TRI GLIDE honest opinion
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,393
Likes: 2,060
From: N. Atlanta Burbs
Nothing wrong with a converted bike either. After your add on bells and whistles the cost is about the same and the turning radius is better on a conversion.
Pro's and con's on both sides.
Pro's and con's on both sides.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,500
Likes: 332
From: Blue Grass (KY)
I'm on my 3rd trike, 2 goldwings and now a 2010 TG...I love the TG but being honest, out of the box...the wing will out preform the Harley...hands down.
More power, smoother, less heat, but all are kit bikes...and warranty can be an issue...my local Honda dealer always took care of me, and to be truthful I never had any issues with the GW trike....but out on the road, warranty could have been an issue....that being said I bought the Harley because of the 2 year warranty..but if I make the necessary modifications to make the HD trike run better, cooler etc...well there goes the warranty...it's a crap shoot.
The major reason I changed from wing to HD was the sitting position and the driver foot placement. The wing has your feet directly under you and it killed my knees. I love the sitting position of forward floorboards, much more comfortable for me...and I'm making the payments....
I did look at the Victory Crossbow...but the small trunks turned me off....
As for the honest TG opinion;
It very good out of the box...yes heat is an issue, but it is on most touring Harley's. The 2011's have the 30T sprocket, which is a mod that 09's and 10's models need to make....if you want just a little more, a stage one, SE air cleaner and mufflers ( like on all the touring bikes) will help.
Now most here have went further...header pipe changes, air cleaner, mufflers and a EMC tuner....not extremely necessary but it sure wakes the TG up...
Bone stock, my wife and I road our to Billings MT and back..yeah it fell on it's face climbing some hills and fighting headwinds....but it made it there and back without any issues....and yes it got hot, but it was hot everywhere....I imagine everyone was hot....
I would not be afraid to buy a new TG....it's a fine machine...just my opinion
More power, smoother, less heat, but all are kit bikes...and warranty can be an issue...my local Honda dealer always took care of me, and to be truthful I never had any issues with the GW trike....but out on the road, warranty could have been an issue....that being said I bought the Harley because of the 2 year warranty..but if I make the necessary modifications to make the HD trike run better, cooler etc...well there goes the warranty...it's a crap shoot.
The major reason I changed from wing to HD was the sitting position and the driver foot placement. The wing has your feet directly under you and it killed my knees. I love the sitting position of forward floorboards, much more comfortable for me...and I'm making the payments....
I did look at the Victory Crossbow...but the small trunks turned me off....
As for the honest TG opinion;
It very good out of the box...yes heat is an issue, but it is on most touring Harley's. The 2011's have the 30T sprocket, which is a mod that 09's and 10's models need to make....if you want just a little more, a stage one, SE air cleaner and mufflers ( like on all the touring bikes) will help.
Now most here have went further...header pipe changes, air cleaner, mufflers and a EMC tuner....not extremely necessary but it sure wakes the TG up...
Bone stock, my wife and I road our to Billings MT and back..yeah it fell on it's face climbing some hills and fighting headwinds....but it made it there and back without any issues....and yes it got hot, but it was hot everywhere....I imagine everyone was hot....
I would not be afraid to buy a new TG....it's a fine machine...just my opinion
Last edited by Casper; Jan 15, 2011 at 09:54 PM.
Club Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,792
Likes: 6
From: North East Ohio
I had priced out a DFT kit with Easy Steer and the cost to me installed was going to be 18,000 with out reverse. I was able to sell my 06 Ultra and purchase the TG with reverse with all the bling I had on my 06 and still have some change in my pocket.
A person just needs to do some homework and know what they want. There had been times I really regreted not doing the conversion but at this present time I am very happy with my TG. Of course with the mods I have done my warrenty is for the most part out the window which I don't really care about.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 1
From: S.W. Florida
It’s a great bike once you get done doing the $3,000 of mods to cool it down and make it perform the way it should have out of the box!
As someone mentioned, there are a lot of post in this section, both pro and con. You will notice that some people state that they are happy with the stock TG; however, you will also notice that the majority of owners on these boards invested a lot of buck to fix the TG’s short comings. Read between the lines, that has to tell you something.
For me, it’s a love/hate relationship. I hated it stock out of the box (didn’t get to do a test ride); now that I have done the necessary mods, I love it. It doesn’t get any more honest than that!
Good luck!
Jim
As someone mentioned, there are a lot of post in this section, both pro and con. You will notice that some people state that they are happy with the stock TG; however, you will also notice that the majority of owners on these boards invested a lot of buck to fix the TG’s short comings. Read between the lines, that has to tell you something.
For me, it’s a love/hate relationship. I hated it stock out of the box (didn’t get to do a test ride); now that I have done the necessary mods, I love it. It doesn’t get any more honest than that!
Good luck!
Jim
The only real advice I can add it thouroughly check over the bike you intend to purchase for cosmetic defects, fender heights and test ride it if possible. Overall we are not disappointed with our purchase and enjoy riding the Tri. Looking forward now to the upgrades to cool her down and give us a bit more power.
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,393
Likes: 2,060
From: N. Atlanta Burbs
I certainly agree with you my friend about nothing being wrong with conversions but costing the same, I don't think so. It all depends on what kit you have installed and what the installer charges.
I had priced out a DFT kit with Easy Steer and the cost to me installed was going to be 18,000 with out reverse. I was able to sell my 06 Ultra and purchase the TG with reverse with all the bling I had on my 06 and still have some change in my pocket.
A person just needs to do some homework and know what they want. There had been times I really regreted not doing the conversion but at this present time I am very happy with my TG. Of course with the mods I have done my warrenty is for the most part out the window which I don't really care about.
I had priced out a DFT kit with Easy Steer and the cost to me installed was going to be 18,000 with out reverse. I was able to sell my 06 Ultra and purchase the TG with reverse with all the bling I had on my 06 and still have some change in my pocket.
A person just needs to do some homework and know what they want. There had been times I really regreted not doing the conversion but at this present time I am very happy with my TG. Of course with the mods I have done my warrenty is for the most part out the window which I don't really care about.
A few things to consider.
The actual value of the bike being converted.
The cost of the conversion.
If you take a brand new bike and convert it... your end cost will be way over the top. But, if you take a three or more year older bike then the value of that bike is greatly reduced and you have already completed most of your bling and motor upgrades.
While some think converting a bike is very costly especially if you have a shop do it, well that can be true. However, you can get a Champion kit installed by a conversion dealer for less than $9000.00. The price will go up as you add rake or reverse.
My total Motor Trike conversion was 15K and a dealer installed it (not worth a **** mind you) but it cost me more that way with all the bells and whistles including on board air and better rear bumper. (the bumper was 800.00 by itself) So. If my POSE was worth 20K private party resale and add 15K for the conversion.... 35K.
Yes... it is very wise to do your homework. Let's not forget the gearing issue as well that conversions also face. I took my time converting the POSE to what it needed before I converted it to a trike.
For those reading this thinking about a conversion.. My biggest mistake?? True Duals. Don't do it on a trike!!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,671
Likes: 1
From: Virginia
I have a 2010 Tri Glide with no engine mods. My wife won't even get on the EG any more. She is more comfortable on the trike. No heat issues with it, and it runs like a scalded ape even with the two of us on it. It has become my favorite as well.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,871
Likes: 573
From: Raleigh NC
I have a 2011, I'm very happy with it. Since it is an '11 it already has the 30 tooth gear. I did spend just over $1300 to change the headpipe, mufflers and air cleaner and add a PCV. I have done that to just about every bike I've owned since fuel injection so I don't consider that a Tri Glide cost. I think I made the right decision.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
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
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 149
Likes: 1
From: Tallahassee, Florida
I too have an UC, at least until this coming Saturday when I will be taking delivery of a 2011 Vivid Black TG. I have read all the posts positive and negative. A lot of peace of mind for me and my wife as result of this decision. She's already talking about how to pack it for our trips. Can't give you any real feedback at this point but the freedom and stability that a trike will provide us was the key decision making point. We love Harleys with all their good and bad habits, so a TRI GLIDE was the choice for us. Good luck with your decision.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: Central Ohio
As others have said, get ready to spend some money on the things that "you" feel need to be changed or improved. The trike does do a good job overall but you end up tailoring it to you just the same as you would do with a two wheeler. Concerning the warranty; that was a big factor in my decision. If you haven't been tagged by a dealer for your mods and are in store for future warranty claims you might be OK. At least a Harley dealer should be able to get the stock parts you might need for on the road repairs. That likely won't happen on a conversion of a H-D or Honda or many other brands. If Honda built their own trike that's what I would be riding but they don't. I believe Honda bikes are better engineered than Harleys and they don't usually experiment on the customer.
Do I regret buying the TriGlide? No, it serves it's purpose for me. Will I consider another TriGlide? I'm not sure at this time and I don't know what may be available in the future.
Read all the information you can on this forum and others as well as ask questions of other TriGlide owners when you can.
Good luck and ride something regardless of what brand it is because riding is what it's all about.
Do I regret buying the TriGlide? No, it serves it's purpose for me. Will I consider another TriGlide? I'm not sure at this time and I don't know what may be available in the future.
Read all the information you can on this forum and others as well as ask questions of other TriGlide owners when you can.
Good luck and ride something regardless of what brand it is because riding is what it's all about.