As most know, I bought a Street Glide Trike back in late July. Since I started riding the Trike, I seem to be consistently on this machine more than on my Deluxe. It has more comfort, bells and whistles, and just plain more power for me to enjoy than the Deluxe on distance. Because I have both two wheels and three wheels I wanted to share a couple experiences and comparisons:
1.) The wave. A little helmet bow seems to be more welcome than the low flying hand out the side.
2.) People are constantly coming up to me and talking to me about the trike more than the Deluxe. I don't mind it, I rather like it. But when I walk away from it to go into a store and turn around and they are sitting on it... me no likey. Strange.
3. People assume that since it has 3 wheels, its a toy and its easier to ride. Its not a toy. Its not easier. It uses all the motorcycle skills used with 2 wheels. You just can't lean, put your feet down or split lanes. Yes, you can fly off and injure, or worse, kill yourself just the same.
4. Keep in mind, splitting lanes is legal only in the State of California, so really, when you think of it, that is no problem for me on distance rides in other states. If you have 2 wheels, you will be sitting in traffic right beside the trikes.
5.) I don't know why trikes are in the rear of a pack. I really wouldn't want a 1000+ pound trike hitting my two wheels from behind. Besides, if the pack splits lanes ... why would I wait behind all the traffic when I can calculate my own ride and get there more efficiently. Hmmmm...... reason why I don't ride runs, even on two wheels. Its also clip city on those rides.
Lastly, I have to share this little story of a recent trike ride of mine:
I am riding home from our local Cooks Corners. There is another rider ahead of me. We stop at the stop light. He has one lane. I have the other next to him on his right. Traffic is light... hardly any vehicles. I look over. He doesn't. Its obvious I am there. The light is long. He is trying desperately not to look at me. Okay, I do the stare down. Now I am laughing a tad and look forward to go. Light turns green. We throttle on. He moves ahead and really trys to ditch me, However, I like to enjoy the open stretch as much as any other so I am keeping good pace with the road and rider. As a matter of fact, I pass him. Red light. Again we are joined together at the light. No look. Light turns green. We throttle on. I shrug my shoulders and I make my turn and go up my road to home and he goes straight. I take a little ride around the neighborhood before I hit my garage. Look who I see coming the other way. He does a double take this time as he passes me. I guess he finally realizes I am his neighbor. Yep... the chick he talked to just a couple of days ago when she was riding her Softail Deluxe...me. I see him turning around. He pulls up. I am down into my driveway by now and in the garage. He shouts down at me, "I didn't know it was you"! As I sat on the bike and looked up to him, I bowed my head, smiled and closed my garage door.
"Never judge a rider by the machine he/or she rides", I say to myself. It was a good ride.
Happy Trike Profiling Trailzzzz
KT Did
14 comments:
Cool story. That's really funny that he didn't recognize you. Somewhere along the way, I missed your post, or you never posted anything about your trike in the past. did you get the Street Glide trike?
Great post! Aren't people interesting?
Mr Motorcycle: Yes, I bought it and rode it to Sturgis. I lost all of my blog (all 5 years of writing posts) in November. I contacted Blogger and was relentless trying to get it back, but to no avail. So probably the post was in that.
BB: Yes... people really blow me away sometimes. I expect I will see him again since he is in the neighborhood. I wonder what that meeting will be like. LOL.
I never cease to be amazed at people looking down their noses at other riders because of different name plates or one extra wheel or a side car, it goes on and on. Does it make them feel better about themselves?
Good for you sticking to your guns. And I wouldn't take to kindly to someone sitting on my ride either. I imagine they wouldn't like me catching them for sure.
-Peace
Allen: I agree. I guess that's why I wouldn't let him get away... also closing the garage door on him. Maybe installing a loud siren when someone touches my bike is all I need. I have to figure that one out...
Perception is always an interesting thing. I remember one time when I was the one doing the ignoring. Not because of the type of bike they were riding, but because I had other things on my mind. The funny thing was that it was a good friend of mine. Even till this day, about 12 years later, he still ribs me about it.
I want a trike, I look at them every time I go to our Harley dealer... maybe in a few years. Wow I can't believe people actually sit on your trike without asking, that's just rude. Thanks for sharing the story about your neighbor, he probably feels bad and will avoid you for awhile.
The first words of the title say it all "Don't Judge" that applies to more than what you ride! BTW, nothing wrong with a trike, I believe if the wind is in your face and the rubber side is down, your doin it right!
bwahahahaha! Loved the story. I have been meaning to ask you a question about the trike deal. Have you ever ridden a three wheeled ATV? Now for the next question...does the HD trike handle the same way, as in you almost have to lean to the outside of the turn instead of leaning to the inside of the turn?
I'm gonna' have to test ride one of these things.
Twitch: At first I thought he had a lot on his mind, then it became obvious. Its okay either way, but when he shot back to my driveway, that's when I said later.
Jovita: Trikes are worth the look. I would suggest a motorcycle safety course if you have never ridden before. In this state, CA, you don't need a motorcycle license, but I would suggest you take the course and get educated on the thinking of a motorcyclist, cause that is who you will be riding a trike.
Rhonda: Yes, the less people judge the more people can enjoy life's givings.
Dave: No I never have riden any ATV's. I test rode the Spyder and the feeling on that is completly different than the trike.
Cornering: I find I move my body from left to right more in place of the leaning. Gives me a feeling of getting into the curves and switchbacks on the road. I have to keep the front end in the center of the road as the width of the rear is wide. One thing I can do and don't on the Deluxe, is brake in the turn if I need too. I still shift down, but I do that ahead of the curve... with the trike I can do it in the curve if I have too. Does that make sense? You have to ride mine when I get up there. Wish you two were going to AZ.
Loved the story! I could never figure out why some people don't look over when you're next to them at the lights...maybe it's not cool.
As far as someone sitting on your bike...NOT COOL! I usually approach that by asking them, "Can I f#%k your wife? No??? Kinda how I feel about you climbing on my bike!" They usually get the picture and leave quickly.
From the story, sounds like we ride the same trails. And thanks for the reminder to look past pony and the paint to the see the rider. Guess I'll be waving at every trike I see.
You may find a story in here about roads you ride.
www.ridingtales.blogspot.com
Peace
I am new to riding and I have to say- what's with all the waving between bikers? We rode up Bear Creek Canyon the other day and every motocyclist we passed, waved. I appreciate the cameraderie, but for now I'm holding on to the bars with both hands. If you wave at me, I hope you'll accept a head nod in return.
Pls check out my site
http://www.themotorcycleproject.blogspot.com/
Dean: Sitting on others bikes is sooo NOT cool. I end up yelling at kids all the time while parents look on and give me dirty looks. I always wonder what they would think if I just sat on the hood of their cars!
Brobrian: yes, the rider is more important. I always say it doesn't matter what you ride... but that you ride.
No Name: By all means, stay on the handlebars until you feel safe and comfortable. No need to impress anyone with a waive at any time. It is just a general courtesy so to speak, and most riders aren't disrespected by non returns of waives. Be safe. Thats all that counts.
Post a Comment