One month update

[hbrogan57]

Well, I have had the privilege of owning my trike for just a little over a month now. So I thought that an update might be in order.

After being away from riding any sort of bike for 12 years I found it relatively easy to get back in the saddle. Clicking into first gear for that first time all on the know-how came flooding back. But getting used to riding again was an entirely different story. The trike is a very different beast than what I was used to riding oh-so-many years ago. I found myself taking turns at extremely slow speeds as the "tip over" feeling was there. Even sweeping turns were a bit of a challenge at first. I was slowing down quite a bit for a lot of them as well.

Now, after a month, my confidence is there and I don't feel like I am going to tip over. I even took it out on the Interstate and through the tunnels here for a long ride. Now it seems to have amazing handling characteristics and I always look forward to firing it up and heading out for even a quick trip to the store.

I have discovered that, as I was told by a lot of you, never, EVER, get in a hurry. It seems that even stopping for gas can be an adventure in questions by curious people. I don't mind all of the questions. The "drool" factor definitely comes into play. Recently, I spent over an hour at the local Lowes store and yet I only spent ten minutes actually IN the store.

I cannot recall when I have been more happy with a vehicle purchase. Of ANY kind.

I appreciate all of the comments and suggestions both before AND after the purchase.

I hope that we will cross paths down the road sometime.

 

[Nana]

What a wonderful first month experience you have had! It is great to hear the sheer satisfaction in your words: "I cannot recall when I have been more happy with a vehicle purchase. Of ANY kind."

May I suggest you invest in a good, new electric toothbrush..... wouldn't want all the bugs in your grin to get stuck there!

 

[hbrogan57]

May I suggest you invest in a good, new electric toothbrush..... wouldn't want all the bugs in your grin to get stuck there!

No, I got the taller Memphis Shades windshield to TRY and limit that to a bare minimum!!!!!:AllGood:

 

[rmrc51]

Great "1st Month Report" Harry! ThumbUp

I'll be in the same boat as you in approximately 2 weeks time. That's when I'll be bringing my trike home from servicing. Although I had my 97 Valkyrie Trike for a few years before I recently bought my 05 Wing/Roadsmith, I didn't expect there would be a great difference. That being said, the little riding that I did do with the (new-to-me) Wing before I dropped her off for servicing was like riding a completely different animal! She's very, responsive and obviously heavier and larger. I can see its also going to take me some "indoctrination riding time" to become comfortable with her. And I can honestly say, I'm looking forward to it! I should have a similar post to yours at some point next month!

Keep those posts of yours coming. I enjoy reading them as your enthusiasm for your trike and riding experiences are contagious, lol. :10::GL1800:

 

[hbrogan57]

"Indoctrination" time is definitely a good word for it. I made it very clear to my better half that there would be no rides two-up until I felt comfortable riding again. She was in complete agreement. I did take her out for breakfast the first weekend but I think she could feel that I was still "getting used" to it.

Definitely get in some "alone time" first. The ONLY advantage I feel that I did have was that I wasn't coming directly off of two wheels. That 12 year break MIGHT have been a slight advantage. I still find myself wanting to lean from time to time though.........LOL

Great "1st Month Report" Harry! ThumbUp

I'll be in the same boat as you in approximately 2 weeks time. That's when I'll be bringing my trike home from servicing. Although I had my 97 Valkyrie Trike for a few years before I recently bought my 05 Wing/Roadsmith, I didn't expect there would be a great difference. That being said, the little riding that I did do with the (new-to-me) Wing before I dropped her off for servicing was like riding a completely different animal! She's very, responsive and obviously heavier and larger. I can see its also going to take me some "indoctrination riding time" to become comfortable with her. And I can honestly say, I'm looking forward to it! I should have a similar post to yours at some point next month!

Keep those posts of yours coming. I enjoy reading them as your enthusiasm for your trike and riding experiences are contagious, lol. :10::GL1800:

 

[rmrc51]

I made it very clear to my better half that there would be no rides two-up until I felt comfortable riding again. She was in complete agreement.

Definitely get in some "alone time" first.

That's exactly my plan! My brother-in-law wants to meet with us at a half-way point between VA and SC. I told him that before I have my better half get on and ride with me, I'll have to be completely comfortable and confident with the new trike first!

 

[hbrogan57]

That's exactly my plan! My brother-in-law wants to meet with us at a half-way point between VA and SC. I told him that before I have my better half get ride with me, I'll have to be completely comfortable and confident with the new trike first!

Agreed!! Our first "long" trip will probably be to the rally in Salem in October. I will, hopefully, be extremely comfortable by then. In the mean time, it's going to be trips over to the beach, out to Williamsburg, Yorktown, places like that. I have to allow for my better half to get used to riding as she has NEVER been on any trips longer than a few minutes with friends that happened to have a bike. And, most definitely, nothing like this bike.

She's doing incredibly well with it so far. We all have had to deal with a "rookie" from time to time......LOL

 

[bayoudave]

When my children were little we often went for Sunday afternoon drives. We wouldn't have a destination but we just drove. When we would come to an intersection I would have one of the kids get out and throw a rock in the road and which ever way it bounced that was the way we would go. Now my wife and I often use the same philosophy, we don't throw a rock, but we just pick a road and see where it leads us. We have found so many interesting roads and saw and experienced so many wonderful sites that we would have never experienced had we pick a destination and took the shortest route. Enjoy the trike and explore the world around you.

 

[hbrogan57]

Thanks for that. On the first ride that I took my better half on she asked..."Where are we going?".....My response was.."Wherever the trike takes us"...she looked at me a little odd but understood after we had been on the road for a few minutes.....

When my children were little we often went for Sunday afternoon drives. We wouldn't have a destination but we just drove. When we would come to an intersection I would have one of the kids get out and throw a rock in the road and which ever way it bounced that was the way we would go. Now my wife and I often use the same philosophy, we don't throw a rock, but we just pick a road and see where it leads us. We have found so many interesting roads and saw and experienced so many wonderful sites that we would have never experienced had we pick a destination and took the shortest route. Enjoy the trike and explore the world around you.

 

[Gorilla]

Congrats, Glad you now are into the comfortable but still learning stage. It is a very good feeling to be out there and comfortable. Remember those cages are still looking to mess up your day. Be safe

 

[hbrogan57]

Congrats, Glad you now are into the comfortable but still learning stage. It is a very good feeling to be out there and comfortable. Remember those cages are still looking to mess up your day. Be safe

Yes, I still keep a close watch on the cages. Some have already "assumed" that I was just another motorcycle and cut me off. Which, frankly, is nothing new around here. But they really don't like it when I roll alongside and they are chatting on their cell phone......and I turn the music up L.O.U.D.!!!! That's when I get :AGGHH: THIS look.....ROFL.....

 

[msocko3]

Great report, its just going to get better and better as the miles go by.