Tri-Glide or Freewheeler?

[WildWilly]

I've reached the decision to add a 3rd wheel and narrowed my choice to a Tri-Glide or Freewheeler. Like the storage of the TG but don't want to pay for an infotainment system I won't use. 95% Of my riding is solo and feel the FW will work for me. Anyone with seat time on both models?

 

[FLRT]

Steve aka: 'screwball', is probably the man to talk to....ThumbUp

 

[Steve on 3]

I think you already have your answer in your post. If you don't need the additional storage and the infotainment and ride solo, a Freewheeler will be right up your alley. Same basic frame and engine. Save a few bucks and go FW. Better yet, go rent both and give them a test or at least a test ride. Everybody's backside is a bit different and what feels good to you might not suit me. I am peculiar anyway

Steve

 

[screwball]

Hi there. I started riding touring bikes with an '08 Ultra. in '11 we bought wife a new Tri-Glide, I inherited her '09. Just traded it for a new Freewheeler. 40,000 miles on the Ultra, 55,000 miles on the Tri-Glide and just under 2,000 on the Freewheeler.

All are great bikes/trikes. I gave up on 2 wheels after open heart surgery and my balance went to hell. The Tri-Glide was a great trike. At the time that was it if you wanted a factory trike. Rode it all over the south-west, never had any problems. It came with a ton of storage space, most of which I never used. When we travel we use wheeled T-Bags for luggage.

When the preview pictures of the Freewheeler came out I thought that is the trike for me.

No fairings, no radio and really sleek lines. Reminded me of my old Dyna. It is a major kick in the butt to ride. Seems more limber, steers better, and the suspension isn't as harsh. Really happy with her. After wife rode it, she will probably be trading her Tri-Glide for a Freewheeler next year.

We do 2 or 3 long rides a year, 10+ days on the road, The rest of the time is breakfast, lunch, or dinner runs. Maybe a weekend run. Really don't need all the trunk and tourpack space.

Have fun shopping and enjoy whatever you choose.

 

[roadking2]

I don't have a Freewheeler or a Tri, but I did test the Tri before I converted my Roadking. This is just my opinion of the Tri compared to the conversions I tested. I didn't like it. The ride was much better with the conversions that were IRS. Of all the trikes I rode, the Tri was my least favorite mainly because of the straight axle. This is just my opinion but if you already have a good bike you like, a conversion may make better sense economically. You can convert, get as much storage as a Tri without having the tour pack, and possibly have better handling than either the Tri or the Freewheeler. Here is my trike with IRS, more storage space than a Tri and no infotainment.



The pic with the windshield was taken prior to me adding the luggage rack, but it shows the options I have with the trike.

 

[Beorn of Ga]

I have a Triglide and wish I didn't have & pay for the electronics (the crappy GPS is the worst waste of money). But I need the storage space.

 

[WildWilly]

Thank you all for the replies. Useful info and just what I'm looking for. My current ride is a 2014 Dyna FLD Switchback and I love the bike. Checked with several trike builders and couldn't find anyone triking the model yet. Plan to test ride the TG and FW before deciding. Thanks again.

 

[WindyOne]

If you don't want the extra electronics you could look for a used model? I very recently bought a '13 that just had the radio and CB on it.