[devynquinn]

Well, I was driving past the Harley Davidson lot (don't hit me) and I spotted a trike that just caught my eye. Same color as The Grumpy (my car), the Grumpy Queen (my motorcycle) and would look nice parked beside both (sensing some greed going on here). :whistling:

So my question is, would I look like a big old sissie riding a three wheeler? Or can you still be cool even though you are riding a tricycle with a big engine? Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[wjmrty]

Go for it ,if you want too. they are fun to ride but takes a while to get used to them :thumb:

 

[flitecontrol]

Cool is a state of mind! If you get the trike, be sure to put a bell on the handlebars and ice cream stickers on the back and sides for effect. A white trike and gear would be even better, but I can tell it's the color that's gotten your attention.

https://theselvedgeyard.files.wordp...rley-davidson-ice-cream-trike-biker.jpg?w=960

Just remember, it doesn't handle like a two wheeler, and you aren't going to "lean" it like one.

 

[tri-rider]

My wife has MS and she had to give up two wheels due to balance issues. After several years of not riding we went the trike route. She loves it. We have two trikes, a custom Rebel and a VTX1300 conversion. Both are a blast to ride. The Rebel has a solid rear axle and the VTX has independent rear suspension. Both have good merits and cons. I have rode both and was surprised at the attention they get. I would say they're Cool. I see more trikes on the road every year.

 

[Duckster]

I can certainly see the appeal for riders who have some physical challenge that makes a 2 wheeler difficult or impossible. I suspect that if and when I get to that stage I will go to exclusively riding a lightweight motorcycle like the Rebel in preference to a 3 wheeled version of a heavier bike. If I can't handle the Rebel, I'll get a sports car or something.
It's the unique handling of a 2 wheeler that does it for me. Like flying an airplane on the ground since there is never any sense of sideways G forces in corners. "Gravity" always pulls you straight down into the seat.

 

[sawbones]

DQ: I suspect you would be "cool" no matter what you ride! Spent last winter in The Villages near Ocala,FL and the whole area was full of trikes. I had an opportunity to ride my buddies Goldwing Trike and it was indeed a lot of fun but I can see where it would take some getting used to. This trike did a trip from Florida to most of the national parks out west last spring (6500 miles) and my friends had a blast. I ride with a buddy who is approaching 80 and he recently had his HD Ultra converted to a trike. We have a great time riding together. My very limited experience leads me to believe a full trike with independent suspension would be more comfortable than an HD with the add-on trike kit. This is what my buddy has and the rear end bounces all over the place..... good to hear from you again...................bob

 

[tri-rider]

I agree that 2 wheels are more enjoyable for myself. As Duckster said, I love the leaning in to curves.
"Throw me a twisty road anytime ". The only advantage I've noticed on IRS vs solid axle is at lower speeds on bumpy roads. The IRS is a lot smoother but has more body roll. The solid axle is lot like a gokart in the corners. I have down sized my 2 wheelers already to lighter models.

 

[Bokobob]

Had a Suzuki boulevard 800 set up as a true trike (Lehman Tramp model) for three weeks and sold it....I did not like the continuous effort needed to keep it going down the road straight...No lean is no fun for me, as well...I bought it thinking my age of 78 was a good reason and I'd use it more as time went along..If age becomes an issue, then I think I'll go to a scooter first....'


Many, many older adults seem to be enjoying their Goldwing Trikes, so it is likely an acquired taste and for $35K new maybe they have them set up so they are easier to handle...

My two cents.

Bob

 

[Sr.MailMan]

When you get to "that age" this might be an alternative:Elio Motors

 

[Guba]

Check your state riding regulations! In Ohio you can't ride a trike unless you have "Trike" endorsement on your license. So, at least here, not anyone can just jump on and ride one.

 

[Duckster]

Some people are going directly to the Bombardier 3 wheelers rather than trying a motorcycle first. I'm assuming the perceived precariousness of 2 wheels was a deterrent for them. they think they can get the effect of a motorcycle without giving up the security of a car. I'm just not into it at all.

 

[Buickguy]

Well, I was driving past the Harley Davidson lot (don't hit me) and I spotted a trike that just caught my eye. Same color as The Grumpy (my car), the Grumpy Queen (my motorcycle) and would look nice parked beside both (sensing some greed going on here). :whistling:

So my question is, would I look like a big old sissie riding a three wheeler? Or can you still be cool even though you are riding a tricycle with a big engine? Inquiring minds want to know.

I'd say you can feel as cool as you wish the potential for destroying yourself is still there if care isn't used while ridng.

 

[ArtW]

if you likee, you getee, cool is not giving a flip if others think you're cool

 

[RebelRider.Mike]

I took the sidecar/trike training here in Washington State. I enjoyed the small Harley trike they had. I didn't care for the reverse trike. Too complicated electronically, and a very small turning radius.

My favorite though, was the sidecar. I absolutely loved it!

A few months later I got my own:

Since then, I've been debating whether or not to trike the Rebel.

Its true, you don't lean a 3-wheeler into curves; you lean your self into them instead. The bike (hopefully) stays strait upright. Its not for everyone, but it I really like it.

 

[Shadow Shack]

I've ridden a few conventional trikes, most recently a first gen Victory V-92 conversion last month. I have yet to sample anything smaller than 1500cc in trike form nor have I tried independent rear suspension either, but from what I have gleaned so far is they can really fight you in a curve.

You have to keep your inside arm straight and really force the handlebars into a turn. Forget what you know about counter-steering, or what you think you might know for that matter. You push right to go left, with emphasis on the word "PUSH". I can only imagine IRS makes this even more so since it will lean the wrong way like a car. The trade off of course will be a smoother ride in straight lines...IRS will absorb the bumps better than a solid rear axle where the entire rear end is doing the work instead of one wheel.

I'm anxious to try a light weight trike, just to see how the reduced weight/momentum eases the handlebar turning work.

Check your state riding regulations! In Ohio you can't ride a trike unless you have "Trike" endorsement on your license. So, at least here, not anyone can just jump on and ride one.

Yep, different states have different trike regulations. Some require helmets, others do not. Some require an M endorsement, others allow the standard automotive endorsement, and as mentioned there are those who require a trike endorsement. Some states register them as bikes, some as cars...so beware of the potential for smog checks on the latter.

 

[refrigman]

I have had a VW trike and later a Honda CX500 based meter maid police trike. The VW was about a block long and half a block wide, had no weight on the front end and would pop wheelies in a heart beat. I really didn't enjoy it. The Trident police bike had a HUGE cargo box and had had the Honda swingarm replaced with a hardtail. The seat and box were on springs. Bumps were a little scary at speed as the rear end tended to hop. But 10-12 bags of groceries in the box! It was also geared low for only 10mph per 1000 rpm. Top practical speed was about 80 at 8000 rpm, happier at 65-70. Watch out for your inside rear wheel on turns, especially at gas station fuel islands. They tend to climb onto the concrete really close to the pumps the first few times you try to get gas! The non-leaning makes the steering very different. Find a big parking lot that is empty to practice a bit, especially as your speed climbs they can be a handful to steer. But yes, they get a lot of attention and can be way COOL.

 

[Fridgitator]

Jack's Rebel Warehouse sometimes has Rebel trikes for sale. I don't know if he does anymore since he's getting ready to sell out.

 

[rrunner]

Go for it!!! I personally have a vw trike and a v8 trike. The v8 is a real blast on the road. Trikes do get a lot of attention so be ready for the crowds and questions.

 

[Shadow Shack]

Don't hold your breath, but this is a possibility...

http://www.hondarebelforum.com/f40/honda-developing-leaning-three-wheeled-motorcycle-57465.html

 

[darwindodge]

I have never rode a trike but always wanted one and i believe they can be just as cool as any thing else with a engine and wheels.
I worked for a small shop AW's truck,auto repair and road call service AW and several of his friends had trikes most of them were custom built by us in the shop.
I have wanted one ever since