Learning to ride.

When I do a sharp turn at low speed, I feel like I am going to fall off. I have to shift my body weight to compensate, is this normal? Also the Champion adjustable suspension throws me a bit, any recommendations on how to relax? I live a long way from any car parks that I can get to easily and I feel uneasy over 60 miles per hour. Any advice welcome. Ian.<img src="images/smilies/trike 1 smilie.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Trike1" class="inlineimg" /><img src="images/smilies/depressed.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Depressed" class="inlineimg" />
 
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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>kiorana123</strong>
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<div class="message">When I do a sharp turn at low speed, I feel like I am going to fall off. I have to shift my body weight to compensate, is this normal? Also the Champion adjustable suspension throws me a bit, any recommendations on how to relax? I live a long way from any car parks that I can get to easily and I feel uneasy over 60 miles per hour. Any advice welcome. Ian.<img src="images/smilies/trike 1 smilie.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Trike1" class="inlineimg" /><img src="images/smilies/depressed.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Depressed" class="inlineimg" /></div>

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</div>Hi Ian<br />
Yep it's normal at first: I sometimes feel like I wish the Trike came with a seat belt!<img src="images/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Smile" class="inlineimg" /><br />
I am looking for a LOWER saddle to sit farther down in the trike and perhaps that will help in the turns. If you are already at 60 mph you are ahead of me!<br />
So keep it up & only go as fast as you feel comfortable!!<br />
<br />
Regards<br />
Dante <img src="images/smilies/sSig_goodjob.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Good job" class="inlineimg" />
 
Definitely shifting your body weight helps in turns, Ian. When we say you "don't lean to turn", we mostly mean the bike/trike does not lean! On a 2-wheeler, you counter steer and lean the bike to enable smooth turning. On a trike you adjust your body weight (even lean your body somewhat) as you push/pull the handlebars. <br />
<br />
When my husband rides my trike he leans his body a lot in turns, while I have become most comfortable with shifting my body slightly side-to-side with less of a lean while I press down on the opposite footboard to help me adjust. Take your time, don't go faster than your comfort level, and you will soon figure out what is the most comfortable way for you to accomplish smooth turns.
 
It will also handle better if you pump-up the tires and the suspension during the "learning" process. Air those rear tires up nice it tight 30-35 psi and they will not be as mushy and you can corner a lot better. As you learn, you can adjust the air pressure to something more comfortable after you get tired of being beat to death. Is the trike raked? That will also make a big difference. When I installed my first Lehman kit, the recommend rear tire pressure was 18-22....which was a joke. The thing would almost roll over when you sat on it. It was not raked and would scare the hair off your head in long sweeping turns...that's why I am bald to this very day.

You'll catch on. What model year is the donor bike?
 
Thanks for the feed back. Will go for a ride shortly, short has been my favourite word! It's an 09 Ultra with eazy steer and damper. I still have a tendency to put my feet down....yes I know! If only experience came in a pill!!!!<img src="images/smilies/thumbup.gif" border="0" alt="" title="ThumbUp" class="inlineimg" /><img src="images/smilies/gah.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Gah" class="inlineimg" />
 
Sounds like you're raked and ready!

The tendency to put your feet down will be a long time dying and I never did totally get out of the habit. Just don't put them down while the trike is rolling. Running over you own foot can be a terrible and embarrassing thing. In no time at all....you will be taking the curves with the 2-wheelers.
 

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