Short Trip around Arkansas trouble in the Curves..

[pddgm]

The boss and I decided to go for a 400 mile trip to day. We left Hot Springs, Ar heading north on Hwy 7 to Marble Falls to visit friends at the HUB Motorcycle Resort. While we were riding up 7 in the twisties, I seem to be having trouble turning left, right turns seem to be smooth and took little effort on the bars. But left turns were hard and took more pressure on the bars than the right turn. Also, kept getting the feeling the trike was going to tip over, no tires left the ground (as far as I know) and I wasn't really riding that fast, 20 mph or less in some curves. I know trikes handle different than the 2 wheel bikes do, and I understand you drive a trike instead of riding it. My wife actually hollered at me one time, asking was I trying to turn it over, maybe I was just over steering, not sure but sure took the fun out of the ride. The ride home was slow and long..

Joe

 

[vw driver]

Does your trike have IRS or swing axle rear suspension? IRS handles much better.

 

[RSW]

Maybe you could post a couple pics of your trike so we can see what you are dealing with.

 

[pddgm]

Here it is. It has a springer front end with dual air shocks and a 19 inch front tire.

Joe

 

[riverdoc]

Hey brother. The first question is how long have you been riding the 3 wheeler? You describe the usual feeling when getting used to it. Just saw your ride. Uncle.

I have been riding the curves and switchbacks in Arkansas for a long time, and there are a lot of variables that determine the steering including experience, bike kit, front end, tires and road conditions. Your picture is beautiful but unusual so I have nothing to say about the shocks or setup. Good luck! Look for me on the road. Old as hell and WFO.

RiverDoc

 

[Bobby Stubbs]

I have the same handleing as you describe..I think left turns are somewhat harder due to the torque from the rear end..my gripe is side wind !But you get used to compensating for it !

 

[vw driver]

The first thing I did when I got the trike running was experiment with tire pressure. I ended up running the big rear tires with lower pressure. It smooths out the ride and they seem to be wearing even. The pan I built the trike from had some old, rusty coil over shocks that rode like a brick. I tossed those and got some air shocks and messed with the pressure. 40 PSI worked out to be right for my 200 lb self and two 100 lb passengers. It doesn't bottom out and is stable in the curves, it actually rides real nice. Mine has a steering wheel and a VW steering box and it drives like a car with power steering. Handlebars take more muscle. We have had some nice weather lately, we've done a lot of riding and everything has held together and works as it should. Being a new build I check it over carefully and make sure no welds are cracking or bolts are coming loose, etc. So far no problems. It has all the required equipment: fenders, horn, turn signals, good mirrors, more lights than the law requires, big dual disc brakes on the front wheel, new shoes on the rear, new master cylinder, new clutch, PP and throw out bearing, gland nut, new seals. I bought a used engine for $350 and came to find out it is an AS21 case, supposedly one of the best VW ever built. Adjusted the valves, tuned it up and it runs strong. It's been in the 80s every day, great riding weather.ThumbUp

 

[skuuter]

Another option is "Adjustable Coilovers" added to Your Air Shocks in a location that can adjust Your "Side Roll/Weight Transfer"".....because of Road Slope, the "Tip-over Feeling" is worse when turning left than right on a Trike.....Generally, Riding Experience erases this over time.....ThumbUp

 

[Rick Kay]

If all is well mechanically, I'm wondering if you're feeling the effects of the crown of the road?

 

[tom w]

I have never ridden there on a trike. did once on a soft tail custom. kind of an aggressive road anyway. Your trike looks longer than some of the curves in that area.

 

[RSW]

Her's some good reading on the subject.

http://www.triketalk.com/forum/threads/1065-Handeling-corners-amp-curves?highlight=curves

 

[vw driver]

Here it is. It has a springer front end with dual air shocks and a 19 inch front tire.

Joe

I don't think there is anything wrong with your trike. Like mine, it just isn't the best design for "sporty" riding in the mountains. After all, it has 40 year old VW suspension and they weren't the greatest handling cars to begin with. I stick to the main hi-ways.ThumbUp