FIRST RIDE ON MY FREE WHEELER - and DISAPPOINTING

[FreeJoe]

I noticed the OP hasn’t been back w any positive comments. Agreed w previous post, sell it and get into something that doesn’t piss you off and need to tell the world how much you dislike it.

 

[52edub]

:clapping:

 

[USMC Old Dog]

Have you checked the air in shocks. I understand what you are going thru, as I moved from Heritage Classic to Freewheeler. Took me a couple hundred miles to settle in and really enjoy my ride now. Not only check air in shocks (do not use air compressor to adjust) and also tire tire pressure to your liking. Took a while but I settled in on 36 psi in front tire and 28 psi in rears. 28psi in shocks. I bought a hand pump with gauge for the shocks.

Takes a bit of different adjustments to get it where you want it but it will get better.

Ride safe

 

[balloo]

Thanks OLD DOG - - yep, done that....as previously posted, - - many thanks for all the positive input from members, and that I needed to take more time in the saddle - -also, as posted, I took the Free wheeler back to dealer - - they found that shocks were at 3-pounds - - set them for 12-pounds - - even called Harley regarding tire pressure. Should be left at what the manual states. They test road twice -- and said all checked out fine. I'm impressed with the dealer.

Had a day of no rain, so I took it on a longer ride, and avoided the crappy roads near my house. Boy what a difference. Even took it on the freeway and up to 70/75 for short distance. I'm still in the learning curve, but more confident.

Decided to relax my grip and allow it to move around a bit.

Note to: FREE JOE - - golf is not an option -- don't even have clubs, but do have a Freewheeler --

Note to: OLD ROAD DOG - - my only intent was to ask for help and advice, which I received and appreciate.

Looking forward to another rain free day, and another ride.

Cheers

 

[wlivin2]

I triked my sporty due to needing hip replacement and wife knew I would never stop riding. on the first ride I hated t but it was to late to undu . the more I rode it and adjusted it tire pressure shocks and the way I rode i began to love it. this past Dec I traded it in on a used 2010 triglide ultra BIG step up from sporty trike with the paughco trike kit LOL

 

[FreeJoe]

balloo....... my apologies, I based my comment on someone else’s response and truly reacted in a negative way thinking this just a thread like some others that are started just to get the group riled up.. again my apologies and as I wrote before don’t give up and glad to hear things are improving.

 

[balloo]

balloo....... my apologies, I based my comment on someone else’s response and truly reacted in a negative way thinking this just a thread like some others that are started just to get the group riled up.. again my apologies and as I wrote before don’t give up and glad to hear things are improving.

THANKS FREE JOE:

Your a "big man" for posting the above.

My faith is renewed....

Now just waiting for weather to change, so can practice some more.

Living in the Seattle area, most of you can understand that we have some challenges this time of the year. And even with all the rain we receive, it is an outstanding place when the weather is nice.

Had summer on a Wednesday last year (joke ! _)

Cheers,

 

[Jack Klarich]

THANKS FREE JOE:

Your a "big man" for posting the above.

My faith is renewed....

Now just waiting for weather to change, so can practice some more.

Living in the Seattle area, most of you can understand that we have some challenges this time of the year. And even with all the rain we receive, it is an outstanding place when the weather is nice.

Had summer on a Wednesday last year (joke ! _)

Cheers,

The more you ride the more memory muscle you will develop, this will be a BIG plus, as you use your upper body strength to steer

 

[Texan]

TRI glide/Free wheeler have had many members make changes to them to improve the ride over stock. Riding a trike takes at least 400 to 1000 miles for the new rider to get a true feel for it. If you still think you want better go to DK Customs (ad this web site) Kevin has done extensive testing of ways to improve the ride on the Harley Trikes.....

Talk to the guys at DK. As indicated, they have done extensive testing and development in the riding and handling of trikes.

I have several of their products on my bike and they improved the ride a lot.

Don't give up. I rode two wheels for 65+ years and was forced to go to 3 due to Parkinson's. Just glad I had that option.

8~\o

 

[balloo]

Talk to the guys at DK. As indicated, they have done extensive testing and development in the riding and handling of trikes.

I have several of their products on my bike and they improved the ride a lot.

Don't give up. I rode two wheels for 65+ years and was forced to go to 3 due to Parkinson's. Just glad I had that option.

8~\o

Well Texan - - I am impressed with your number of years ridding, but more impressed with your ability to ride due to the Parkinson's - - keep at it, gotta be good for moral as well as physical activity. Guess they make them tough in Texas.

Balloo

 

[Blueraven]

I'll chime in as I'm too a new owner/rider of a Freewheeler.

My Wife wanted to try to ride on her own but she isn't comfortable on 2 wheels so we went the Freewheeler route.

I've ridden the Freewheeler for only a few hundred miles but every time I'm on it I get off with a bigger smile than the ride before.

These rides are just a blast.

I don't have an issue going from 2 to 4 wheels as far as riding but at first the Freewheeler did seem to ride rougher than my Heritage and after adjusting the tires and shocks it kinda still does ride a bit rougher but has gotten much better.

I've spent around $1500+ on my Heritage to increase the ride comfort.

Not to mention I've also spent 40,000 miles on it getting used to it.

I think with a little tweaking I'll get the Freewheeler dialed in.

This tweaking may require a better seat and better shocks.

One think I'm not confused on is a trike is just different than a 2 wheeler and at includes the ride.

I believe when you make the switch from 2 to 3 wheels you just got to get some miles under you before you really know if the switch is right for you.

 

[Texan]

Well Texan - - I am impressed with your number of years ridding, but more impressed with your ability to ride due to the Parkinson's - - keep at it, gotta be good for moral as well as physical activity. Guess they make them tough in Texas. Balloo

Thanks Balloo, started riding when I was 7...just hit 75. Have put the kickstand down in all 48, 5 Providences of Canada and Mexico. Been a great life for sure.

A bunch of my riding was around your island. Lived in Issaquah for 8 years. Use to hit the Narrows Bridge and do the loop around to Squeim (the blue hole) to visit friends. Join up with them to ride around on hwy 101 with a bunch of detours. Speaking of detours, is the Detour Bar still open in Renton ? How about Alki Beach, still hopping on Thursdays ??

8~\o

 

[Jack Klarich]

I'll chime in as I'm too a new owner/rider of a Freewheeler.

My Wife wanted to try to ride on her own but she isn't comfortable on 2 wheels so we went the Freewheeler route.

I've ridden the Freewheeler for only a few hundred miles but every time I'm on it I get off with a bigger smile than the ride before.

These rides are just a blast.

I don't have an issue going from 2 to 4 wheels as far as riding but at first the Freewheeler did seem to ride rougher than my Heritage and after adjusting the tires and shocks it kinda still does ride a bit rougher but has gotten much better.

I've spent around $1500+ on my Heritage to increase the ride comfort.

Not to mention I've also spent 40,000 miles on it getting used to it.

I think with a little tweaking I'll get the Freewheeler dialed in.

This tweaking may require a better seat and better shocks.

One think I'm not confused on is a trike is just different than a 2 wheeler and at includes the ride.

I believe when you make the switch from 2 to 3 wheels you just got to get some miles under you before you really know if the switch is right for you.

Craig, check to see if your dealer has loaner seats you can try, many do. Any of the touring seats will fit your Freewheeler. I am using a Roadking seat, way better than the stock seat

 

[LadyonaMission]

Craig, check to see if your dealer has loaner seats you can try, many do. Any of the touring seats will fit your Freewheeler. I am using a Roadking seat, way better than the stock seat

I have a Mustang seat on my Freewheeler. I have the standard reach, if your wife is short she may want the reduced reach.

 

[balloo]

Thanks Balloo, started riding when I was 7...just hit 75. Have put the kickstand down in all 48, 5 Providences of Canada and Mexico. Been a great life for sure.

A bunch of my riding was around your island. Lived in Issaquah for 8 years. Use to hit the Narrows Bridge and do the loop around to Squeim (the blue hole) to visit friends. Join up with them to ride around on hwy 101 with a bunch of detours. Speaking of detours, is the Detour Bar still open in Renton ? How about Alki Beach, still hopping on Thursdays ??

Howdy TexanYou know the area very well - -Issaquah has grown so much, and the Seattle area economy is soo good, that most people cannot afford to live in the area - - Issaquah is a major traffic jam.

Not familiar with the Detour Bar in Renton, nor Alki Beach area - but Hwy 101 is one of my regular rides - around Crescent Lake - - Port Angeles, Sequim, etc. Really enjoy ridding in Eastern WA, and Eastern OR -- did the Missoula ride down Low Low Pass -- boy is that ever neat sign at top " CURVES NEXT 99-MILES".

Take care,

Balloo

Hang in there - have fun

 

[USMC Old Dog]

Freewheeler ride

It has been a while now since your first post. Just wondering if your rides have gotten any better for you. I had almost same feeling at first but now it is a pleasure to go for a ride.

Ride safe!

 

[Fearless]

We just changed Shocks

Larry let me tell you first hand I know Pro Action Shocks are pricey, but so are the Trikes. I would have never believed the improvement in the ride and handling of our Triglide with these shocks until I got a little crazy with it. The control in rough areas is unmatched with Pro Action's to any stock air shocks. Let me tell everyone if you own a Triglide or a Freewheeler do the shock conversion and comfort lift. Now to qualify this I also changed tires to a taller series I went from 65 to 70 series just a little higher it made a small change in height not much though. Our 09' Triglide handles better now than it ever has on rough roads I picked up two gears and still riding better than ever. :good: Ride safe Fred.

 

[pcombe]

wring message amigo?

This a trike forum designed to encourage those of us who have a need a to ride, not golf?

 

[USIRON]

THANKS FREE JOE:

Your a "big man" for posting the above.

My faith is renewed....

Now just waiting for weather to change, so can practice some more.

Living in the Seattle area, most of you can understand that we have some challenges this time of the year. And even with all the rain we receive, it is an outstanding place when the weather is nice.

Had summer on a Wednesday last year (joke ! _)

Cheers,

Lived in Seattle 5 years while in the Coast Guard, know the weather well, just wait 10 min it will change ! Wife and friends went on a Sun ride up to a mountain pass somewhere out of Woodinville. The road follows a river up the mountain, I was watching the river and it turned BROWN with a line like a Lasor, (road captain up front) pulled the group over and said we need to turn around and high tail it back down. When we got home and turned the news on we learned there was a thunder storm and a flash flood that washed 3 motor homes and 6 motorcycles off the road. Lucky, no one badly hurt, could have been 12 bikes down. Just got the wife a 2020 Freewheeler, she has had both knees and rt hip replaced and we both felt 3 wheels was the way to go. Tomorrow she will venture out of the drive way. (bike has 65 mi) I think it is AWSOME but will stay on 2 wheels as long as I can. You hang in there, and enjoy the ride when you can. We miss the mountains out west but love that we can ride all winter here in Florida. Ride safe. USIRON