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Post by Vincent on Jan 25, 2024 13:40:28 GMT -6
I am new to reverse trikes, having ridden all my miles on 2 wheels. This is my take on converting over. I just got my bike converted to trike by Endeavor in December. Since it is winter in Kansas the weather is very unpredictable. After I got home I started the process of learning about my new ride. The first couple of times were really scary as it handles so much differently than a 2 wheeler. I watched Norm's riding instruction video and a couple of others to try and pick up on handling and other things. That being said, I recently went out for my fourth ride and managed to do about 20 miles on the 4 lane highway here at Fort Scott, KS. I got up to and maintained 75 mph, which is something considering that I am still a Shaky Jake.
As the weather gets better I will be going out on training hops to get more confidence and later will be trying to do longer loops in my area. There are several good runs, some with long straights and some with nice curvy roads. Been here, in the area for 10 years and have got alot of good riding in. Looking for alot more.
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Post by #98cuznvinnie on Mar 5, 2024 19:01:40 GMT -6
I have had the trike for about 3 months. Lately, the weather has been getting better and I have made some changes to my overall setup. I went back to a frame mounted solo seat, got a shorter windshield and added a Harley banana style rail and backrest...(aka the Contraption) I have managed to put on just under 300 miles with the longest ride being 105 miles. My confidence level grows with each ride and the changes to the setup have added to the comfort level. Its getting so that I am looking forward to much longer rides and now ride every chance I get.
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glen
Rookie Sport Trike Rider
Posts: 4
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Post by glen on Mar 6, 2024 18:40:25 GMT -6
I have had mine for a few years. Trust me it gets better and better.
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Post by #98cuznvinnie on Mar 12, 2024 19:12:19 GMT -6
I appreciate all the great support and advice that I have been getting from everyone on this forum, it has really helped.  My learning continues and the curve is definitely not as steep as it was. My confidence level has grown with each trip and ride. That has much to do with the advice I have been given. My Drifter and I are becoming good buddies again. There, for awhile we were not talking on the same page. The first month was probably the lowest point because my transition was going slowly due to the weather and being unable to ride as often.
The last month or so we have had a false spring in February and I was able to get out and ride. With all the good weather and my confidence going up, I was recently able to do a trip of 170 miles, a round robin checking out a route for my American Legion Riders bunch. It was a really good ride! Good weather, a good machine and a sore ass in the end. LOL
I want to thank all of you for all the help. Being a newbie rider is something I wasn't used to, but with all the experienced guy working me thru, I am getting the joy of riding back. Before I had the conversion done the joy was lacking and a down rider is no fun to live with. But Hey, You All know that!
Thanks
CuznVinnie #98
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Post by #98cuznvinnie on Mar 29, 2024 18:19:38 GMT -6
The Learning Contiues: I am now trying my hand at different types of roads to gain more of an understanding on how a trike will handle the different surfaces. With that in mind I made a "challenge" ride just across the state line to Missouri. Just inside Missouri there are county roads that are paved and not maintained very well. I chose one that I have ridden before on 2 wheels and it was a challenge then.
This time it was a real challenge! The road was very uneven, with a high crown, deep wheel ruts in areas and also rises in the middle of the lane. It is posted for lower speed limits, in some places as high as 55 mph but it was best taken at a much lower and safer speed. Since I had never been on it as a trike I took it very cautiously and kept my speeds down and within my capabilities.
Even with that there were a couple of places where the pucker factor really pegged out. One spot in particular almost made me reconsider the whole thing. I was doing about 45 in a straight line and in my lane when, suddenly the roadway surface forced me over to the left and into the oncoming lane! This was totally without any input on my end.
So, you see I am trying to conquer my fears.
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Post by ridetheglide on Mar 31, 2024 12:30:53 GMT -6
Norm did our conversion back in 2019. For me the transition was easy as I ride ATV’s. I still ride 2 wheels as well.
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lightfoot
Rookie Sport Trike Rider
Riding on 3 wheels is a very different experience then on 2 wheels. It is enjoyable.
Posts: 8
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Post by lightfoot on Apr 1, 2024 11:15:36 GMT -6
While we are on the topic of learning curves. I would like to throw out an observation that I just had. Since we got our GL1800 converted at the end of 2023, we (wife and I) put 9,000+ miles on the conversion, mostly on Illinois roadways. This is where the question comes from riding the Illinois interesting constructed/maintained roads.
While we had just 2 wheels, there were many times that I could pilot the bike with no hands, especially on some of the newer concrete highways. Now I did not make it a habit of going no handed, but every once in a while the opportunity would present itself and I would take advantage for a few thousand feet.
Here is where the new observation comes in. Easter Sunday I had the opportunity to travel one of our concrete roads what was about a flat aa could be in Illinois. I have been doing the one hand on the handlebars trick for most of the 9,000+ miles as was suggested by Norm. Sunday I noticed that I was applying a light pull pressure on the left hand grip which was keeping the bike centered in the lane. If I lightened the pressure on the left grip, the bike would head right away toward the right edge of the lane. My right hand was not on the right grip at this time. What I am thinking is that something about going through all the imperfections in Illinois roads with potholes, sunken manholes etc, something might have loosened up within the steering geometry or this might just be a normal occurrence with a reverse trike setup.
Your thoughts on this would be appreciated.
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My learning continues and the curve is definitely not as steep as it was. My confidence level has grown with each trip and ride. That has much to do with the advice I have been given. My Drifter and I are becoming good buddies again. There, for awhile we were not talking on the same page. The first month was probably the lowest point because my transition was going slowly due to the weather and being unable to ride as often.