Help with cornering. New trike owner. 2015 Triglide.

[Thor]

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As you already know, they are very different than a 2 wheel bike. They feel funny..but the nice thing is, HD really did a great job on making them stable.

My advice, once it is checked out, is to spend some time in an empty parking lot getting to know its limits. Do lots of curves, figure 8's, emergency stops, etc. Getting used to it, getting comfortable with what it can do will go a long way.

The other thing I do in higher speed curves is lean/shift my body weight to the inside of the corner, this will counter the feeling that it is going to tip/lift that inside rear tire. It will settle more weight onto the light side of the trike in a fast corner/curve, holding it better to the ground. Is this needed? Probably not, unless you are going close to twice the posted speed limit for that corner. However, it definitely gives the rider a better sense of security, and is an extra safety measure in case the curve is being hit too hot.

It may seem far-fetched now, but once you make sure the TG is in good order, and once you get some comfort with its' different characteristics, you will be able to go faster in the curves than most 2 wheel HD's.
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Kevin

GOSH...I can really relate to your experience. I drove 225 miles to buy my trike and then drove it home. I had never ridden a trike before and I felt like I was going to die a couple of times on the way home. I did not have room yet in my toy box so I had to store it for a couple of months. I started learning to trust the trike by running up and down the storage buildings rows and making the 180 deg turns to go back down the next row. I started making these 180 deg turns faster and faster and finally it started coming natural and I realized these trikes will far and away out corner a HD 2 wheeler.

Go to a large parking lot and practice slow tight turns 90's, 180's, 360's, figure 8's. As you get more comfortable bring up your speed. Your trust factor will come with practice

Both excellent ideas...I've never been a "hard" rider, especially after my 05 accident (broke neck in racing crash, have rods in neck, plus other issues), but when time came to move to a trike, I did what DK and Slo suggested, and I kid you not...the handling on a trike is much better than 2 wheels.
My buddy & I do a trip upstate to a friend a few times a year, and the road gets quite twisty once we near his area. I used to fall a ways back from my buddy on his Dyna (we'd catch up at a certain gas station). This last trip, I was on his tail the entire way up...enough that when we reached the gas station he mentioned a few times about how shocked he was each time he looked in mirrors and saw me right there.

 

[DK Custom Products]

Both excellent ideas...I've never been a "hard" rider, especially after my 05 accident (broke neck in racing crash, have rods in neck, plus other issues), but when time came to move to a trike, I did what DK and Slo suggested, and I kid you not...the handling on a trike is much better than 2 wheels.
My buddy & I do a trip upstate to a friend a few times a year, and the road gets quite twisty once we near his area. I used to fall a ways back from my buddy on his Dyna (we'd catch up at a certain gas station). This last trip, I was on his tail the entire way up...enough that when we reached the gas station he mentioned a few times about how shocked he was each time he looked in mirrors and saw me right there.

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It almost always shocks 2 wheelers when they see what a Tri-Glide can do in the twistys! :laugh:


Kevin

 

[Thor]

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It almost always shocks 2 wheelers when they see what a Tri-Glide can do in the twistys! :laugh:


Kevin

My belief is too many people equate our trikes with the 3-wheeled ATV death machines and think they'll tip just as easy (never taking into account the weight , the high center of gravity of the ATV's compared to the low slung weight of the trikes (with a better width to height ratio as well). I've considered explaining that to the friends who are shocked at how fast these thing will take corners, but it's more fun seeing their expressions LOL

 

[Trikenewby]

Cornering

Sure do appreciate everyone's help with my cornering challenges on my new Triglide. Really appreciate the support. Last weekend I installed a DK comfort lift and really noticed a difference. Trike corners better, rides smoother and is a little easier to steer. I am running 26 psi in rear tires, 40 in front and 30psi in the shocks. I did much better the last time out but still am timid at 50 to 60 mph on the long sweepers. I hope to improve with time. riding for 47 years on two wheels and leaning and now, well it is really different.

Thanks again..................Mick

 

[msocko3]

My belief is too many people equate our trikes with the 3-wheeled ATV death machines and think they'll tip just as easy (never taking into account the weight , the high center of gravity of the ATV's compared to the low slung weight of the trikes (with a better width to height ratio as well). I've considered explaining that to the friends who are shocked at how fast these thing will take corners, but it's more fun seeing their expressions LOL

They don't realize, any well setup trike will eat most 2 wheelers lunches. My 2012 Hannigan Wing is much quicker in and out of the corners than the 2010 Triglide I had. I can climb up most 2 wheelers back sides in the corners.

 

[Zroy]

Remember to look through the turn, not at it. Look where you are going, not where you are. It will become more natural.
Regards...Hobbs

 

[5x40]

check w/your local dealers and see if and when they are offering the MSF Three Wheeler course...taking the class and riding the closed course may be beneficial to you.
it's designed for those coming over from two wheels. it's a good learning tool.

 

[Fearless]

Welcome to our world it's Like riding a ATV

It's a push pull game on steering, locking the out side turn arm and it will give you more leverage. If you have ridden a 4 wheeler is comes fast. I changed my bars to wider and higher, it now is easy to steer more leverage. Miles, miles, miles, more smiles you will have. Practice is what you need you will do great. :clapping: ride safely fearless

 

[DK Custom Products]

Sure do appreciate everyone's help with my cornering challenges on my new Triglide. Really appreciate the support. Last weekend I installed a DK comfort lift and really noticed a difference. Trike corners better, rides smoother and is a little easier to steer. I am running 26 psi in rear tires, 40 in front and 30psi in the shocks. I did much better the last time out but still am timid at 50 to 60 mph on the long sweepers. I hope to improve with time. riding for 47 years on two wheels and leaning and now, well it is really different.

Thanks again..................Mick

Good to hear it's coming a little more natural for you. I'd drop the rear tires to 24 psi, or even better, down to 22 psi. It will feel smoother in the faster curves.

I've been running mine at 20-21 psi for 30k miles, but it took me a long time to get that "brave", was concerned I would pop a bead that low.

I think the best thing to get comfortable is an empty parking lot and do figure 8's. Slow at first, then faster as you get more comfortable. You will learn how the bike responds, and learn the limits.

Have fun, and watch out for all those texters!

Kevin

 

[pcombe]

Would anyone know how much rear tire pressure, how much air in the shocks was being used on the triglide that is filmed going through tail of the dragon?

here is the truth. Start with 24 lbs rear tire and around 25 lbs shock air.

all of this depends on what your bike does. More or less air in tires?

your tires are part of your suspension on a trike. Too hard= hard ride. too soft = front head shake.

Look at how your bike levels out , to much in rear tires shifts weight to the front and may cause headshake?

.

try running your front tire at max inflation and your rear at 26 lbs and see what happens? not satisfied reduce back tires at 24 lbs. Etc.

Your mind can over engineer what you experience?

 

[PosseRider]

here is the truth. Start with 24 lbs rear tire and around 25 lbs shock air.

all of this depends on what your bike does. More or less air in tires?

your tires are part of your suspension on a trike. Too hard= hard ride. too soft = front head shake.

Look at how your bike levels out , to much in rear tires shifts weight to the front and may cause headshake?

.

try running your front tire at max inflation and your rear at 26 lbs and see what happens? not satisfied reduce back tires at 24 lbs. Etc.

Your mind can over engineer what you experience?

You know this post is 5 yrs old ??