We picked up a new XXX for the wife 3 weeks ago last Wednesday. She had ridden a few hundred thousand miles as my passenger but the only time she had ever ridden as an operator was a 3 day MSF class back in 79. So I gave her 3 days basics in local parking lots (I am a former MSF instructor) and about every other night around town with her learners permit and me on the back. Last Wednesday we took 105 mile run out on open roads with hills and turns. She followed along my lead on the Ultra. Sat-Mon our group of 6 bikes and trikes had planned a Labor day weekend run of a bit over 1000 miles and the wife asked "Am I ready to take the run?" I told if she felt she was then she should do it. She made the group 3 trikes and 4 Ultras. It was a beautiful ride through the mountains and over 100 miles of up and down twisty roads every day.

She definitely made the grade and hung tight the whole trip. 1026 miles in three days on all types of terrain and holiday idiots traffic. No problems at all and went in for the Trike endorsement test last Tuesday. Passed the endorsement with flying colors. I never saw the smile go away from her face when she's aboard that trike in the past three weeks. Money well spent folks, money well spent!

 

good for you guys!!!

 

Glad she is enjoying her new ride!

 

that's awesome, man!

keep ridin' and keep smilin'!!!

grimm

 

I'm glad she's happy. That must mean you are happy.

 

I hope my wife does as well with her Tri Glide! Did she have any issues with the clutch pull?

 

Yepper, I am happy and darned proud of her! She had no problem with clutch pull at all. She did have a heck of a time finding neutral because the dealer has yet to give me a bike that has it adjusted to what I feel is proper. I made a adjustment on the cable to make the engagement slightly short of center for her and she's hit neutral with ease every time since. That slightly under center adjustment also puts the load pressure closer to the bar for her short fingers and still disengages the plates well before max lever compression. When releasing, by the time her finger reach runs out the clutch is fully engaged. Many dealers seem to think the clutch should disengage in the first 1/4 inch of movement and it it does not need to do so. The play is adjusted where the cable meets the lever mount, not in how far the end of the lever moves. Don't know why they can't figure that out. The lever on the XXX is plenty soft for the ladies and is actually V cut on the handlebar side so it can be easily adjusted for a short throw if needed. That's similar to the design of aftermarket short reach levers.

 

Where do you need a "trike" endorsement? I have one on order and just have mc indorsement.

 

South Carolina is requiring one now. I have a waiver for 10yrs but have to keep my piece of paper with me when riding if I got pulled over to show them

 

If you have a MC endorsement in MT then it works fine, but to ride a trike without taking the 2 wheel riders test you get a "MC endorsement / limited to 3 and 4 wheel only". You can get this by taking a street driving test similar to a car and not have to ride a two wheel Motorcycle to be able to ride the trike.