New HD Triker

KindaOldTriker

KindaOldTriker

Sep 27, 2012
245
9
Hartville, OH
Name
Dale
Hi, just joined.
I'm 63 and I'm purchasing a 2012 HD Trike and have to admit that I'm not real knowledgeable about them. I've been wanting one for several years and can finally afford it. I have a 2007 Victory 'Jackpot' also which I traded a 2001 HD FatBoy for a few years ago. Wife has a 2007 HD Sportster 'Low'.
I'm looking forward to the learning curve! :>)

I'm wondering if someone(s) can give me a list ( or point me to a site with one) that tells the changes in the HD trikes since they started up to the 2012's. Also, are there any changes to them from 2012 to 2013 .

PLEASE don't tell me all the OTHER trikes I SHOULD have bought or what different model you might have . ( I see this a LOT on talk groups) . The deal is done and I'd just like some history of upgrades.

TIA,

Dale
 
Welcome Dale! Glad you joined us.I don't think you will find anyone here putting your ride down.That is not what TRIKE TALK.COM is about.More like family here and THE RALLY'S are like reunions with motorcycles rides.RIDE SAFE
 
The 09 & 10 had the wrong gearing and needed to be up-dated to a 30 tooth sprocket to pull good, the 09 did not have a catalytic converter and the 10,11,12&13 do and each year they offer a couple of different colors so if you have a 12 you have the latest of everything. And as far as learning to ride a trike don't worry about it just take it easy and you will get the feel. I bought mine for the added safety factor and love it.
 
I have a 2009 with the 32 tooth gearing and have no problem with it..It pulls fine and runs great at 115kms in 6th..around 2800 rpm...Mileage is 35-40 cdn..
You love it man, enjoy yer new ride!
 
Welcome aboard Dale. We have a couple of very knowledgeable members that posted those changes as the new years came out. Search for posts by msocko3 or his dad oldmsocko Or PM them for that info. The changes for 2013 were cosmetic. Trikes take about 400 to 500 miles to get comfortable with, then you will say "Why did I wait so long" Ride safe
 
:wave4: Hi from Nashville, Tn. You have come to the right place. I have heard no changes from the 12-13 other than a few colors and the 110th Anniversary edition. Your 12 had all the newer updates, so no worry about the 09 or 10. Now the biggest thing to learn, BECAUSE NO ONE TOLD ME AT THE DEALER OR ANYWHERE ELSE, ok, I'm good now. Is to ride the beast in the 3,000 to 4,000 ? rpm range. I was riding mine just like my 93 FXLR and apparently chugging it down. So yesterday I practiced on my rpm shifting. THANK YOU WIZ!!! lol, I came here at first telling all about how difficult it was to learn to ride the darm machine and I found many others, and that included many men...who couldn't ride it either.

It took me 3 tries to get used to just turning it . My brain said I was turning it, but it wasn't going anywhere, it was very funny to watch. I have a friend that set behind his wife for 3 weeks coaching her. She had an advantage, never rode anything before, so now, she can fly thru curves at 40-50 mph and never hit the brakes. I was amazed riding behind her recently. she has only been riding since june. So, take your time, get out and enjoy, do some searches on the forum, you'll find tons of information of all kinds, some good some better. Welcome and have alot of fun.

Karen
 
Thanks guys.
I have ridden the one I bought, YES, totally foreign for a while I'm sure.
Thanks for the gearing info.

Re: cat converters. Can you pull them easily without having to change anything? I pulled them on my Victory. Just pulled out baffles and ground off the tack weld holding them in and punched out with a re-rod then reinstalled ( is it that easy w/ trike?) , BUT at same time did new pipes and S&S air cleaner w/ S&S racing download, BUT, I don't want to get into sinking thousands in a bike that already cost more than my first HOME!!!

I had a good price on a new one but my favorite color was the 2-tone red/merlot which you can't get this year, plus a BIG diff OTD! I was hoping there were no significant changes from 12 to 13, but, I JUST KNOW they'll put the 110 cu. in. in them next year in a great color and I'll knock my head! :>)

If I want to stomp and make a lot of noise my Jackpot does that better than the FatBoy did! :>)

I'm seeing a lot of heat complaints? and wondering if it's actually that bad or if it's the usual talk group bashing by folks who don't like them. I WOULDN'T THINK it would be any worse than on the big Electra Glide Classic, etc. Pretty much the same bike I'd think until you get to the two back wheels?
 
Another old timer here.......been on bikes (mainly Harley's) for 40 + yrs., always told the Wife "when Harley starts making trikes again I'll buy one......bought a 2010 and LOVE it.....still keep the 'ole '88 2wheeler in the barn for occasional use but really enjoy the trike. The learning curve for me was just short of 500 miles.......since then it's been 'the more I ride it the more Ilike it'. Currently 34 thou. on it.
Ain't retirement GREAT........
 
Welcome to the group, a lot of really great folks, willing to help you get started. I have been riding over 50 years, swore I would never own a trike, wife made threats and here I am on a 2011 Ultra Trike, Which I hated for the first two months. Now I wouldnt trade it for a brick of gold. You will love it.
 
Welcome Dale. Have an 09 TriGlide and have made a lot of changes. Have 35,500+ and am just now getting to like the way it runs. Have fun and be careful!
 
Dale the cat is in the pipes right there where they come together in an "X". Some have gotten them out but most just buy the replacement pipe.

reference some is because new riders to HD and they did not expect it and also some heat is trapped in the area because of the body. standard way to correct it.
 
Gorilla, I'll have check that out when in the garage in a couple days. Wondering how difficult to get out? Also, still wondering if removal effects any of the setup? meaning, can I do JUST THAT!

Some of the remarks from older riders made me realize, I just went over 40 yrs of biking since I got my MC license in San Diego , Ca. in 1971 while in the Navy. Bought a 200cc Yamaha scrambler! This will be my FIRST bike with a windscreen or ANY storage!! :>) I'm really looking forward to being able to change a shirt, jacket or sweatshirt during the day/eve !!!
 
Dale yes it will have an effect. There will be less back pressure and the exhaust will be somewhat cooler. The cat is not easy to remove. There are some threads on the removal posted here.
 
With 50 years of riding 2 wheelers mainly Triumphs and Harleys my experience when I converted my 04 ultra classic was I wasn't sure I'd like it. I got the hang of it in 50-100 miles but it took me about 3000 miles to be as confident and comfortable as I was on a 2-wheeler, I put about 44000 miles on the 04 as a trike and I now have over 15000 miles on the 11 TG. Just traded my 08 Triumph Rocket III with 12000 in on a Victory XCountry which I also love but if I had to get rid of something it would be the 2-wheeler I just love the trike. By the way after 2010 the cats are in the header pipe and HD was building their own trikes at the York, Pa plant before that Lehman was building them.
 
Welcome Dale. I am new to the Trike community also from AZ! Because of major cervical surgeries I had to switch to 3 wheels also. Still miss my Road King and probably always will. Steering takes a little to getting used to especially on curvy roads. Enjoy, you'll find a lot of people are on multiple forums ~ lots of great information!! Also check out hdforums.com!
Enjoy the ride!!
 
Welcome! I'm probobly the "baby" of the group here at 37 but I've been riding since I was 10 and after a near fatal accident on my Night Train at the beginning of August I decided to go trike (always wanted one anyhow) havnt taken delivery of my '12 yet as I'm still in a wheelchair for a few more weeks, but I've already bought parts for it and cant wait!

Ryan
 
STG246,
Yep! A 20 ft. fall out of a tree this may 30th got me thinking seriously. 5 broken ribs, 4 broken vertebrae. and an internal bleed.
My 2012 is now in my garage ( yesterday) and I spent today working on bumper install, seat backrest inst. w/ adjustment cable and a few other things. Finish back rest tomorrow and install new hand controls. I'm glad I got the two manuals thrown in on the deal. I needed them to get started on the backrest install.

My dealer has a good cat removal solution that I'm going to do as soon as weather gets nice again. $100 plus two hours labor, about $260. They remove the pipe and cut it open and mill out the cat and reweld. They have a stock already so you don't have to wait for the work. They just swap out the pipe. I was curious if there would be a prob with me NOT doing new pipes/cleaner. Service manager says no, the system can compensate for the slight change. I don't want to sink a couple thousand more in pipes and cleaner, HD SERT tuner and map reloads. I looked at some and see why the cat doesn't come out in an average garage workspace, it takes a bit of work. My cat removals from baffles on my Victory was MUCH easier!!!
 
Dale, welcome from north Texas. We have a '12 Triglide and I find it much more enjoyable than a 2 wheeler. Removing the cat really makes a difference in the heat. Wife does not feel any heat now from the pipes. Enjoy the fall riding. There is nothing like taking your time and enjoying the scenery. My wife reallys enjoys the trike so mama is happy. Wishing you many safe miles ahead. Mike
 
I was installing my rider seat backrest w/ adjustment cable today and it came out ok after I figured out the one hookup drawing of cable control mount was backwards ( I spent an hour and a half trying to make it fit per instructions drawing) . When all done I was disappointed that it won't lay down flat on the trike seat. Called dealer parts and service guys, answer, "yea, they do that on the trike and similar seats although they list the parts for those seats ". I guess I'll have to remove the backrest for passenger to get on instead of fold it down! THIS SHOULD BE MENTIONED IN PARTS CATALOG!!! IMO
While installing I noticed something. They kept refering to the air deflectors during installation. I looked at bikes online and sure enough the 2012 and 2013 show smokey plastic air deflectors? I was wondering why my ex-rental didn't have them? Is this something folks remove? Seems like it WOULD help keep legs cooler and force air onto rear cylinder, or don't they work? Going to call dealer about it tomorrow?

D.
 
Finished my rear bumper, rider seat adjustable backrest and new grips. I was a bit hesitant about the grips as I knew NOTHING about the FBW throttle and the manual and instructions w/ grips were really useless and misleading, but heck, it was quick and easy and MUCH easier than with cable types and readjustments! Wow! Higher tech.....and easier to work around!.
Hard to believe!
 
I had my cat removal/ pipe swap surgery done today at Century HD in Medina, Oh. Total bill w/ tax was $280. 2 hrs labor plus $100. So, i guess now I'll be SEMI-COOL next summer! :>)
 
Hey KindaOldTriker the backrest should go down far enough that the passenger can get on an off fairly easly. I installed Dennis tour pack relocation kit moves tour pack back and up. Wife likes it alot gives her more room.
 
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