Mastering Turns on a Trike: Tips, Tricks, & Techniques

[@sandmanrides4318]

The techniques in this video will help you improve your turns on your trike motorcycle. What techniques have you found to be helpful, especially for new trikers? Share with your riding community.

[@patrickostrom2762]

Over coming fear ,push /pull in a different way,degree from 2 wheels!

[@treadhead]

VERY TALL DRIVERS NEED TO. LOWER. THEIR UPPER BODIES WHEN TAKING THOSE CURVES , CENTRIFICIAL FORCE AT WORK..

[@54Bob]

40+ years on two wheels, I just got a tri glide and your teaching me a lot. I'm trying to relearn this machine

[@sandmanrides4318]

Much appreciated. Thanks for watching.

[@johnj.rehder1772]

Thanks! I am 74 yrs old. My wife and I after biking for years are contemplating a trike, (Frankenstein Conversion kit on a Road King) I've never ridden a trike, so I found your video interesting and very informative. Thank you!

[@sandmanrides4318]

That is awesome! Thanks for watching.

[@rosemaryus-ct6151]

it's so nice to see a trike channel.

[@sandmanrides4318]

Glad you enjoy it! Thanks for watching.

[@gnsmk357]

It Is The 131 Tri Glide owner. Just as important as making sure you have a parachute before a jump is to inform new riders of this. DO NOT PUT YOUR FOOT DOWN IF YOUR REAR TIRE LIFTS IN A TURN. You could run over your own foot. Do not rool through a turn with the clutch in. On a trike with traction control like Harley Davidson, fliping in a turn is not an issue unless you are on the clutch or way over speed. Great Video. Keep the round side down. ABN.

[@sandmanrides4318]

Great advice. Thanks for watching.

[@georgerevels4554]

Great channel Brother, I was in 2nd Brigade 3&4 Battalions 325 Airborne 1980-86 Vicenza Italy 86-90.

[@sandmanrides4318]

@georgerevels4554 I was in 1st, 3rd and 4th 325 from 82 to 87. We probably ran into each other at some point. AATW!

[@MidLifeStyleTwins]

Great video teaching someone to learn to ride a trike. I have had a few viewers ask tips for riding. I send them to your videos. Thanks for the information. Safe riding and God bless you.

[@sandmanrides4318]

Awesome, thank you!

[@ScruffySantaRides-uv3lo]

New trike rider here, great thoughts, tips, and techniques. Thanks for sharing

[@sandmanrides4318]

I'm glad it helped. Thanks for watching.

[@jdreyno1958]

Thanks for the tips

[@sandmanrides4318]

Any time. Glad it helped. Thanks for watching.

[@krispete1968]

Hi sandman new to your channel I am a vet Army 63-66 Korea got my harley yesterday waited over 50 years its a used trike conversion cant wait to start but I will watch all your instuctions FIRST !! Packsaddle (Pete)

[@sandmanrides4318]

That is awesome. Get riding soon. Thank you for your service and thanks for watching.

[@duckdogers4438]

Thank you, well and explained, Sargent. From one vet to another, thank you.

[@sandmanrides4318]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for your service and watching my video.

[@danpark1012]

Great information. Thank you!

[@sandmanrides4318]

Glad it was helpful!

[@danielsteele5099]

I was happy to hear that you mentioned leaning into a turn. A skill taught by many if not all MS Traing courses. Well done.

[@sandmanrides4318]

Thank you for the comments and for watching.

[@patrickostrom2762]

Thank you for your video/time! Having your videos very 411 educational !

[@sandmanrides4318]

Glad you like them!

[@GeninsAutocare]

Very Well Done. Thank you

[@sandmanrides4318]

Thanks for watching!

[@harleyuncle41]

Great video me and my girl are thinking about getting one rode one for a test drive was not very confident on but this video is making since for it

[@sandmanrides4318]

The learning curve is very short. Stick with it and you will enjoy the comfort of a trike. Thanks for watching.

[@davidl6757]

Just started on 3 wheels. Been on 2 for some time. Very different and really appreciate your video and tips. Riding is all new again in my late years :)

[@sandmanrides4318]

Welcome aboard!

[@chansonra]

Excellent training and content.Keep up the great work Raphael BG retired, CAB, Sr Aircrew, airborne, air assault. Afghanistan.

[@sandmanrides4318]

Hooah! I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Thank you for your service and sacrifice. Thanks for watching.

[@inkelf]

Adding a riders backrest also greatly reduces that feeling of falling off in a curve. It acts as an anchor point for your back that you can lean back into, and it 'roots' you into the saddle in a turn.

[@sandmanrides4318]

I use a backrest but I never thought about it the way you explained it. Genius. Thanks for watching.

[@miguelespinoza8814]

Thanks bro!🤟🏽

[@sandmanrides4318]

Any time

[@tf2529]

Once again, good video and thank you. The view from your brother’s home is beautiful. To you and your brother, stay safe abd God Bless.

[@sandmanrides4318]

Thank you, I will

[@dazwin321]

Great video helped me alot can you please do one on how to properly use the cruise control please

[@sandmanrides4318]

I appreciate the comments. Thanks for watching.

[@rosemaryus-ct6151]

it works like a car cruise control. u get it up to the speed u want and turn it on. iirc u have to be within 10mph of ur original setting to 'resume.' i use it primarily on the highway or long roads with little to no traffic. it may delay ur stop time because u tend to power thru where u might have instinctively slowed down. also if u lose control of the bike it's going to continue to run at the set power until it crashes. u should NOT use it in moderate to heavy traffic. touching the brake will turn it off immediately. ur bike will automatically engine brake on downhills to maintain ur speed setting.

[@sh839c]

Raking the front is important for handling

[@sandmanrides4318]

Thanks

[@angelnapitan4327]

Great video 👍🏼🏍️🙏🏼 it reminds me of basic MSF instructions like for example - slowing “into” a turn and accelerating out whether you’re on 2 wheels or 3

[@sandmanrides4318]

Thanks for watching.

[@wb4514]

Good info here. I subscribed and gave you a thumbs up.At around the mid 3:30 mark what road are you on ? At 4:10, is that downtown York Pa?

[@sandmanrides4318]

The road you see at 3:30 is NC 276 by Waynesville, NC. At 4:10, I'm riding through downtown Charlotte, NC. Thanks for watching.

[@dadavi0l]

Thank you for this video, can you speak to how to advise trike passengers, particularly passengers with little to no riding experience?

[@sandmanrides4318]

Great suggestion! I will make a video of that. Your handling will change, and so will your braking. Instruct the passenger on how to mount the motorcycle, where the hot stuff is on the motorcycle, and how to hold on. They should lean slightly forward as you start and accelerate and lean slightly back as you brake. Thanks for watching.

[@rosemaryus-ct6151]

yes 'sit still and hang on' lol.

[@chansonra]

Could you make some content about reasonable high-speed cornering or aggressive maneuvers? Please and thanks. Raphael

[@sandmanrides4318]

That is an excellent suggestion. I will add that to my content list. Thanks.

[@rosemaryus-ct6151]

trikes are cruisers not for racing. u have to muscle ur way around a curve and there's a big risk of overshooting it at speed since there's a bar to limit the degree of turns so u dont jacknife. aggressive moves are for emergencies only.

[@diegoted]

As I make sharp low speed turns such as a u turn, I find myself "riding the clutch" turning on the throttle but pulling on the clutch to control speed. Is this correct or am I burning the clutch?

[@sandmanrides4318]

That is correct. Control the friction zone.

[@BWAYNE0830]

Are there any differences with turning between a factory trike and a trike conversion? I'm having my bike converted to a trike and I was wondering if the converted trikes are less stable in turns and if so is there anything I can add to make it more stable. Thanks for any advice you can give and I love all of your videos.

[@sandmanrides4318]

I have never ridden a converted trike so I cannot speak from personal experience. Something I’ve read on a Trike Blog… “The rake on the factory trike is greater than on a 2-wheeler because of stability factors. A longer wheelbase, etc. The factory trike has fork stops that stop the forks sooner than a 2-wheeler. Otherwise you could crank the forks too far and the thing could tip over in a tight turn.” Think about getting adjustable rake trees to make up for the two-wheel configuration. Whoever is installing your kit should know what you need. I’ve also talked to other trike conversion riders and they did not complain about their original front end configuration. Good luck and thanks for watching.

[@BWAYNE0830]

@@sandmanrides4318 Thanks for your help. I really appreciate it.

[@ThreeWheeler54]

Conversation trikes need to be raked to them from wobbling Harley Triglides handle great just the way they come.

[@TomMcNeill-pq7fh]

How do you deal with the crappy suspension on your trike, I have a RG3 the suspension sucks !! Had it upgraded to “ Legend “ front, and rear, still sucks!! May have to go back to two wheels 🏍️

[@sandmanrides4318]

I'm comfortable with the stock suspension. I even had it on a dirt road. Maybe I don't know any better...LOL I've heard that you should try lowering the trike and add aftermarket suspension to get the best ride. Haven't tried it. Thanks for watching.

[@19buseye71]

I am interested in getting a trike but there is one concern I have about it. Where I live there are deers that often jumps out onto the road and as you know,of course,without warning. In addition to operate the trike at a slower speed,what to do if one jumps out in my path without injuring myself,hurting the deer and damaging the trike,if all possible?

[@sandmanrides4318]

We cannot avoid all things in life. However, we can prepare as best we can. Practice emergency swerving on your trike. Do it in an empty parking lot. Set up some cones, water bottles, or whatever you can get to set up a swerving course. Set the cones 40 feet apart and ride the course at 15mph. Then change it by having the cones 30 feet apart and ride 15 mph. Practice, practice, practice. Good luck with the deer population.

[@andrewkitchenuk]

Do ride 2 wheels as well as 3 and if so do you find it difficult jumping from one to the other as the riding technique is so different? I want to get a trike but also keep my Sport Glide and that is one of my concerns.

[@sandmanrides4318]

Not at all. I have a Sportster and my Freewheeler. As long as I ride them frequently, muscle memory is still there. I use my Sportster as a get around town bike. The trike is for longer trips. Thanks for watching.

[@jlb1971]

Thanks Top! SGT B out!

[@sandmanrides4318]

You bet! I appreciate it. Thanks for watching.

[@robwirtz5774]

Does your techniques apply to trikes with independent suspension as well? Even after a month of switching to a trike I still can't seem to overcome the feeling of lifting a rear wheel in my turns.

[@sandmanrides4318]

My trike is a single axle but the technology used by HD is phenomenal. REFLEX-linked brakes with Cornering Enhanced ABS. No problems taking corners.

[@rosemaryus-ct6151]

if u truly are lifting a wheel ur taking turns too fast.

[@robertturriff9836]

What size bars are on your trike?

[@sandmanrides4318]

12" bars, but I shout have gone with 14".

[@JonneyWest]

I'm a first trike rider. I always what two wheels when I get on my trike I let out the clutch give it a little throttle, and the bike will make a hard right. What am I doing wrong

[@petesouthwales867]

Are you on a slope? I had the same problems and after watching videos on E trikes it said if you ride on a sideways slope your front wheel will be pulled in the direction of the slope. The very centre of the road is usually flat so is the best place for the front wheel.

[@sandmanrides4318]

I agree with the sloped road situation. However, if you are on a flat road and still have the same issue you may want to look at several things. Is your Trike a kit or manufactured? SAFELY Lift the rear end and slowly give it some throttle. Draw a horizontal chalk line across each drive wheel. Are both drive wheels turning at the same time? If a flat road surface does not make a difference then you may want to have the trike checked to make sure your drivetrain is working properly. Good luck and keep on riding.

[@nativetrikeboy]

One technique I’ve learned is on mountain roads that lean “ if u want to take the turn faster and harder huh the inside so your inside tire locks in past or on on the white line and if u know the trike well enough u can take the turn almost as fast as a two wheeler if u can hold the front end and feel the inside locked in “ it takes a lot of upper Body strength to do so so if your not in good shape up Top then I don’t recommend

[@sandmanrides4318]

I agree 100%. I rode the Blue Ridge Parkway and it wore my ass out on the shoulders and arms. Great advice. Thanks for watching.

[@nativetrikeboy]

One technique I’ve learned is on mountain roads that lean “ if u want to take the turn faster and harder huh the inside so your inside tire locks in past or on on the white line and if u know the trike well enough u can take the turn almost as fast as a two wheeler if u can hold the front end and feel the inside locked in “ it takes a lot of upper Body strength to do so so if your not in good shape up Top then I don’t recommend lol

[@sandmanrides4318]

I appreciate the advice. A rider must be confident in their ability to take a curve at higher speeds. The only way this is going to happen is to ride curves until you get dizzy...LOL Thanks for watching.

[@the-d-man1013]

Hey brother I hope everything is okay with you And your family. have not seen a video from you in a while. Just checking on you.

[@sandmanrides4318]

Thanks. I'm okay. I've just been busy with vacations, travel, and so forth. Plenty of videos will be coming soon.

[@the-d-man1013]

@@sandmanrides4318 That is good to hear, have fun on your vacation Be safe. look forward to the videos.

[@harveyserota2178]

If you take a left turn to fast which end of the of the rear of the bike will come up

[@rosemaryus-ct6151]

it's more likely u'll run off the road. trikes slide flat.

[@sandmanrides4318]

It is possible to go fast enough through the curve that it will lift up the inside rear tire. Shifting your weight to the inside helps to counteract that. Thanks for watching.

[@rosemaryus-ct6151]

@@sandmanrides4318 dont u mean the outside rear tire? centrifical force increases toward the outside of the curve. that's why we go wide if we're too fast on turns. it's also why the outside of the race track curves are banked inward... to counteract centrifical force and maintain outside tire contact. years ago i stupidly reacted very late to get onto an exit i almost missed and it was the outside tires that went airborne. that was some scary chit and convinced me living was more important than movie worthy sharp moves.

[@sandmanrides4318]

@@rosemaryus-ct6151 - I misspoke in my previous statement and you are correct. In a high-speed tight turn on a trike motorcycle, the outside rear wheel (the wheel on the opposite side of the turn) is more likely to come off the road. This is because the motorcycle leans into the turn, transferring weight away from the outside rear wheel and onto the inside wheels (front wheel and inside rear wheel). As a result, the outside rear wheel may lose traction and lift off the road surface. Trike motorcycles have various features to minimize the chances of the outside rear wheel lifting during high-speed turns. These features may include suspension systems, anti-roll mechanisms, and engineering adjustments to distribute weight effectively. However, if the rider executes the turn improperly, applies excessive throttle, or encounters adverse road conditions, the outside rear wheel may still lift momentarily, affecting stability and traction. Riders must practice proper cornering techniques and understand their motorcycle's handling characteristics to navigate high-speed tight turns safely, keeping all three wheels on the road for maximum stability and control.

[@rosemaryus-ct6151]

@@sandmanrides4318 it is ironic that i just got home from my daughter's house and she insisted i was wrong; i came back to confess lol.

[@jameslyons1661]

🦅🏁🦅

[@sandmanrides4318]

Thanks for watching.

[@jimmywall7325]

My tank has those thigh hugging marks... Must do corners to hard...

[@sandmanrides4318]

I know what you mean. Thanks for watching.

[@kittymso]

Still HATE the reverse!

[@sandmanrides4318]

I do, too. I wish Harley would make a mechanical reverse incorporated into the gears. It will last a lot longer and easier to use. Thanks for watching.

[@daryllawrence534]

Promo`SM

[@sandmanrides4318]

Thanks for watching.

[@timday3772]

My wife only 2 days on her trake

[@sandmanrides4318]

Hell yeah! Stay in the wind.

[@Locsta_Beats]

I just came here for the same reason

[@shawnysamuelson]

WNCC?? That's where I live... I think I may have recognized a few of those roads! I love living in God's Country!

[@sandmanrides4318]

That is God's country. Waynesville, Canton, Maggie Valley, Brevard, Cullowhee and beyond. Thanks for watching.

[@davidkeck1878]

A trike is not a motorcycle nor is it a car it is an entirely different vehicle, that must be learned on it's own, and at ones own speed.

[@sandmanrides4318]

It's a motorcycle as defined by State law and definition. It's manufactured by a motorcycle company and sold as a motorcycle. The vehicle registration says motorcycle... only some 2 wheel riders say it's not a motorcycle. Thanks for watching.

[@jimyoung8400]

A trike IS a motorcycle. Just because it has 3 wheels does not take away the fact that it is a motorcycle. It is a 3 wheeled cycle with a motor, thereby making it a motorcycle. And yes, it does take a different approach than a 2 wheeled motorcycle.

[@Freedom76685]

Your answer couldn’t be farthest from the truth. 😂

[@ericalger5003]

From what I see, trike riders just slow down to about 5mph around turns. Theres nothing slower than a tricycle on a curvy road. RVs and semitrucks are Superbikes compared to tricycles.

[@sandmanrides4318]

We must have different experiences. I usually round a curve at about 15-20 mph on my trike. Thanks for watching.

[@rosemaryus-ct6151]

it depends entirely on how sharp the turn is. most trikes dont lean and there's no countersteering. going too fast doesnt mean a low side; it means sliding right off the roadway. trikes slide flat.

[@ericalger5003]

@rosemaryus-ct6151 I have been riding since I was 4 years old and I am 48. I've drag raced, road raced and was a Special Development test rider for Harley-Davidson. I've been riding my whole life and I take a really dim view of tricycles. I absolutely hate them. Fucking despise them. Mt question is why? On a tricycle you can't lanesplit, you can't park anywhere you want. You still get wet in the rain. You sweat when it's hot, freeze when it's cold. Oh. And NOBODY on 2 wheels respects tricycles. So my question is why ride a tricycle?

[@rosemaryus-ct6151]

@@ericalger5003 i can see u have no reason to ride a trike. i wanted to go cross country full time. i made my purchase based on comfort, secure storage and my love of HD; just call me practical. i dont know about u but if i dont want to sweat or freeze all i have to is dress properly; it's not rocket science. and it's not a tricycle; tricycles dont have 1750cc engines. ur just being rude. it's a three wheeled motorcycle. i know this because i had to get a mc license to ride one. it is NOT true that no one on two wheels respects trikes. community minded people accept all kinds of motorcycles. i guess u arent one. ur unbending, hateful tunnel vision only reflects on u, not the entire motorcycle community.

[@ericalger5003]

@rosemaryus-ct6151 That's all complete BS. Tricycles are for people that are simply too fucking SCARED to ride a MOTORCYCLE. Ever hear of Dave Barr? Dave Barr doesn't have LEGS and he's ridden around the world several times ON A MOTORCYCLE so tell me again what your excuse is for riding a TRICYCLE.