Thinking About Getting a Trike
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 6,066
Likes: 1,282
From: OH, USA
Anyone who criticizes you is a douchebag I'll just start there.
My doctors told me mid 2019 that my heart was having issues and the already installed defibrillator would likely go off at some point. So the decision to keep riding was a Freewheeler within a week i had one and withing 3 months i had over 6k on it. Week camping and the tail and the back of the dragon included. This was a blast and even my friends were happy to see me on it because we were still doing what we love to do. Ride. To look at me you'd wonder why I was on a trike. Im is good shape outwardly.. better than most. But the issue was inside.. Well. My main doctor got the report the previous one read and said he was full of **** and I actually didn't need a defibrillator at all anymore. He took it out. Yes. I went back to 2 wheels. And Back to Trucking. Will I go back to 3? As soon as time and health dictate. Absolutely My wife made out. Haha. We traded her 15 FW in for my RGS and I gave her the 19 that a tried out.
One thing. Freewheelers suck for the passenger. If you have a mate and like them a little. Get the triglide. And as for power? Mine did wheel stands. Stick with a 2014 or newer id say. Of the wallet allows. Get the newer 114.
Good luck.
My doctors told me mid 2019 that my heart was having issues and the already installed defibrillator would likely go off at some point. So the decision to keep riding was a Freewheeler within a week i had one and withing 3 months i had over 6k on it. Week camping and the tail and the back of the dragon included. This was a blast and even my friends were happy to see me on it because we were still doing what we love to do. Ride. To look at me you'd wonder why I was on a trike. Im is good shape outwardly.. better than most. But the issue was inside.. Well. My main doctor got the report the previous one read and said he was full of **** and I actually didn't need a defibrillator at all anymore. He took it out. Yes. I went back to 2 wheels. And Back to Trucking. Will I go back to 3? As soon as time and health dictate. Absolutely My wife made out. Haha. We traded her 15 FW in for my RGS and I gave her the 19 that a tried out.
One thing. Freewheelers suck for the passenger. If you have a mate and like them a little. Get the triglide. And as for power? Mine did wheel stands. Stick with a 2014 or newer id say. Of the wallet allows. Get the newer 114.
Good luck.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,973
Likes: 912
From: Omaha
Whenever I see anyone on a Tri-glide or Freewheeler the first thing that pops in my mind is that person must love to ride.
My reasoning is the Tri-glide and Freewheelers are flat out expensive rides so if one is laying out the cash for one they must love to ride.
This past fall we picked up a Freewheeler that my Wife is going to try out.
There's doubts that she wants to go solo so when we decided on the Freewheeler we kept my future in mind as well.
Well she hasn't fully imbraced riding solo but that Freewheeler is a blast to ride and took very little time for me to get used to it.
Now I can hop off my Heritage and jump on the Freewheeler with no hesitation.
Personally unless you plan to do a lot of touring I'd go with the Freewheeler and simply make it your own.
My reasoning is the Tri-glide and Freewheelers are flat out expensive rides so if one is laying out the cash for one they must love to ride.
This past fall we picked up a Freewheeler that my Wife is going to try out.
There's doubts that she wants to go solo so when we decided on the Freewheeler we kept my future in mind as well.
Well she hasn't fully imbraced riding solo but that Freewheeler is a blast to ride and took very little time for me to get used to it.
Now I can hop off my Heritage and jump on the Freewheeler with no hesitation.
Personally unless you plan to do a lot of touring I'd go with the Freewheeler and simply make it your own.
Last edited by Bluraven; Apr 26, 2020 at 12:47 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 16,013
Likes: 7,139
From: Sandy Eggo's North County
The dynamics of two wheels can't be replicated on 3.
OP- I would suggest a much lighter weight motorcycle. No, it does not have to be a Harley.
Something easy to ride/maneuver that is lightweight. This will keep you " in the wind" longer than a trike.
OP- I would suggest a much lighter weight motorcycle. No, it does not have to be a Harley.
Something easy to ride/maneuver that is lightweight. This will keep you " in the wind" longer than a trike.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 6,066
Likes: 1,282
From: OH, USA
The only place you lose the dynamics is in a curve. Straight down the road is no different. And yep, you'll miss that. But when not riding is not an option. I'd get on 3 before I got on 2 smaller. You'll miss the power and the feeling of the full size bike. My kid has a Dyna convertible and when I ride that. It feels small. And I don't like that feeling.
Retired Admin
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 21,865
Likes: 9,047
From: Wisconsin
I bought a 2019 Triglide in the fall of 2018. At first I felt a little less than a biker, but I've gotten over that. I find I ride more and last October took a solo ride from Oshkosh, Wi to Dallas, Tx and back. It was a total blast. The previous summer I had attempted a group ride on Route 66 on my 2009 Streetglide but had to turn back from St. Louis due to medical issues. I also didn't feel comfortable on that ride. I had been thinking of switching to the Trike before that and that pretty much decided it for me. My wife passed in March of 2018 and a year later I found a great lady that loves to ride on the trike. her late boyfriend had one too. We have put a lot of miles on and love every minute of it.
I occasionally think about getting a used bike just for banging around town, but I'm not giving up the Trike any time soon. I'm turning 70 in June and am hoping to take a long trip somewhere this summer if this damned virus allows it.
My 2019 Triglide has a 114 motor in it, and it moves just fine. I'm surprised at the power. I do miss leaning into the curves, but if you learn the technique you can hit the curves pretty fast.
Why don't you go down to the Trike section and talk to us down there? They have all made the decision you are considering.
I occasionally think about getting a used bike just for banging around town, but I'm not giving up the Trike any time soon. I'm turning 70 in June and am hoping to take a long trip somewhere this summer if this damned virus allows it.
My 2019 Triglide has a 114 motor in it, and it moves just fine. I'm surprised at the power. I do miss leaning into the curves, but if you learn the technique you can hit the curves pretty fast.
Why don't you go down to the Trike section and talk to us down there? They have all made the decision you are considering.
Last edited by IzzoQuazzo; Apr 26, 2020 at 01:16 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 466
Likes: 206
From: Long Island,NY
I'm not here to knock anyone's choice.If you think getting a trike is the right call,go for it. A friend just had a reverse unit installed on his Ultra,and says eventually he'll be buying a trike. Me personally,when I can't handle my Road King anymore,I'll be hanging up my helmet.
But sidecar set up looks great. They are rarely seen these days
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,126
Likes: 51,455
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Tried a buds side hack rig once, didn't get a 1/4 mile before I wanted off, just felt all wrong to me and before ya'll get busy telling so no I wasn't going to get used to.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,332
Likes: 3,873
From: Upstate New York
Biggest Issue I see with a trike is that with THREE tracks it's pretty difficult to steer around potholes. And potholed roads are a way of life here. With a car, I can straddle them, with a bike I cans swerve around them, but with a trike, what you gonna do?
