Triking on the Highway

[Southpaw]

We are converting my 2010 Harley Road King with a Frankenstein trike kit. Not sure if I'll need a triple tree installed. Also my husband has doubts and fears about riding a trike at high speeds like on highways. He is currently using his two wheel motorcycle thinking. All of this is new to us, he rides a Harley Ultra Limited. Can you all give us some input as to what to expect, and any tips for a new trike rider? I am very excited and open to any and all information.

 

[Paul_Trike]

I would suggest goining throuh these two links. Lots of valubale information there.

http://www.triketalk.com/forum/gener...post-here-242/

http://www.triketalk.com/forum/gener...5/rake-q-7823/

I do recommend getting a new triple tree to rake your trike. I did so on mine and have not regret it for one minute.

 

[Gold Rush]

Trikes run at highway speeds every bit as well as two wheelers. They are safe and stable well over legal speeds so you don't need to worry about that. As for needing a triple tree installed I expect you are speaking of a rake kit. If steering ease is of concern then the easy answer is Yes. If/when you guys get ready, get hold of Zook (board owner) and chat with him. He'll give you good information and even sell you a kit....

 

[americanbadass]

You will probably like the handling and turning much better with the rake kit installed-especially if you are planning to ride a lot. Take it slow and practice a lot in areas where traffic is limited. Good beginner info can be found in abundance here-click on the YelvingtonTrike:wave4: link, you will find an excellent section just on beginning trike do's and don't. Good luck and welcome to TRIKEDOM!

 

[Nana]

We are converting my 2010 Harley Road King with a Frankenstein trike kit. Not sure if I'll need a triple tree installed. Also my husband has doubts and fears about riding a trike at high speeds like on highways. He is currently using his two wheel motorcycle thinking. All of this is new to us, he rides a Harley Ultra Limited. Can you all give us some input as to what to expect, and any tips for a new trike rider? I am very excited and open to any and all information.

Southpaw, I (and many other women here) are regularly riding trikes. For six years I rode a Fat Boy trike, now I have a V-rod trike. I assure you, the trike will handle highway speeds without difficulty. My husband on his 2-wheel Street Glide led the way home on I-75 at a steady 85 mph a couple of weeks ago after the rally.

I not only easily kept up with him on my trike, but easily caught up and overtook him (90 mph) to let him know I needed to stop at the upcoming rest area.

In addition, once you have adjusted to the difference in steering style, you will find the stability of the trike to be a real joy; no more concern for uneven roads at stop lights, gravel in corners, or wet roads as you ride!

Definitely add a rake kit..... DEFINITELY! Without it you will wear out your shoulders with the steering, but like power steering with it. Remember, you will be actually steering, not leaning the bike into corners as you do on 2 wheels. I rode 2 wheels for over 20 years, so I am quite familiar with the adjustment it takes to move to steering with 3. As others have suggested, contact Bazooka. He will get you the kit at significant savings.

At first you have a tendency to "counter steer" as you have been doing, but it will likely take you right off the road. You will have to consciously turn the front wheel in the direction of your turn instead.

It takes 200 - 500 miles of road time, but you will suddenly realize you are steering naturally and it no longer feels strange.

 

[Aussie Annie]

I'm with Nana on this.... DEFINITELY put a rake kit/E-Z-Steer kit on ThumbUp
I shipped my brand new to me H-D trike to the states last year..... and rode the Dragon [twice] So they will handle highway speeds :10:

Have fun, and take the time to learn the feel of "your" trike... that way you will stay in your comfort zone Happy riding

 

[Trent]

I am with Nana too! 85 all day with cruise control on, and 95 if you gotta have it. Very stable at those speeds and way more stable and safer than 2 wheels if there is a cross wind. You will find your personal zone and be very happy with it. I would never go back to 2 wheels now. This is just too much safer fun!

 

[ea81slush]

If anyone is contemplating a trike after riding motorcycles I tell them my trike can tow a reasonable trailer. Wins them hands down. Also I would increase your rake.

We have all the conveniences in this trailer. Stove, life up sink, fridge, large bed, portable toilet, shower tent etc.

Trikes are very forgiving too.

 

[Southpaw]

Thank you for all the comments and helpful ideas. We will definitely be getting a triple tree for my conversion!! I think you all have my husband convinced about riding at higher speeds on the highway. He is excited to get it put together and take it out for a spin! It'll be a little while before we do the converstion, but I'll be sure to post photos when we do it!!

 

[Bob Witte]

We are converting my 2010 Harley Road King with a Frankenstein trike kit. Not sure if I'll need a triple tree installed. Also my husband has doubts and fears about riding a trike at high speeds like on highways. He is currently using his two wheel motorcycle thinking. All of this is new to us, he rides a Harley Ultra Limited. Can you all give us some input as to what to expect, and any tips for a new trike rider? I am very excited and open to any and all information.

This links to a booklet I wrote a year or so ago that may be of interest:

Yelvington Trikes

Just click on "How To Ride A Trike" to download it to your PC. Read & enjoy!

 

[Pegasus1300]

After nearly 50 years on two wheels I went to 3 last October.It was a rough adjustment for me but after about 5k on the trike this year it is becoming fun.My trike does not have a rake adjustment in it and I have since ridden on two friends trikes who do.GET THE RAKE KIT.I will be putting one in my trike this fall as the riding season slows down.BTW I have a 90 GW with a 2006 TriKing conversion.It goes down the road just fine and I find that cars give me a little more respect on the freeway.There is no side to side to twitching or pull in driving or taking off from a stop light.It will cruise at any speed I want to cruise at,tho the faster I go the more gas it sucks down until at 80+ the gas mileage is really shot.If you can get an aux.gas tank do so.

 

[Memnoch451]

I am in perfect health ( knock on wood) and have been riding mini bikes, dirt bikes, street bikes, race bikes and now trikes... I love the convenience of the extra storage and how stable it is on the highway, twisties or around town. A rake kit is never a bad idea and it's the one thing you can do to make your day and your ride a good one for many years to come.

So Yes, get a trike or trike out your Harley and keep on doing what you love.. getting out there seeing stupid tourist traps, meeting new people and having a blast!!! ThumbUp

 

[Memnoch451]

If anyone is contemplating a trike after riding motorcycles I tell them my trike can tow a reasonable trailer. Wins them hands down. Also I would increase your rake.

We have all the conveniences in this trailer. Stove, life up sink, fridge, large bed, portable toilet, shower tent etc.

Trikes are very forgiving too.

I love your set up.. it's cool! ThumbUp

 

[Ed Hobgood]

You will love your trike after you put a few miles on it (getting use to it). My first trike did not have a rake kit on it and everyone told me that it would make the steering so much better if added. I have been on trikes now with the rake kit added and it is different like day and night. My advise,"add the rake kit".

 

[Carbon_One]

All great advice from the previous folks here. Freeway stability is actually better on 3 than on 2 IMHO. Going past semis my trike is rock solid whereas when it was on 2 wheels I'd feel buffeting from them. Hit the cruise control and relaxing with one hand steering on the highway is easily done. Yep get the rake and an auxiliary gas tank if available.
Larry