Trike Riding Tips
A trike motorcycle is a perfect blend of a bike and hot rod car. You get a unique riding style paired with incredible power and easy handling. It's no wonder that these 3-wheeled motorcycles are so popular. Before you can hit the road in your own trike, you'll need to know how to ride it. Of course, you'll want to take some training. But if you want to brush up before or after, check out these trike riding tips.
Turning
A two-wheeled motorcycle requires a workout to turn. Riders must lean their bodies to counteract centrifugal forces and avoid tipping over. This method takes time to learn and leads to sore muscles.
A trike motorcycle is much easier! All you need is to tilt the handlebars in the direction you want to go and voila - you are turning. It's the same process as you use when driving your car, which makes it easier to learn. It's also much easier on your body, making motorcycle riding less of a workout.
Just like with a car, you'll need to slow down before you take a turn. As you approach it, you can maintain your speed. When you are through the corner, you can hit the throttle again. This extra boost gets you out of the turn and transitioning back to your normal riding speed. Try to keep your turns smooth. Jerky, unstable turns can result in loss of control of the motorcycle! Try as well to avoid taking the turn too sharp (doing so could result in one of the wheels coming off the ground!)
Starting and Shifting
A trike motorcycle relies on manual transmissions. You'll need to engage the brakes to start it. Next, you engage the clutch, put it in first gear, release the brakes, and release the clutch while increasing the throttle.
If you want to change gears, you'll first drop the throttle. Next, you engage the clutch, shift, and release the clutch. If you've ever driven a manual transmission car, it's a very similar process.
When you do this process correctly, you will avoid any forward jerking or engine stalling. Always be careful and intentional with gear shifts because it's easy to lose control. Try to shift when you are riding in a straight line - it'll make the process easier.
Practice
Just like with any new skill, it takes time to learn how to ride a trike motorcycle. Go easy on yourself and go slow. Start out in an empty parking lot or residential street. Practice turning, braking, and lane changing at slow speeds. Slowly increase your speed as you get better. Before you know it, you'll be cruising down the highway!
Ready to claim your own trike motorcycle? Visit St. Charles Harley-Davidson®. We carry a wide of trikes for sale in St. Charles, MO, and our staff will be happy to find a model that meets your needs. We welcome all those in St. Louis and St. Peters.