Made the switch back in December 2018. Here is the thread I started asking about Trikes. Everyone provided good information and it may save you some questions by reading through it.

The trike is a different ride, fun and takes about 500 miles getting used to it. I still have a couple of other 2 wheel bikes that I ride with no issues as they are lighter and have a lower center of balance than my Dresser was.

I have found that I can go around curves just as fast with the trike as I could with the Dresser, just takes some learning and body position with steering input.

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/tri-g...-3-wheels.html

 

Saw an 80+ gentleman out on a Tri Glide yesterday...he was quite happy

 

Trike is not for me I don't think .I would try a sidecar when the time comes and is coming fast. That said who knows what I would do, but I think if I went to one it would be a Honda they are the Cadillac of trikes. Ya thinking I would say something like this after owning about 30 to 35 HD's 4 Indians, two Triumphs and one BSA. I ride with retired guys on trikes few HD's few Hondas our ages rang from 72 to 96 I like the Hondas hell they have everything you even can direct the hot air from engine to your legs.

 

I’d rather have 2 in front than back. I’d check out the cam am spyder or even the Ryker . I test drove the Ryker 900 months back. What a hoot. It’s like riding a snowmobile on the road. If I had room I might have one in the garage.

 

I don't think I'll ever ask this board what they think about some decision I'm about to make. If I'm of a mind to, I'll just post about it after I've implemented the decision I made. But since you asked.....

I don't think your "man card" is in jeopardy over what vehicle you decide to ride and/or drive. If someone tries to promulgate such a ridiculous breach of minding their own business, they should probably be ignored, unless it's just jokin' around and you're familiar enough with them to recognize it as such. But if they seriously believe they are qualified in any way to judge your life-decisions, I wouldn't argue with them, I'd just go ahead and ride and continue posting as you always have.

I personally hope I never feel the need to go to more than two wheels under me when in the saddle of an otherwise motorcycle. It could happen though. I'm mid-way through my sixties, and balance has become a minor issue for me. So far, it's only been while standing/walking, but as time goes on, it has gotten worse. Not falling-down balance issues (yet), but bumping into things or having to catch myself so I don't fall down are common occurrences. If that were to start happening on the bike, sooner or later I'd falter at a stop enough that I couldn't hold the bike up. I guess I could see myself going to a trike or side-car if I couldn't keep the bike up. I could also see myself hangin' it up altogether if my balance got that bad. It has nothing to do with my "manliness" in other people's eyes, it would just be that it doesn't fulfill for me the feelings I am seeking by being a biker in the first place. It wouldn't be an easy decision for me in any case, but I'd make it based on my own needs, wants and desires, not on what anybody else says or thinks about it. That's it.

Blues

 

As the saying goes " a man has to do what a man has to do"!

I was riding (still have) my '13 CVO Ultra and started having issues with my left knee a few years back and the Tri-Glides started to look more appealing.

After my cousin bought his Tri-Glide in '15 and my riding partner getting his in '17 I finally got serious and bought my '18 at the very end of the '18 model year.

Unfortunately as I was doing the necessary "upgrades" to the trike during the summer and fall months (I was still riding the Ultra) I started having issues that lead to my quadruple by-pass and was not able to ride anything until the later spring of '19.

I think there are two misconceptions about riding trikes that any perspective buyer should be aware of:
1. A stock Tri-Glide (at least up to the '18 models) does NOT ride more comfortably than a stock Ultra/Limited motorcycle.
2. Riding and driving a Tri-Glide takes less effort than riding an Ultra/Limited motorcycle.

Aftermarket shocks and a lift kit from DK Products greatly improves the ride (and stability) and also improves the handling a bit, but riding a trike (IMHO) still takes more effort and energy than riding a motorcycle, and especially so if you are riding in curvy and hilly terrain.
As you learn to ride a Tri-Glide, you will discover the need to force your knee(s) against the fuel tank as you go thru curves and you will be able to take curves just as fast on three wheels as you did on two. it just takes more upper body to do so.

What you DO gain with a Tri-Glide is stability and security especially on wet, sandy, hazardous pavement, and the elimination of the possibility of "dropping" your bike when stopping or parking which gives you a much better feel of stability and security.

I only have 10,000 or so miles on my Tri-Glide, and I'm sure others will have different perspectives and the pro's and con's of 'Three wheels vs Two".
I still have two motorcycles and do not plan to downsize soon as I love both bikes but they will be used for mostly local riding and the Tri-Glide will is and will be my "road" bike.

 

agreed
a sidecar is a whole different animal
sure newer is improved but the pan and shovel versions I rode steered like a B48 Mack

 

It does take a bit to get use to riding a trike. But after about 500 miles it all seems natural. I like my HD trike , but a friend has a Honda trike and i gotta tell you it is smooth and very reliable. And pretty fast also. Is it for me ? No i'll stick with my harley for now. Maybe some day in the future.

 

I haven't transitioned to a trike, but I have test ridden them.

My reason was a little different for trying out a Tri Glide. My wife won't ride on the back of my Sportster. She considers it uncomfortable and she doesn't like leaning in the corners, she fights me and tries to stay sitting straight up. My thought process was that if the wife will ride on the back of a trike it would be worth it to have her join me. (after 31 years of marriage we still like spending time together.) I took a test ride with a "How bad can it be" point of view.

I was very pleasntly surprised after test riding a Tri Glide. I went into the test ride expecting to not like the trike and considering it a last resort option for broken down old men or women that were afraid of two wheels. It's not the same as riding a motorcycle, you have to learn to steer differently, but it was still a lot of fun in it's own way. I actually enjoyed riding the trike.

I think you really need to go take one for a test ride and see how you like it. I found they were a lot more fun than I thought they would be.

 

^this. Wise words indeed. Thank you, @BluesStringer

Patrick