What gives the best ride?

[Phu Cat]

<font size="4">The wife's not too pleased that the trike rides rougher than the old EG. I've lowered the shock air pressure from the 28# it came with from the dealer to 15#. How low can I go on the tires air pressure?<br />
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Phu Cat</font>

 

[iaff84]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>Phu Cat</strong>
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<div class="message"><font size="4">The wife's not too pleased that the trike rides rougher than the old EG. I've lowered the shock air pressure from the 28# it came with from the dealer to 15#. How low can I go on the tires air pressure?<br />
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Phu Cat</font></div>

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</div>These TGs will ride harder than a two wheeler. I run 25 - 30 in shocks, 36 front tire and 22 in rear tires.<br />
No way around large rear tires, when they hit a pot hole with only one, it will jar you.<br />
Dennis

 

[rhino 2]

I tried all different air pressers in the shocks 25 to 45.
Tires 36 front, 25 rear, Still jars me on bumps [pot holes] Nature of the beast i guess. :Shrug:

 

[flynng]

Indepentant Rear Suspension (IRS)<br />
Harley (Lehman) doesn't offer it. <br />
Still gonna buck a bit, but not nearly as bad as a solid axle.

 

[FLTR2008TRIKE]

DFT is offering a dealer installed kit that they install and is suppose to improve the ride and handling of the Triglides >>> http://www.dfttrikes.com/PDF/PowerArm.pdf

 

[CRBandit]

Just spoke with DFT, right now it is only installed at their factory (dealers may be added later depending...), cost is $6,000 and it lays the trike up for approx 1 week. They have a demo trike but it currently is out in CA for testing by a magazine for a future article (couldn't tell me what magazine). Said they would likely have demo trike back late March. Factory is in IL (just west of Chicago area).

 

[trikermutha]

Just spoke with DFT, right now it is only installed at their factory (dealers may be added later depending...), cost is $6,000 and it lays the trike up for approx 1 week. They have a demo trike but it currently is out in CA for testing by a magazine for a future article (couldn't tell me what magazine). Said they would likely have demo trike back late March. Factory is in IL (just west of Chicago area).

Yea Leon and his staff are great people to work with. My dad test drove the demo and said it was fantastic to ride..Versus the stock Tri Glide axle rear end..

 

[GARYD]

I rest rode the DFT at Woodstock Harley in Ill. and right afterward a Tri Glide. I did notice the IRS was great on the edge of the right lane where it was kinda like a washboard, it made a big difference. I can't say I was impressed with it on a regular road(no potholes) where it doesn't make any difference. <br />
They had the Harley replacement prototype there, but not one installed yet. This was last summer.<br />
I have learned a very important tip. When encountering a pothole or manhole cover - hit it dead on with the front wheel instead of either of the rear wheels - alot less jarring.<br />
Since I only ride about 5%, if that, on bad roads, the $6000+ is a big deal killer for me. Not worth it...to me. <br />
I'm still young/healthy enough(68) that the standard ride is more then fine with me. I do have the Road Zepplin air seat which helps alot.

I actually enjoy the swaying/jumping that the TG goes thru. LOL. Maybe when I start having back problems, I'll reconcider an IRS.<br />
The smile hasn't left my face yet!!

 

[Nana]

+++ on avoiding potholes and manhole covers, etc. with the rear wheels. The front wheel won't make your butt hurt, but you will feel it if the rear wheels are jarred.

 

[Memnoch451]

Once again.. I don't like Tri glides... A $6000.00 upgrade for an over price machine to begin with... no way jose'

Sell your Tri glide and get a trike that's built that had IRS and be done with it!

 

[adaptolife]

I don't think anything rides nicer than a Harley FL! Motorcycles are not Lincolns. Short wheelbase, low profile tires, and short suspension travel are not conducive to rider comfort. I recommend a gel seat pad that quads use on their wheelchairs. They make a pile of rocks comfy.

 

[jtilmon]

WHAT GIVES THE BEST RIDE??
The best ride I have found is Honda GL 1800 with a Roadsmith conversion.
just sayin

 

[Tom Trike]

The wife's not too pleased that the trike rides rougher than the old EG. I've lowered the shock air pressure from the 28# it came with from the dealer to 15#. How low can I go on the tires air pressure?

Phu Cat

You can go to our website link below to see our Cheetahs and watch the Cheetah video. If you like what you find out about the Cheetah, we invite you and your wife to come and take a Cheetah test-ride. We'd love to meet you.
Thanks,
Tom

 

[Greydog]

The wife's not too pleased that the trike rides rougher than the old EG. I've lowered the shock air pressure from the 28# it came with from the dealer to 15#. How low can I go on the tires air pressure?

Phu Cat

I run 16-18PSI in the rear tires and about 30 in the shocks. Mine is an Ultra/Champion conversion with solid axle. Those rear tires are designed to carry a lot more weight than a trike so 16-18PSI will be fine. Pot-holes are a lot rougher on the passenger 'cause they're sitting closer to the rear axle and the lower air pressure sort of moderates the jarring to the spine. I'm gonna add a Hammock Seat for Betty this year.

 

[trikermutha]

I am thinking the Dunlops an the Tri Glide should be something like the Goodyear Comfort Tread..Much softer ride..
The tires absorb the bumps in the rode not the vehicle..

 

[Blondie Gal]

WHAT GIVES THE BEST RIDE??
The best ride I have found is Honda GL 1800 with a Roadsmith conversion.
just sayin

Have to agree with jt, 'cept we like our CSC kit. Longer wheelbase, IRS make trips very comfy for both of us - 14-15 hours at a stretch. Plus the lack of a 'hot' factor, all add up to the best ride.

And we were DEVOUT HD people before we got a trike . . . still got a bunch of stock parts in the garage that got changed out of the 03 Ultra and the 03 Sportster 1200. Anybody need somethin'??

 

[rap47]

With the 1-1/4" lift and the harley hammock seat, 28lbs in the shocks and 24lbs in the rear tires. Rides great for the both of us. You can always go with the other long wheelbase trikes, but to me at that point your so close to the size of a small car, then what's the point?

 

[TNTriker]

With the 1-1/4" lift and the harley hammock seat, 28lbs in the shocks and 24lbs in the rear tires. Rides great for the both of us. You can always go with the other long wheelbase trikes, but to me at that point your so close to the size of a small car, then what's the point?

ThumbUp! Do you want to ride a motorcycle or a small car. I do like a nice ride, but the things that some folks do to make their motorcycle more like a car is a little bit over the edge. I haven't yet seen a DEVOT HD rider switch to a Honda...maybe a HD Rider wanna be or a poser!

 

[10rhrk]

Have to agree with jt, 'cept we like our CSC kit. Longer wheelbase, IRS make trips very comfy for both of us - 14-15 hours at a stretch. Plus the lack of a 'hot' factor, all add up to the best ride.

And we were DEVOUT HD people before we got a trike . . . still got a bunch of stock parts in the garage that got changed out of the 03 Ultra and the 03 Sportster 1200. Anybody need somethin'??

I would hang-on to those old Harley part's. They will be worth more than your Honda trike. Good Investment...

 

[Chubby Tom]

I've got a DFT kit with quad spring and shock IRS. There is no comparison to a solid axle trike, my former trike. It's like driving a car. Road irregularities are soaked up and are almost imperceptable. Try hitting a speed bump at a sharp angle with a solid axle trike at moderate speed, you feel like you're losing control. With the IRS, no crazy jerking or flying rear end, just a smooth transition over the bumps. I used the local Fedex parking lot and hit them at about 25mph and the difference is HUGE.

I think I remember reading Lehman makes an independent rear suspension kit. In my opinion, all should have IRS.

Just my 2cents...

Tom

 

[rap47]

Lehman makes a solid axle. Go to their website on the left side down at the bottom and hit suspension. They explain why they do.ThumbUp

 

[adaptolife]

I agree TNT. A trike roof? Trailer hitched for trailers and campers, wind guards, tons of cargo...after you eliminate the noise, wind, and sun, what is the point? Sell the trike and buy a Cadillac! Riding a motorcycle or trike is not for everyone.

 

[GARYD]

My thoughts exactly. If you want a smooth ride, buy a car. That's the whole reason I ride bikes -wind in my face, smells, feel of the road.
I suggest not riding were speed bumps are or slow down.
How hits a speed bump at a sharp angle?? All the speed bumps I have ever incountered are on residentioal streets where it's impossible to come at a speed bump at a sharp angle unless you're in the wrong sid of the road.
How about saying, hitting a speed bump straight on like normal with a IRS. I bet that bike flies in the air the same a solid axle.

I don't know why people complain about a motorcycles vibrations(Harleys), being too rough riding, hard to steer(trike), bad going over speed bumps at speed, not fast enough, can't carry enough, it's too hot, it's too cold, it's raining etc. etc.

IT'S A MOTORCYCLE PEOPLE - GET USE TO IT OR STAY IN A CAR.

 

[10rhrk]

Lehman makes a solid axle. Go to their website on the left side down at the bottom and hit suspension. They explain why they do.ThumbUp

Agree 100%, theres a reason HD put the Solid axle on the triglides..ThumbUp

 

[10rhrk]

My thoughts exactly. If you want a smooth ride, buy a car. That's the whole reason I ride bikes -wind in my face, smells, feel of the road.
I suggest not riding were speed bumps are or slow down.
How hits a speed bump at a sharp angle?? All the speed bumps I have ever incountered are on residentioal streets where it's impossible to come at a speed bump at a sharp angle unless you're in the wrong sid of the road.
How about saying, hitting a speed bump straight on like normal with a IRS. I bet that bike flies in the air the same a solid axle.

I don't know why people complain about a motorcycles vibrations(Harleys), being too rough riding, hard to steer(trike), bad going over speed bumps at speed, not fast enough, can't carry enough, it's too hot, it's too cold, it's raining etc. etc.

IT'S A MOTORCYCLE PEOPLE - GET USE TO IT OR STAY IN A CAR.

Well said GaryD..ThumbUp

 

[screwball]

Speed bumps at "moderate speeds" Rough ride over railroad tracks at high speed. My Lincoln bangs me around over speed bumps at 'moderate speeds' speed bumps were invented to slow you down. If railroad tracks bounce you around, complain to the roads people. As was said before, these are motorcycles, wind in your face, bugs in your teeth. You are supposed to get: cold, hot, wind burned, buffeted, wet. When you go on a long trip you wear the same underwear and pants for a couple of days, not drag a trailer with 2 months of clothes, then bitch your Harley doesn't have enough power. We are pushing 30,000 miles on the '09 and this is all recreation fun. Couple more years and the '11 will have that kind of mileage and the '09 will probably get traded for a '14.

Ride it, get caught in a rain storm, ride through a bug swarm, get bounced around, buffeted, and wind burned. Most of us are old (me anyway) and want to have some fun! Last couple of years we have roamed the South-West. This year it is North. Riding up the Pacific Coast to Oregon, then left turn to Wyoming and meander around there for a week or two. I'm sure we are going to get wet, wind-blown, sun burned, and bug blopped. Find a Motel with a hot tub at night and recoup!

 

[Chubby Tom]

Fellow Trikers
The speed bump scenario was just to simulate an uneven road surface. I don't go looking for speed bumps to speed over. Even going over a bump or pot hole or railroad track at slow speed, with a solid axle the handlebars were almost ripped out of my hands. This does not happen nearly as badly with an IRS.

I think "No Lean" is smoke and mirrors. I think it is "No Money" available to re-engineer the trike for IRS. Don't hate me!:AGGHH: I've taken some pretty sharp turns at speed and falling over wasn't even on my list of concerns. Mostly for me, it's a comfort thing. Fractured vertebrae and multiple back surgeries made it impossible to ride more than 25 miles on a solid axle. At 6'1" and 300lbs, lower back pain was very intense. With the IRS, I can ride all day and still be able to walk the next day.

My good friend was trading his '03 Ultra Classic Firefighter Edition on a TG. After riding mine and a new TG, he decided to have his converted with the DFT kit and save a bundle. He loves his UC, but, like me, he's having problems with balance and leg strength.

I have no affiliation with DFT. I was just luck enough to find one.

This is only my personal needs and opinion.

 

[screwball]

Don't hate you Tom, BUT I priced DTF trikes before we bought the first Tri. Counting the cost of the motorcycle, you aren't saving a lot of money. I read where you are going to pump a couple more grand into your DTF because of steering wobble. Your fiend will have an 88 inch 5 speed trike that is several hundred pounds heavier than his Ultra. Here comes the problems with power, and probably front end camber. I personally really like the looks of the DTF bodies, there just weren't many independents close to have one put together, and the conversion is way above my ability. Good Luck!

 

[Beorn of Ga]

I had the same complaint from my Wife. I installed the 1 1/4" lift kit and went to 30 lb in the shocks. Made a big inprovement in smoothing out ride over bumps.

 

[Trent]

Hey Screwball!... When you go up the Oregon Coast and are ready to head to Wyoming, please turn right!! Not left!!! Salt water will not be good for the TGlide and will also make your sunburn sting worse!..We will be in Northern Cal around the 3rd week of July, then up to Crater Lake, Or. And if you are coming thru Boise, you better give me a hollar!!!