Tri-Glide Wheelies - for the doubters

[DK Custom Products]

I have read more than a few times that some folks think the Tri-Glide won't wheelie.

I have been meaning to ask Mary to take some pictures for a month or so now.

Today I got home from the shop on the TG before it was dark.

These pics are in our driveway.

First one is a roll on throttle while barely rolling. I have gotten it much higher than this with a roll on...but not a lot of room to work with in our driveway.

This one was with some clutch work while rolling. That's as high as it goes...mufflers stop it from going any further.

These are easy to do. TG is a solid Stage 1. (stock cams)

However, I do not recommend them...never know when a belt may snap, or other undesirable effects.

That said, I have done hundreds of wheelies on it, bike is close to 50K miles, original belt.

Further disclaimer....if you do a wheelie with yours and crash or break something...remember, I said I don't recommend it...don't send me the repair bill.

Kevin

 

[Buckin']

I have read more than a few times that some folks think the Tri-Glide won't wheelie.

I have been meaning to ask Mary to take some pictures for a month or so now.

Today I got home from the shop on the TG before it was dark.

These pics are in our driveway.

First one is a roll on throttle while barely rolling. I have gotten it much higher than this with a roll on...but not a lot of room to work with in our driveway.

This one was with some clutch work while rolling. That's as high as it goes...mufflers stop it from going any further.

These are easy to do. TG is a solid Stage 1. (stock cams)

However, I do not recommend them...never know when a belt may snap, or other undesirable effects.

That said, I have done hundreds of wheelies on it, bike is close to 50K miles, original belt.

Further disclaimer....if you do a wheelie with yours and crash or break something...remember, I said I don't recommend it...don't send me the repair bill.

Kevin

Looks like you may need to install some wheelie bars to save your mufflers!
Cool!

 

[5x40]

awesome!

 

[Trent]

Glad to see someone else is able to do that also!! It is actually quite easy to do...scares me when I do it...

 

[Brentwood Bob]

I thought you did a wheelie all the way to Alaska. LOL Proof in the pictures. Another great job Mary.

 

[kkaykk]

SWEET!!!

 

[Moneywoes]

Looks like your headlight is adjusted to high

 

[Dragonrider]

WOW, that is cool!

 

[boots]

Hey Buckin' how many MPP (miles per pipe) do you get???:10:

 

[jcolson]

The first time I had mine up that high and it came down so hard I was hoping I didn't mess up the frontend. I can do that in 2nd gear too. But as stated you take a chance of breaking the belt, so I don't do wheelies anymore. My mufflers also kept me from going over. The people in the building I was at heard the pipes scraping the blacktop.

 

[msocko3]

The first time I had mine up that high and it came down so hard I was hoping I didn't mess up the frontend. I can do that in 2nd gear too. But as stated you take a chance of breaking the belt, so I don't do wheelies anymore. My mufflers also kept me from going over. The people in the building I was at heard the pipes scraping the blacktop.

I had my 10 up like that a couple times, the wife was less than thrilled since it was a surprise. Biggest trick is either riding it out until the torque curve drops off enough that it will set down on its own, or gentle throttle control to bring it down softly. My 06 Ultra 2 wheels will do that in the 1 - 2 & 2 - 3 shifts if it doesn't roast the rear tire 1st.

 

[rwhgme]

How hard is the landing? And does doing that damage the forks?

 

[jcolson]

The landing is real hard and not worth the possible side effects.

 

[PIGGI]

At least you won't need another new front tire.

 

[KindaOldTriker]

Cool! but tough on the exhaust! :xzqxz:

 

[msocko3]

How hard is the landing? And does doing that damage the forks?

If you don't get it right the landing will be hard and one of the possible side affects is blown fork seals. Another thing folks need to keep in mind if they decide to make tubby the trike stand up is don't turn the bars while the front wheel is in the air. If you come down with the front turned you may see how well Tubby does a barrel roll, or get some bent forks and soiled shorts.

 

[Oldmsocko]

I'm too chicken to do that on purpose. It could get really expensive quickly.

 

[DK Custom Products]

I thought you did a wheelie all the way to Alaska. LOL Proof in the pictures. Another great job Mary.

:laugh: I pretty much refrained from doing wheelies on the Alaska trip...well, little ones when taking off or shifting hard...but no standing it up on purpose....didn't want to spend part of the trip replacing a snapped belt.

Yeah Mary is pretty good...she shot the same pics of the Sporty a year or so ago when there were a bunch of folks on another forum doubting that a stock 883 could wheelie. I don't know that I would want to be kneeling behind a camera with a bike coming almost straight at me. :xzqxz:

How hard is the landing? And does doing that damage the forks?

It is as hard or soft as you make it. Don't chop the throttle, even if the sound of the pipes scraping surprises you.

I really don't recommend doing them...little ones, no issue, but standing it up...there is just too much that could go wrong. I've been doing wheelies, burn-outs and various other shenanigans on 2, 3, 4 & 6 wheels for over 40 years. Lot's of folks don't see the point...and there really is none, other that for some of us it is just fun!

But even knowing what to do (come down softly) there are still things that can go wrong and get expensive for a little bit of fun. At 55, I still feel like 18 in my head, my daughter says more like 13. She may be right! :laugh:

If you don't get it right the landing will be hard and one of the possible side affects is blown fork seals. Another thing folks need to keep in mind if they decide to make tubby the trike stand up is don't turn the bars while the front wheel is in the air. If you come down with the front turned you may see how well Tubby does a barrel roll, or get some bent forks and soiled shorts.

Good Advice! ThumbUp

And like you pointed out in another post...how strong is the differential housing?

 

[427dave]

Some guys at one of the shops said that my trike would never do a wheelie. Bet them a case of beer. I did one about like your second one, I got the beer. Mine will also do a little one on the 1-2 shift.

 

[DK Custom Products]

Some guys at one of the shops said that my trike would never do a wheelie. Bet them a case of beer. I did one about like your second one, I got the beer. Mine will also do a little one on the 1-2 shift.

Cool, you had some fun AND won a case of beer! ThumbUp