First Trike - What to buy?

[Po_Po]

I'm new to the forum and not sure where to post this. Here it goes. I'm retiring in a few months and the woman and I are going to travel out West. Take a month or so and see whats out there. Hopefully, it'll be one of many such trips to come. I've been riding 2 wheels for 40 years. Harley's for the last 20. I'm getting older (back and hip problems) and the weight of my Ultra is getting more noticeable. I don't mind it when I'm alone, but I no longer want the responsibility when the woman I love is onboard.

I think it's time to make the move to a trike. Problem is, I don't know that much about them. The only trike I've ridden was a Harley and that was for a few miles. I'd really like this to be my last bike purchase, so I want to make the best decision I can. We love to ride and are planning to make many long trips around the country over the next 10-15 years. Things like comfort, ride handling, and bike longevity (bike maintenance) all come to mind. Given what I've said, what's the communities thoughts on what I should be looking at? Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Jack Klarich]

Welcome to Trike Talk Jeff

I would ride or even rent several trikes and put some miles on each. This may help you narrow down your choice

 

[Po_Po]

Welcome to Trike Talk Jeff

I would ride or even rent several trikes and put some miles on each. This may help you narrow down your choice

Thanks. I thought about that but, where I live, there are none to rent or even borrow. I'm looking though.

 

[LadyonaMission]

I agree that riding as many trikes as you can is a good plan. Be sure to have your wife test out the backseat before you make the purchase. Out West is so much fun on a trike.

Welcome to Trike Talk.

 

[graygoat]

Welcome aboard, Jeff!

I agree with Jack to spend as much time as you can riding as many different trikes as you can. Just remember a few things while you are riding them:

1 don't put your feet down at stops

2 allow more space around gas pumps & curbs

3 they don't lean, push/pull on the handle bars to turn

4 they will probably ride a little rougher with 3 wheel tracks rather than one, harder to miss the potholes

5 most of us have made many improvements to our trikes to make them better than a "stock" rental unit. This forum is full of that info.

I have never ridden any of the conversions, so can't comment there. For me, the Triglide was what I wanted. Can get dealer help on the road much more easily with an all factory unit.

Best of luck to you and have fun with your search!

 

[ol' school]

Welcome to Trike Talk Jeff! Like has been said, ride as many different trikes as you can before you decide what you are spending your money on.

 

[paws]

Jeff! Welcome to TrikeTalk!

I concur with all previous statements posted here. It is a big decision...the quest has just begun!

 

[Fearless]

Welcome to the forum from Western Pennsylvania. So you have ridden Harley's all your life so do you think you would be happy with anything else? I know there may be smoother rides out there but what in the world are you going to do with the huge T-shirt collection you and your Bride have collected thus far... only kidding but still food for thought. Ride as many different one's as possible you said none were available close. One thing to remember Harley shops are like fly poop they are everywhere if you have problems.:Shrug: Good luck on your choice Ride safe Fred

 

[Po_Po]

Mind made up.

You good people are great. Several things I hadn't even thought of were brought up - repairs on the road, clothing (lol - but true), everything. I'm gonna stick with Harley. Now to find one I like. Thanks everyone.

 

[Zammy]

Hi Jeff, the Misses and I both have had some health problems, that's why we went to 3 wheels. I've ridden just about anything out there but settled on Harley because of all the dealerships near us and when we travel, tough on us getting down on the concrete or asphalt when something goes south. We have the extended warranty but haven't really taken too much advantage of it yet.

 

[Po_Po]

Thanks

Thanks everyone. All valid points. I'm currently on the hunt for a Tri Glide. Looks like it's gonna be fun.

 

[radismukes]

• :welcome: To the Trike Talk Family! FROM SOUTH

  

  Angleton, TX
  
  Howdy Jeff!:wave4:​
• 
  

 

[rhino 2]

Welcome to Tri-Talk.

i"m going to take a little different route on this subject. When I developed Parkinson's a little over 5 years ago I had some big decisions to make. Have been riding for 65+ years on 2 and was now having to consider not riding or going to a tricycle, tricycle it was. Knowing basically there was the Harley Tri-Glide and Harley/Honda conversions. I got out the Kelly Blue Book and NADA books at my credit union. They library several years of these books (I don't really know why). I started an analysis spread sheet analyzing depreciation and lost dollar value for a 5 year period. Harley's depreciated on an average of 6-8% a year where the conversions were around 22-28%. AND if you converted, let's say a '09 Harley with a new 2020 conversion kit....it was considered a 2020. Also looked at what it would cost doing a conversion to my '12 Ultra. By the time I added a reverse, and added degree triple tree and several other options that came stock on the Tri-Glide the conversions was going to cost the same as a new Tri-Glide.

I also looked at the CanAM reverse trikes while in Sturgis and the ROT in Texas. Did a test ride and was not comfortable at all. Now I'm sure they've improved on the comfort factor but they still have a, what I consider, flaw. Any railroaders on here will understand wheel "hunting". This is where a rail car will go back and forth on the rail trying to find an even, good place to ride. This "hunting" creates a back and forth motion in the front end. I hated it. AND the whole engineering feat they did to shove 6th gear in with out any major modifications to the transmission is mind boggling. I'm sure they made improvements but I can only address what I experienced 3-4yrs ago. Ohhhhhh, have a friend that has a new CanAm and they still have the "hunting" issue.

I bought a '13 Harley Tri-Glide in '13, brand new off the floor when the '14 first hit the showroom floor and haven't looked back. Love it. Did all 48 continental states, 5 Canadian provinces and Mexico on 2. Getting ready to do it on 3.

Why didn't I buy a '14 that was sitting right next to my '13 ?? About $6000-$8000 options and accessories off my '12 Ultra that would fit the '13 and NOT the '14. All comes down to economics.

8~\o

The hunting issue is like the tail waging the dog.....Its the rear tire going off and on the crown in the road...I had an 08 Spyder i got used to it....But being it was the first model year the Spyder wasn't quite ready for prime time...I put 60 thousand miles on it before i traded it in for a new 2011 Tri-Glide....

 

[seniorsgt]

I had same decision to make last summer. didn't want used and can am was the only other choice in town. Personally didn't like the two wheels in front, felt better looking over one wheel. I got a 2019 Triglide the 1st of Aug and I've put 3400 miles on it in two month. Had medical issue and the then snows game cant wait to get it out again.

coming your way in Jun for the air show in Olympia

like Larry the cable guy says "getter done"

 

[Trail boss]

I'm new to the forum and not sure where to post this. Here it goes. I'm retiring in a few months and the woman and I are going to travel out West. Take a month or so and see whats out there. Hopefully, it'll be one of many such trips to come. I've been riding 2 wheels for 40 years. Harley's for the last 20. I'm getting older (back and hip problems) and the weight of my Ultra is getting more noticeable. I don't mind it when I'm alone, but I no longer want the responsibility when the woman I love is onboard.

I think it's time to make the move to a trike. Problem is, I don't know that much about them. The only trike I've ridden was a Harley and that was for a few miles. I'd really like this to be my last bike purchase, so I want to make the best decision I can. We love to ride and are planning to make many long trips around the country over the next 10-15 years. Things like comfort, ride handling, and bike longevity (bike maintenance) all come to mind. Given what I've said, what's the communities thoughts on what I should be looking at? Thanks in advance for your help.

Papa Zook is a good resource regarding trike questions. My first choice would be a Wing. I’ve owned six Wings and they are Cadillacs. I ended up with a Harley Tri Glide because it’s a factory built from front to back so the whole bike is covered under Warranty and I got the 22 Tri Glide for a steal because I bought in January of 23 when the HD dealers were trying to get rid of the 22’s to make room for the Anniversary edition 23’s.

 

[BIG DENNY]

It's either Harley or Goldwing (these R your two main choices)

Harley guys stick with Harley, and Honda guys stick with Goldwing

I've been riding Honda's for years so we both know I'd never make the switch....G/Wing 4 me.................Same with you, you've been riding Harleys so tri glide 4 you...

enjoy that ride, your going to love what ever you decide ..................:clapping:

Ronnie

 

[Ironhorse54]

A couple of years ago I test drove a Harley trike for eight hours. It was one of the worst days of bike riding I ever had. Extremely rough, bumpy and uncomfortable. Harley has a solid rear axle and no suspension. Later I test drove a Goldwing trike that had independent suspension, and it was magnificent. Much smoother, more comfortable, and much easier to drive. I triked out my gold wing last October and have been extremely satisfied with it. Unless you’re a hard-core Harley fan, I would highly recommend test driving the goldwing trike before making a decision. Good luck!

 

[NJMike]

And to add to ironhorse54’s comments, the GW also has automatic transmission which is friggin awesome, especially in stop and go traffic. I had two Harley’s, the last one a Road Glide Ultra. Like you, it got too heavy for me. I had the opportunity to ride my brother’s (ironhorse54) two wheel GW and didn’t like it. But the heavy Harley made me open my mind and I took a 2 wheel test ride on the GW. It was so great that I rode it twice as long as I was supposed to! A couple years later we both decided to go trike. (I rented the Harley trikes that he referred to, by the way.) The point of this post is to keep your mind open, and you and your wife’s comfort level high. Rent a Harley. Find someone who has a GW trike and will let you try it. No matter what you do, ride safe out there, Jeff!

 

[pwhoever]

I just want to point out that this thread was started almost 5 years ago. I didn't see any follow up by OP but hopefully he made his decision quite some time ago.

 

[Ironhorse54]

Geez, I didn’t see where the original post was in February 20 20. I probably would’ve had ignored it. But, on the good side, maybe somebody now that’s in the same situation can learn something from this conversation.

 

[Ironhorse54]

Geez, I didn’t see where the original post was in February 20 20. I probably would’ve had ignored it. But, on the good side, maybe somebody now that’s in the same situation can learn something from this conversation.

 

[trike lady]

Refreshing this topic might help someone on the fence about buying a trike. Test ride as many as you can and pick the one that is right for you.

 

[short final]

‘02 FLHT, 2010 Ural Gear Up previous rides; Conversion currently being built at RoadSmith factory; 2024 CVO Roadglide ST, VVT 121 HO/ Roadsmith; Baker reverse kit, Pingle electric shift, dark trim, Raven Black, some deco details. Legacy ride, eventually goes to youngest sister a lifetime Harley gal. Jim.

 

[Reinie2025]

My first trike is also my first ever Harley Davidson. I bought a used 2023 Freewheeler back in October. The trike fits me and my budget. I hope to be out riding a lot on it this summer.

 

[PosseRider]

ride down to Maggie Valley in Sept for the gathering. we do a 2 day ride to there from Dayton. then 3or 4 days of riding the mountains there with evening BS sessions every evening. 5-7 couples every year