Trikes
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Trikes
I have the Lehman Renegade Trike Conversion on my 2007 Ultra Classic. I chose Lehman for a lot of reasons but the most important were stability and cornering characteristics. I have multiple disabilities, which bad legs and ankle pain & fusions are amongst the list.
Riding a trike is different. Among the most noticeable are steering and gas mileage. My UC trike gets 35 MPG in town and 40 - 42 MPG highway (2UP). Steering is different not more difficult. You turn the trike in the direction you want to go. Bikes are more subtle, you lean and manipulate the handlebars differently. Females sometimes have a move difficult time steering the trike but with the correct setup it is like driving withpower steering. I recommend a safety class to learn the different characteristics, (I believe it should be mandatory). Here in Washington they have separated trikes & sidecars from motorcycles for testing and licensing purposes, because they are so different when it comes todriving trikes and sidecars.
Shop around to answer your questions, like independent vs staight axle suspension, floorboards, DOT rated, insurance rates (if an insurance company will actually insure a trike, etc.). As far as keeping up, who ever made the statement 'trikes can't keep up' obviously has not come up against mine. Smaller CC trikes are indeed more challenged but larger CC trikes can keep up with the pack. Bikes and trikes are all about weight, so more weight slower the vehicle.
If your girl friend really wants to ride and she has disabilities she has a few choices, grit it out on a bike if she can ride it safely, sidecar, training wheels, or a trike. Give them all a look (I did), make your choice and go for it. I was hurt in 1976 and I spent 2 1/2 years in the hospital, 1 1/2 years as an outpatient, and left with a lifetime of disabilities. I gave up riding until I started nosing around and discovered sidecars, training wheels and trikes. Except my marriage and the birth of my children, triking was a feeling that can not be put into words. But, I do know why dogs stick their head out of the car window! Good luck.
If you have any questions just email me and I'll answer them if I can. If I can't I'll find someone that can.
[IMG]local://upfiles/25017/FD62A1BFEBBF4A56BF6534FDDAD1B11E.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/25017/E36AA0A47F274B79A80E8C4CC78F6070.jpg[/IMG]
Riding a trike is different. Among the most noticeable are steering and gas mileage. My UC trike gets 35 MPG in town and 40 - 42 MPG highway (2UP). Steering is different not more difficult. You turn the trike in the direction you want to go. Bikes are more subtle, you lean and manipulate the handlebars differently. Females sometimes have a move difficult time steering the trike but with the correct setup it is like driving withpower steering. I recommend a safety class to learn the different characteristics, (I believe it should be mandatory). Here in Washington they have separated trikes & sidecars from motorcycles for testing and licensing purposes, because they are so different when it comes todriving trikes and sidecars.
Shop around to answer your questions, like independent vs staight axle suspension, floorboards, DOT rated, insurance rates (if an insurance company will actually insure a trike, etc.). As far as keeping up, who ever made the statement 'trikes can't keep up' obviously has not come up against mine. Smaller CC trikes are indeed more challenged but larger CC trikes can keep up with the pack. Bikes and trikes are all about weight, so more weight slower the vehicle.
If your girl friend really wants to ride and she has disabilities she has a few choices, grit it out on a bike if she can ride it safely, sidecar, training wheels, or a trike. Give them all a look (I did), make your choice and go for it. I was hurt in 1976 and I spent 2 1/2 years in the hospital, 1 1/2 years as an outpatient, and left with a lifetime of disabilities. I gave up riding until I started nosing around and discovered sidecars, training wheels and trikes. Except my marriage and the birth of my children, triking was a feeling that can not be put into words. But, I do know why dogs stick their head out of the car window! Good luck.
If you have any questions just email me and I'll answer them if I can. If I can't I'll find someone that can.
[IMG]local://upfiles/25017/FD62A1BFEBBF4A56BF6534FDDAD1B11E.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/25017/E36AA0A47F274B79A80E8C4CC78F6070.jpg[/IMG]
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 435
Likes: 0
From: Central Arizona
RE: Trikes
My dad is in his 70's and still ridin'... his '02 Road King is Harley number four! (His first Harley was a '48 Pan.)
Last winter, he put a 95" kit on the King, anticipatinga trikeconversion this winter. He has bad knees and hips.
My co-rider is also seriously considering a trike. She is worried about holding up an 800# bike at stop lights, etc.
I will stick with two wheels for a few more years, but Iexpect tobe riding with a couple of H-D trikers very soon.
Last winter, he put a 95" kit on the King, anticipatinga trikeconversion this winter. He has bad knees and hips.
My co-rider is also seriously considering a trike. She is worried about holding up an 800# bike at stop lights, etc.
I will stick with two wheels for a few more years, but Iexpect tobe riding with a couple of H-D trikers very soon.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 783
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Trikes
I have built a couple trikes for my wife a champion and a trikeshop both were goldwings because of the reverse already on the bike also the power the stock bike has for her it is a better set up than a h-d, both of the mfg. listed above build h-d kits but my experence with the trike world has me to believe that I would build a DFT kit if it was a h-d. The trikes are diffrent than 2 wheels but are a lot of fun also, I would stay away from the voyager kit if money allows and I highly recomend to look at the independant susspension kits as well as the raked front end for a better riding experance. The biggest problem with trikes you will find is the $$$ not chep to get into a nice one. Do some research online you will find good info on the mfg. websites a few others are california sidecar and motortrike.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
From: 17 Miles from Manhattan
RE: Trikes
ORIGINAL: Blacklion213
I have the Lehman Renegade Trike Conversion on my 2007 Ultra Classic. I chose Lehman for a lot of reasons but the most important were stability and cornering characteristics. I have multiple disabilities, which bad legs and ankle pain & fusions are amongst the list.
Riding a trike is different. Among the most noticeable are steering and gas mileage. My UC trike gets 35 MPG in town and 40 - 42 MPG highway (2UP). Steering is different not more difficult. You turn the trike in the direction you want to go. Bikes are more subtle, you lean and manipulate the handlebars differently. Females sometimes have a move difficult time steering the trike but with the correct setup it is like driving withpower steering. I recommend a safety class to learn the different characteristics, (I believe it should be mandatory). Here in Washington they have separated trikes & sidecars from motorcycles for testing and licensing purposes, because they are so different when it comes todriving trikes and sidecars.
Shop around to answer your questions, like independent vs staight axle suspension, floorboards, DOT rated, insurance rates (if an insurance company will actually insure a trike, etc.). As far as keeping up, who ever made the statement 'trikes can't keep up' obviously has not come up against mine. Smaller CC trikes are indeed more challenged but larger CC trikes can keep up with the pack. Bikes and trikes are all about weight, so more weight slower the vehicle.
If your girl friend really wants to ride and she has disabilities she has a few choices, grit it out on a bike if she can ride it safely, sidecar, training wheels, or a trike. Give them all a look (I did), make your choice and go for it. I was hurt in 1976 and I spent 2 1/2 years in the hospital, 1 1/2 years as an outpatient, and left with a lifetime of disabilities. I gave up riding until I started nosing around and discovered sidecars, training wheels and trikes. Except my marriage and the birth of my children, triking was a feeling that can not be put into words. But, I do know why dogs stick their head out of the car window! Good luck.
If you have any questions just email me and I'll answer them if I can. If I can't I'll find someone that can.
[IMG]local://upfiles/25017/FD62A1BFEBBF4A56BF6534FDDAD1B11E.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/25017/E36AA0A47F274B79A80E8C4CC78F6070.jpg[/IMG]
I have the Lehman Renegade Trike Conversion on my 2007 Ultra Classic. I chose Lehman for a lot of reasons but the most important were stability and cornering characteristics. I have multiple disabilities, which bad legs and ankle pain & fusions are amongst the list.
Riding a trike is different. Among the most noticeable are steering and gas mileage. My UC trike gets 35 MPG in town and 40 - 42 MPG highway (2UP). Steering is different not more difficult. You turn the trike in the direction you want to go. Bikes are more subtle, you lean and manipulate the handlebars differently. Females sometimes have a move difficult time steering the trike but with the correct setup it is like driving withpower steering. I recommend a safety class to learn the different characteristics, (I believe it should be mandatory). Here in Washington they have separated trikes & sidecars from motorcycles for testing and licensing purposes, because they are so different when it comes todriving trikes and sidecars.
Shop around to answer your questions, like independent vs staight axle suspension, floorboards, DOT rated, insurance rates (if an insurance company will actually insure a trike, etc.). As far as keeping up, who ever made the statement 'trikes can't keep up' obviously has not come up against mine. Smaller CC trikes are indeed more challenged but larger CC trikes can keep up with the pack. Bikes and trikes are all about weight, so more weight slower the vehicle.
If your girl friend really wants to ride and she has disabilities she has a few choices, grit it out on a bike if she can ride it safely, sidecar, training wheels, or a trike. Give them all a look (I did), make your choice and go for it. I was hurt in 1976 and I spent 2 1/2 years in the hospital, 1 1/2 years as an outpatient, and left with a lifetime of disabilities. I gave up riding until I started nosing around and discovered sidecars, training wheels and trikes. Except my marriage and the birth of my children, triking was a feeling that can not be put into words. But, I do know why dogs stick their head out of the car window! Good luck.
If you have any questions just email me and I'll answer them if I can. If I can't I'll find someone that can.
[IMG]local://upfiles/25017/FD62A1BFEBBF4A56BF6534FDDAD1B11E.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/25017/E36AA0A47F274B79A80E8C4CC78F6070.jpg[/IMG]
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
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RE: Trikes
There is also something called a voyager kit that you can install and remove(if you desire) that doesn't require anything other than hand tools to install an a fraction of the cost of a trike kit.
We've painted then to match the bikes and they looked just as good as a trike kit.
We've painted then to match the bikes and they looked just as good as a trike kit.
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
RE: Trikes
Now that my "tests" are done I think I can figure how this site works.
After being on 2 wheelsfor 30+ years I joined the world of being diagnosed with MS a couple years back.
Got tired of looking at 2 bikes in the garage doing nothing so I had my 06 Deluxe triked with a Champion Sidecar kit. Best move I could have made. Very stable, easy to ride & handle, EZ Steer, reverse & can outhandle most of my friends 2 wheelers.
I think with the graying of todays riders, & folks with medical issues we'll be seeing alot more trikes in the near future.
Have a 78 FLH I bought new in late 77 & am looking for a sidecar for that.
All in all for folks that are medically challanged or just not comfortable on 2 wheels a trike is a pretty sweet alturnative.
Ride safe......
[IMG]local://upfiles/14929/E76DFD293DE34D74B6516586FA3DA478.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/14929/7C3DEBD5BA0C4AAEA5F6A3AB3C6061A4.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/14929/C27627997EDA478F9F6BA848C0DF1E76.jpg[/IMG]
After being on 2 wheelsfor 30+ years I joined the world of being diagnosed with MS a couple years back.
Got tired of looking at 2 bikes in the garage doing nothing so I had my 06 Deluxe triked with a Champion Sidecar kit. Best move I could have made. Very stable, easy to ride & handle, EZ Steer, reverse & can outhandle most of my friends 2 wheelers.
I think with the graying of todays riders, & folks with medical issues we'll be seeing alot more trikes in the near future.
Have a 78 FLH I bought new in late 77 & am looking for a sidecar for that.
All in all for folks that are medically challanged or just not comfortable on 2 wheels a trike is a pretty sweet alturnative.
Ride safe......
[IMG]local://upfiles/14929/E76DFD293DE34D74B6516586FA3DA478.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/14929/7C3DEBD5BA0C4AAEA5F6A3AB3C6061A4.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/14929/C27627997EDA478F9F6BA848C0DF1E76.jpg[/IMG]