Another motorcycle question

[widebody911]

When your motorcycle has a heater, cup holders, stereo, GPS, comm system, trunk, two rear wheels, and a trailer... why don't you just admit you're wearing a helmet while driving a 5hitty convertible?

I was in traffic this weekend and I saw a guy on a motorcycle with a trailer trying to split lanes.

[MMiller]

+1 on this-- all the downside of being on a bike with none of the upside

Same with trikes..... I much rather be in a convertable.

[Evans, Marv]

My old high school buddy has had one Harley or more since retirement. I don't belittle someone else's choices, but he makes a little fun of me for having an old man's crotch rocket (Yamaha liter bike). His isn't too extreme when it comes to all the possible conveniences, but it's not my idea of a fun motorcycle. I'll let him ride his boat while I ride my rocket.

[Chocaholic]

I assume the real value is for people who have medical or physical reasons to not ride on two wheels, but still like motorcycling. I see a lot of elderly people on trikes and although not my cup of tea, could see possibly doing so if I was no longer able to ride safely on a conventional bike...especially with a passenger.

Otherwise...I don't get it.

[Rot 911]

I really don't get the whole motorcycle with a trailer set up. The whole idea of riding a motorcyle is to carry less. So you want to negate that by pulling a trailer so you can carry more?

[vash]

I'm all for it! I met an older guy. Full trike w trailer. He said he lost strength in his legs so he had to add the third wheel. He was going cross country.

We can't judge if we don't understand.


Sent via Jedi mind trick.

[javadog]

The ones that make me wonder are the ones pulling a trailer, in town. They are obviously not on a trip and they have a fully dressed bike to begin with.

JR

[LakeCleElum]

With over 650,000 motorcycle under my belt, I'll try to answer your question:

I have to agree with you on the trailer thing. I've know some very good riders that crashed shortly after getting a trailer. They underestimate the increased braking distance and the effect of having the tongue push your rear wheel out from under you when having to brake suddenly while leaned over - like when a truck pulls out in front of you.

Other than that, last year I bought one of these bikes you describe and am ashamed to admit. I bought it for 2 reasons:

1) My wife will now go on some trips with me when she used to fly in.
2) My buddy in Australia last year loaned me one of his bikes for 2 weeks while I was there on a 5 week trip. HE had planned to come to the US, buy a bike like you describe brand new and sell it back to the dealer 2 months later. I said, I'll just buy one and it's yours when you come over.

That said, this could never, ever be my only bike. But, since I now have 13, it's a welcome addition at times. I do at least one 1,000 mile day each year. I've done many 1,150 mile days and one at 1,280 (San Diego to Seattle-1 day). When you know you have to make time cross country on the Inter-states, comfort counts. Four times this spring, I've ridden over the mountain pass with temps in the mid 30's....Total comfort with big fairing, heated vest/grips/seat.....Try that on your cruiser w/o protection.

I don't ride it around town at all, too heavy to wheel around the garage. On trips of 300 miles or less, my choice is a Honda ST 1300 that now has 117,00 miles...

In conclusion, if you know how to counter-steer correctly, they handle better than you would ever guess. Not, good, but better than most "Cruisers" out there. And, I'm not as young as I used to be. In 2012, I rode 21,000 miles. In 2013, it was 18,000+.....Different strokes....YMMV

[herr_oberst]

Driving back home from a friend's house yesterday evening, I saw one of those Harley Trike conversions. The passenger was a fella that was bigger than the driver.

I'll admit, a lot of judgmental thoughts went through my head.

I decided that in the passengers case, it was better than walking, and I always assume that the driver of these rigs has lost the ability to safely ride a 2 wheeler after decades of being a motorcyclist.

So, I think I judged in their favor, ultimately!

[on2wheels52]

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

I assume the real value is for people who have medical or physical reasons to not ride on two wheels, but still like motorcycling. I see a lot of elderly people on trikes and although not my cup of tea, could see possibly doing so if I was no longer able to ride safely on a conventional bike...especially with a passenger.
Otherwise...I don't get it.

This is perhaps somewhat of my sentiment when I was shopping for a Ural, although at 61 I'm not quite ready to be called 'elderly'. I still have four 'real' bikes; the GS will likely be the first to go when it gets too heavy (especially off pavement).
I've never ridden a trike, do they ride them with a wheel off the ground much? I fly the chair every ride (unless my wife is along).
But there will be a hack (or two) in my garage for a while.
Jim

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

I assume the real value is for people who have medical or physical reasons to not ride on two wheels, but still like motorcycling. .

Arthritis in my feet and toes made riding painful for me. I was faced with selling the BMW RT and getting a smaller, lighter bike, going with a trike, or getting a convertible. I sold the RT and bought a BMW Z3. Best decision I ever made.

[afterburn 549]

Each to their own, But to have a trailer would just slow me dwn . I have done a few coast to coast runs. Never needed one.

[LakeCleElum]

Seems like most trailer stories involve a woman and packing issues.....

[LakeCleElum]

Originally Posted by vash

I'm all for it! I met an older guy. Full trike w trailer. He said he lost strength in his legs so he had to add the third wheel. He was going cross country. We can't judge if we don't understand.

UR a smart guy Vash....Best not to judge others....Last Fall, I was on a ride in a tiny one gas pump town in Eastern Oregon.....Here are two Older women on a trike from Fla (one bike).....Dressed in Pink leathers......I made an assumption on their lifestyle......Then, one gets off the phone and asks me directions.......I was totally wrong, they had been talking to their HUSBANDS back in FLa....Were enroute to a MC rally on the Oregon Coast and having the times of their life.........As was I........I bet they were laughing at their husbands at home roaming around the local golf course? Live life to the fullest I say...

[Rick Lee]

Ok, what's with those Can Am trikes with the two wheels upfront? How in the world are those things legal for taking your M class license test? If you've only ever ridden one of those and then get on a real bike and think you're competent, you will not grow old.

[dennis in se pa]

I can't imagine me riding what has been mentioned above. And I am sure there are a lot of posers, like the guys who trailer their bikes to motorcycle functions.....but I also understand another point made above.....maybe the guy loves bikes but can't do what he used too? And if he wants to take his significant other maybe she requires more than will fit in the saddle bags. And then ...maybe he should leave her at home....or at the next truck stop.

[asphaltgambler]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

Ok, what's with those Can Am trikes with the two wheels upfront? How in the world are those things legal for taking your M class license test? If you've only ever ridden one of those and then get on a real bike and think you're competent, you will not grow old.

Rick, I'm pretty sure in Va (as in most states) if it has 3 wheels you don't need a special license. And for me that's where I see some issues with safety. Seems to me a great way for a complete novice to buy / then ride. They don't handle like a bike or a car.

[Rick Lee]

I think you need a license for them here either, but I know you can get your M class license on them here, which is a recipe for disaster.

[ledhedsymbols]

Here in Washington, the two-wheeled and three-wheeled endorsements are different and each requires its own test.

[aschen]

i was in the texas hill contry this weekend. I saw alot of motorcycles arrive being toed to location.

The riders unload the bikes, go for day long rides, and then trailer them back to their homes. These were mostly cruisers.

To each his own, but I cant help but thinking these guys are kinda wooses.