Would You Buy a New Harley Trike?

Not now. I had a 16 Tri. Liked it, so decided on a new Tri in 2020. 16 had 47k on it in 3 seasons . Got the 20 as getting older decided the 20 was a better engine . Boy was I right . Much more power than the 16 & smoother tranny. Last Tri as older still. If younger would get another new in a few more years.
 
Every Harley Trike i buy is the last Harley Trike I’m gonna buy…And then I’m drawn in again..The last time I bought a Non-Harley Trike I angered the rain gods…😉..
 
I bought a new `22 Tri Glide in Janurary.

Why? Because I wanted a trike, and I can afford it at this stage of my life.

It shares the garage with a 1989 Heritage Softail Classic (bought new), and a 2019 Electra Glide Standard, and more tools and spare parts than I care to count.
 
I went through this process last year.

  1. Harley doesn't have IRS. I don't need a trike that rides like a truck.
  2. Harley doesn't offer an aux gas tank. With my aux tank I have run 225 miles nonstop at 80 mph while pulling a 22 cubic foot trailer and I still had an indicated 60 miles left! Lets see a Tri Glide do that....
  3. Full, weight bearing running boards. Why doesn't Harley offer them?
  4. Trailer hitch that is a built in part of the trike frame, not an after markey bolt on piece.

IMO there is no contest between a Harley Tri Glide and a top shelf custom trike.
 
I try to be a friendly type. The Harley folks up here won’t wave or talk to us “rice riders” although rice is more China than Japan. Usually all in black, most look like they haven’t had a bath in a month, Not my style.

If you don’t wave to them…They won’t wave back to you…🫡
 
I went through this process last year.

  1. Harley doesn't have IRS. I don't need a trike that rides like a truck.
  2. Harley doesn't offer an aux gas tank. With my aux tank I have run 225 miles nonstop at 80 mph while pulling a 22 cubic foot trailer and I still had an indicated 60 miles left! Lets see a Tri Glide do that....
  3. Full, weight bearing running boards. Why doesn't Harley offer them?
  4. Trailer hitch that is a built in part of the trike frame, not an after market bolt on piece.

IMO there is no contest between a Harley Tri Glide and a top shelf custom trike.

I know exactly what you are talking about.

Was on a trip this week and ran across one of the Directors from HD. He took a look at my trike. We talked about why HD does not offer an independent suspension plus a few other things. Who knows, maybe they will someday. If they do, I suspect they will rule the market, including the warranty.
 
A lot of guys seem to enjoy spending thousands of dollars customizing their trikes to make them “their own.” Obviously because they’re not satisfied with the way Harley builds them in the first place. Please don’t attack me because I said something against Harley Davidson. I’ve never owned one or even rode one. There’s 10 times more Harleys out there than any other bike so obviously people like them. Personally I’d rather just ride and not worry about changing all the things I don’t like about my bike. I also enjoy riding a quiet bike. We ride two up 95% of the time and I don’t want to have to shout over the sound of the engine just to have a conversation. I’m glad you enjoy yours but that’s the reason I’ll never own one.
 
For me it's not about changing things I don't like, it's about adding things I like. I've got my 19 Tri Glide setup just the way I want it. Yes it cost me thousands more to put the add-ons on but it's the way I want it. At 71 if I put enough miles on it to wear the motor out it's a lot less expensive to put a new motor in and still have the bike I want.

Let me add if I was in the market for a new bike I would absolutely buy anotherTri Glide. This one has been trouble-free.
 
I started out with a new 2011 Tri-Glide. I moved up a 2017 Tri-Glide. Then I purchased a 2019 Tri-Glide. Now I have a 2022 Tri-Glide. The only difference between 2022 and the new Tri-Glides is the colors. Same engine. Same everything. I thought about buying an Anniversary 2023, but I couldn't find one. I would only buy a new Tri-Glide, if it came with Independant Suspension. I don't see that happening in the near future. So, no, I won't be buying a new one. Think about it. If Harley Davidson would put Independant Suspension on their trike, imagine the sales they would get. Just saying.;)
 
Only if the one i have now has to be replaced ....My days are long gone of having to be the first kid on the block to have the new toy....Been there done that ...Way too many times..
 
NOT A CHANCE in Hell,

Test rode a brand new one last month............... I hate'd it

I'm stick'n with my Honda Goldwing, it's quiet'rrr, smooth'rrr, reliable'rrr, and paid for in full...........

Ronnie

12/30/23
 
I would but the thing that turns me off about the new ones is the traction control and abs. Don't think it is needed on a trike.

I have spent some money on my trike making it mine and improving it. Not about to buy new with their VVT engine just yet. Not going to be a test bed for their new crap.
 
New Harley Trike ??

I’ve got a SNAKE VENOM 21 and a 17 FLHXS in the garage. Mostly ride the TriGlide and both are set up for me.. I’ve dropped $$$ into every bike I own “ making it mine” and making it do what it is capable of doing .

That said, I’d buy another 3 wheeler and am hoping HD tweaks the RG 3 so a detachable tour pack can be added. The added storage would be awesome since I’ve had a tour pak since 2003 . The RG3’s that I’ve test ridden are far better at riding than my accessorized 2021. ( legends lift kit and shocks all around and KST 12 inch Mayhems) .

Would I love to see independent rear suspension ? YES would I love to see more interesting paint schemes ? YES Would I love to see a cooler running 114 right off the floor ? YES would I love to see bright LED lighting all around ? YES Do I wish they would redesign the shift shaft seal that WILL leak at some point ? YES Do I think they are priced too high ? YES

Harley has always offered a good product that they want you to “accessorize, customize and make your own “

Part of my journey with every bike I’ve owned is making it mine and squeezing more out of it ! Then riding the wheels off it !

Would I buy a new one ? Of the three offered - Freewheeler, RG3 and TrGlide, it would be RG 3! And I’d complain about certain aspects from the MoCo then make it my own.

I can’t take any of it with me when I go so I may as well enjoy it now!!!!
 
2019 Tri-Glide

I traded my '21 Road Glide Ultra 19K miles on it, last summer for a '19 Tri-Glide with 2,300 miles on it and some nice upgrades. When you can find HD's with basically no miles on them at a more reasonable price, if I were to buy again, it would be used again. At 75 I'm probably on my last bike/trike anyway. But who knows? Maybe I'll treat myself to something newer when I turn 80:D
 
I traded my '21 Road Glide Ultra 19K miles on it, last summer for a '19 Tri-Glide with 2,300 miles on it and some nice upgrades. When you can find HD's with basically no miles on them at a more reasonable price, if I were to buy again, it would be used again. At 75 I'm probably on my last bike/trike anyway. But who knows? Maybe I'll treat myself to something newer when I turn 80:D

Sounds like you made a pretty good deal/trade. Wow, found a 2019 with just 2300 miles on it.
 
Maybe, we'll see.

I was perfectly happy with my 2011, then was happy with my 2014, I am now happy with my 2019. Only reason I have gotten the second two is because of changes made and we needed the newer platform to develop parts for it.

Even if they go to VVT or some other variation of the Gen II engine in future Trikes, we already have a 2 wheeler with a 121 VVT that we are using as a platform to develop parts.

Kevin
 
I bought my 24 Tri Glide Ultra about 5 months ago, traded in my Street Glide. My wife loves it, I like it when we are riding together but I see myself picking up a cruiser for when I’m alone.
 
I bought my 21 last year with 1900 miles on it. It’s gonna be mine for a good while. Will try to keep it pristine for a long time. With the interest rate being as high as it is, it’s making it harder to finance some toys.
 

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