I never rode a trike B-4 (what can I expect??)

[Burnerboy]

Hello guys (and girls)

I never rode a trike B4 but due to medical reasons and not wanting to give up riding bikes I decided to send my beloved 2010 Goldwing in to shop to get triked out... It's still in shop getting re-built as we speak....epper:epper:

I've been lerking around this board a while now, and have the feeling that I have made many new friends that I haven't met yet!:clapping::clapping:

OK question is: How much difference is there going from a two wheel bike to three wheels?

I'm getting the Roadsmith trike w/ all the bells an whistles... 5.5 rake'd out EZ steering..........(after reading about the very important raked out front end I decided to go that route thanks to all the commits from you all)...

Any commits you may have, I'm all ears...

I've been riding for 48 years now, from my Honda 50cc in high school to my second Honda Goldwing...

thanks all!

Ronnie

Springfield, Massachusetts

 

[BillyGA]

Hi Ronnie,

You an expect to never put your feet down again at stops.
You can expect your passenger to be a happier rider.
You can expect an adjustment period to learning how to not lean to turn.
You can expect pure enjoyment as you ride down the roads.
You can expect waking up knowing you can ride for another 45 years with no worries.

Have a great time getting to know your new trike.

 

[Gold Rush]

Hello guys (and girls)

I never rode a trike B4 but due to medical reasons and not wanting to give up riding bikes I decided to send my beloved 2010 Goldwing in to shop to get triked out... It's still in shop getting re-built as we speak....epper:epper:

I've been lerking around this board a while now, and have the feeling that I have made many new friends that I haven't met yet!:clapping::clapping:

OK question is: How much difference is there going from a two wheel bike to three wheels?

I'm getting the Roadsmith trike w/ all the bells an whistles... 5.5 rake'd out EZ steering..........(after reading about the very important raked out front end I decided to go that route thanks to all the commits from you all)...

Any commits you may have, I'm all ears...

I've been riding for 48 years now, from my Honda 50cc in high school to my second Honda Goldwing...

thanks all!

Ronnie

Springfield, Massachusetts

Welcome to the three wheel world Ronnie!!! You have followed the same path many of us did and I'm sure you will not regret it.

Trikes do ride quite a bit differently than two wheels but in time you will become "One" with the third wheel. The biggest thing you'll notice is handling changes. Even with the raked triple trees you will feel the pushing feeling in curves. Since you've been lurking and reading I won't bore you with repeating all the sage advise. Just be more careful than usual for a few hundred miles and then you can start to feel more relaxed.

Don't forget about the rear fenders.

I've been lucky and never gotten even close but several folks have learned the hard way that gas pump barriers do not move for trikes.

Find a parking lot with room to practice turns and braking as soon as you can. I firmly believe that is the foundation to build on. :xszpv: :xszpv:

Be safe and enjoy the journey!!

 

[MikeyTX]

Welcome to the three wheel world Ronnie!!! You have followed the same path many of us did and I'm sure you will not regret it.

Trikes do ride quite a bit differently than two wheels but in time you will become "One" with the third wheel. The biggest thing you'll notice is handling changes. Even with the raked triple trees you will feel the pushing feeling in curves. Since you've been lurking and reading I won't bore you with repeating all the sage advise. Just be more careful than usual for a few hundred miles and then you can start to feel more relaxed. Don't forget about the rear fenders. I've been lucky and never gotten even close but several folks have learned the hard way that gas pump barriers do not move for trikes.

Find a parking lot with room to practice turns and braking as soon as you can.

I firmly believe that is the foundation to build on.

:xszpv: :xszpv:

Be safe and enjoy the journey!!

This ! If you can get hold of a loaner trike, do so. Then as mentioned, practice in a large, empty if possible, parking lot. Turning mainly. Push more so than pull. it is much easier on your back and shoulder muscles. Eventually it will become second nature. Oh yeah, lose the desire to put your feet down when you stop !

You will find cars tend to give a trike a wide berth. I've made three long distance trips to the west coast since I traded my year old H-D Limited Low for the trike.

I would never have tried doing so on two wheels. The trunk on my Tri Glide gives me 2 cu ft more cargo room. I'm sure your conversion will be much the same vs the saddlebags and tail trunk on the GW. In fact, because I ride solo, I've no need to pull a trailer. I can pack enough gear to stay out 10 days and never do laundry. Using self serve gas pumps and drive through windows for meals, I probably could quit bathing too..........:AGGHH:...........:laugh: Just think of how much more riding time on a trip that would give you ............ :clapping:

 

[hogcowboy]

Hi Ronnie,

You an expect to never put your feet down again at stops.

You can expect your passenger to be a happier rider.

You can expect an adjustment period to learning how to not lean to turn.

You can expect pure enjoyment as you ride down the roads.

You can expect waking up knowing you can ride for another 45 years with no worries.

Have a great time getting to know your new trike.

I sorta disagree with the last part of that statement. To me, if you do lean you'll do better. But I only ride one occasionally and it's a reverse trike(Spyder). I still think the centrifugal forces are better handled if you physically lean. I've seen many that don't but when I suggested to another guy on a Tri Glide, when he started doing it he started taking turns much faster. But everyone probably has to find their own way to ride. Being a once in awhile trike rider take what I say with a grain of salt. Works for me and my wife who does ride the Spyder all the time.

She does not switch.

 

[whitefatboy]

new trike rider

You will wonder why you waited.

 

[Cecdoo]

Its gonna be alot different and it takes alittle getting use to, but the more you ride it the more you will enjoy it!

All the best on the new trike, Craig

 

[Rreffner]

I triked out my Goldwing in April of this year and I have ridden 4,000 miles, mostly 2-up, 2,000 miles with a trailer.

I have never forgot to keep my feet up. I always remember the width when getting gas, etc. I always remember the length when trailering.

For me, the issues relating to centrifugal force when turning is the single most challenging issue to resolve. The more I ride, the more comfortable I feel but I am not 100% comfortable yet.

Please respect posted speed limits when cornering as it will help you through the learning curve.

You will notice bumps more in town which is normal.

Just take it easy for awhile and ride alone for awhile before taking passengers. I let my wife get seated first, and off last.

All things said, I have enjoyed triking since day one.

 

[graygoat]

Welcome aboard & enjoy the ride! Everything has been pretty well covered by the other posters.

I also lean my upper body a little in sharp corners, it seems to give me more "push" leverage on the outside bar and more confidence in the inside rear wheel staying planted.

Practice, practice, practice!

 

[MikeyTX]

Welcome aboard & enjoy the ride! Everything has been pretty well covered by the other posters.

I also lean my upper body a little in sharp corners, it seems to give me more "push" leverage on the outside bar and more confidence in the inside rear wheel staying planted.

Practice, practice, practice!

Yeah, I find myself leaning into the curves slightly more so now than when I first started riding a trike. You are very correct in your assessment.

 

[desertclassic]

Welcome Ronnie. Take your time and just ride a bit and it will get better each ride. After you get the trike back, get in a large parking lot and just ride. Stops, starts, turns figure 8s, everything you can think of. You will be fine. Jim

 

[Ozarkryder]

Welcome to the world of 3 wheels, and Trike Talk.

Seems I am the official "Check out this thread from experienced riders" adviser. So... Check out this thread from experienced riders -

http://www.triketalk.com/forum/threa...ike-Great-Info!

Much good info there.

 

[DblTrbl]

As stated before, stay wide when at gas pumps and drive thru.

Also something not mentioned (I may have missed it) is to drive thru the curve..... you will find that a slight braking before and then accelerating thru and out of the curves your ride will be smoother.

 

[Gold Rush]

I'm not trying to start controversy here but I'm a bit confused. Several of you now profess to leaning as part of the recommended way to counter centrifugal force effects. That would mean you must lean to the inside of your turn which would put your body at least slightly off balance and further away from the handle bar you must push on to steer the trike in the desired direction. Is that a correct assessment?

I'm sorry but that goes against the primary rule of maintaining balance to maintain control. By using you legs pushing on whatever you are using for foot rest and pushing on the outside while pushing on that outside handlebar you will remain centered on the saddle and maintain correct riding position. Like anything else related to riding it takes a bit of practice to become second nature but believe me you will be more comfortable and safer after you have reached that point. :xszpv: :xszpv:

 

[rhino 2]

The only Trike i had that i felt the need/benefit to lean in aggressive turns/curves was the Spyder i had'.. With my Tri-Glide i sit almost bolt upright in the turns.... Maybe with the Two wheels in front is why leaning helped... With two wheels in the back just a little weight shift is all that is needed' And thats done with my legs just pushing down on the floor boards in the direction of the turn...:Shrug:

 

[MikeyTX]

I'm not trying to start controversy here but I'm a bit confused. Several of you now profess to leaning as part of the recommended way to counter centrifugal force effects. That would mean you must lean to the inside of your turn which would put your body at least slightly off balance and further away from the handle bar you must push on to steer the trike in the desired direction. Is that a correct assessment?

I'm sorry but that goes against the primary rule of maintaining balance to maintain control. By using you legs pushing on whatever you are using for foot rest and pushing on the outside while pushing on that outside handlebar you will remain centered on the saddle and maintain correct riding position. Like anything else related to riding it takes a bit of practice to become second nature but believe me you will be more comfortable and safer after you have reached that point. :xszpv: :xszpv:

I tend to lean slightly if I feel I'm going into the curve a tad to fast. Otherwise I don't.

 

[hogcowboy]

Those on Spyders are being pulled around turns which means they are literally being slung around them so leaning somewhat counteracts that being slung feeling. Others on conventional trikes are being pushed around turns so leaning isn't as necessary but couldn't hurt if really hot dogging it. :Shrug::wave4:epper::clapping:

 

[Railroad Triker]

Trikes, perfect ride for us old baby boomers

Converted my 06 wing to CSC trike conversion 3 yrs ago. Took 2 years to decide, been riding for almost 50 years. Convert or quit riding only option, due to health. No brainer.

Never thought a wing could get more comfortable to ride.

Only regret, IT TOOK 2 YRS TO DECIDE.

Went from 3 k miles yr, to over 10k, each year.

CSC has independent suspension, I take curves as fast, if not faster than on 2 wheels. I do lean into curves.

Dont much go anywhere without my 3 legged Minn Pinn on back, in her carrier.

Be safe out there.

 

[Gorilla]

Converted my 06 wing to CSC trike conversion 3 yrs ago. Took 2 years to decide, been riding for almost 50 years. Convert or quit riding only option, due to health. No brainer.

Never thought a wing could get more comfortable to ride.

Only regret, IT TOOK 2 YRS TO DECIDE.

Went from 3 k miles yr, to over 10k, each year.

CSC has independent suspension, I take curves as fast, if not faster than on 2 wheels. I do lean into curves.

Dont much go anywhere without my 3 legged Minn Pinn on back, in her carrier.

Be safe out there.

Glad[FONT=arial, sans-serif] you are happy. By the way I was born in Benton Harbor, Lived in Watervliet until 66 Graduated from St Joe Catholic HS.[/FONT]

 

[MikeyTX]

Glad you are happy. By the way I was born in Benton Harbor, Lived in Watervliet until 66 Graduated from St Joe Catholic HS.

Interesting. My late mother's side of the family is from Grand Rapids.

- - - Updated - - -

And, just bought a really cool seat cover for the trike from Scotty's Sled Shed.

 

[CrystalPistol]

<div class="bbcode_container]

<div class="bbcode_quote]

<div class="quote_container]

<div class="bbcode_quote_container][/QUOTE]

For real?

I think you'll have FUN.

More fun than I was having there ..... I had just figured out how to get my right big toe loose .... it was caught between pedal crank and fork. It hurt. I know, I was there.

Expect heavier steering,

expect to hit pot holes as you three tracks,

expect to tire some quicker on rougher roads,

expect a loss in miles per gallon,

expect questions at each stop,

expect to push away from the turn direction to lean your upper body into turn as you straighten out on that outside arm (push out pull in),

expect more confidence on rain soaked roadways at stop bars,

expect to steer wide at gas pumps,

expect slightly slower acceleration,

expect faster braking,

expect much fun in twisties,

expect stopping off side of roadway to be easier,

expect that you'll learn to keep feets on pegs or floorboards,

expect a happy co-rider,

expect to find that you like it a lot more than you imagined you would,

expect that some day you'll wonder why you waited.

 

[1dn5up]

^^^And that about covers it all^^^

 

[MikeyTX]

Excellent response ! Best I've seen. Including the toe issue. I can sympathise having done somewhat the same at that age. I still have the scars ..................:AGGHH:

 

[Burnerboy]

Thanks folks,

I'll b getting my new "triked out" bike early December.........Hope it not 2 cold to ride it....

Ronnie

 

[MikeyTX]

Buy a good one piece insulated jumpsuit. Same with your boots and gloves. Heated grips and seat go a long way too.

 

[CrystalPistol]

Excellent response ! Best I've seen. Including the toe issue. I can sympathise having done somewhat the same at that age. I still have the scars ..................:AGGHH:

Ouch, you got it really good.

My Mom didn't know why I was crying that day so she went into the back porch and grabbed the Brownie and snapped a picture when she come back .... by which time I had "extricated my toe" .... as you can see.

It was some years later when I was looking at old pics that she asked me if I recalled why I was crying here .... "Heck yeah" I said surprised she didn't know even then ....

she laughed so hard when I told her how I felt when she went into the house and left me to fend for myself.

She's just turned 83 in July while recovering from open heart surgery .... we were laughing about this very picture just last week. :laugh:

That was in the back yard at 210 West 7th St., Del Rio, Texas about 1956. The garage / storage building behind me was gone when we drove by it in 2005.

 

[MikeyTX]

About like my dumb ass stunt of trying to stand up on the handlebars of my pedal trike ..........................:AGGHH: Or, trying to ride it down the basement stairs .......... epper: