Harley Freewheeler Trike Owners Thread

[Jack Klarich]

I have been scouring the Internet with search queries like "Freewheeler Problems", "Things wrong with the Freewheeler", "Freewheeler Ride Issues" and the like. Have not come up with a single complaint except for one guy that said his back bothered him after a long ride. I rode rigid frame Harley's for 10 years and, yeah, that was a while ago, but that's not my concern. If I wanted luxury I'd get a Cadillac. Seems everybody likes the M8 motor and found nothing but praise for the performance of the 114 that currently powers the Freewheeler. I'm excited. It's been four years since I've been on a bike, for reasons. I'm thinking it's been way too long and everything seems to be coming together.

Hi John and Welcome to Trike Talk

I am currently on Freewheeler #3, the 114 engine and adjustable clutch is a BIG improvement

The rear shocks have been upgraded for a better ride

If you have not ridden one yet , get to your dealer and test ride one

It is a Hot Rod

 

[LadyonaMission]

I am currently on Freewheeler #2. I traded my 2015 for the 2020 because I wanted to.

 

[JTJersey]

Did the test ride

Took the Freewheeler for a test drive this morning. Weirdest ride ever. Went 3 feet and almost hit a pole with the back end. Spent several minutes in the parking lot doing turns and figure eights. Headed out on a straight away, first pot hole almost put me on the sidewalk. U-turned back and had to stop. Don't put the feet down, don't put the feet down. Back to practicing turns and stopping. Down the straight away again ignored hitting that pot hole and got her into 3rd gear. Nice. Repeated for 15 minutes or so. Put my money down and they'll deliver it this weekend.

 

[rhino 2]

Took the Freewheeler for a test drive this morning. Weirdest ride ever. Went 3 feet and almost hit a pole with the back end. Spent several minutes in the parking lot doing turns and figure eights. Headed out on a straight away, first pot hole almost put me on the sidewalk. U-turned back and had to stop. Don't put the feet down, don't put the feet down. Back to practicing turns and stopping. Down the straight away again ignored hitting that pot hole and got her into 3rd gear. Nice. Repeated for 15 minutes or so. Put my money down and they'll deliver it this weekend.

:clapping:............

 

[Rigsby]

Took the Freewheeler for a test drive this morning. Weirdest ride ever. Went 3 feet and almost hit a pole with the back end. Spent several minutes in the parking lot doing turns and figure eights. Headed out on a straight away, first pot hole almost put me on the sidewalk. U-turned back and had to stop. Don't put the feet down, don't put the feet down. Back to practicing turns and stopping. Down the straight away again ignored hitting that pot hole and got her into 3rd gear. Nice. Repeated for 15 minutes or so. Put my money down and they'll deliver it this weekend.

If at first you don't succeed .................. good job and congratulations

 

[LadyonaMission]

Took the Freewheeler for a test drive this morning. Weirdest ride ever. Went 3 feet and almost hit a pole with the back end. Spent several minutes in the parking lot doing turns and figure eights. Headed out on a straight away, first pot hole almost put me on the sidewalk. U-turned back and had to stop. Don't put the feet down, don't put the feet down. Back to practicing turns and stopping. Down the straight away again ignored hitting that pot hole and got her into 3rd gear. Nice. Repeated for 15 minutes or so. Put my money down and they'll deliver it this weekend.

John, welcome to the wonderful world of Freewheeler ownership. I am so happy for you. I want to know what color you bought.

 

[JTJersey]

Finally got the Freewheeler delivered

After a couple of delays and bad weather Rommels HD of Smyrna DE delivered my 2021 Freewheeler, free of charge I might add. I was quite please when I didn't wreck anything riding into my garage. Figured out how to back out of the garage and managed a 3 point turn in the back yard. Been riding it as much as time permits since and getting way more comfortable with it. Turns are becoming natural and riding out rough roads, this is NJ, is becoming second nature. Love this thing. Rock solid and hauls ass. Anxious to get out of this break in period.

 

[JTJersey]

Unknown Connector

Anybody know what this is for? It's just kind of hanging out there on the left side behind the fork cover of my 2021 Freewheeler.

 

[LadyonaMission]

I didn't see the electrical connector.

 

[Jack Klarich]

Anybody know what this is for? It's just kind of hanging out there on the left side behind the fork cover of my 2021 Freewheeler.

View attachment 100980

Passing lamp wire connector

 

[Jack Klarich]

Anybody know what this is for? It's just kind of hanging out there on the left side behind the fork cover of my 2021 Freewheeler.<br>

<img src="https://www.triketalk.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=100980&stc=1" attachmentid="100980" alt="" id="vbattach_100980" class="previewthumb">

<br>

Passing lamp wire connector or heated grips connector

 

[pigfoot63]

If you are talking about the white and black wiring connector I believe it is for sending power to your right throttle grip when using heated grips.

 

[JTJersey]

Ok, I was wondering if it was an accessory connection of some sort. Just didn't want it be something they forgot to plug in at the dealership before delivery. Thanks all. Pretty much got the hang of riding this thing and loving it. Learning curve is going by much quicker than I anticipated.

 

[Jack Klarich]

Ok, I was wondering if it was an accessory connection of some sort. Just didn't want it be something they forgot to plug in at the dealership before delivery. Thanks all. Pretty much got the hang of riding this thing and loving it. Learning curve is going by much quicker than I anticipated.

These Freewheelers are a ton of fun

I am on my 3rd one now and it just gets better

On further checking, the black and white plug dangling is for heated grips, the connection for passing lamps is under the gas tank and accessible when you pull the tank off ( easy to do, I can walk you thru this any time you need it) You will need to pull the tank off to change the RS spark plugs and or wires also.

 

[JTJersey]

The only thing I'm really considering is a windshield for out of state trips, but my brief experiences in the past brought up a real annoying problem. Wind coming up from underneath the windshield and creating an up draft that could easily lift my helmet up and blow my beard around. Couldn't ever figure out a solution. Now the Freewheeler is a different animal then my Panhead and Triumph Thunderbird Storm. Any experiences with Harleys windshields to mention?

 

[Jack Klarich]

The only thing I'm really considering is a windshield for out of state trips, but my brief experiences in the past brought up a real annoying problem. Wind coming up from underneath the windshield and creating an up draft that could easily lift my helmet up and blow my beard around. Couldn't ever figure out a solution. Now the Freewheeler is a different animal then my Panhead and Triumph Thunderbird Storm. Any experiences with Harleys windshields to mention?

The windshield on a Freewheeler is a must IMO, I never take mine off

2 things you can do to minimise the buffeting, #1 throw a towel in where the windshield meets the front inside of the nacelle, #2 get these from our sponsor here.https://www.dkcustomproducts.com/cooling-deflector-wings-for-touring-trike-models-dk-cdw-trg.htm, you will notice a big improvement + they direct more airflow to the heads and jugs to help cool the engine

I forgot to mention, install a tank lift, see D K Customa also for this

https://www.dkcustomproducts.com/touring-tank-lift-kits-c31.htm

 

[JTJersey]

The windshield on a Freewheeler is a must IMO, I never take mine off

2 things you can do to minimise the buffeting, #1 throw a towel in where the windshield meets the front inside of the nacelle, #2 get these from our sponsor here.https://www.dkcustomproducts.com/cooling-deflector-wings-for-touring-trike-models-dk-cdw-trg.htm, you will notice a big improvement + they direct more airflow to the heads and jugs to help cool the engine

I forgot to mention, install a tank lift, see D K Customa also for this

https://www.dkcustomproducts.com/touring-tank-lift-kits-c31.htm

Both of those items look like an excellent and unobtrusive idea even without the windshield. Thanks.

 

[JTJersey]

I see Harley offers multiple heights for their windshields. Any suggestions on which one? I'm 6' tall on a bone stock 2021 Freewheeler.

 

[rhino 2]

I see Harley offers multiple heights for their windshields. Any suggestions on which one? I'm 6' tall on a bone stock 2021 Freewheeler.

It depends on if you like looking through or over them.....Me' I prefer to look over them..

 

[Jack Klarich]

I see Harley offers multiple heights for their windshields. Any suggestions on which one? I'm 6' tall on a bone stock 2021 Freewheeler.

Check with your dealer, H D offered a test ride or demo if you will with their line of seats and windshields

 

[LadyonaMission]

I see Harley offers multiple heights for their windshields. Any suggestions on which one? I'm 6' tall on a bone stock 2021 Freewheeler.

I am 5' 8". I love my floorboard extensions, so you may want to look at these. Rider Floorboard Extensions for 2009-Up Harley FL Touring Models DK Custom (dkcustomproducts.com)

My windshield is the HD 20". I have a Mustang seat with the rider backrest adjusted as far forward as it will go, so I sit straight up and a little higher than the stock seat.

 

[JTJersey]

I hate to be a nuisance, but I have yet another question about my new 2021 Freewheeler. I don't ride with a passenger. I'd like to replace the passenger floorboards with a simple set of foot pegs just in the off chance one of the grand-kids want to take a ride or an emergency situation arises, otherwise they're a useless space waster to me. I've yet to find a Freewheeler SPECIFIC site for parts. Web searches for Freewheeler passenger foot pegs are a mess of touring bike accessories and Goldwing nonsense. Are there any websites that cater to the Freewheeler that anyone may be aware of?

 

[Jack Klarich]

I hate to be a nuisance, but I have yet another question about my new 2021 Freewheeler. I don't ride with a passenger. I'd like to replace the passenger floorboards with a simple set of foot pegs just in the off chance one of the grand-kids want to take a ride or an emergency situation arises, otherwise they're a useless space waster to me. I've yet to find a Freewheeler SPECIFIC site for parts. Web searches for Freewheeler passenger foot pegs are a mess of touring bike accessories and Goldwing nonsense. Are there any websites that cater to the Freewheeler that anyone may be aware of?

John, get a hold of these guys, they are sponsors on here https://www.dkcustomproducts.com/classic-pegs-c115-245.htm

Be sure to talk with Kevin or Devin, explain what you want to do

They have a kit ( Kevin has it on his Triglide that allows pegs to go along with your floorboards for the passenger)

 

[Crocsr]

F3 vs Freewheeler

I have a Spyder 2014 RTs that is fantastic, I also just picked up a 2015 Freewheeler that I now have just under 500 miles. Going from the Spyder to the Freewheeler was dramatic. The FW is a harder ride, sooner or later I'll get the hang of it, learning how to adjust the air shocks for a better ride.

What he FW has that the Spyder doesn't is those throaty pipes...

I love the sporty ride of the FW, although the comfort features of the Spyder, mainly the windshield, needs to be on the FW. I purchased the detachable windshield, back support, bumper, however, small subtle changes were more beneficial to me, adding later, a right side foot guard ( I melted a boot on the pipes ) oh, the right side pushes more heat as the pipes are there, so adding the heat deflector moves and distributes the heat away from the crotch and leg, but still the heat is softer but still there.

Even with the windshield, air rushes from either side, and through the forks hitting your chest center mass, making cold rides requiring better ideas for cold riding gear. I wear ATTGATT, and a full face and 1/2 helmets but always with safety gear. I am looking to add additional lighting but neither Harley nor are there aftermarket light bars for passing lights, studying my options... I probably will sell the Spyder as I see me riding the FW more...

I've been a spyder f3 rider for 5 years, because my wife won't ride on two, and I'm now 70, and I bought the "sales propaganda" from Can-Am on how much safer the spyder is because of the two "up front" supposed to be more stable...."bullshit"!! I took the freewheeler for a test ride and bought it!!!. I find absolutely no difference in stability. You can get in trouble on either if you push the envelope!, but the freewheeler handled very well on several rides I recently took on the "twisties" in NC/SC and on a recent trip to Deadwood SD. (The needles). I do find the freewheeler much easier to steer than the spyder, which can easily be attributed to the fact there is less rubber on the road with the freewheeler, and much less hardware to maneuver than on the spyder.

 

[LadyonaMission]

John, get a hold of these guys, they are sponsors on here https://www.dkcustomproducts.com/classic-pegs-c115-245.htm

Be sure to talk with Kevin or Devin, explain what you want to do

They have a kit ( Kevin has it on his Triglide that allows pegs to go along with your floorboards for the passenger)

If DK doesn't have everything you need, go to JP Cycles. If you enter your trike make and model you can search for things that fit.

 

[Jack Klarich]

If DK doesn't have everything you need, go to JP Cycles. If you enter your trike make and model you can search for things that fit.

I can run to J& P to check stock for you, the Daytona store is 80 miles from me and I can make it there on a good day in under an hour

 

[JTJersey]

I can run to J& P to check stock for you, the Daytona store is 80 miles from me and I can make it there on a good day in under an hour

That's awesome. If your out riding in the area and have the opportunity to talk to them let me know. Thanks.

 

[JTJersey]

Has anyone experienced any over heating issues with the Milwaukee 8 motor on their Freehweeler? Mostly as in getting stuck in a traffic jam on a hot day. I noticed that the oil cooler has a fan on it and was curious as to how well it worked. I got stuck on the Annapolis Bay Bridge on my Shovelhead years back and had to whiteline my way out of it or shut the bike down and push. Not an option with the Freewheeler.

 

[Jack Klarich]

Has anyone experienced any over heating issues with the Milwaukee 8 motor on their Freehweeler? Mostly as in getting stuck in a traffic jam on a hot day. I noticed that the oil cooler has a fan on it and was curious as to how well it worked. I got stuck on the Annapolis Bay Bridge on my Shovelhead years back and had to whiteline my way out of it or shut the bike down and push. Not an option with the Freewheeler.

John, have a read here on how you can cool down your M8

And yes, the M8 does run too hot for its own good

https://www.dkcustomproducts.com/why-how-to-cool-down-your-twin-cam-engine-part-ii-dk-cl-tc-dn-2.htm

 

[JTJersey]

Getting out and about more and more. Been taking her to lunch and then a quick blast up the freeway to get the feel at speed. More fun everyday. I can see why you all like these things.