Total Motorcycle Community Forums

What do you boys and girls out there think about Trikes? Like them, hate them, or indifferent? They always catch my eye when I'm out on the road but I just can't see myself owning one. They also seem to be geared towards the older generation for some reason.

Gunslinger wrote:They also seem to be geared towards the older generation for some reason.

Because they don't tip over at parking lot speeds and you don't have to put your feet down at stoplights. Makes a big difference for older people with arthritis and weakened joints/muscles, which is why they're marketed to that segment.

I'd like to try out the spyder.
http://www.gizmag.com/go/6823/picture/31402/

I have done some riding (I know you ride a bike but drive a sidecar rig, not sure which is the proper term for a trike) on stock Harley Servicars. Fun but kinda spooky handling and extreamly underpowered. With that little 45 inch (750cc) mill expect a top speed around 45mph.

As to the Spyder, I rode one of these last year and was impressed except for the tranny. When you slow they will downshift automatically and almost throw you over handlebars. The handlebar buttons to shift and no clutch are kinda weird too. (I would suggest the BASE model with a normal tranny) The blinker controls are on only one side, and worse yet the left side unlike most non japanese bikes. Also if I remember right the brakes are integrated and all three work with pedal or lever. Seems much more like riding a snowmobile than a motorcycle or ATV. I did see one Spyder that was dressed. (fully faired, Givi panniers, and tour pack) The best thing about the Spyder is price, costing about the same as a trike conversion less doner bike.

There is also a company in Ohio that is going to build a enclosed tadpole trike w/hybred diesel. Their proto type is getting a wopping 235MPG and a top speed of 90 MPH. (this however is more of a three wheeled car than a trike)

check out this site http://www.reversetrike.com/home.html

They've always kinda looked goofy to me, and what comes to mind when i think of them is some huge burley old dude that probably has ties to the hells angles. But, thats just me and im sure they are at least KINDA fun to ride, however i would still feel like a poser if i was ever riding around an actual motorcycle.

wrecks wrote:I'd like to try out the spyder.
http://www.gizmag.com/go/6823/picture/31402/

I can't stand trikes in general, but I love the Spyder. There is a car dealership on my way to work that always has one sitting out front.

Hate them.

If I couldn't ride a bike anymore I'd rather take the money a trike would cost and put it into a Jeep Wrangler. I'd still have open air motoring and could still go off-road riding.

I saw a Goldwing trike in town on Saturday. My first reaction, "man, that thing's big!!!" Seemed big as a car across the back. I appreciate small light bikes, the trike seemed the opposite of everything I like about motorcycling. But to each their own, I guess

jstark47 wrote:the trike seemed the opposite of everything I like about motorcycling. But to each their own, I guess

There are many who feel the same way about sidecar rigs, too. I know, because I used to be one of them. But people change over the years and now I have and love an Ural... and am thinking about hacking my Road Glide, too. But that Harley trike is looking mighty fine.

Oh, gawd, I'm getting old. I think I'll go go hook up some suspenders to my old jeans.

I'm seeing more and more trikes out there. these days and I've seen some really sharp looking trikes. I do agree Gawd getting old. I'm not ready for a trike yet. My wife would like me to put a side car on my bike for her Golden Retriever. I have to draw the line somewhere so I leave my wife home