What I've learned about being a Harley trike owner...

[TaylorMcStrat]

...and I still don't take delivery until tomorrow....

The dealer almost didn't have the trike ready for me as the parts people forgot to order the trike adapter for the new exhaust system. Their excuse? "Uh, yeah, we forgot. You're the guy with the trike..."

While talking to the service manager (and looking at the trike on a lift), he said they would dyno it for me. I said, "You have a dyno for a trike?" Him: "Ugh, no...forgot - you have the trike...." He was looking at it.

I am getting the impression we're in one of those "special" categories - like the kids who rode the little short bus to school.

I was sitting outside at the dealership talking to my sales guy. A guy with an EG was sitting there, and says, "I told my wife if it ever comes time that I need to get a trike, I'm simply getting out of biking..."

So for many bikers, apparently, a trike is not considered a reasonable choice in a ride, but something akin to needing a walker, cane, or Rascal...:Trike1:

 

[Ironhorsepilot]

Interesting, I have never had anyone say anything like that to me. I have been treated with as much respect as the other bikers at my dealer. I think maybe you have had some reservations about getting a trike (understandable, by the way) and maybe you are reading too much into what people say. Take it with a grain of salt and then smile at all the other bikers when you are the one getting all the attention at gas stations, restaurants, etc.....because people will walk past the bikes every time.

 

[TaylorMcStrat]

Thanks - yeah, I'm taking it with a grain of salt. I'm in my mid-fifties, and I no longer feel I have anything to prove to anyone - let alone some random biker killing time smoking a stogie in front of the dealership. I just chuckled.

He said, "Well, no offense or anything. There's nothing wrong with the trikes, I guess."

I told him, "No offense taken," and let it go at that.

So far, I'm loving the dealership and the service manager. They take me right into the bay, point at stuff on the trike for my edification, and are very friendly and open.

 

[msocko3]

I think we're at the beginning of the Trike explosion, seeing more and more on the roads. I took delivery of my 2010 Triglide when I was 45 years old, not for health reasons, just because I thought they were neat and a comfortable way to bolt on some miles. For the most part I've never had anyone say anything negative about the trike, most of the time it draws people. Now I will say on some of the forums there are the keyboard commandos who want to play bad bikers and slam the folks with the trike. Sometimes I ignore them and other times I slap them around with insults and try to get under their skin to ruin their day.

 

[1550vt]

Just blow it off. Those sort of comments were much more prevalent back in the day when Trikes first started to appear. Heck....I use to think the same thing myself.

As for as stupid dealership encounters, unfortunately you can expect spotty service as you travel across the country. The older Harley wrenches are retiring....just like we are and the younger ones got their education at some school, or are learning on-the-job (as on your trike or bike). The service manager you may talk to at some of these dealerships may not have a clue as to what you need, or the problem you have. I have met some certified idiots behind the counter in many Dealerships across this country. Get ready for it. They can sell you plenty of chrome and some expensive clothing made in China, or India....but the good wrenches are getting harder to find.

 

[Dwight]

I always kinda figured that the people that made the statement that if they had to ride a trike they either wouldn't or they would just get a convertible were never "real" riders anyway. That's ok, we don't need em!

Dwight

 

[KRUZR]

It think it was 3 years ago while down in OKL City at the National HOG Rally. I had never seen that many Trikes of all kinds of configurations. My knees had been bad for a long time and I said to my friend Johnny B, I wonder how long I'll be able to tour on my bike. Because of my leg I couldn't ride to Sturgis for the Rally. I'd made the ride with friends for over 10 years, so my wife and I drove out there. That was last year's rally and while we were out there, we rode 5 different Trike brands. We rode the Tri Glide first and didn't think TRIKING would be for us. But since we were there and I couldn't do much of anything else, we rode some conversions. Sorry for the long story. Over the winter I decided to do the conversion. Now that I have just under 5000 Triking, I can't believe what I was missing and now realize that I'll be able to continue touring on a motorcycle for a long time to come and my new knee likes it to. One last thing, it's true, you can still ride anywhere, any way, your 2 wheel friends do and they won't mind telling you how surprised they are that you can!! Ride Safe!

 

[1852cc]

I don't have to ride a Tike, I choose to ride a Trike!

I am 63 and really don't care what people think or say!

With the Tike, I will be able to ride deep into my years and the ones that would quit rather than ride a Trike, can have their rockers and the front porch!

Besides my Trike is way better looking, like me! hahaha!
Mike

 

[rwhgme]

I was at the dealer on Tuesday. A 1% HA was also there. He was sitting outside smoking when he saw me go out to pick up my Trike. He walked around it and said why? I said the only thing in this Universe I fear is my wife(well God, too) and she said, it's a Trike or nothing. He thought a minute while I put my helmet on. He said good wife, good decision. He also said when his knees go he will get one also.

 

[jimmy]

just enjoy your new ride. who cares what some moron thinks,if he can think?

 

[eagle1]

my '09 tri-glide is great.w/15k miles;so i know you will enjoy yours.
1. no CAT
2. trunk seal replaced twice.
3. i replaced the cams with S&S 411, solid cams. at 11k. the cam shoes were showing wear. now i don't hane to worry about it. and the difference in overall performance is amazing.
4. i removed the lowers, and put a andrews 10 row oil cooler in the left t. crash bar.
right stabalizer bolt sheared off at 4k. the bolt casting was broken, so therewas only
1/2"threads left.
5. front tire changed 15k.
6. i switched to RED LINE 20x60 motorcycle oil and their shockproof gear oil.
as you read different threads you will find there are better quality oil's etc. out there.
7. break in you tri-glide as you would any nwy vehicle; vary eng speed,3000
prm max,accellerate to 50 mph and let off the throttle and let the trike slow down to 20 mph. do this several time on a clear road.

i welcomme other guys and gals to post their ideas, and problems , so others can be forwarned of potential problems, so to prevent eing stranded on the highwayRIDE ON.