Help - wife's trike test drive is a mess.
#41
10-13-2016, 06:13 AM
Thank you for posting Barbara. When you say your friend "cannot manage the controls on a Tri-Glide! She rides a GW trike which is easier to ride...", what do you mean exactly - why would a GW trike be easier to ride? If it is just a question of reach, we know that she'll need different handlebars to bring the grips in closer to her & possibly even a seat that moves her forward (although she liked the seat on the Tri as is, & a Freewheeler she sat on had a reach seat which she didn't like as it placed her too close to the tank, spreading her legs too wide around it). But is it something other that reach that makes a GW easier to ride?
#42
10-15-2016, 08:18 PM
Same thing - bought the Tri-Glide & started to ride it home - scared as hell - never thought that would happen.
My Gawd - it's going to tip over, it's going to throw me off, it won't turn, it's too big.......
Well, I nursed it home and was seriously thinking about putting it up for sale or trying to return it for something else.
But I really wanted a trike and I really wanted a Harley Trike so I took it over to a large empty parking lot and spent an entire afternoon getting use to it. Figure 8's, backing up, U-turns, power stops, circles, turning slow, turning fast, etc., etc. Started out very slow and gradually increased speed. Once you get over the fear that it's going to tip over or throw you off - it's a piece of cake!! And FUN!! I still hug the tank when I take curves and I lean into the curve (me not the trike) and away we go! It sticks to the road like glue - it's a BLAST!
As everyone says you have to practice, practice, practice and once you get use to it you'll absolutely LOVE it!
Tri-Glider all the way!
Good luck!
My Gawd - it's going to tip over, it's going to throw me off, it won't turn, it's too big.......
Well, I nursed it home and was seriously thinking about putting it up for sale or trying to return it for something else.
But I really wanted a trike and I really wanted a Harley Trike so I took it over to a large empty parking lot and spent an entire afternoon getting use to it. Figure 8's, backing up, U-turns, power stops, circles, turning slow, turning fast, etc., etc. Started out very slow and gradually increased speed. Once you get over the fear that it's going to tip over or throw you off - it's a piece of cake!! And FUN!! I still hug the tank when I take curves and I lean into the curve (me not the trike) and away we go! It sticks to the road like glue - it's a BLAST!
As everyone says you have to practice, practice, practice and once you get use to it you'll absolutely LOVE it!
Tri-Glider all the way!
Good luck!
That is how I got my close friend started on a trike. Used the huge parking lot at the middle school where the band practices their marching maneuvers. Now he reminds me of the male version of the "Little 'ol lady from Pasadena." 
#43
10-21-2016, 04:25 PM
I'm sorry, but the story was funny and sad! I have 4 wheelers(atv's) motorcycles and a trike (Freewheeler). Since I ride the atv everyday I had no problems going from one to the other. I would suggest she spend a lot of time on a 4 wheel atv. Works the same as a trike. I would be afraid that in an emergency she would revert back to 2 wheel thinking... Just a thought..
#44
10-21-2016, 06:32 PM
#46
10-21-2016, 11:11 PM
2009 at AV Harley for a Tri-Glide for a day. $99.99 plus tax. I can't remember if it was an introductory because these trikes were new. AV didn't even have any on the sales floor yet. In our case it didn't make any difference. Wife couldn't ride 2 wheels anymore because of the side effects of her Chemo, but wasn't ready to give up on motorcycles. We bought the first Tri-Glide delivered to the dealer. Funny, 6 years later we traded it in for the first Freewheeler delivered to the same dealer. Same sales lady, same finance, and owner. Really like that place.
#47
10-30-2016, 10:24 PM
I haven't read all the replies, but I can tell you this. I am 58. I learned how to ride in 2009 and started on a Heritage. In 2013, I got a new Street Glide. After putting only a little over 13K on it going to Sturgis that year and then across to California in 2015, I then got a 2016 Tri Glide. We planned on trailering it home so I could learn how to ride it in the pasture. As luck would have it, a few things happened and I had to ride it the 189 miles home from the dealership, part of it in pouring rain. I nearly ran into the back of some cars at the dealership trying to learn how to handle it. I was terrified. I was only able to get up to 45 mph on the interstate half the way home. The bottom line is, I made it home and as time passed, it got easier and easier. Now it is second nature. So there you go. Best wishes.
The following 3 users liked this post by Glydin:
#48
10-31-2016, 08:05 PM
Tourer
Now I know why they made me watch that long video before I could take a Freewheeler and Tri Glide for test rides last year...
Personally, with 45 years on two wheels, I adapted almost immediately. But it was wise that the "fit specialist" had me ride the Freewheeler first - front end probably weighs half of the Tri Glide's, and facilitated my easing into the difference.
Tri Glides require way more muscle than Freewheelers, but the killer is not the absence of counter-steering. It's the inescapable fact that turning properly both works the throttle and makes operating the clutch in a turn an acquired skill no two-wheel rider has. When I encounter oncoming bikers in a turn while riding the trike, I usually can't afford to take my hand off the left bar and return a two-finger salute.
When I gave my only trike lesson so far, I sat on the back and put my arms around her, demonstrating straight-arm and throttle control. We still almost went down a 10-foot embankment and into the creek.
But we didn't, and she's hooked.
Personally, with 45 years on two wheels, I adapted almost immediately. But it was wise that the "fit specialist" had me ride the Freewheeler first - front end probably weighs half of the Tri Glide's, and facilitated my easing into the difference.
Tri Glides require way more muscle than Freewheelers, but the killer is not the absence of counter-steering. It's the inescapable fact that turning properly both works the throttle and makes operating the clutch in a turn an acquired skill no two-wheel rider has. When I encounter oncoming bikers in a turn while riding the trike, I usually can't afford to take my hand off the left bar and return a two-finger salute.
When I gave my only trike lesson so far, I sat on the back and put my arms around her, demonstrating straight-arm and throttle control. We still almost went down a 10-foot embankment and into the creek.
But we didn't, and she's hooked.
#49
11-02-2016, 06:02 AM
Road Master
Good point on the throttle and clutch; front brake too, I suppose. Two functions, steering and controlling, you have to learn not to let one affect the other. Using the clutch on a right hand turn is easy, but harder to do in a lefty with your hand pulling back. I think that's partly why the stock bars used to drive me nuts; it was hard to hold the throttle constant at that wrist angle when turning right.
Edit: I wonder what ever happened with the OP's situation? He never came back to tell us how it worked out. Hopefully too busy riding, I guess.
Edit: I wonder what ever happened with the OP's situation? He never came back to tell us how it worked out. Hopefully too busy riding, I guess.
Last edited by Oogie Wa Wa; 11-02-2016 at 06:07 AM.
The following users liked this post:
RiverB (11-02-2016)
#50
11-02-2016, 07:22 AM
Road Captain
Our dealer does not put a time limit on test drives. He does know us so was not worried about taking off. He may get a bit more information or some type of security from someone he does not know, but he will not charge for multiple hr test drive. He wants his customers to be happy with the choice they make before pulling the trigger. Our first test drive on a TG was over 4 hrs. We went back another day and test drove again for about 3 hrs. He asked if we wanted to try another test drive after we had already said yes we would take the one we were looking at. If a dealer charged me for taking a test drive for a few hours, I would look elsewhere.
With that said, we also went to another dealer who wanted $400 non-refundable for a test drive consisting more than 15 min. That dealer was also $8K over MSRP. Needless to say we walked away without even finishing the initial conversation.
With that said, we also went to another dealer who wanted $400 non-refundable for a test drive consisting more than 15 min. That dealer was also $8K over MSRP. Needless to say we walked away without even finishing the initial conversation.
Last edited by Fusionfool; 11-02-2016 at 07:24 AM.