I handle 2 wheels just fine but I really enjoy the big footprint my Trike has. I do not have to ride a Trike I choose to because it’s comfortable for me and my wife on long trips. My Softtail is still a blast to ride but I like the Trike as well. It’s sad that people think it’s only for people with health issues or old folks. Hopefully that will change one day! They are a BLAST!
Statistically there are a far higher amount of young riders buying "Trikes" than there are older riders and those with "issues" holding up a two wheel bike.. THIS is where Harley misses the mark, as they do push selling to those that are "older" and have issues on two wheels.. Enter the Slingshots and Can-Am's.. Those sell like crazy to the younger crowd with no "issues" ... Personally I am not a fan of that narrative that you either have issues with 2 wheels or are getting up in years.. While there is some truth to that and with Harley there is a lot of that working in, as Harley owners will most likely move from 2 to a Trike.. BUT, look at the marketing differences between how Harley sells trikes and how Harley bikers/riders look at Trikes and look at how Polaris and Can-Am markets theirs.. I have neighbors who are 30'ish they bought the Can-Am RT Limited because of the look and the ability of them both riding around the country on it.. They never even thought of a Harley Trike because it looks "dated" and for older riders.. Just sayin, a different perspective ..
Love my 2014 Trike. Yep have to steer em. No more countersteering and no more leaning and sure have to push them around curves sometimes. But after 4 back surgeries this is what I need to ride and I sure love it. Like you say, opportunity to still be out there in the wind with buddies!
Trikes are cool and they would make great long haulers for anyone. I do know Dave Zien who put 1 million miles on 1 Harley had to go to a trike for similar reasons. I'm am so glad trikes exist so people can keep enjoying the motorcycle life.(I believe the motorcycle Dave rode is in the HD Museum now btw)
Very typical review from a first-time rider on a trike. Too bad you couldn't have ridden it a few hundred miles and then did the ride review. The comments about the steering were exactly what every first-timer feels, but to be fair they were overblown. Yes, you must steer a trike, but believe me; after a few hundred miles you forget all about the fact that you no longer need to countersteer or lean the bike - and it becomes just as much a non-issue as learning to ride a two-wheeler. You mentioned something about NOT doing the twisties on the trike. Totally wrong. Doing the twisties on a trike is every bit as much fun and possible to do as any two-wheeler. I love them, and seek them out. In fact, there are some trike riders that will lead a bunch of two-wheelers thur twisties and the two-wheelers will be making sparks with their floorboards in order to keep up. No; you may not be that comfortable or skillful after only a few hundred miles; but I can guarantee you there are trike riders out there that can hang with any two-wheel Harley rider through about anything. (No, they can't compete with a crotch rocket) Just saying.... no matter why a rider might transition to a Harley trike; the pros well outweigh the cons. It is a blast riding one, and the tight, slow turns in town are easily handled as well as the twisties. And, yes they are a great touring machine. I've only been riding a trike for a few years - but I love it and would never go back. I'm on a FLRT, and as you said; the 114 is a super powerful drivetrain - I've never felt like I didn't have enough horses under me. Try it again sometime.....
I imagine this review was typical but I will let you in on a secret. I got on this trike to get my friend out on the road. Really, no other reason. I liked the trike, I liked it a lot. I think it's pretty damn awesome. If I can sum up it was a bit much for me to get used to in such a short time. Like you say if I had a few hundred miles to try it out I am absolutely sure my response would have been more precise. As for the twisties on a trike maybe I misspoke but I do remember mentioning that I know people on trikes that go through the twisties. I should have been more clear about that though, I'm not sure if I'd want to go through the twisties at this point. I'm sorry if I made you mad sir, not my intention. I really liked the trike, it was very cool and very enjoyable. I'm not ready for one yet but someday maybe and yes I would love to try it again.
Codger took me out for a ride. There is no other way I can get out and enjoy a motorcycle despite my years of riding. I thought that was very generous and not very typical for a first time trike review. I think he was paying waying more attention to me on the back of the trike then on the review which I'm sure hurt the review. No good deed goes unpunished.
@@TheCodgerBiker Not mad.... just didn't want any other possible trike candidates to get a wrong impression and maybe not even try one based solely on your "first time" comments. A trike will never ride like a two-wheel bike; but it takes some getting used to especially if the new rider is coming from two wheels. My first time test ride thoughts and feelings were exactly like yours, but in a few hundred miles everything changed and in a few thousand miles - the trike is a totally familiar piece of machinery and all my first impressions are probably 180 degrees different now. Glad you could get your friend out for the ride.
@@samscafferi5243 I agree. After a bit of practice it would be awesome and familiar. I would recommend that anyone who wants one or thinking about getting one to give it a go. They are very cool and with Harley they come with a warranty to boot.
I love my late oct. new 22 Tri Glide!. Riding for 55 years on 2 wheels and is my 80th bike!. A disabled vet and just traded in my new late 22 Road king with only 900 miles for it. Best decision i ever made!. I Don't agree with some of your comments. The steering is easy unless your a very weak little man, If a lot of women own and ride them... Well? Ever ride a quad or snowmobile? Geez.. And the twisties.. Check out the tail of the dragon, A good Trike rider can do it faster than 2 wheelers!!. Watch the videos.. I can turn faster now than ever, once ya get the knack of it. It's called quickly adapting!. And if ya can't do that, then ya shouldn't be on a bike in the first place!.. And the best part... Your rear end itn't going to come out from underneath your ass!. Sorry to say but, several of your other comments suggest a lack of riding experiance, age and miles under your belt as myself at 750K. I didn't even test ride mine, And never had, felt to or wanted to put my feet down either!. Maybe your not ready yet, I said the same thing when i started riding/racing at 8 years old.. Now i wish i bought one many years ago!..
The steering isn't hard, just something different to get used to. I did do an update to this video where I am more clear on my thoughts. I think you'll find I agree with you.
@@TheCodgerBiker okay sounds good. Well you kept talking about how you don't have to put your feet down. We got that when you first said it. Second you kept talking about how you had to get used to the bike. That got repetitive.... Then the steering. Sometimes fewer words are better. Just mention things as you go along but mention them once. Mainly we like to hear the bike and if it is worth the buy. After you mention something don't bring it up again. If we miss something you said we can go back in time and rewind it. I hope this helps. Sorry if I sounded like a jerk it wasn't my intention.
@@PileOnPileOffPileUpOnThe481 You were constructive and this feedback helps. I do tend to beat a dead horse as the saying goes so you make fair points. I didn't think you were being a jerk btw and you also came back around to help out. Very cool. Thank you.
We had a 2014 Tri-Glide, but now have a Can-Am Spyder RT Limited, which l must say blows the HD Tri-Glide out of the water, in ride quality! And that is with the Spyder's stock suspension! You said you felt every bump, my Wife felt every bump as well. Now with the Spyder, she has not felt one bump. No more stiff clutch feathering, excessive heat and for your information, the Can--Am Spyder even has power steering, which kicks in after you go above five kms. a hour! Cheers.
That's cool. I've heard really good things about the Spyder. I'd like to try one out but it's hard for me to get my hands on one. Thank you so much for the comment and the information. Very appreciated.
I rode Harleys for years and was out of the wind for about a dozen years. I tried to back in with just a Sportster but the years had taken their toll. I considered a trike like the one you tested but went for a Can Am Spyder F3. The base F3 was about ten grand less than the most basic Harley trike and it had lots of nice features, including "dynamic power steering". I asked a friend if he had been on the Tail of the Dragon with his Tri Glide and he told me, "no....too much work". It's a breeze on the Spyder. Just my two kroner. Ryde safe!
Congrats on your Can-Am Spyder F3. Another benefit of the three wheel platform, which spoils one, is not having to put your feet down, in stop and go traffic, :-). Safe Travels.
@@triketacular8093 Very true, but I have to tell you that it took me a while to stop reaching for the front brake lever; it's not there. All three Brembo brakes are applied with the foot brake pedal.
The stock trike has the worse rear shocks ever. One you add the lift kit in the rear which will make it steer better and the Legend shocks on the rear, the ride quality changes greatly. Next the handle bars are horrible. The angle will make your wrist hurt after a few miles and they are too low. 12 inch bars are the way to go.
@ 13:41 Rebuttal to the Harley Man: The Tri Glide will NOT flip! The IMU prevents that by cutting the power to the contact wheel to balance you out and getting 3 wheels back on the ground.
I enjoyed your video and insight on the trike. I'm in my mid 70's and have 2 CVO's but I'm going to try one more year on 2 wheels before I think of converting to 3. All info on the subject helps. Thanks ...
To improve the steering on a Trike, a lift kit in the rear does the trick. It’s inexpensive & improves the steering significantly. Also a Stage II improves the performance on a Trike where you can be aggressive on the road. Don’t be fooled, Trikes are fun.
I tried the same trike in sept. and put money down on a trike that day. Very fired up about getting my own . Your video was very accurate and well done thankyou
Might find the Road Glide 3 or the Freewheeler a little easier to steer because the faring isn’t used in steering the bike. The Freewheeler has no faring.
@@TheCodgerBiker ..for sure specially going around tight curves lol. It’s an experience, as I found out last night, but once you get used to it you’re prepared.
Once you get a few miles on your ass, you will find the trike is a great ride and you will see fighting the steering will get better. Right now, you are tense and that makes steering harder. As for the ABS, that was not what you felt coming to a stop. It was the brake pressure between the front and rear brake being controlled by the bike. The computer tries to make front and rear braking even. If you ever feel ABS, it is because you just slammed the brakes.
On a more personal note I do have a lot to learn when it comes to riding trikes (and in general really) but honestly with info like this Jerry it will make my next ride on a trike much better for me. I can't overstate enough how much I appreciate your comments.
@@TheCodgerBiker When a rider moves up to the trike and becomes a Triker, it becomes very expensive especially for most a toy. But the stock trike has to be modified to fit the rider and that is another very expensive project. I started riding my new trike in May of 2021. My wife always rides with me and at age 70 it was getting a little hard for me to keep my balance with a top heavy load as in traveling. We decided to go with the trike as we had been thinking that way for a couple of years. Just so damn expensive. Now after the cost of the trike and all the add ons, we are very happy and to me it is like driving my truck. When traveling we can carry the kitchen sink. To me, sometimes the trike gets the thought by the younger crowd that I came from of the old man ride. NOT even close. It is the ride of the seasoned rider with a lot of info to share to the younger bunch.
@@jerryhubbard4461 I honestly don't think of it is as an old man ride but I know some people do and that's unfortunate to say the least. I think they are cool and when I was in my early twenties I really wanted one because they just looked so damn cool. But as you say they are expensive and I'd agree with you that they are for the seasoned rider. Your information is priceless and if we ever met face to face I would be all ears and have many questions. Again, thank you for sharing, it is so appreciated.
I've been riding a mix of trikes and bikes since 1999 A 92 Ultra Classic and a V8 trike with nitrous injection. Now at 70years young I'm back on a trike due to an oversight by a car driver. 2004 Rune and I love it. Still get out on my wife's 92 Springer now and again. Riding a trike does take some getting used to but once you've got it they're great fun.
I would agree that trikes take some getting used to but I would also agree they are great fun. I'm also glad to hear that you are out there riding and having fun. Cheers!
As I live in the UK trikes used to be kind of home made and quite badly made some of the time. I imported a DFT trike kit for my Ultra in 2000 at the time they didn't require hand brakes on USA trikes and that caused me some headaches getting it past the ministry to make it road legal. The 20 minute video is a good idea as it gives you a fair insight on the trike. Just need to get the right dealer who knows what the heck their talking about and not a car salesman who has no interest in bikes just profit. Anyhow stay safe and be lucky.
Well I went over to the local Harley shop and the conclusion we came to was that I probably hit the hazard light button by mistake and possibly the traction control light was on. Probably me just being a knucklehead as per usual with the hazard light thing.
I have a 2020 Tri-Glide Ultra and absolutely love it. I've gone on a few group rides and have gotten a lot of compliments on it. It takes some time to get used to the steering, but it becomes like second nature to slow down in the curves and turns.
