Three Wheels

[Gary]

As one gets older (I am 69 now) sooner or later you have to start considering 3 wheels if you want to keep riding. I am not there yet and my primary ride is a 950 lb. (not counting my 185 lbs.) Harley Street Glide Special.

I guess I could go down in bike weight first. My T100 Bonneville weighs in at about 500 lbs. and feels like it weighs nothing in comparison to the Harley, but the T100 gets uncomfortable after about 60 miles and is definitely not comfortable at 75 mph expressway speeds. My CRF250 Honda weighs in at about 325 lbs. and feels like nothing in comparison to the Bonneville, but its comfortable for only about 30 miles.

Unfortunately, I go on 150-250 mile rides twice a week and for someone my age only a big touring bike has the comfort to make those rides a pleasure.

A 950 lb. bike is tough to back up from a parking space and gravel parking lots are definitely hazardous. Yeah, Gold Wings and Yamaha Ventures have an electric reverse, but the gravel is still a problem.

This past weekend one of the riders in my riding group (soon to turn 80 year of age) wanted to test ride a Can-Am Spyder, so we rode about 60 miles to the nearest dealer. He liked it, but didn't particularly care for the US $27,000.00 asking price. It seemed a bit much to me for a 800cc bike.

All in my group have tried tricycles (two wheels in back), and none of us who do not have 3 wheelers like the riding characteristics. Two riders in our group do ride Gold Wing trikes, but they seldom ride (maybe once every 3 months or so).

We have found a new alternative with two front wheels that are articulated and lean just like a two wheeler. Jay Leno has a review on You Tube. Everyone says it rides exactly like a two wheeler. Right now they only have versions for Harleys and Gold Wings (what the older guys mostly ride now), but plan to expand; probably to fit each maker's touring bikes first.
Cost is $10K for the kit, plus an additional $3K if you want automatic hydraulic leveling at low speeds and stops.

This would also be ideal for anyone with a riding handicap.

There is already a waiting list. I am seriously considering getting on the list now so that I get one in a couple of years.

The one major drawback is that my wife says that if I go to a three wheeler, she will ride with me.

 

[DaveM]

This sounds interesting and the price is not all that bad either but now what does it take to build one of these as that along could be a show stopper on something like this. I suppose like most kit vehicles there will always be someone out there that will assemble them for you for an additional prices.

 

[Rocky]

To each his own of course, but I can't see myself on three wheels - not even a sidecar rig.
I'm pretty sure that when I reach the point where I can't handle two wheels I'll probably give it up.

 

[Qship]

Thought about a smaller cruiser like a America, or other brand in the 1100-1300cc size. A lot less weight and most of the comfort you're looking for.

 

[Sprocket]

arrrghhhhh @Gary getting older sucks Sir.
My husband has a Street Glide CVO I know how heavy it is. Unless you really really have to change to a Trike
rather stay on two wheels, go lighter. I ride 4 wheelers offroad and it's tough physical riding and then going onto road bikes
I have great endurance because of the tough offroading.
Your body/ muscles/ strength adjusts to what your ride, I have test ridden a spyder for a magazine it sucked
I've never ridden a two wheel front trike, so i presume it takes the weight of the legs/arms at slow maneuvering but unless it has power steering,
the weight will be transfered to upper body strength. It's a whole different dynamic to what your body is used to.
Going lighter on two wheels, Mustang makes great seats and windshields take away the wind fatigue factor.

This is just the way I think and probably one day when i can't ride anymore, I'll put a v8 engine into my wheelchair
God bless you in your endeavors to keep on riding

 

[Gary]

I was worrying that the manufacturer was in Seattle, Washington (2,000 miles away at least) and I would probably want to ship the bike to Seattle for installation, and then ship the bike back (and the original front end). That seems to be a lot of extra cost.

However, I have found that one of the manufacturer's few (less than 5) dealers is about 190 miles away in Springfield , Missouri and they are a shop that specializes in conversions. They have done this one before. In short, I can ride the bike there in about 3.5 hours, and they can probably do the installation and testing in less than 8 hours. However, I probably will tow the bike as I will need to bring back the stock front end.

They tell me that they can use the Harley's stock twin front brake calipers with ABS. ABS and two front wheels should make for some awesome braking.