HD Trike vs Can Am

[sandrooney]

Tri glide is a rushed to market hack job for the wanna be's that can't even screw up the courage to get on 2 wheels..... It is nice that the old and injured have better options now, however start looking at who is buying them... First bike and it's a tri glide??? Buying a lifestyle.
[/quote]

I was riding bikes since before you were born. From Allstate's to Harley's,I have owned, ridden or raced just about every brand. I just got a Tri Glide and am selling my Street Glide not because I can't ride two wheels anymore but because I LIKE it. So next time you see someone on a Tri Glide why don't you screw up the courage to go tell them your opinion face to face.

[N-gin]

Rode with a bunch of Harley trikes. One was stock others were around 100-130 horse.
They looked fun and they kept up pretty good.
I want one. They look comfortable.

[Boomertx]

Tri glide is a rushed to market hack job for the wanna be's that can't even screw up the courage to get on 2 wheels..... It is nice that the old and injured have better options now, however start looking at who is buying them... First bike and it's a tri glide??? Buying a lifestyle.

I was riding bikes since before you were born. From Allstate's to Harley's,I have owned, ridden or raced just about every brand. I just got a Tri Glide and am selling my Street Glide not because I can't ride two wheels anymore but because I LIKE it. So next time you see someone on a Tri Glide why don't you screw up the courage to go tell them your opinion face to face.
[/quote]

^^^^^^^^^
   THIS 

I don't need a trike . . . yet, but at 60, fixin' to get one new knee and more problems on the horizon I won't hesitate to get a trike when the time comes regardless of what the BABs (Bad Azz Bikers) think.

[GaryD]

Tri glide is a rushed to market hack job for the wanna be's that can't even screw up the courage to get on 2 wheels..... It is nice that the old and injured have better options now, however start looking at who is buying them... First bike and it's a tri glide??? Buying a lifestyle.

I was riding bikes since before you were born. From Allstate's to Harley's,I have owned, ridden or raced just about every brand. I just got a Tri Glide and am selling my Street Glide not because I can't ride two wheels anymore but because I LIKE it. So next time you see someone on a Tri Glide why don't you screw up the courage to go tell them your opinion face to face.
[/quote]


                Sure would like to see him tell that to "Tiny" face to face or someone that just lost a let in Bagdad.   

I'd love to get Brice out on a twisty road (The Dragon perhaps) and see if he can keep up with me. Last month I joined a pack of rice rockets on the Cherohala Skyway that suddenly rode up behind me - I dropped in behind them and stayed with them for about 7 miles and they weren't dragging their feet just for me. They gave me a thumbs up as they pulled onto an overlook.  I wouldn't have tried that right after buying a TG, but after a few years of experience - piece of cake.

Too bad we all can't get along with people that ride different models. I remember when I got my first Harley Sportster - boy the crap I listened to about it being a girls bike.....the the V-Rod.....  then it was baggers etc. You just can't please some people.  If you don't ride what they ride you're not worthy. Sad.

[tomcat64]

Tri glide is a rushed to market hack job for the wanna be's that can't even screw up the courage to get on 2 wheels..... It is nice that the old and injured have better options now, however start looking at who is buying them... First bike and it's a tri glide??? Buying a lifestyle.

I was riding bikes since before you were born. From Allstate's to Harley's,I have owned, ridden or raced just about every brand. I just got a Tri Glide and am selling my Street Glide not because I can't ride two wheels anymore but because I LIKE it. So next time you see someone on a Tri Glide why don't you screw up the courage to go tell them your opinion face to face.

                Sure would like to see him tell that to "Tiny" face to face or someone that just lost a let in Bagdad.   

I'd love to get Brice out on a twisty road (The Dragon perhaps) and see if he can keep up with me. Last month I joined a pack of rice rockets on the Cherohala Skyway that suddenly rode up behind me - I dropped in behind them and stayed with them for about 7 miles and they weren't dragging their feet just for me. They gave me a thumbs up as they pulled onto an overlook.  I wouldn't have tried that right after buying a TG, but after a few years of experience - piece of cake.

Too bad we all can't get along with people that ride different models. I remember when I got my first Harley Sportster - boy the crap I listened to about it being a girls bike.....the the V-Rod.....  then it was baggers etc. You just can't please some people.  If you don't ride what they ride you're not worthy. Sad.
[/quote]


I've learned to laugh off the "keyboard commandos" 

[N-gin]

I'm 34 and still ride my Dyna on one wheel. I've been on bikes since 4 years old.
I would love to have a trike!
Go from Ohio to California and not have to put your feet down when you stop. Only for gas, food and restrooms.
Can't wait.

[Mountainman streetbob]

Well I really stuck my foot in my mouth! 

I have a little attitude about the snowbird crowd at the moment.

We have a large contingency of snowbirds who bought their first "bikes/trikes" recently and are making life difficult for some of us that have been minding our own business not hurting anyone. This group of "bikers" is even suggesting the cancellation or hemming back of bike night on beale street!

We have a local problem with a group of trike riding seniors buying their first bikes and now throwing their retirement $$$ around raising heck saying our bikes are too loud, our conversations are too loud and making us miserable at establishments we have  been  hanging out at for years and years.

It's kind of a pain to see them screw up a good situation.

Reminds me of when Oregon got invaded by KALIFORNIANS in the late 70's and early to mid 80's...

Sorry, too many memories or wolves in sheeps clothing.

BTW I have ridden several trikes and if I ever need one you bet I will be on one.... I just won't screw over fellow riders in the process. To all of you good hearted folks.

MEA CULPA! 

[sandrooney]

Thanks Mountianman streetbob.   Sorry you are having those problems.  SR

[Boomertx]

No worries!!!  Them old folks (thank Ged that at only 60 I ain't one yet) can be a real PIA sometimes 

In the end its all the same wind.  Ride safe!

[wavlovr1]

I've ridden HD Sportsters, Dynas, Softails, Baggers, Triumps, BSAs, Hondas, Coweys, and Nortons.... I have never ridden a Spider. But, I did own an 800 Can Am ATV for a few years. I liked them all except the Can Am. Brand new it was smooth and fast, topping out around 70mph. Within a few years you could hardly drive it over 30-35mph because it shook so bad. The one speed transmission would drive you nuts after a while. Like someone mentioned at higher speeds the motor sounded like someone ran over a cat's tail. It was a pain to work on and the suspension was a cheap piece of crap that wore out before it was paid for. I retired it in a couple of years and put a snow blade on it. For quite a few years that's all I used it for. I don't know about any improvements from the ATVs to the Spider, but almost everyone I know that gotten one has already gotten rid of them???

The HD trike is odd to me. It is a Harley, but not being able to counter steer somehow defeats the purpose of riding a bike. I've probably ridden close to a 1000 miles on HD trikes but when the day comes I cant hold up a bike Ill have a big decision to make. Would I get an HD trike, one of the newest four seater ATVs, but I do know the Spider won't be an option for me. The dealer in SD was useless when I had the Can Am. Concerning the original question; HD Trike!

[easyricer]

I had a fairly "elderly" customer in today, riding a fairly nice Harley Ultra. He asked me about the new HD Triglide compared to the conversions...
I told him, "By all means, go ride a Triglide. Then if you can, ride a Lehman Conversion and then a California Sidecar Conversion Trike. You'll see and feel the difference." 
As you've read, I'm no fan of the Harley Triglide. I think it's a lawsuit waiting to happen if it ain't already one. The conversion trikes are much better thought out and the California Sidecar has a real reverse gear. As I get older, the trike idea has not crossed my mind much. I've owned one sidecar in the past and had a bunch of fun with it so that will be the route I will likely go when I can't kickstart or get these heavy SOBs off the kick stand.
I also see MANY people with trikes as their first bikes. Some of the strangest ones are the Blue Knights (Cops on bikes) but they are still riding so I let it slide.
EASY

[GaryD]

Easy, what about the warrantys?  I've heard horror stories about who's going to warranty what on those conversions kits.

I'm really not against the kits - I would have gone that route if money was an issue. There are some nice ones out there - the only thing I wouldn't get is the IRS - I couldn't justify the cost for it that DFT wanted for the conversion......over $5K.

At least when sitting on the TG it feels like riding a 2 wheeler compared to the Can Am. I do agree with you that the Can Am is not an option for me. 

[N-gin]

I hear these CanAms really move when you want them to without mods. Walked an Evo with 100hp no problem.

[easyricer]

Gary, I also understand that the warranty is an issue. I guess it's no different than getting a bike chopped out, gotta trust in your builder. So do your homework on who's doing quality work, there are several out there who really do.
What I have seen on the different conversions (that I can remember) over the years... The Lehman trikes run through rear brake pads really fast. I think they are using Ford Ranger brakes.
Champion has very little ground clearance for servicing, but ride exceptionally well. The reverse gear conversion has lock collars that can slip if you apply too much power to it in reverse, so no backwards dragracing.
I have not seen a DNA rear end installed yet on a bagger but I have on a couple of Sporties. My '50 rides much smoother (rigid frame)
I have seen many different IRS custom builds that ride very well on the rough roads we have around here, most of them with self leveling air ride or air assisted automotive style shocks and coil over shocks.
Trikes and trike conversions are not cheap and you generally get what you pay for. I highly recommend riding a few different ones, from different builders. It would probably be cheaper to sell your bike and buy a good used trike conversion or use yours as trade in for one if you can find a builder or Trike conversion company who does that.
EASY

[Hossamania]

If I do have to go trike, I'm going Boss Boss. V-8, 300+ horsepower. Steering will be with the rear wheels,  burning sideways, like an old 3-wheeler in the dirt.

[GaryD]

A friend had a Boss Hoss. He loved it and got attention everywhere we went. If you were with him you'd better not be in a hurry - he'd spend hours talking to people at gas stations about it. One trip we took on the Pig Trail in Arkansas - he ran off the road 3 times - he said it was a bear turning it on twisty roads - I guess so.


Easy, I did try the IRS from DFT - it was nice, but only on bad roads, so I stay off bad roads. 
I couldn't justify the $5K+ for it. Now if I lived in Chicago or Detroit, with their roads, I would think it would be mandatory.
I really don't have a problem with the TriGlide's suspension.

I may have a better chance to run over something on the road compared to a 2 wheeler, but I'll only hit it once, not twice like a 2 wheeler.   

[lonegoosehonking]

Will be a side hack for me. Like the looks better. Dresser sidehack looks cool!!

[Hossamania]

Side hacks are cool. Who can resist a smile when they see one?
The Urals interest me a great deal. Not necessarily a touring bike, but the two-wheel drive set up would be great, I could ride it in winter, explore some less than ideal roads, even head down some goat trails.
But it would have to be a second or third bike.

[harpwrench]

I bought an evo side car rig for a second bike and it was a real hoot until the new wore off. Hack is waiting in the corner now for when I'm old or get hurt. A triglide would probably be less work to ride at that point but this is paid for!

[ndmp40]

I am not much for trikes, perhaps when the physical demands are too much I will change my mind.  I just dont think they are much fun.  But I have ridden a can am, and they are fast, handle well, and fun.  I would buy one before a trike for certain.

[GaryD]

Don't know what fun means to you, but I had a ton of fun keeping up with those rice rockets on the Cherohala Skyway.       I think they were shocked which made me smile even more.

Other then leaning in curves, what else is fun riding 2 wheels that you can't get riding a trike???   I ride both and each one has it's own type of fun.
You can't say riding a trike isn't fun until you've ridden one for at least a couple months -AFTER- you've got accustomed to it. Until then it is not fun because it's different.
I just helped at the dealer demo days last weekend and there were 10 times more people trying the TG then last year. I bet 95% were very afraid of it at first, but did like it by the time they finished. It's very intimidating at first. Not many people can handle a trike so they tend to bash it and that's not a fair review.

[ndmp40]

Sorry-
I have ridden one.  Not fun.  And slow. 
To each his own I say.....but not for me.

[fattmann101]

to each, his own. But I think they are butt ugly

[Phu Cat]

Of course more HP is always better.

I agree with that, but like this just a little better, Poor UB: "Too much horsepower is almost enough".

PC

[PoorUB]

Of course more HP is always better.

I agree with that, but like this just a little better, Poor UB: "Too much horsepower is almost enough".

PC

Never heard of too much HP!