Two Wheels to Three - any regrets?

[vtxharley]

2 to 3 wheels

No, regrets, but does take getting use to, completely different ride from two wheels. You can have alot more fun riding when u are more relaxed, especially the wife.

 

[Copper]

Love having a bike back after a long time

Sure I miss 2 wheels. My last Fat-boy went back in 92 when my oldest son was born. Four kids later most in college my wife got talking to a couple riding a gold wing trike on the ferry on lake Champlain.

That night she brought up that it could be something we could do together. That was all I needed, that was a free pass for me to go out that week and pick up my triglide. We have enjoyed ever since. She would not have gotten back on a 2 wheel bike after all these year. As long as we don't have snow on the ground its my daily commuting vehicle.

 

[rhino 2]

Sure I miss 2 wheels. My last Fat-boy went back in 92 when my oldest son was born. Four kids later most in college my wife got talking to a couple riding a gold wing trike on the ferry on lake Champlain.

That night she brought up that it could be something we could do together. That was all I needed, that was a free pass for me to go out that week and pick up my triglide. We have enjoyed ever since. She would not have gotten back on a 2 wheel bike after all these year. As long as we don't have snow on the ground its my daily commuting vehicle.

Welcome to Trike-Talk....Chris....:wave4:Great first post :clapping:

 

[screwball]

Lots! Can't split lanes, no gutter running, riding on the sidewalk is out.... all the fun stuff! Wife and I are on Trikes for health reasons, otherwise we would still be on 2 wheels.

That being said, we would be hard pressed to go back to 2 wheels. Trikes are harder to ride, aren't as fast, and don't corner as well. They are much more stable and feel a lot safer. At 70+ years old this makes a lot of sense.

 

[MDO]

Like many here, medical issues really slowed down my 2 wheel fun & I really missed it. Once I saw the fun of the Freewheeler I was hooked & enjoy it as much as I did 2 wheels.

Are there drawbacks, sure, a few, but there are a lot of pluses too.

Stability, storage & with the new M8 engine, more torgue, power & smooth delivery of a lot of fun. orag:

 

[427dave]

No regrets at all. It was my wifes idea to trade the ultra limited for the trike. I was having a knee problem and dumped the ultra a couple of times in the garage. We traded up in 2011 for a new 2011 Triglide. We now have 60,000 miles. Moved to Northern Wisconsin for 3 years and did not get as much riding in. We have taken some long trips and the wife likes it a lot more than two wheels although the 2 wheels rode smother. Did have one big problem at 51,000 miles, the 103 engine blew up on a trip. Waited on the side of the road for 3 hours waiting for a tow truck, we were in the goony bushes. Required a engine replacement so we installed a SE 120 ST as the warranty had just expired a couple of months before.

Still do not regret the change and I had ridden motorcycles for over 50 years at that time. Love my trike

 

[GARYD]

Lots! Can't split lanes, no gutter running, riding on the sidewalk is out.... all the fun stuff! Wife and I are on Trikes for health reasons, otherwise we would still be on 2 wheels.

That being said, we would be hard pressed to go back to 2 wheels. Trikes are harder to ride, aren't as fast, and don't corner as well. They are much more stable and feel a lot safer. At 70+ years old this makes a lot of sense.

I'm in your age bracket - 74 in March. But I have a bit of a different outlook on trikes then you. I never have and never will split lanes, don't know what gutter running is, and don't ride on sidewalks - BUT - a trike is a helluvalot of fun on ice and snow and I (and most riders familiar with a trike) can corner faster than a 2 wheeler - a lot faster!!

Don't have to worry about how I'm going to pick it up if I fall over.

I wouldn't say trikes are harder to ride - just different. I ride the BRP and The Dragon every year. Sometimes, just for fun, I will join some crotch rockets just to see how long I can stay with them. They usually pull away on the few somewhat straights, but I catch up on the corners and hairpins.

SPEED? Depends on how fast you want to go - I have mine set up to go as fast as I want.... and then some. I ride my TG faster then probably 80% of Harley riders do on 2 wheels. Like the old saying goes.

I still ride 2 wheels a few times each year. Only reason I have a trike now is I may not have the money to buy one when I do need one. The way my hip is going it may not be too much longer.

I have no regrets. I started out in life on a trike and I'll go out on one.

 

[Capt.Bob]

Hips and Trikes

Gary, I am just past 4 months into life with a new complete left hip. I chose an "anterior approach" surgical technique but the data supports equal outcomes with the "posterior approach" when minimally invasive incisions are made. I find that I have to be a bit careful on how I mount and dismount the trike and continue to experiment with the most efficient and safest ways to do that without fear of dislocating the implanted devices. The old saying goes, if you don't know how to do orthopedic surgery, find a surgeon who has good published statistics on whichever procedure they use.

The surgery has allowed me to much more comfortably ride on my trikes and/or get in and out of my Lotus Super 7 clone street/race car. Like many others, after the surgery and all of the initial and continuing hoopla of rehabilitation, you begin to ask yourself why you didn't get the surgery earlier. This is a common comment reportedly given to orthopedic surgeons.

As I mentioned on another post, now that I am gaining a lot of strength through exercise, I could more easily go back to 2 wheels with a lot more confidence that my hip would not be much of an issue but have concluded that I am not missing that much after some 400k seat miles on 2 wheels. The trikes really seem to make for a fun and more relaxing and/or challenging ride if I want to pick up the pace which you seem to like. I am about 5 years behind you in age but don't really care if some of my buddies refer to my trike as a "geezer glide". I am out in the wind having fun and I think that is all that really matters.

 

[GARYD]

Gary, I am just past 4 months into life with a new complete left hip. I chose an "anterior approach" surgical technique but the data supports equal outcomes with the "posterior approach" when minimally invasive incisions are made. I find that I have to be a bit careful on how I mount and dismount the trike and continue to experiment with the most efficient and safest ways to do that without fear of dislocating the implanted devices. The old saying goes, if you don't know how to do orthopedic surgery, find a surgeon who has good published statistics on whichever procedure they use.

The surgery has allowed me to much more comfortably ride on my trikes and/or get in and out of my Lotus Super 7 clone street/race car. Like many others, after the surgery and all of the initial and continuing hoopla of rehabilitation, you begin to ask yourself why you didn't get the surgery earlier. This is a common comment reportedly given to orthopedic surgeons.

As I mentioned on another post, now that I am gaining a lot of strength through exercise, I could more easily go back to 2 wheels with a lot more confidence that my hip would not be much of an issue but have concluded that I am not missing that much after some 400k seat miles on 2 wheels. The trikes really seem to make for a fun and more relaxing and/or challenging ride if I want to pick up the pace which you seem to like. I am about 5 years behind you in age but don't really care if some of my buddies refer to my trike as a "geezer glide". I am out in the wind having fun and I think that is all that really matters.

Perfect response, Bob, Thank you.

I just got back from a 2 mile "walk". I had hernia repair done on Tuesday and they say this is the only exercise I can do for a few more weeks. Then I can get back to my regular gym activities.

 

[HarleyTri2017]

Hello group. New to forum. In recent months I’ve become really intrigued by trikes, specifically Tri-Glides. I have a friend who has one and he loves it. If I buy one, I would have to give up my Street Glide (can’t own two mc’s). For those of you that have made the switch to three wheels - any regrets? I know the riding experience is completely different, and I’m concerned that I might miss the sportiness of my two wheeler. Appreciate your comments.

Just bought our trike last summer and after a little learning curve, we LOVE it! I'm only 66 but my knees tell me otherwise. Like others have said, I miss the 2 wheels, but 3 is always better than 2. It's just plain fun to drive!

 

[HarleyTri2017]

None at all. I just recently made the switch from two wheels to three in September, 2017. Got about 3k on the 2018 Tri-Glide and loving every mile as does my co-rider. Honestly I don't miss the two wheeler as I didn't realize just how much stress was involved (especially when loaded and two-up) when coming to stops and checking the road surface for potential issues, going slow in parking lots and being concerned about some a-hole not paying attention and forcing me to brake quickly when turning, etc, etc. While I am extremely careful and aware as always there it is much more comfortable to have that third wheel and not have to worry about a spill. I won't go back - only forward and on three wheels.

TOTALLY agree!

 

[DK Custom Products]

I went to a Trike because I can no longer safely hold up a loaded & 2 up bagger.

I am fortunate to still ride Sportsters and Softails, so I have the best of all worlds.

Trikes are definitely different, and their own kind of fun. Mary and I have enjoyed our long trips on the Tri-Glide MORE than we did on two wheels.

They handle great, and are a much more relaxed ride...this really makes a difference in all day riding.

If I go too long riding only the Tri-Glide, I do miss leaning in the curves. That is cured by jumping on the Sporty or Softail.

If I had to make a choice between the two, the Tri-Glide would definitely win out.

Kevin

 

[Capt.Bob]

I went to a Trike because I can no longer safely hold up a loaded & 2 up bagger.

I am fortunate to still ride Sportsters and Softails, so I have the best of all worlds.

Trikes are definitely different, and their own kind of fun. Mary and I have enjoyed our long trips on the Tri-Glide MORE than we did on two wheels.

They handle great, and are a much more relaxed ride...this really makes a difference in all day riding.

If I go too long riding only the Tri-Glide, I do miss leaning in the curves. That is cured by jumping on the Sporty or Softail.

If I had to make a choice between the two, the Tri-Glide would definitely win out.

Kevin

Kevin, Very close to my sentiments but with one big caveat that I have been weighing the past several days. Since I had a complete left hip replacement 4 months ago, riding is more comfortable than ever! However, with the hip replacement comes the limitation of not being able to safely do deep squats and some weight lifting limits and although I have been toying with the idea of getting another two-wheeler, if on the off chance that I dropped it, I likely could not safely lift it back up like I used to. I only dropped one bike in 50 plus years of riding and that was in the garage wearing flip flops that slipped on my painted garage floor. However, I am afraid that not being able to safely lift a bike up takes me out of that game? Bob

 

[DK Custom Products]

Kevin, Very close to my sentiments but with one big caveat that I have been weighing the past several days. Since I had a complete left hip replacement 4 months ago, riding is more comfortable than ever! However, with the hip replacement comes the limitation of not being able to safely do deep squats and some weight lifting limits and although I have been toying with the idea of getting another two-wheeler, if on the off chance that I dropped it, I likely could not safely lift it back up like I used to. I only dropped one bike in 50 plus years of riding and that was in the garage wearing flip flops that slipped on my painted garage floor. However, I am afraid that not being able to safely lift a bike up takes me out of that game? Bob

I dunno...I've only done this once, but it worked pretty easy.



Kevin

 

[Capt.Bob]

I dunno...I've only done this once, but it worked pretty easy.



Kevin

Kevin, That is a great video for folks who don't know how to pick up a bike. Sadly, I do know that technique and used it that one time, but after hip replacement surgery, it is recommended that folks don't postoperatively do deep squats, EVER (sob). Unfortunately that very easy technique does require a pretty deep leg squat. I am walking 2-3 miles every day 4 months out of surgery and continue to strengthen my body. Hopefully one day I may be able to disregard the suggestions of my surgeon with a margin of safety? I don't know yet and have not researched it enough at this point?

 

[rhino 2]

I dropped [crashed] my Cb750, Facing up hill on the corkscrew coming out of the Lincoln tunnel , It took me and a guy who stoped to block cars from hitting me to get it upright, But i did have a smashed elbow from the fall...Another time with my Sv650 i got it up with just adrenalin.....And in recent years there were two other times but ill leave them for an embarrassing moment thread......:blush:

 

[GARYD]

There's a tiny little gal that goes around to all the bike shows and does this demonstration for the crown.

If I ever have to do this with a trike, I'll give up riding!

 

[Jack Klarich]

At times I miss 2 wheels

But the Trike is way more comfortable for a long haul

I can no longer hold baggers up

I did have a lot of fun on my Streetbob tho

My last ride on it was from Jax FLA to Sturgis and back

The ride there was stock seat and NO windshield Never again

 

[Firewrench22]

I had 3-wheeler ATV's back in the 80's, before the quads came out. Had a lot of fun on them. Got spit off a time or two...

Fast forward to 2002, I had a Gold Wing, mostly used for commuting on the ferries here in Seattle. Bikes go to the front of the line, first on, first off. So my wife and I had just gotten together, took her for a few rides, she was just "OK" with riding on the back of the Wing. Not sure if she didn't like seeing the ground on each side, or if it was the leaning. We took a test ride on a TriGlide around 2008-09. She loved it. Her first comment was "We're getting one of these!" Wow, that was an easy sell...She also said we have to pay off the HELOC before we get the trike. She put every extra nickel towards paying that off, she really wanted the trike.

Since I was comfortable on 3 wheels, I had no problem making the swap. We bought our 2011 TriGlide new. One of the best things about the Tri is the big trunk. We can both bring a second jacket, extra clothing, or whatever else we want. Heck, we even went to Costco on it once. OK, we didn't get the bale of toilet paper, we only needed a few things...

I thank God I don't have any severe health limitations, just a bad back from being a lifetime mechanic. I'm "only" 62, hoping to ride for many more years, and glad I have the trike. Ain't getting any stronger...

 

[GARYD]

62? $hit, you're just a kid. You have lots of time to ride your TG. Probably go through 2 or 3 TG's before your times up.

Enjoy it - I do mine every single day.

 

[DK Custom Products]

Kevin, That is a great video for folks who don't know how to pick up a bike. Sadly, I do know that technique and used it that one time, but after hip replacement surgery, it is recommended that folks don't postoperatively do deep squats, EVER (sob). Unfortunately that very easy technique does require a pretty deep leg squat. I am walking 2-3 miles every day 4 months out of surgery and continue to strengthen my body. Hopefully one day I may be able to disregard the suggestions of my surgeon with a margin of safety? I don't know yet and have not researched it enough at this point?

Understood.

Kevin

 

[Zahnsflyer]

Encouraged by so many of your “no regrets” comments, I made a trip to my local HD dealership this week. They happen to have a 2018 anniversary model (blue/black) Tri-Glide on the floor. Sure is pretty! I was short on time so didn’t talk with a salesman. Thinking I need to go back and take a better look. Maybe leave my checkbook home!?!

 

[Jack Klarich]

Encouraged by so many of your “no regrets” comments, I made a trip to my local HD dealership this week. They happen to have a 2018 anniversary model (blue/black) Tri-Glide on the floor. Sure is pretty! I was short on time so didn’t talk with a salesman. Thinking I need to go back and take a better look. Maybe leave my checkbook home!?!

Now may be a good time to deal

Sales are flat

H D stock isdown

 

[ultrafxr]

Friend I've ridden with for several years just told me he and his wife decided to get a trike. Guess my doing so may have gotten him to thinking about it. Now he's five years younger than me and has no physical problems or limitations so I was a bit surprised. Further discussion revealed his concern about maneuvering his big Harley dresser around - not riding per se but being concerned about where to park for best egress, being on uneven unstable surfaces, having to brake at low speed while turning, etc, etc. Heck I never knew he was stressing about this. And as I said in my previous post I didn't realize how much stress riding a loaded Harley dresser two-up placed on the rider. Those beasts weigh over 900 lbs themselves and when you add a rider and co-rider with luggage it can sure top 1,300 lbs. Glad I switched to three wheels even though like my friend I thankfully don't have any physical limitations that would keep me off two wheels.

 

[paws]

Well then Fuzzy we’ll be expecting to see you do some 2-stepping when you get to Kerrville! :clapping:

 

[rhino 2]

What a guy 'Fuzzy, Always looking out for your fellow man...

In this case their eyesight...:laugh:

 

[Capt.Bob]

Well, I had an eye opener yesterday which I think essentially cements my commitment to three wheels. A neighbor had a like-new cult bike for sale (Honda Pacific Coast 800) which happens to be a pretty heavy bike at about 650 pounds. Honda made the kickstand short and so the bike leans way over when on its side stand. I went over to test out my ability to safely lift it off the stand being almost 5 months out from a left hip replacement and found that even using my thighs to snatch it up that it hurt my left leg. I was not a happy camper and then contemplated the fact that if I dropped the bike that I would not be able to use a deep squat technique to lift the bike up.

Yesterday ended my interest in riding on two wheels again. Yes, I could get a real light bike and even something like a flickable Grom but the whole concept of having to worry about putting my feet down is going to be a thing of the past. I very much enjoy my Tri Glide Ultra (TGU) and my F3S Spyder and so will be content to be in the wind with three wheels underneath me.

BTW, some Harley trikers have opined that they would not enjoy having the wheels out in front like on the Can-Am. However, the other day, I went on a 300 mile ride on the TGU and noticed that the two large pods containing the wet-head coolant system are somewhat similar in terms of views to a front-wheeled Spyder. Additionally, on the TGU, the bat wing fairing completely blocks out the front wheel on my 2017 ride and so I do not even get a sense of a front wheel being there on the Harley.

I really enjoy riding the somewhat apples and oranges differences in the two trikes.