[Crocsr]

I'll try and keep this quick and dirty because I'm usually longwinded. Just turned 51 last week. I AM able to ride my 2022 FXLRST, but I've recently started considering 3 wheels for the following reasons (When I say 3 wheels, I specifically mean a TGU. Like the Road Glide 3, but want storage and a proper throne for my queen to sit on while traveling):

• Multiple health issues (most tied to military/Persian Gulf service) that are troubling (eyesight/tinnitus-hearing loss/arthritis in both wrists and hands/minor balance issues (not while riding) and may get worse in a hurry
• I want to start laying down serious miles. Have a goal of 20K this year regardless of bike, so I need something comfortable.
• Bought the wife her first big bike, a Rebel 1100. If we travel together long distances, we'll either be trailering or riding on 3 (she refuses 2-up on 2 wheels)
• Part of me says it's better to cut to the chase now. I know it may be a few years (minimum) before I need a trike, but the logical side says just switch to a TGU and deal with the fact that I'm not the badass I used to be

More specifically, for those who came from touring models or cruisers that were set up specifically so they could do touring:

• Is the trike more comfortable than say, a Road Glide Special or Limited or a Street Glide Special or Ultra?
• Was the transition difficult?
• Did you have any regrets - thinking you switched too early and should've held out on twos longer?

I typically don't care what other people think, but for anyone who switched to 3 prior to age 60:

• How was your reception by other bikers? Did you deal with a lot of crap?
• Are you glad you did it when you did?

Thanks in advance for any advice. I'm really struggling with this so info from those who know would be great. My heart says fight it as long as I can, but my head says sometimes it's better to admit you ain't got it anymore and move on with what works best.

I'm 71 and bought a Harley Freewheelr a couple years ago for some of the same reasons you are considering a trike. First. my wife would not ride with me on two wheels. Secondly, my balance is not what it used to be. While you give up the counter steering ability you still are "riding",and enjoying it. I live in upstate SC and have been on the dragon tail several times along with many other great roads nearby. I have no regrets and love my trike.

 

[Throttle Fiend]

Thanks for your input, sir! Still mulling things over. Have to sell the EL Diablo first before I can consider anything else, but I've got a number of interested parties.

 

[garrye]

I always figured when that day came I would just get a convertible.

 

[cyfatboy01]

Thanks for the reply, Top! It isn't so much what everyone else thinks, it's more the fact of me actually admitting that this is likely my future, even if I delay it a little more.

I turn 70 on the 1st of April this year. I've been seriously concidering
a trike. My balance and motor skills are not what they used to be. I've been having issues with my 01 Fat Boy not wanting to stay upright. I don't have the same problem with my 2011 Road Glide. I think i've become complacent with my familarity of the Fat Boy, I've had it 22 years now..

 

[Grumpy Gyrene]

I will be 72 this year. Started riding in early 70s. Always ride all year, weather be damned. 2020 bought a CVO Trike, best choice I ever made, wish I could go back 50 years and grab myself by the stack & swivel and tell myself to get 3 wheels and keep the 2 wheels. A different riding experience, but with 3 wheels it should be expected. I care less about what people think, they don't like me or what or how I ride, they can kiss my Marine Green Ass. I live to suit myself and no one else when it comes to what, where and when I ride. Each individual has to adjust to the bike he/she buys and that is what makes riding a challenge and the most rewarding experience EVER. The dynamics gives the thrill of a lifetime. Learning to ride on 2 wheels; slipping on wet or icy pavement and going down until/while learning how to control the bike, remembering to put both feet down when stopping {oops}. riding and learning by the seat of your pants. Those experiences are never forgotten and are forever cherished. Learning to ride on three wheels should be the same; go out and find a larger parking lot & ride, ride, ride to get used to where those two rear wheels are and how it handles. The fun is just beginning, my friend. You 2ill be in great company. Now go ride!
Mileage, clothes, speed or what kind of bike you ride has little to do with being a biker.
It's a mindset, heart and soul.
Bikers know, the rest just judge.

 

[English Triker]

All you folks thinking about getting a Trike GO FOR IT ... I switched over to 3 wheels back in 2018 I bought new a tri glide
No other reason except I wanted something different no health or mobility issues with me , but solo harleys are 10 a penny here .
Riding a trike is different in fact totally different but you will get used to it and you're get used to getting caught in traffic as its too wide to filter through the traffic ( that's the bad part ) Nope I wouldn't go back to a solo Harley .
Definitely a crowd puller in the 5 years I have owned the Tri glide I have only seen 4 on the road bit different than USA I would guess ,

 

[bigalturk]

I'll try and keep this quick and dirty because I'm usually longwinded. Just turned 51 last week. I AM able to ride my 2022 FXLRST, but I've recently started considering 3 wheels for the following reasons (When I say 3 wheels, I specifically mean a TGU. Like the Road Glide 3, but want storage and a proper throne for my queen to sit on while traveling):

• Multiple health issues (most tied to military/Persian Gulf service) that are troubling (eyesight/tinnitus-hearing loss/arthritis in both wrists and hands/minor balance issues (not while riding) and may get worse in a hurry
• I want to start laying down serious miles. Have a goal of 20K this year regardless of bike, so I need something comfortable.
• Bought the wife her first big bike, a Rebel 1100. If we travel together long distances, we'll either be trailering or riding on 3 (she refuses 2-up on 2 wheels)
• Part of me says it's better to cut to the chase now. I know it may be a few years (minimum) before I need a trike, but the logical side says just switch to a TGU and deal with the fact that I'm not the badass I used to be

More specifically, for those who came from touring models or cruisers that were set up specifically so they could do touring:

• Is the trike more comfortable than say, a Road Glide Special or Limited or a Street Glide Special or Ultra?
• Was the transition difficult?
• Did you have any regrets - thinking you switched too early and should've held out on twos longer?

I typically don't care what other people think, but for anyone who switched to 3 prior to age 60:

• How was your reception by other bikers? Did you deal with a lot of crap?
• Are you glad you did it when you did?

Thanks in advance for any advice. I'm really struggling with this so info from those who know would be great. My heart says fight it as long as I can, but my head says sometimes it's better to admit you ain't got it anymore and move on with what works best.

When you think it's time to switch or stop riding... Make your own decision & don't listen to what others say!
I am 72 and have been in 2 head-on MC accidents (Plus other accidents) while riding (Over 55 years). I've had 3 shoulder surgeries, 4 left and 1 right need surgery, and I am a left leg amputee. Sometimes my MC feels a bit heavy (2000 Softail/Nightrain) when carring my wife (110lbs.) & travel gear but I'm still OK riding.
A few years ago we traveled cross-country to various MC & Hot-Rod shows covering 8000 miles in 5 weeks.
The only modification to my Harley is a "Heel/Toe" shifter from a Harley Heritage Softail.

 

[Throttle Fiend]

Thanks for the advice and information all. After much soul searching and being honest with myself, I put a deposit down on a 2023 Road Glide 3.

Now I just need to figure out what accessories/modifications I want to make once I get it home.

 

[lesblank]

Congrats on the new bike. Which color? Gotta post pictures. I'm sure you will love it. Make sure and let us know how the fairing is.

A few mods I made for comfort.

Mid frame heat shields and oil cooler cover. I live on dirt road and thought of rock being thrown up into oil cooler scared me.

Then added driver drink holder and camera mount.

Then trunk rack with additional bad, passenger backrest and drink holder.

Then added driver foot rests.

Think I done adding stuff for a while.

 

[Throttle Fiend]

No pics, dealer hasn't finished doing final assembly yet - I got there literally 20 minutes after it was taken off the truck. Black on black on black. I'd have preferred that blue color, but I'm happy with it. Black's one of my favorite colors, it's just so dang hard to keep clean. Besides, getting it painted will only run $2K if the color starts to annoy me that much (not likely, that's $2K that can go into mods )

Right now, planned mods are:
Saddlemen seat - have to see if they make one to fit the freewheeler, website doesn't specifically say so.
Highway pegs
Sissy bar and backrest for my queen
Driver and passenger drink holders (a definite must!)
Risers and/or taller handlebars (for comfort and place to mount camera and phone)
Heated grips (I do live in Western NY)
Klockwerks windshield
Heat shields and oil cooler cover (thanks for that tip lesblank!)
Luggage rack

Possible Stage I or Stage II. This is my forever bike now, going to treat it as such. I'll likely buy another cruiser for around town stuff when the wife wants to ride her own (Rebel 1100), but the RG3 is my endgame. Maybe if they put the Sharknose on the TGU at some point I might consider the upgrade, but I'm happy with what I have.

 

[lesblank]

Sounds like you have a great plan. I actually found the stock seat is very comfortable. I've gone on several 400 and 600 mile trips and seat did well. You will find you are limited on passenger arm rests if you want them. FYI, mine is Stage 1 and runs great. But I had an 88 in an EG before that so big jump to the 114.

 

[Throttle Fiend]

Sounds like you have a great plan. I actually found the stock seat is very comfortable. I've gone on several 400 and 600 mile trips and seat did well. You will find you are limited on passenger arm rests if you want them. FYI, mine is Stage 1 and runs great. But I had an 88 in an EG before that so big jump to the 114.

I'll probably run the stock seat for a bit as I was heartbroken to find out that Saddlemen doesn't make seats to fit either the Freewheeler or RG3 (which is basically a blacked-out Freewheeler with the Sharknose fairing). My local dealership participates in seat demos, so I may look into that. My biggest concern is that my seat has to have a backrest. Sissy bar with back pad will be good for the wife for now. I figure the aftermarket or HD will come out with something soon enough for armrests.

I had a Stage I 114 in my 2020 FXLRS and it was definitely more than adequate. I don't need all kinds of power, I just don't know what I have in the 114 with a trike. I mean, the RG and SG are about ~300 pounds lighter than the RG3, and they scoot real well with the stock 114.

Right now, comfort mods are more important than mechanical ones. As long as I can do 80 on the super slab and have a little fun in the twisties, I'll be more than happy. My plan is for this to not be my last bike, this is my "I'm going to see where my health is in 12-18 months and go from there" bike. In a perfect world, I'd have a cruiser or something for local/local-ish rides, and the RG3 for those long and multi-day or 2-up rides.

 

[lesblank]

I have a Grasshopper driver backrest that I use when riding alone.

When riding two up I take it off. With the Grasshopper or another backrest it's a tight fit for the passenger. My wife has "matured" over the years and her weight has shifted.

When riding two up I just use her as my backrest, works great.

 

[Throttle Fiend]

My wife has "matured" over the years.

When riding two up I just use her as my backrest, works great.

Both my queen and I have "matured" as well.

We tried the HD Sundowner seat. It fits the bike perfectly and is 1,000,000x better than the stock one and close to what my old Saddlemen was. I had the same thought - riding solo, I'll use a backrest. Riding 2-up, I'll throw it in the trunk and use her as my backrest.

Go back on Wednesday AM to test ride and sign the paperwork. I'm not paying for it all in cash - most of it is, but it'll be paid off in 12 months at the latest. I wouldn't mind financing long term if I had to (I know it's a reality for most riders - especially us Americans), but we're looking to move in the near future and I don't want any debt showing except the usual monthly stuff like mobile plan, internet, utilities, etc.

 

[Throttle Fiend]

So had the test ride. It was 'interesting'...Kept trying to instinctively counter-steer, which led to some hilarious results. After a bit, I got more comfortable and feel like it's the right move - I just need some serious parking lot practice.

On a side note, I'm diabetic and they changed the dose of my Ozempic insulin. I've been dealing with ping-ponging blood sugar levels for a week now - all the more reason that making the move to 3 makes sense.

Dealer was able to snag a built but not already allocated Billiard Blue w/ black trim RG3. Should be delivered by next Tuesday or the Tuesday after that. Going with some comfort/utility upgrades - Sundowner seat, driver/passenger backrests, luggage rack, taller bars, heated grips, mid-frame wind/heat deflectors, heel/toe shifter, small engine guard and highway pegs. Doing a Stage II upgrade with the torque cam and some Cobra Neighbor Haters exhaust as well.

I'll post pics as soon as it gets to the dealer, but I can't wait for all the (comfortable and stable) adventures that are coming my way! Thanks all for the advice and information, I appreciate it!