Trike Handling.

[Phyllis]

I'm searching for my dream trike. Was advised to stay with a 2014 and up due to the better handling and smooth ride. I'm a novice with trikes and would appreciate input. Thanks! Phyllis

 

[BillyGA]

I'm searching for my dream trike. Was advised to stay with a 2014 and up due to the better handling and smooth ride. I'm a novice with trikes and would appreciate input. Thanks! Phyllis

I too am a novice, went from two to three wheels a month ago. Best decision I have ever made. I have a 2016 Harley Triglide and yes it handles great. I would recommend it to anyone. Being you are a novice, I would recommend the 3 day course for trikes. It is a life saver.

Have fun and Be safe out there.

 

[Capt.Bob]

Phyllis, Exciting times! I have a 2016 Harley TriGlide and a 2015 Can-Am Spyder. You might try riding both the Harley and a Can-Am before making a decision. They are both fun trikes but have pretty significantly different ride/handling characteristics. The Can-Am has power-assisted steering which makes for much lighter steering control inputs.

 

[graygoat]

Welcome Phyllis, I have a 16 Triglide and love it. Doubt I would ever go back to 2 wheels, trike is it's own kind of fun. Got it last Oct and have over 5500 miles on it now. I have no experience with other brands but there is a lot of good folks here who do and they will be posting in here for sure.

 

[G.W. Viper]

I'm searching for my dream trike. Was advised to stay with a 2014 and up due to the better handling and smooth ride. I'm a novice with trikes and would appreciate input. Thanks! Phyllis

I'm also searching for my trike. I'm don't know why someone would say stay with 2014 or above for better handling, and smooth ride.....Ez steer and IRS ( independant rear suspension ) on conversions, have been out for a while, way before 2014.

Any body have any ideas why this was said ???

Good luck Phyllis in finding your dream trike ThumbUp

 

[rhino 2]

I'm also searching for my trike. I'm don't know why someone would say stay with 2014 or above for better handling, and smooth ride.....Ez steer and IRS ( independant rear suspension ) on conversions, have been out for a while, way before 2014.

Any body have any ideas why this was said ???

Good luck Phyllis in finding your dream trike ThumbUp

No reason i guess. Unless they were talking about the Spyder....Other wise somebody just talking...:Shrug:

 

[Phyllis]

Found out the redesign of the 2014 was "Rushmore". I googled it to understand. �� I'm a smoke girl!

- - - Updated - - -

I'm a simple girl. Geez

 

[Fearless]

Welcome Phyllis

The 14 and up Triglides have better brakes by design twin cooled motors GPS and other goodies built in and they may even ride a little better. conversions some ride better IR suspension can be a plus Hannigan I believe builds great conversions members hear actually can cover all different brands and styles. A couple things I considered was parts availability and service (if you do not plan on doing your own work) and if you buy new a Warranty.
Our old 09 Tri-Glide is not perfect however we do enjoy the dickens out of it. What pleases one person annoys another. I hope others here chime in and give you more input. There ais a great group of people here to help just my two cents. In any case welcome to the three wheel world not a compromise and addition to the adventure in the wind. ThumbUp ride safely fearless

 

[geezerglide11441]

No reason i guess. Unless they were talking about the Spyder....Other wise somebody just talking...:Shrug:

:Agree: 100%, I would not trade my 2013 for any that came after, however, not saying they are bad, I just prefer my 2013!!! Although my 2013 is FAR from stock in both performance and athletics!!

Roger

 

[Peter A.]

2010 HD trikes

Both Wife/I have 2010 Harley trikes, have we had a few problems, yes.......have we put a bunch of money in them, yes.........would we like to move up to a new model/year, NO.

We love our toys and feel that they are worth everypenny we have spent......next BIG trip Sept.,
to Santa Fe, NM.
ThumbUp

 

[clint44]

Sherry and I love our paid-for conversion.

 

[Zammy]

Hi Phyllis and welcome to the forums from Florida, best of luck in your search.

 

[desertclassic]

Welcome from New Mexico. I bought a new 2014 tri glide, first trike. I have changed a few things and we love the trike. My intentions are that this will be my last trike/bike. If I take care of it, I am sure it will outlast me. Jim

 

[roadking2]

I'm searching for my dream trike. Was advised to stay with a 2014 and up due to the better handling and smooth ride. I'm a novice with trikes and would appreciate input. Thanks! Phyllis

There doesn't appear to be a whole lot of answers that address your question. The neck angle did change in 14 so it is possible that a 14 handles better than a 13, but that isn't going to make it any smoother and the angle change was minimal so I doubt there is a significant difference. They all (Triglides) have a solid axle and if there was a change to the rear end suspension or the back end of the frame, it's news to me. I doubt you would notice any big difference in handling or smoothness regardless of what year Triglide you get. No matter what year or what model trike you end up with, you will most likely love it. They sure are fun.

 

[Trike4u]

I'm searching for my dream trike. Was advised to stay with a 2014 and up due to the better handling and smooth ride. I'm a novice with trikes and would appreciate input. Thanks! Phyllis

Good question but not so easy to answer, in other words,there is no, one answer fits all to your question. I will give you some goodadvice but not tell you what to buy, that will be up to you and your preferences.

Kit conversion bikes if done right are good, but insurance companiesmay charge you more because it is not a factory build, but an add-on. Getting a conversion bike fixed may become a problem too, if a dealer refuses to recognizethe conversion as a warranty covered product. Getting parts may also become another problem for conversions (which I have seen firsthand) and may lay your bike upfor longer than what was anticipated to get it fixed. Smaller repair network if you breakdown too far from home.

Once again I’m talking first had experience with the smaller network on repairs.

Harley-Davidson; makes two good retro looking trikes that can have extended warranty tacked on if the buyer so desires.

Insurance companies i.e., Allstate, recognizes factory trikes and looks at them as more trustworthy and will let you have GAP coverage, too.

Very large network of dealers and bikeshops that repair Harley’s throughout the US.

Looks good and hold a more of its value than other trikes, only because it’s a Harley if nothing else.

Quite a lot of myths out there about Harley trikes tipping over and so on, but this is not 1969 anymore and they have improved from the old service cars the police use in days of yore.

From all the stories I have heard, any motorcycle would have failed in those circumstances were there was a tip-over trike.

Lots of people make a big deal over steering the H-D trike but I have found a lot of those myths to be unfounded. Time and practice soon eliminateall those fears into skills that all motorcycle riders develop over time with any bike. H-D trikes are nothing but Big Wheels on steroids that’s all; once learned never forgotten.

Can-am Spiders ride nice and have a smaller network than Harley does but the back still tells cage drivers you’re on a bike with onlyone taillight. Psychologically car drivers look at two taillights like a car because that is what we have seen since childhood. Even though the front of the Can-am is wide and is easily visible to oncoming traffic, the back must be treated like all motorcycle and one taillight is still not seen by drivers. Automatic trans. makes the Can-am a favorite amongst those that have a learning deficit on manually shifting gears, and like that of the Vespa makes ridding a lot easier with less thought in the riding process.



To me I just like the retro look of the, one wheel up front and two in back look when it comes to trikes.

That is unless it’s a Morgan three wheeler ($79,000 USD), then they trump all three wheelers out there to me.

So why did I buy a Harley-Davidson Freewheeler over any other three wheeler out there…It’s a Harley!

And just like the Morgan three wheeler, it has history, class, and a network of dealers throughout the US that can’t be best. The rest are close but no cigar when it comes to owning a Harley-Davison motorcycle.epper:

Kevin

 

[ride3]

Test drive them all. One will feel better for you than the rest. I moved from an RT spyder to a rewaco(factory built trike from ground up). I knew after a test drive it was for me. Good luck!!

 

[Finally Harley!]

I got the Freewheeler

Hi. I got a Harley Freewheeler in March. I knew it was the one I wanted, because I didn't want all the luggage and fairings the tri glide offers. It's very basic, stripped down, no gps, radio, etc. Very sporty, hot rod looking, IMO. But my riding is mostly So Cal, canyons, beaches, etc. Since it was a new model in 2015, they're still pricey, even used, but it's fun as hell to ride, turns heads, and is a Harley, after all. <img src="images/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Smile" class="inlineimg" />))

 

[trikermutha]

Test drive them all. One will feel better for you than the rest. I moved from an RT spyder to a rewaco(factory built trike from ground up). I knew after a test drive it was for me. Good luck!!

I agree test ride as many trikes as you can and formulate your opinion. Some Bikes are not for certain riders .

Manual transmission maybe great for some but the semi auto shift is the bomb..And it not because we have a deficit as some have mentioned..

Good luck on your journey ThumbUp

 

[DK Custom Products]

I'm searching for my dream trike. Was advised to stay with a 2014 and up due to the better handling and smooth ride. I'm a novice with trikes and would appreciate input. Thanks! Phyllis

Welcome to the Forum! Always an exciting (and sometimes frustrating) time looking for a new Trike/bike.

I have owned a 2011 Tri-Glide and now currently have a 2014 Tri-Glide. Click this LINK where I outline the differences I observed between the two of them.

Have fun!

Kevin

 

[rayg5102]

we have a 2010 Tri Glide and we love it. In fact, we just got home, drove all around York PA area this afternoon. Left at 11:30 and it's 5:30 now. Enjoy the hell out of 3 wheels now.

Have fun

 

[Delf]

Phyllis, I agree that you must test drive one first, along with the CanAm Spider. I have a 2014 Tri Glide and love it! My brother has a 2015 Spider and he loves it! I prefer the Harley trike because it is a Harley and it looks and sounds cool! That being said, the Spider is smoother and easier to ride than the Harley due to it's independent suspension and power steering. Even though I like the Harley Trike, I think you should be aware of some issues I have discovered over the past two years. Harley trikes have to be "pushed" through the turns unlike a two wheel motorcycles which lean and steering is effortless. I'm 5'6" so I retrofitted my trike with "HD reduced reach handlebars" which has made steering much more comfortable since I don't have to lean forward to push the handlebar forward on turns. Plus it is more comfortable when going straight as well. Also, I wished HD had put independent suspension on it.

It is rough riding on rough, uneven roads due to the solid axle and the side to side jarring that results. The solid axle does however, make it less prone to rollovers, but I have lifted the inside wheel on two occasions. Luckily they were at slow speeds. Since the rear wheels turn together, no differential, you can skip/slide the front tire if accelerating while turning, such as pulling out of a parking lot onto a street. Those are the my only issues. It sounds like you have researched the 2014 Mt Rushmore upgrades so I won't dwell on them except to say I would recommend the newer trike with those upgrades. I guess the best thing about trikes, especially for short people is you don't have to worry about them tipping over. I just finished a 3600 mile ride through ID, WY, CO and UT and absolutely loved the trike. It made the trip fun and enjoyable! Good luck and I hope this helps.

 

[rhino 2]

but I have lifted the inside wheel on two occasions. Luckily they were at slow speeds. Since the rear wheels turn together, no differential,

Wrong.. Ti-Glides have differential's... As do ALL street legal vehicles have to have!.. Your confusing solid axle with a Locked axle...

 

[Delf]

Wrong.. Ti-Glides have differential's... As do ALL street legal vehicles have to have!.. Your confusing solid axle with a Locked axle...

Ok, they have a differential, but unlike most vehicles, from what I can find it is a locked axle as you said and does not slip as in most differentials. SO, the effect is the same, harder to turn since the tires have to slip.

 

[rhino 2]

Ok, they have a differential, but unlike most vehicles, from what I can find it is a locked axle as you said and does not slip as in most differentials. SO, the effect is the same, harder to turn since the tires have to slip.

It isn't a locked axle...It is a differential [Part # 83450-09] that allows one tire to spin/turn not slip faster than the other. Telling people that it has an locked axel makes them think it will flip like the ATC's that were outlawed years ago... [I had 3 of them]...

 

[Delf]

It isn't a locked axle...It is a differential [Part # 83450-09] that allows one tire to spin/turn not slip faster than the other. Telling people that it has an locked axel makes them think it will flip like the ATC's that were outlawed years ago... [I had 3 of them]...

OK, I stand corrected. I must have been looking at an older or aftermarket differential schematic. I can't find one on the part # you referred to. I called the local Harley service department and they said if you jack up the rear end, turn one wheel, the other will rotate the opposite direction. I am curious, if you put it in gear (jacked up), can you stop one wheel from rotating as in a car? I haven't tried either yet.
I know this is getting too technical for most of the readers, but the bottom line is: Trikes are harder to turn than bikes. And the issues of ride & turning I have previously stated remain the same, regardless.
FYI, I have ridden many 3-wheel & 4-wheel ATVs with solid axles and they are difficult to turn as well.
And if you think you can not roll a Harley Trike, you are misleading the readers!

Granted you have to really push it, but I have lifted the inside tire off the ground. I actually take corners at higher speeds with the trike than on my soft-tail because of not worrying about slide-outs due to loose gravel or wet surfaces.

 

[DK Custom Products]

OK, I stand corrected. I must have been looking at an older or aftermarket differential schematic. I can't find one on the part # you referred to. I called the local Harley service department and they said if you jack up the rear end, turn one wheel, the other will rotate the opposite direction. I am curious, if you put it in gear (jacked up), can you stop one wheel from rotating as in a car? I haven't tried either yet.
I know this is getting too technical for most of the readers, but the bottom line is: Trikes are harder to turn than bikes. And the issues of ride & turning I have previously stated remain the same, regardless.
FYI, I have ridden many 3-wheel & 4-wheel ATVs with solid axles and they are difficult to turn as well.
And if you think you can not roll a Harley Trike, you are misleading the readers! Granted you have to really push it, but I have lifted the inside tire off the ground. I actually take corners at higher speeds with the trike than on my soft-tail because of not worrying about slide-outs due to loose gravel or wet surfaces.

I can go thru the corners much faster on my TG than my Sporty or Softail also.

I regularly lift the inside wheel in the twistys.

Nice thing about the Harley Trikes is they have a HUGE anti-sway bar (HD calls it a pan-hard rod). It will let that inside rear tire lift only so far, then it stops...UNLESS you are going way, way too fast. Then it's going all the way over.

btw, when you're going slow in a sharp corner (maybe 10 or 15 mph) and you lift your inside tire, Blip the throttle...it is always the tire with the least traction that is getting the power, so it will get that one spinning faster, and when it comes down you can get a nice burn-out, or even a wheelie.



DISCLAIMER: This is probably not "safe riding", and definitely increase the likelihood of a snapped belt (among other maladies), therefore I cannot recommend it.

But it sure is fun!

Kevin

 

[tbear]

The 14 and up Triglides have better brakes by design twin cooled motors GPS and other goodies built in and they may even ride a little better. conversions some ride better IR suspension can be a plus Hannigan I believe builds great conversions members hear actually can cover all different brands and styles. A couple things I considered was parts availability and service (if you do not plan on doing your own work) and if you buy new a Warranty.
Our old 09 Tri-Glide is not perfect however we do enjoy the dickens out of it. What pleases one person annoys another. I hope others here chime in and give you more input. There ais a great group of people here to help just my two cents. In any case welcome to the three wheel world not a compromise and addition to the adventure in the wind. ThumbUp ride safely fearless

Just wondering; I noticed you have the 2+2 bars. Did they really help you out with the steering and the shoulders etc.?

I am only 5'6" person and was hoping to purchase a set of bars to relieve the above problems. I was even thinking about going over to the other side and trade for a Honda Goldwing with ez steering etc.....I have the 2010 Triglide.

 

[G.W. Viper]

Just wondering; I noticed you have the 2+2 bars. Did they really help you out with the steering and the shoulders etc.? I am only 5'6" person and was hoping to purchase a set of bars to relieve the above problems. I was even thinking about going over to the other side and trade for a Honda Goldwing with ez steering etc.....I have the 2010 Triglide.

I have driven both, 2016 tri glide and Gold Wing. Big difference, Gold Wing with EZ Steer is like having Power Steering ThumbUp

 

[Fearless]

2+2 wide ones world of difference

Let's be honest if a machine has a power steering a Harley cannot compete, but if it has power steering it's not a Harley. The wide sweepers really made a huge difference, ended the back pain and shoulder pain. I am 5'8" with average arm length medium build and old. Look at the overall width regardless of handle bar type is where you get the leverage that is what makes the steering easier. You may want to explore what is out there mini apes 14" possibly 16". My Khrome Werks 2+2 wide sweepers are set fairly high they could be adjusted down and bring the grips even closer however work for me they way they are.

P.S. handle bars are way less than switching rides good luck in your quest personally I would change bars my 2 cents ride safely fearless

Just wondering; I noticed you have the 2+2 bars. Did they really help you out with the steering and the shoulders etc.? I am only 5'6" person and was hoping to purchase a set of bars to relieve the above problems. I was even thinking about going over to the other side and trade for a Honda Goldwing with ez steering etc.....I have the 2010 Triglide.