Handeling corners & curves?

[RcSuD]

I tried the board thing but didn't really like it. Now I just lean my upper body a tiny bit into the turn. On sharper turns I squeeze the gas tank with my inside knee. Same effect as pushing down on the other side

 

[Old Fard]

For me to get out of town I have to deal with switchbacks and tight mountain turns. I lean to the inside just enough to "straight arm" the outside handle bar and take the load off my arms and at the same time put pressure on the outside leg to keep centered. In the hard tight turns I use my knees. So, I guess I am +1 for all these suggestions. The point is to do what you are comfortable with. I know that my trike can corner harder than I can, WHOOPIE!

 

[Pappy1]

Staying up with the two wheelers was the reason I went with the Solid Rear axle. :Shrug: I have a Champion kit on my 2007 Honda VTX 1800. Love it and I DO stay up with the two wheelers....regardless of what they are on.......and I am 68 years old.

I'm new to triking and just took ownership of a 2007 VTX 1800 F Champion! I love it and got broke in on it in about 200 mi. I ride with a Chapter of 2 wheelers ( 30 of them ) and have no problem keeping up with them. I thought i'd need to back out of the turns more then I do but not so!! Maybe just a little on the tight ones but catch up quickly! I run at the rear except for our drag rider,an organization rule!!! I ride 2 up 75% of the time with my wife. We have a Solid Axel !!!

 

[EarlyE]

Tire pressure is critical when talking about the handling of a trike. Most tend to think the tire pressure in the rear tires are suppose to be comparable to car tires since they are car tires but that is not the case.

 

[riverdoc]

The Wolf and John pointed out, do lean into the curves. This wil reduce the feeling you are being pushed to the outside of the curve. Also helps to push down on the outside footpeg - that will also help counteract the push away from the inside of the curve. Also it uses your leg to keep you upright instead of arms, mid and upper body muscles. Helps make it easier to steer. Wolf suggested taking a curve out & in. They teach that in the MSF riding classes. It is not only smoother line, you can also see further through a curve, so it's safer. Technical term is a "late apex". Generally good riding techneque on 2 or 3 wheels.

The MSF also taught "Slow, Look, Lean and Roll" to go through a curve. We don't lean, but slow slightly, look through the curve then power through. As john mentioned, use both arms - push and pull. If I have the backrest on, I also use that to push against. Again, not using the body muscles as much.

hdrider axes:Once you get the hang of it do you feel you can stay with or outperform a good rider on 2 wheels? Yep. A good trike pilot can keep up with most of the riders out there. I was going down the Pig Trail (locally famous for it's curves) to camp at a rally, and I kept having to brake in the curves for a pair of sportbikes ahead of me. They'd pull away on the straights, I would catch up on the twisties. They were dragging pegs, not hanging off on the turns. (I would guess good riders, not racers) They weren't too happy I was keeping up with their race replicas.

They were even more surprised when we stopped and saw I was pulling the Bunkhouse camper. I've always been able to keep up with cruisers and touring bikes. Sometimes a bit slower from a stop becouse of the extra weight, but right there wanting to pass in short order.

You can outperform two wheelers but who cares. Arkansas has switchbacks galore and really nasty curves in the mountains. I ride outside in and power through the curves leaning in remembering a golden rule -- look as far ahead as possible. You need to be careful if you have no shoulders on your roads, they are not very wide or the curves are blind. Outside-in is a general rules, but you need to consider the width of the road as well. I have seen several bad accidents when cherries (newbies) came down a mountain to fast and crashed (on curves) into riders going up hill. If you have no shoulders and a road that is not very wide, you will know when you feel safe and when you feel terrified. RIDE WITHIN YOUR CAPABILITY and forget about who is faster.

Does not matter.

RiverDoc

 

[robval87]

I have to agree with most here, I can for the most part out ride most 2 wheelers in the twist's and bends of mountain passes. I have had several friends question me as to why I was going so fast and I just replied "I was just riding and having fun." I wasn't out to outrun them, it just happened. I asked them why they were going so slow and their response was, "We were just slowing down for the curves, and you just kept pulling away." It took my a little while to learn how to ride with 3 wheels versus 2, but I wouldn't go back. Time in the saddle and the right setup (tire pressure and suspension stiffness) are key too.

 

[michbiker1]

Once you get the hang of it do you feel you can stay with or outperform a good rider on 2 wheels?

I feel that way and have proven it. I ride with a number of two wheel riders in a group. Most of them have been riding for several years. I have yet to have any of them keep up with me thru the turns. I have a 2012 Goldwing with a 2013 Hannigan Trike kit. I have been riding for 60 + years. I have owned many different types and kinds of motorcycles over the years, so I might just have a little experience in the handling area.

 

[anad]

I was turning left in a corner over a brigde around the chicago area when I hit an expandsion hump. My front end wanted to go straight. That's not a good feeling at 55-65mph. Thought I was going to hit the cement guard rail. You would get that on 2whs.

I would want to bet it was because on the smooth surface on the expandsion plate . On two wheels it would not be noticeable .:qpnmt:

 

[skuuter]

On my Trike, I could run through corners faster than "most" Cruiser Riders, about the same as really good Cruiser Riders...about the same as "average" Sport Bike Riders, slower than "good" Sport Bike Riders.....I'm still realistically faster through corners on 2 wheels than 3, in this order, #1 the fastest and moving down:

#1 Sport Bike
#2 Sport Touring/Motard
#3 250cc-650cc Scooter
#4 Cruiser (certain "ill-handlers" don't make this category)
#5 Trike
#6 Under 200cc Scooters

"SPEED" is such an irrelevant thing.....Learning to ride SMOOTH and seldom using Your Brakes is the key.....if You master SMOOTH, "FAST" will just happen.....GOOD LUCK, PRACTICE OFTEN, and STAY SAFE.....ThumbUp

 

[slick rick]

ThumbUp,,,I got to agree ,,,,I stopped challenging the curves when I got a trike and began to enjoy the ride ,,,,besides I can't rub the floorboards on this thing and if I do OOPS

 

[tom w]

a bunch of my friends have started a riders association at our local lodge. group riding is a real challenge to our riders club. I think the less experienced riders want to go too fast and don't think to look in there mirrors for the group and weaving in and out of traffic on the interstate. To spread the blame a little, we also have older riders who think they are bullet proof and want to show the younger ones how its done.

I (as v.p.) have talked to my road captains and instructed them to try and be able to keep the first and last bike in view at all times and to give enough room when passing so every one can see whats up, but it seems the road takes over .

We are planning to have a class from a safety instructor soon. I hope it helps. I have found that very few of us have ridden in a group of more than 3 or 4 bikes . one guy has less than 1 yr. on any kind of motorcycle.

As for me, I like riding sweep and knowing where the next planned stop is.

 

[cjmitch]

My front wheel doesn't seem to want to stay hooked up or on track and will push, even slide, to the outside of the curve. If you hit a bump in a curve it will get worse so you really have to be mindful of just how much the front wheel can take. I'm not really talking about a lot of speed either.. maybe 45 to 50 through a "normal" mountain curve on a blacktop road. Less than 40 through a really tight curve.

DITCH that front tire.
Michelin Pilot actv reverse rotation, you will NOT regret it!!!!

 

[FRR]

I feel that way and have proven it. I ride with a number of two wheel riders in a group. Most of them have been riding for several years. I have yet to have any of them keep up with me thru the turns. I have a 2012 Goldwing with a 2013 Hannigan Trike kit. I have been riding for 60 + years. I have owned many different types and kinds of motorcycles over the years, so I might just have a little experience in the handling area.

I just purchased a 12 with a brand new Hannigan kit 5 wks ago. Before that I owned a 04 with a CSC. I have the sensation that the Hannigan "leans" more than the CSC did. Do you get that sensation?

I wrote Hannigan and they said it is just the suspension difference and I would get used to the difference. What was your experience with this issue when you got the Hannigan installed? Thanks.

 

[skuuter]

NEVER Over Ride Your Comfort Zone or Abilities...if You're even "slightly" stressing at the pace You are riding, then, You are riding Over Your Head...!!!

ALWAYS HEED THIS.....ALWAYS.....orag:

 

[Retired Army]

easy remedy is to sit on the seat backwords then your left side will be on the right ?????????:xszpv::xszpv:

I tried this but messed my right boot shifting gears.:Santa:

 

[RTwing]

Being a snowmobiler and ATV rider acclimating to a trike was very natural for me. ( I have 108k on 4 different trikes)
Here is my trick, when going into a corner hard say a left hander, lock your right arm and lean your body left. your arm will act as a post and provide positive feedback in the corner. Same holds true for right hand corners as you just lock your left arm and lean into it.
Using this technique I can actually cause tire squeal yet have total control. In most cases a trike will out corner a stock 2 wheel cruiser or tour bike.
It is virtually impossible to tip a trike so the hardest part is not becoming a lawn dart. The lock arm and lean approach keeps you planted on the bike.
Try it and work your speeds up slowly and I think you will do well.

 

[brianl]

This problem has been around for years ( BT ) before trikes . One guy figured that it is more relaxed turning the throttle up in a left sweep than a right . U really have to concentrate on turning you wrist inward while turning the bar outward. Think about it when riding next time.

I've been led to believe that the roads are "crowned" to the outside to aid in drainage when it rains. When you turn right you're leaning into the curve. Turning left pushes you away. I also have a Roadsmith which the original poster had. I wonder if the longer wheelbase creates more "body-roll". I recently made an appointment to have the performance sway bar installed with the hope it will improve the corner handling.

 

[kbyrd]

Million Dollar HWY north of Durango

:gah:Taking my first trike trip, first day Durango to Ouray this is a a steep and curvy road. A little scared taking my wife and she doesn't really ride. I hope my 2002 1800 Goldwing CSC has enough power to handle it.

 

[clint44]

:gah:Taking my first trike trip, first day Durango to Ouray this is a a steep and curvy road. A little scared taking my wife and she doesn't really ride. I hope my 2002 1800 Goldwing CSC has enough power to handle it.

Your Wing will handle it,easily. Just take it easy on the Million Dollar Highway. A lot of corners don't have any guardrails.

 

[Thomas L]

simple - lean in

Think ---- like a side car rider. Lean in - to keep as much weight on the lighest wheel. (to keep it from comming up.) Hence - lean into the turn.

 

[goldwingagain]

Take the classes

The GWRRA, there are several chapters around Tulsa. They have trike riding classes, with and without a passenger. Also they have a class for trike riding and pulling a trailer. Just get all the information you need from any member of any chapter in the Tulsa area. Go to the GWRRA web site and get all the information about the classes etc. I've taken all the classes GWRRA has to offer in trike riding and road safety. Goldwingagain.

 

[Lucky]

The GWRRA, there are several chapters around Tulsa. They have trike riding classes, with and without a passenger. Also they have a class for trike riding and pulling a trailer. Just get all the information you need from any member of any chapter in the Tulsa area. Go to the GWRRA web site and get all the information about the classes etc. I've taken all the classes GWRRA has to offer in trike riding and road safety. Goldwingagain.

GWRRA duz have some great rider education seminars. RIDE SAFE

 

[CrystalPistol]

I didn't read it all, but I read enough to know I'm not adding anything new with my post ..... just maybe reinforcing something already said.

On the Bike "Wife Unit" and I sit straight up or lean slightly inside the bike in turns, "Wife Unit" looks over my inside shoulder. Of course, Bike steers with slightly different imputs than Trike. Bike isn't really steered so much as it's leaned by kicking the bottom side of tires to outside.

On the Trike, I find that I pull in on inside grip as I straighten my outside arm and I find it good to "lean" my upper body somewhat to the inside. "Wife Unit" holds onto hand holds and presses with outside foot and leans her upper body to the inside about same as I (she says).

On long sweepers with gentle radiuses, there isn't much "leaning" by either of us .... the above is primarily on sharper / harder turns. I also keep my head level.

I do my braking before turning into the turn, sometimes just a hint continuing into turn .....

but then I'm on the throttle by half way.

As to lines, my preference is generally to go in a little wide and tighten up towards the inside at exit .....

and other times when I can see the whole turn .... it's "out-in-out". Some other roads, like the narrow ones .... I just maintain my lane and leave the other guy his.

- - - Updated - - -

I didn't read it all, but I read enough to know I'm not adding anything new with my post ..... just maybe reinforcing something already said.

On the Bike "Wife Unit" and I sit straight up or lean slightly inside the bike in turns, "Wife Unit" looks over my inside shoulder. Of course, Bike steers with slightly different imputs than Trike. Bike isn't really steered so much as it's leaned by kicking the bottom side of tires to outside.

On the Trike, I find that I pull in on inside grip as I straighten my outside arm and I find it good to "lean" my upper body somewhat to the inside.

"Wife Unit" holds onto hand holds and presses with outside foot and leans her upper body to the inside about same as I (she says).

On long sweepers with gentle radiuses, there isn't much "leaning" by either of us ....

the above is primarily on sharper / harder turns. I also keep my head level.

I do my braking before turning into the turn, sometimes just a hint continuing into turn ..... but then I'm on the throttle by half way. As to lines, my preference is generally to go in a little wide and tighten up towards the inside at exit ..... and other times when I can see the whole turn .... it's "out-in-out". Some other roads, like the narrow ones ....

I just maintain my lane and leave the other guy his.

 

[Burnerboy]

I know this is a bit off topic for your question, though not your thread title, so for the sake of safety I want to say to every trike owner reading this: ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS take it easy in the curves until you really get used to how your particular trike takes curves. I know of several trike owners who gunned it through curves and ran off the road. One good friend of mine was on his new trike, hit the curb in a turn, flipped and rolled it down a 15 foot bank and got seriously hurt when the trike landed on top of him. Once you get thoroughly used to your trike, you can take curves with the best two wheelers, but it takes time to adapt to steering, not leaning through curves.

Thank you for this message,

As I have not yet rode a trike (my Goldwing is in the shop now "as we speak" getting triked out..) I'm excited and worried all at the same time about learning how to ride this new toy of mine..... I did order the 5.5 rake for easier steering .

Ronnie

 

[clint44]

You're gonna love it, Ronnie. Goldwings are made to be triked. ThumbUp

 

[RTwing]

Once you get the hang of it do you feel you can stay with or outperform a good rider on 2 wheels?

Yes dependant on the trike design. I can out run most cruisers and tour bikes as ground clearance is not an issue. The key is to push not turn the handlebars. Using a stiff arm to push on the bars will brace your upper body and relieve that feeling of flying off. If you have ridden ATV or snowmobiles you already understand.
Keep your lower body relaxed and don't do the push with your feet or any of that. In hard corners you can lean a little but in general leaning is counter productive.
On a reverse trike your only limit is tire grip as they don't tip and generally speaking tire adhesion is greater than a normal 2 wheeler.
The more time you spend riding the faster you will ride into corners.

 

[RTwing]

I just found out they also handle mud and snow better