ramp hit a oil slick and crashed killed his wife and he died 3 days later... Cant help but think if he had been on a trike he would still be here today.. Maybe not but I think the odds improve more on 3 wheels this is why I moved to a trike...Hell, I haven't even brought mine home yet and I am getting a feeling of security already....But I truly believe you are as safe as you ride and don't take stupid chances.....RIDE SENSIBLY !!!! I can't say that in 48 years I have never been down on a 2 wheeler but a third wheel takes the problem of falling over in your yard out of the equation... RIDE SAFE LIVE LONG!!!!! Jerry

 

[trikeleader]

Welcome White Knight,
I beleive you are as safe as you ride. If you are attentive and ride defensively there is no difference between a bike and a trike. You are just as vulnerable on one as the other.
Tom

 

[Chariot of Fire]

I have tried to raise a wheel off the ground and have yet to succeed. I have actually squealed my rear tires on a corner. If it tips over anything would.
I know someone that tipped over a T bird.
The Stallion is maybe a little more safe as you legs are protected and you are more in a seated position .
Honey sleeps on the back of mine on long trips.
HAS anyone made there trike go up on 2 wheels? I would be interested in knowing this.

I have seen VW trikes do wheelies with ease.

 

[duane43344]

I have seen VW trikes do wheelies with ease.

Yeppers, they will if you intentionally try. As for 2 vs 3...3 has the advantage IMHO. Been riding since I was 16 (58 now) and have drag raced bikes ( my crazy days lol). Someone mentioned if you ride sensible, that makes them equal. I disagree. Where I live (Arizona) we have a lot of sand/fine gravel on the roads from winds. I`ve seen 2-wheelers have near mishapes because of said debris. 3-wheelers MIGHT slide a little, but thats all. Been there, Done that.

 

[trikes4ever]

Someone mentioned if you ride sensible, that makes them equal. I disagree.

Well put, and I strongly agree with this. Some things you can't 'defend' against. Being on 3 offers an additional 'escape route'.

 

[Puff]

I think that 'escape routes' are more attainable on 2 wheels because you don't
require a wide gap... But having said that, IF you ride sensibly, trikes, without
a doubt are a much safer option... Particularly if you round a corner and
are suddenly confronted with sand, gravel, or any other obstacle.
In that instance, I'd rather be on my trike anytime.

But trikes and bikes have the distinct disadvantage of minimal protection if you're
hit by another vehicle... As was the case a few days back in Oz, where a drunk
driver speared into the back of a bike and unfortunately, killed the rider.

Both trikes and bikes share a common requirement, and that is complete attention
on the road ahead, and be on the lookout for anything that MAY pose a problem.
There is no denying the fact that a lot of car drivers just don't see us!

 

[mcdonaldroadcapt]

Must be as Insurance thinks so. Got a drop in premimun when I converted to trike. Response from Ins Co was that they are considered safer.

 

[kcchoppers]

No I don't think trikes are safer just a bigger target for a large portion of people that have no business driving there four wheel cage on the road. After 45 years of riding on the road I know with my two wheeler I can ride up on a sidewalk or even a bit of dirt riding to avoid a drunk driver or someone with a brand new license it's happened to me several times over the years. With a trike its hard to get out of someones way in a hurry, so don't let it become a falls sense of security.

 

[Bob Witte]

Must be as Insurance thinks so. Got a drop in premimun when I converted to trike. Response from Ins Co was that they are considered safer.

I on the other hand was told by Progressive the last time I went to insure a newly converted trike that I would pay MORE! The "reason" given -- major modifications were made to the bike putting it into a higher risk group. Don't ya just love that "drawn up by a committee of people who don't ride" mentality?? :Shrug:

Bob Witte
The Trinity Trike

 

[Papa Zook]

I just repaired a Harley Ultra Classic Motor Trike for a customer that was hit hard broadside by a lady in a minivan who had ran a red light. She hit him squarely with the front of the van with the contact points being the rear wheel/fender and the front fairing. He never saw her coming and was knocked over so far that the opposite side rear fender scrubbed the pavement so it must have been tilted to 45 degrees but somehow didnt turn over. Id did ruin the trike kit which was replaced but he didnt get a scratch.

He said that if he'd been driving a 2 wheeler he'd be either critically injured or killed because the impact would have knocked him over hard and into oncoming traffic and he would have probably been run over by her van as well.

I also had a customer on a CSC Valkyrie Trike that was hit hard. The trike was totaled but they only got minor injuries. Safetywise I'll take a trike over a bike any day of the week.

 

[Gorilla]

I just repaired a Harley Ultra Classic Motor Trike for a customer that was hit hard broadside by a lady in a minivan who had ran a red light. She hit him squarely with the front of the van with the contact points being the rear wheel/fender and the front fairing. He never saw her coming and was knocked over so far that the opposite side rear fender scrubbed the pavement so it must have been tilted to 45 degrees but somehow didnt turn over. Id did ruin the trike kit which was replaced but he didnt get a scratch.

He said that if he'd been driving a 2 wheeler he'd be either critically injured or killed because the impact would have knocked him over hard and into oncoming traffic and he would have probably been run over by her van as well.

I also had a customer on a CSC Valkyrie Trike that was hit hard. The trike was totaled but they only got minor injuries. Safetywise I'll take a trike over a bike any day of the week.

WOW ZOOK not the best way to find out how safe they are.

 

[gravy]

Any vehicle is safe as long as you realize you control it,it does not control you. Here is another way to look at it. Can you ride a street bike in sand all day,through hay fields,streams,gravel roads. By the way, I live in the country and don't have a polished don't touch trike. Happy New Year.

 

[DonFor]

I.d say it's alot safer. I know my wife would say it is, since I trike my ride she's asking to go on rides now, makes me happier.

 

[Captain H]

Yes trikes are alot safer for me.

 

[vol02]

It seems I read somewhere that stallions can't be licensed in Canada. Anybody have any info about this. I think trikes are much safer than trikes but then again if you put a hot head on either one you've got an accident looking for a place to happen.

 

[vol02]

Whoops messed that up BIKES

 

[Maryland Triker]

Yep,:Coffee: I ride both and in the winter(black ice, sand, etc) and fall (wet leaves) I ride almost exclusively the trike because its safer. :Trike1:Summer it depends on who I'm riding with or my mood:woohoo: except of course when:Monster: THE WARDEN rides with me, then its only the trike because if I don't abide by her wishes I might lose my yard priveledges and get put back in my cell.:Bow Down:

 

[Rev Ray]

Had we been on two wheels this last summer coming out of tunel on hiway to the sun
when a rock fell & took a chunk out of my helmet, startled with eyes crossed from noise
& some degree of whip lash,wife also yelling (WHAT HAPPENED) I probab would have went down.I am sold on trike's

 

[Blondie Gal]

You sure are one lucky duck!!!

 

[joncallihan]

Trikes are relatively recent for me. The inherent ability to stay upright when not moving makes them much safer for me. That same stability, however, can be dangerous when I'm tired and want to get home -- makes me ride too fast.:AGGHH::AGGHH::AGGHH:

 

[phillip d edwards]

I believe that most people that are looking at trikes is for safety reasons. Or like me my age and having my wife with me. Holding a heavy bike up today at my age may be hard with my wife on. Thank you Phillip

 

[Gorilla]

I believe that most people that are looking at trikes is for safety reasons. Or like me my age and having my wife with me. Holding a heavy bike up today at my age may be hard with my wife on. Thank you Phillip

Welcome aboard no matter what the reason you decided to go with 3

 

[Djette1]

While I believe Trikes are safer there are things that are harder, like turning. I know a few people who have crashed trying to corner on a trike, or have panicked during a test drive and couldn't make the turn, because they ride it like a two wheeler. My husband hates to ride a Voyager trike - absolutely hates it/find it harder...I don't mind it at all. Now that I have a 2011 Harley Tri-glide he likes riding that better, but still finds it hard to drive. I am not sure a Trike is safer the first few months that one switches from a 2-wheeler to a 3WMC. Once you are used to it, I think it is safer, but there are always the regular concerns that 2wmc have....other drivers in cars! I wish people would realize that a trike is harder to ride than a 2 wheeler - especially when they think you are "weaker"...they are so wrong.

 

[deanone98]

Truly a very good question and my response is that it depends totally on the driver.It is obvious that in rain/snow, a trike is safer. It is much safer to handle a trike in gravel than on two wheels. How about when you hit an oil spot at a toll booth while trying to give your money away and your feet slide out from under you on a bike and you do the splits. I am now riding a Stallion after riding motorcycles since the 60's and I found that the stallion can also be dangerous, if I get in a panic mode and hit my brake, simply because you forget that the brake is on the left side and you brake with the left foot. So the response is, depends on you as an idividual and how you ride.