Motorcycle.com

Two to Three Wheels

I bought my Tri-Glide in March of 2009. When I first got on my Tri-Glide I was afraid I had made a big mistake going from two to three wheels. To put it lightly it was different. Now I’m over 2000 miles and I believe this is the best choice I have ever made in a bike.

The biggest problem I have... found is in low speed turning. Slow speed turns are a little slower but for the two wheelers I ride with it doesn’t effect them even when I’m leading.
This isn’t totally the bike some of it comes from the rider having to find new turning lines. Once you figure that out then the low speed turning becomes routine. It does take some upper body strength to turn this bike, at low speed, but it isn’t that bad it’s just the difference between two and three wheels.
The power is outstanding. With a 103 cubic inch engine it will move you powerfully down the road. This bike will rival any touring bike on the road today. Most of the two wheelers I ride with have a problem keeping up with me and even at +85 mph (not recommended) this bike is stable and handles great. You have to be careful powering up and shifting into second gear it will bring the front wheel off the ground but under normal operation I have found the ride to be very stable. Remember it’s the ride, not the speed of the ride, that make the journey worthwhile.
I have reverse on mine and find it worth the money but this bike isn’t hard to push and you can do it from the sitting position. The reverse make parking anywhere possible and backing up hill a breeze. I would recommend it just for convenience and a little less struggle.
The ride is fantastic. At first it seemed a little bumpy but after riding with, and watching, the two wheelers on the same road they feel the bumps to. I don’t have the same avoidance capability as a two wheeler, 10 to 20 percent less, but then again I don’t need it. Road obstructions that would adversely affect a two wheeler I can roll right over. I can avoid most things but not having to worry as much about road obstructions is nice. My wife rides with me and she can move all she wants in the back seat and it never affect the bike. In fact sometimes I just check to be sure she’s still there. The ride is smooth and comfortable and feels very stable.
I my opinion Harley-Davidson did this one right. Owning this bike has made any trip seem possible. The long haul is great and the fatigue is reduced by more than 50%. The ride is enjoyable and we are looking at our next trip to be from south Alabama to Seattle Washington over 5000 miles round trip. Ride Free and Ride Safe but most of all get out and ride. Go see this beautiful country we live in and remember it’s the journey not the destination.
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No High Praise at the beginning

When I first took delivery of my TriGlide last month I also wasn't so sure I had made the right decission. I traded in my 07 Ultra and took delivery of my first three wheeler. After about two weeks and 1000 miles I have became comfortable with the ride and handling, both are more than satisfactory.... The thing I found most disappointing was the lackluster power. Hauling over 1/2 ton of machine and myself was more than the stock 103 setup could do with any kind of impressiveness. I set out to improve on this by installing a set of Vance & Hines mufflers, a stage one breather, and finally a fuelpak. Now it can breathe and breathe well. It is a shame what HD has to do to these motors to get them to pass emissions. I have picked up noticable increase in power and acceleration but still find you can't run in 6th gear very much unless you are cruising out on the interstate, this engine likes its' rpm's. If anyone else has found some of the same issues with theirs and found helpful solutions please post. Read Full Review

GEEZER

YEAH I SAID GEEZER IF THATS WHAT YOU WANNA LABEL ME. BUT IM THE ONE UP GETTIN AROUND ENJOY'IN MY LIFE.(58) I'LL BE DAMN IF I'LL LET DIABETES TAKE MY LIFE OUTTA ME. $30K IS A CHEAP PRICE TO BE ABLE TO MYSELF TOO ENJOY THE REST OF MY LIFE.... LETTIN PEACE TOUCH ME IN THE SWEETEST WAY .... The Wolfm...annJackk Read Full Review

'09 TriGlide

In Jan. 2009 we picked up our 09 TriGlide. We put 12,000 miles on it in our first year. I was concerned about the gas mileage, it was poor until we got about 4000 miles on the bike then it got better. We motor out of central Kansas and get in the mid 30's depending on conditions and speed, but when ...we were in the mountains at altitude we have gotten close to 50mpg with it. The bike has been trouble free, no lack of power if you use the tranny and rpm's. We traded in an '03 RoadKing with 30+K and find the TriGlide every bit or more the motorcycle as the RK was. It is fast, handles well on the Arkansas switcbacks or the high Montana passes. It is my belief that is one of the better engineered bikes HD has come out with. Having been a HD rider for many years I would recommend this motorcycle to anybody. Read Full Review

2009 TriGlide

Even though my TriGlide is an 09 I've put 13000 miles on it and this past weekend it finally "broke-in". The gas mileage increased about 15% and the power in 6th gear was much better. The hills that I had to use 5th gear in, it now holds 70 in 6th, in fact on the cruise i could bump a coup...le miles per hour and it would excellerate. My dealership told me if I would be patience it would eventually come around and it did. I don't know about the 10's but maybe they'll do the same. Read Full Review