My 46 year old son is picking up this 900cc trike today. Owned by a dealer mechanic, ridden by his wife who traded up for one fully loaded with storage, etc.
4,000 miles so it's not even broken in.

He'll add a passenger seat with back support, passenger footpegs, and a few other odds and ends but basically keep it clean. Intends to use a backpack when carrying anything needed.

He's had other MCs in the past including a vintage '50s era Harley. This whole thing conjures up my memories of the bikes I owned back in the day.

I remember when these first came out, I sat on one in the showroom & found the seating position to be really awkward.
Hopefully that's improved over the years.

Lady that cuts my hair has one and she loves it.

He's ridden them before and has no problem with the comfort. My cousin and her hubby have one and have brought it to the Sturgis Rally twice from NY State. They love it.

Back in the day I ran a Dunstall-Norton cafe racer before the Japanese started marketing crotch rockets. Clip on handles and rear set pegs...now that took some getting used to.

The original ones, or at least the one I sat on, had a weird combo.
Really sporty positioning for your legs & a very upright/relaxed upper body position.

Like putting a BMW GS upper body position on a S1000RR leg orientation, but maybe not so extreme. Just recall it being odd.

Here's the actual bike he bought equipped with a number of custom add-ons already installed by the previous owner.

Looks like a 'feet forward' riding position. Probably a lot better than the supersport-esque rearsets the one I saw had.
I've always been curious to try one, not even sure where my closest dealer is anymore.

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:
Looks like a 'feet forward' riding position. Probably a lot better than the supersport-esque rearsets the one I saw had.
I've always been curious to try one, not even sure where my closest dealer is anymore.

Yeah those are custom footrests.

We have several area dealers (Rapid City, Spearfish, etc.) and there is an annual trike rally in Sturgis that brings LOTs of trikes!

I've really wondered how they handle being pushed, if they lift a wheel or just aren't really built for hard riding.

Similar but opposite with the rear wheel trike conversions.

I'd expect a if you pushed it hard enough to left a wheel.

My next door neighbor who is about the same age bought one last spring.
He loves it.

The demographic that these serve aren't canyon carvers.

My son opted for a 3 wheeler instead of a regular 2 wheel motorcycle because of his age, bad knee, and increased safety and visibility. Somewhat similar to my having opted out of motorcycles and instead getting a sports car with a 9k rpm motor back in 2003. Everyone teased that I got a 4-wheel motorcycle with the S2000 and truth be told they weren't far off.

That's pretty much how I drive the Midget, as if it were as invisible as a motorcycle.

Guess I did similar when I went from 2 bikes in the garage to 0.

That's cool. The front reminds me of the old Lotus 7.

quote:

Originally posted by kkina:
he front reminds me of the old Lotus 7.

Indeed it does. Hadn't caught that. Thanks!

They are cool rides, a neighbor bought one, he has a smaller Harley in the garage, don't see him riding the Trike as much as the HD, but then again don't see him on either that much..

It's like a snowmobile on wheels and a clever design, most trikes are dual rear and single front so this changes the drive characteristics

Everytime I'm at Daytona I'm tempted to take one out but never do...

Congrats to your son. They are fun bikes and quick.

My personal prefernce is that I think they are the worst of both worlds. The offer none of the advantages of a 2-wheel motorcyle (manuverability, space, etc), tkae up aalmost as much width as a small car, yet have all the dscomforts of a motorcycle (exposure to rain, sun, wind, dust, etc).

Yes, they are a way for those with balance issues, coordination issues, older riders, etc. to stay with the hobby, but (for now) I'm still able to ride on 2 wheels and will stick with that as long as practicable.

As an MSF instuctor I've been asked to become a 3-wheel instructor numerous times. I've passed because I don't have much real world experience with them and feel I wouldn't have as much to offer 3-wheel students as I do 2-wheels.

Good luck to your son though! I hope he enjoys it.

I looked seriously at the Can-Ams and passed on an exceptional deal on a fully loaded Spyder. Regret that decision now.
And I understand that the stability control system wont allow wheel lift.

Those look really neat. I like the mat black paint job. Very cool.

He actually didn't pick it up until today. There was a recall on the fuel pump which the dealer had to replace. The pump arrived yesterday (Monday) and was installed but too late to make the 50 mile run to get it before they closed.

So today was the day. Work gave him the day off but the weather wasn't ideal. Even had flurries here at the house. But temps stayed in the very low 40s for his trip. Wore a heavy MC jacket with layers underneath so he wasn't cold. This even on I-90 at the posted 75mph.

Dealer confirmed the Cam Am mechanic who had owned it originally had upgraded the entire front end with beefier sway bar and stiffer shocks, etc. Suffice it to say these "tweaks" eliminated the "hunting" (tendency to not stay tracking perfectly straight) some experience with stock Rykers. With the adjustable handlebar and foot rests he said he's quite comfortable. These adjustments to "fit" him were done last week when he rode it around the dealership for almost an hour.

He picked up some gloves and a new full helmet. He tried on and walked around with 7 or 8 models before opting for the ECE certified 509 Mach V in matte black. Excellence adjustable ventilation which is a necessity in this area.


He's a happy camper.

Looks good!
If I see him I will wave.