Getting use to a Trike

[johnnie1]

Bought my Trike about 10 mos ago and have been on this site for about the same time. Lots of great information and its been appreciated. I do have one question how long did it take you to adjust to riding a trike. I have been riding 2 wheels most of my life and seem to have a love, hate relationship with the trike like it when the wife is riding with me but just don't care for it when riding solo.

 

[Missouri Charley]

Bought my Trike about 10 mos ago and have been on this site for about the same time. Lots of great information and its been appreciated. I do have one question how long did it take you to adjust to riding a trike. I have been riding 2 wheels most of my life and seem to have a love, hate relationship with the trike like it when the wife is riding with me but just don't care for it when riding solo.

I was the same way when we had our wing triked but I had no choice. When I had the lung surgery my Dr. said I wouldn't be strong enough to hold a big bike up with my wife on with me so had it triked. 6 months later I had figured out I could throw it into curve as hard as a 2 wheeler just no leaning. Try riding a little harder on crooked roads till you get used to it and you will like it more.

 

[skuuter]

Around 1500 miles of daily (before work, after work, weekends) riding super tight mountain twisties.......PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE.....ThumbUp

 

[saab9k]

Yes you can outrun the Harley's and gold wing on twisted roads.

 

[Bikerbozo]

When you go into turns, remember not to just push the handlebars with one hand. But also pull on the other side. Cuts your work in half.
Usually 500-1500 miles sounds like a good number to get used to riding.
Think of it like a ride at Disneyworld when going around corners. The centrifugal force makes it fun.

 

[rmrc51]

What Bozo said!!! ThumbUp

 

[skuuter]

Yep, generally around 500 miles, You'll be getting comfy and have a good feel for the Trike....then by about 1500 it will be "normal" to most New Trike Pilots.....:Trike1:...ThumbUp

 

[Jimmyzac]

It took about 1000 miles plus to get used to the trike. I took the GWRRA trike course and that gave me a great deal of confidence. It's different but is a lot of fun.

 

[Bill Reber]

Bought my Trike about 10 mos ago and have been on this site for about the same time. Lots of great information and its been appreciated. I do have one question how long did it take you to adjust to riding a trike. I have been riding 2 wheels most of my life and seem to have a love, hate relationship with the trike like it when the wife is riding with me but just don't care for it when riding solo.

This sounds like most of us in the begining and like most of us age or health pushed us to a Trike. I now enjoy my Trike and can't say that I enjoy it less then my two wheelers any more.. It takes time to learn to ride a trike and the more you ride the more you'll like it and two wheels does not seem to matter that much any more , you have been given a new lease on riding enjoy it !
Bill

 

[bikerbillone]

Good advice from experienced riders.

 

[1800 06 Champion Trike]

Started ride at age 16, then at age 65 bought my new 06 Trike. Best move I ever made as my wife and I are happy with the ride. Also easy moving it around without tipping over.

 

[johnnie1]

Thanks to all of you, appreciate you taking the time to reply. Took my 1st long trip the other day riding in Tn and NC. just kind of miss the lean. I will say it was very relaxing and easy to park ha.

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I was the same way when we had our wing triked but I had no choice. When I had the lung surgery my Dr. said I wouldn't be strong enough to hold a big bike up with my wife on with me so had it triked. 6 months later I had figured out I could throw it into curve as hard as a 2 wheeler just no leaning. Try riding a little harder on crooked roads till you get used to it and you will like it more.

Great looking Trike.

 

[Gorilla]

You will always miss the lean. I have almost 75k miles of trike riding in the last 5 years. I too was a life long 2 wheeler. I'm 67 now. My wife has her own trike so I ride solo most of the time. We have taken long trips the last 3 years between 6 and 11 k miles. I can tell you its great on the trike. You lose the need to lean feeling after a few days. You really get to appreciate the added stability that the 3 rd wheel brings on those long riding days. You know you are still out in the wind riding free. All that said I still miss the lean and borrow a 2 wheel occasionally to get the feel, but still are ready to hop on the trike and go. These old knees can't hold up a Ultra all the time anymore. Stick with it. Remember nothing says you can't jump on 2 wheels for that lean fix. Enjoy the trike it will keep you out there many more years.

 

[stacebg]

Bought my Trike about 10 mos ago and have been on this site for about the same time. Lots of great information and its been appreciated. I do have one question how long did it take you to adjust to riding a trike. I have been riding 2 wheels most of my life and seem to have a love, hate relationship with the trike like it when the wife is riding with me but just don't care for it when riding solo.

built my 1st trike in 79 in my eary 20s so it didnt take much to get used to it as i only had a few yrs on the road and a few more of road..cant say in miles but. i would guess it will take quite a bit longer if you didnt do something with the front ens to reduce the trail

 

[Konrad]

I rode two wheels from age 16 to 81 and then Roadsmithed my GL1800. The dealer delivered to me at my farm. I had tried out a trike at the dealership and thought I had it down pat! So I got on it and started to go down my long, curvy driveway. I leaned into the first curve, went off the drive and down a hill in between the trees - I forgot to steer! The only damage was to my over-burdened ego, but it was a lesson well-learned and never forgotten since. And perhaps because of that experience I bonded with that trike within two days and two hundred miles. It has become part of my DNA and I can't imagine ever wanting to go back to two wheels.

 

[RdKnB]

I also agree with the 500 to 1500 miles. I converted mine last year and this year when the Wife was on the back she said to me I now ride the trike like I did the bike. Guess she could tell the difference last year when I was learning.

 

[sekanbob]

Just started looking at trikes. Like most people commented they had ridden 2 wheels most of their lives, I have close to 50 years on 2 wheels. Also like others, I am having problems with my left knee and find it difficult at times when ridding dual even though my wife is very light. I have never ridden a trike and understand you don't lean but have to push-pull handlebars. Is this hard on your shoulders? My shoulders do bother me on long rides on two wheeler. Also, (I have read some on this forum and haven't seen anything on it) Is it easy to tip a trike over? I was told by one guy it was and said I should be looking at reversed trikes.

 

[Gorilla]

Just started looking at trikes. Like most people commented they had ridden 2 wheels most of their lives, I have close to 50 years on 2 wheels. Also like others, I am having problems with my left knee and find it difficult at times when ridding dual even though my wife is very light. I have never ridden a trike and understand you don't lean but have to push-pull handlebars. Is this hard on your shoulders? My shoulders do bother me on long rides on two wheeler. Also, (I have read some on this forum and haven't seen anything on it) Is it easy to tip a trike over? I was told by one guy it was and said I should be looking at reversed trikes.

It is NOT easy to turn these over. The old ATV 3 wheeler were easy but not today's trikes. Can you turn one over? Yes, but it would take some real doing. I have ridden trikes for over 70k miles and can be very aggressive it the twisties when I want to be. I have come close when I was going way to fast into a turn but still did go over. As far as a reverse trike vs reg that's personnel preference. Good luck in your selection

 

[cjmitch]

When you go into turns, remember not to just push the handlebars with one hand. But also pull on the other side.

And if you really want to be efficient about it, Lock your arm and lean into the handlebars...
Ie if your making a right turn, lock your left arm, and lean into the left handlebar. you will find that this gives you a better feeling on the bike.

2005 never had a rake, and this technique is why

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I have never ridden a trike and understand you don't lean but have to push-pull handlebars. Is this hard on your shoulders? My shoulders do bother me on long rides on two wheeler.

If your shoulders are sore/tired then you are doing something wrong. DO NOT use your arms to steer a trike, USE YOUR BODY. Lock your arms and use your body to push the handlebars