Trike Accidents

[Calgary]

As a new trike rider, I'd like to learn what sorts of things have caused accidents for trike riders. I can assume the usual array of causes as for other vehicles, but would appreciate learning what personally got you into an accident while riding your trike!

Do you know of anyone who has rolled a trike? What was the reason for it?

Has a blowout been the cause of an accident?

Anything you can share with me will be appreciated!

Calgary

 

[Shimpy]

Just a point of interest. Several years ago I was on a web site looking at Deals Gap (The Dragon) and found info on where and how many crashes occurred. It showed a detailed map with the crash sites and was astounded as to how many were trikes considering how few trikes ride the Gap as compared to 2 wheel motorcycles. Apparently cornering is a big problem with trike owners. Maybe trying to keep up with fast bikes or inexperience.

 

[meredog]

expeirence i would expect----trikes are inherantly stable.

 

[Nana]

I was broadsided just two months ago by a car that ran a stop sign and hit my my v-rod trike. I had relatively minor injuries and the trike (although totalled) never tipped over. It would have been considerably worse had I been on two wheels. Herb is correct about the stability of the trike.

 

[Oldmsocko]

I agree with the posts above. Trikes are a very stable platform and corner very well.

 

[1800 06 Champion Trike]

I had 2 friends, he rode a 2 wheeler and his wife rode a trike.
Years ago they were in Maggie Valley.
They rode the Dragon and on a curve, she went wide going around a curve and she hit gravel.
She went backwards into a stone wall. Broke her back and other bones. Spent 2 months in Knoxville hospital and then came home to recoup.
I'm not blaming it on the trike as I don't think she should have been riding the Dragon.
Bottom line for her would be inexperience.

 

[lboos]

Motorcycles/Trikes don't cause accidents, people do :gah:.

 

[Bikerbozo]

I keep trying to lift a wheel by going fast around corners (when no cars around and plenty of recovery room). Haven't been able to yet. On wet surface the other day. Front wheel held steady and back wheels drifted a little. That said, I have a pretty good feel for what I can get away with. Its not like I will try and take a 90' turn at 70 mph. So I guess that means, experience matters.

 

[rhino 2]

Motorcycles/Trikes don't cause accidents, people do :gah:.

I agree, It's not the machine, It's the nut driving it.:xszpv:

 

[berngren]

I would say experience and practicing maneuvers with the trike is very important to prevent an accident. When I first start riding my trike in 2011 - I spent most of my time in the beginning practice maneuvers. Such as braking, quick maneuvers, circles, etc....

I say this because it's so important to have these basic rudiments in your heart without thinking about it. Just the other night - I was riding home from the store - a driver was riding my lane as well as his. At first - I was unable to pass because I didn't know what he was going to do. I couldn't get around him because of on coming traffic. I blew the horn and he moved over into his lane (right). I passed him of course eyeing him. As soon as I looked forward - in my lane was a big dog. The trike must have been about 5 feet from hitting the dog.

Immediately instance kicked in. I turned the bike to the left using my body and arms in one motion. Then I did the same turning to the right.

By doing this - I was able to maneuver the bike to the left and then right much quicker than just turning it using the arms. Using the body and arms enable me to maneuver quicker turns. I practice this maneuver whenever I ride. I did miss the dog by at least 2 feet and the on coming car too.

So I would say averting accidents - if we can - is so important. Again - experience and riding exercises - are very vital when it comes to daily riding. I haven't been in an accident - but I try to learn how to prevent them if possible.

As a new trike rider - just practice - take is slow - and be careful. When you go out riding apply what you practice.

It works for me. You'll find out it will become second nature. Most accidents I have heard of with a trike is usually from behind or broadside. Just take it slow - ride safely - and you'll be find. Experience will kick in after that.

 

[cjmitch]

Hydroplaning
less weight in the back+fat wide tires= more susceptible to floating on water.

 

[msocko3]

Locking up the front tire while turning sharply is a good way to tip a trike, not long ago I read of a couple who tipped one that way.

 

[Calgary]

Thanx for your thought provoking submissions - good stuff - keep them coming!

 

[mhgoldwing]

If you're running the curves fast be aware that any loss of traction on the front tire, wet, tar snakes, leaves, gravel, etc., can spell disaster. If the front tire goes the rest of the trike will follow.

Also, hard braking in a curve sets up for big time trouble as most of weight is on front tire and outside wheel as weight is lifted from inside wheel. Any miscalculation can cause loss of control.

Of course, all of these apply to two wheels as well. Unfortunately, I've seen trike drivers here in the Arkansas twisties who think their trikes are not subject to the laws of physics. Ain't so.

 

[Trent]

Recently here in Central Idaho, On Hwy 12, a scenic mountain pass, a couple on 2 wheels hit a deer doing 60 mph. They were both killed. A few days later, a single rider on 2 wheels hit a deer in the same area as the previous crash. He also died. Both of these crashes were at night.
I believe your chances of surviving a deer crash are very high on a three wheeler because of the stability factor. Now, a moose or an Elk,,??.. That might be a different story. Those tall legs put them at head level! Not pleasant things to think about or discuss, but they are a reality and we all need to be aware. I agree that a lot of crashes are caused by the main wingnut behind the handlebars.

 

[bikerbillone]

Just a point of interest. Several years ago I was on a web site looking at Deals Gap (The Dragon) and found info on where and how many crashes occurred. It showed a detailed map with the crash sites and was astounded as to how many were trikes considering how few trikes ride the Gap as compared to 2 wheel motorcycles. Apparently cornering is a big problem with trike owners. Maybe trying to keep up with fast bikes or inexperience.

I've ridden The Dragon on two wheels, looking to do it again on three when I head up to Sevierville in late August. I can ride along at a respectable speed, but I prefer to enjoy the ride, not set any speed records on three wheels. My concern is those riders that want to set a time/speed records, I don't want to hold those riders up from their speed/time efforts, and I don't want to be pushed. Maybe I'll ride it, maybe I won't, after all, there are are many mountain roads in that part of the country and I may opt for that and leave the Dragon to the other riders.

 

[Rosy]

You are correct in watching out for the other guy and making a mental note of what I would do, If. Know your serroundings when you travel and know what is in front and behind you.
Right in town with the right lane turning right, I was in the left lane when this lady decided she had waited enough in a side street and went between two cars heading right for me. She would have cut us in half, but I knew there was no traffic in the right lane so I jerked the trike right, as she passed in front of me by about a foot. Now I am heading towards the curve and The First Parish Church, jerked the trike left to clear the curve as all the vehicles around me hit their brakes, went by the curve and ended in the left lane. Janice was having a hissy-fit and yelling at the lady driving the car, as she didn't even look and kept on going.
I think that's the closes one on the trike, and like Nana, at times you don't have control of what the other guy is doing, but you have to kick in survivable mode to protect yourself in case you do get hit.
Trikes are stable, but know how to over come just about anything thrown at you when you are riding.

Regards,

Rosy & Janice
From NH

 

[Rollin Thunder]

Starting off as a young Bullet proof rider:xzqxz:. Yeah that's how I felt & rode for yrs. Back in the early 80's. Over a dozen of us left southern Michigan. To head up to Whitefish point in upper one day. Going up highway 75 we ran into some ran. A good friend of mine & I were dragging our center stands on out metric bikes. Seeing sparks fly from under our bikes were at the time cool as Hell. Now mind you I wasn't some 18 yrs old kid. I was a bit older by a lot! But like I said we ran into some rain. Going thru some tight turns at those speeds. I saw my buddy go off it to the tree's . I said HOLY ****! Then I couldn't stop I followed him. oh ****! Wet leaves and trees all around us. DAMN we were both SO lucky not to go down or hit a tree. Let me tell you we had a few good nervous laughs after. But that was the last time I did that crap. lesson learned that night. Most likely saved my life down the rd. I figured out a couple of yrs later. That I wasn't 6 feet & Bullet proof any more. I since then watch other riders and learn from every experience. And from a dear friend of mine I learned to watch out for others while riding. When we travel next to each other or at a stop light. We always check out each other's bikes. To see if there's something loose or just not right. If so we pull over an check it out to be sure. When I rode with a club. Every spring we'd have to bring our bikes in for inspection at the club house. If something wasn't right with your ride. You had a week to fix it. Before you could ride with the club. Plus you were fined for not keeping your bike in riding order! So next time your out with friend or who ever. Look who your ridin with and their machine. Could save a life ThumbUp nough said

 

[Rod69]

Was riding in the Hoosier National forest on roads I hadn't ridin before when I came upon a hill and then a quick turn to the right. Was going to fast for the turn, first time I ever squeeled the front tire going into a turn. Came out ok, but definitly made me slow down.
Lesson learned, new roads proceed with caution.

 

[dadorfman]

It is one thing to read about it, and something entirely different to practice under the supervision of an experienced, certified instructor. More and more MSF trike courses are being offered. Among other things, you will practice a panic stop into a skid, going up on two wheels at slow speed and how to swerve safely. You may even save on insurance.

 

[RdKnB]

It is one thing to read about it, and something entirely different to practice under the supervision of an experienced, certified instructor. More and more MSF trike courses are being offered. Among other things, you will practice a panic stop into a skid, going up on two wheels at slow speed and how to swerve safely. You may even save on insurance.

If Maryland offered a course I would take one. Maybe some day they will.

 

[Richard. Wales UK]

Having now had the trike for few months, and done 2000 miles I have had a few dodgy moments, mostly due to going too fast

The Kawasaki has ABS which works well, it has amazed me just how quickly it will stop if needed, if pushed in the bends it understears, the inner wheel has never lifted that I know of.
I can see that heavy braking in a corner could end lifting a wheel, maybe...

Having never ridden road motorbikes I can not make a direct comparison, at the end of the day its a trike, its going to be more stable than a bike, but not as stable as a car, just ride and enjoy pepper and take it easy

 

[Bill Reber]

Physical condition and mental alertness have a great deal to do with how safe a trike or bike is. Upper body strength can be put to the test in the twisties. Last weekend was my 1st time in the mountains on my trike after I learned to stop fighting the trike it became much more enjoyable . More mountain rides are in my near future and I am looking foward to a more relaxed ride next time around...as all say....IT TAKES TIME :10::Trike1:

 

[bikerbillone]

Guess I'll be putting your post to the test late this month, early Sep in Sevierville TN. Be my first in the twisties with the Road Smith. So I'll try to be taking your advice and not fight it or I'll be hurting at the end of the day.....I shall caution my co-pilot to remind me.

 

[msocko3]

Guess I'll be putting your post to the test late this month, early Sep in Sevierville TN. Be my first in the twisties with the Road Smith. So I'll try to be taking your advice and not fight it or I'll be hurting at the end of the day.....I shall caution my co-pilot to remind me.

Your going to have some fun, I know I did when I had the Triglide in Sevierville a couple years ago. The wife was a real trooper while I indulged in riding the snot out of the twisties. I'm so looking forward to getting back on a trike.

 

[Gabby Hayes]

As information only: When our group was out riding the byways and twisties of Eastern Kentucky yesterday, I had the most terrifying experience of my riding career. We were traveling an old well traveled back road doing about 10 to 15 mph under the speed limit due to the tight curves one right after the other. We were setting up for a right turn onto another highway-route 3 to route 2--when a large animal about the size of a large dog ran in front of the lead bike. He yelled at everyone to be prepared for an emergency stop. I put my foot off the highway pegs to apply the rear brake-as well as the front- when my bootlace got caught on a bolt on the frame preventing me from applying the rear brake. Add it was in a curve right handed--front brake only--I am pulling drag-rear rider--I am less than ten feet from his rear-lucky that there is a slight turn off to the left that gave me enough room to stop---with the front brake only!!!!! That was my pucker up and tighten my rear moment.
Watch your pace when riding with a group-give yourself plenty of room between each other--TALK to each other of dangers ahead-behind-to the sides-debris all around. They is some things on the roads that make pucker up moments quite memorable. RIDE SAFE--RIDE OFTEN--TCLOCKS BEFORE AND AFTER EACH RIDE !!!

Gabby

 

[RdKnB]

If boots have laces I stuff them down in the boot. Been there and done that. Glad it worked out fine

 

[cjmitch]

I keep trying to lift a wheel by going fast around corners (when no cars around and plenty of recovery room). Haven't been able to yet. On wet surface the other day. Front wheel held steady and back wheels drifted a little. That said, I have a pretty good feel for what I can get away with. Its not like I will try and take a 90' turn at 70 mph. So I guess that means, experience matters.

Heres how yo do it.... Lifting a wheel under controlled circumstances is part of the GWRRA trike training course.

DO THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK AND RESPONSIBILITY

1) Turn then handle bars to a lock turn (is all the way to the stops) right or left does not matter but when doing this i find to the RIGHT more mentally comforting.
2) slowly roll on the throttle, stay in first gear,
3) after about 3 turns you should start to feel the wheel lift....
AT THE FIRST FEEL OF THE WHEEL LIFTING, IMMEDIATLY RELEASE THE THROTTLE. AND TURN THE HANDLEBARS BACK TO STRAIGHT.
DO NOT PANIC, IT WILL FEEL FUNNY, BUT AS LONG AS YOU EASE OFF EITHER THE TURN, OR THE THROTTLE YOU WILL BE OK.

I have done it this myself