How to ride a three wheeler?

[delling3]

So, first let me admit to being a complete newb to three-wheelers. I have been considering the purchase, and have been kicking tires for a while. I have also been trying to get edumicated on these things.

So far I have test ridden (6) different trikes. A 200s, a 200X with a stretched swingarm, a 250SX, an '82 200ES, and (2) different 250ES.

Having ridden on 2-wheels for most of my life, the experience of riding on 3 wheels is very different. Does every three wheeler feel like it's gonna tip over? I am not talking about riding/maneuvering at high speed. Seems like every bike wants to pull to the right when riding in a straight line, and if riding across even a mile side slope, I have to resist the urge to put a foot down (I know, not a good idea) to prevent the thing from tipping over. Mind you this is all at low speeds.

I realize you probably get used to the sensation, but as I anticipate this vehicle being used by guests at our cabin, I am not sure I am making the right choice. My sons (18 and 21 years old) both felt uncomfortable during their test rides also.

Looking for some advise from some experts before I make a decision that I might regret.

Thanks

[jb2wheels]

Pulling one way or the other is usually a tire issue - mismatch tires or pressures or circumference. The owners manual for the first Ody I had said match the circumference with a measuring tape.
Although, after 25-30 years, could be bent frame/forks etc. My red Tecate pulls right even when everything is matched. I think it's bent but I improvise adapt and overcome - it's cheaper.

Yes, they tip. Trikes are like F16s - inherently unstable - but have no fly-by-wire to compensate. The rider is the computer.
Key to riding is moving your body around to counter. Especially on hard pack, you need to get weight off the inside rear tire so it will slip but without flipping the trike.

Trikes are very different from bikes. I've rarely ridden dirt bikes but I have a lot of pavement time. The number 1 rule is DONT PUT YOUR FEET DOWN. The trike will make you pay with a pound of flesh off your calf and possible ankle and knee damage.

As I recall, the Honda owners manuals actually covered the basics pretty well. Should be able to grab a free PDF download of one.

[czac]

leaning sitting back on the seat or way up on the tank, standing up and leaning forward, all part of the fun, sometimes you have to almost get your butt to scrape the rear wheel in a turn to not roll...lol best way to figure it all out is in mud, deep sand or snow... NOT PAVEMENT! lol theres been times even in my yard where I almost went butt over teakettle because I went into too sharp a turn and the bike wouldn't slide so it still tried to tip, that's when panic sets in and I hit the rear breaks hard and slam into the log pile....lol Opps! lol that said, I think id like to "Bald" up my rear tires a little...lol

[delling3]

I am a big dude. 6'3" and over 300 lbs. Makes me wonder if I am too top heavy for a three wheeler? I recently picked up a quad - TRX 200 - and I don't deal with the same sensation. Am I just too big for a three wheeler? I test rode a '85 250ES yesterday. I rode it around a pond with a very slight sideways down slope, and I nearly put it into the pond. Since I will be the primary rider, but I expect other newbies to ride the thing, am I barking up the wrong tree? Don't worry about offending me, I am used to it!

Thanks!

[yaegerb]

I am 6'3", 275 and I race a 200x and 250R. Trust me, you aren't too big. 3 wheelers need body english, they are not easy to ride and require lots of seat time to get used to them. And to your first post, no they don't pull left or right. With proper air in the tire and straight forks, they go where you point them. Take turning easy at first, before long you will want to go faster and faster in the corners. All it takes is time and practice just like anything else. Do us a favor though.....if you do decide to get one, get a starter ATC (110, 185, 200x, 200ES, etc). Please don't go buy a 350x or 250R so we can read about another 3wheeler accident in the paper. Good luck with whatever you choose.

[czac]

too big? naaah! unles its a Honda 70 or Yamaha tri-zinger... lol

its just getting used to leaning away from the tilt. its the same thing on a riding mower, when you hit a hill from the side it first feels like your gonna roll so you lean into the incline...lol in no time youll be bumping your way over rocks, logs and other obstacles. Hell, im 5'9" and pushing 270 and I dnt find it all that difficult to ride one. plus, if need be, you can get rear wheel spacers to give you more stability. I got a 3" set for mine im going to install, it will make it 6" wider at the rear end! lol

[czac]

also, rear wheels that are not matched can throw the trike off a straight line, someone mounted one of the rear tires on mine backwards (they are directional) so in order to make it face the correct way I had to take it off and remount it by turning it around, which of course made it stick out about 2" because of the off set of the rim... this made her pull so hard to the left (I think it was left, I forget now.lol) but I didn't know it was the problem until I put a new set of rims and tires on it, and by then I had put a whole new front end from a different trike on it too! lol, and not having the same air pressure in each rear wheel can make it feel like its pulling. But yeah, you can always get wheel spacers to help stabilize the trike too!

[delling3]

Thanks for the replies, and keep them coming! I really need some more seat time on a trike, and that was why I posted. I am too old, and too laid back to consider a 350X or 250R. Actually, the most comfortable I have been is on the 200X with an extended swinger, but it had an aftermarket (unbaffled) dual exhaust that was way too loud to keep the neighbors happy, so I passed on it. I rode a 250ES yesterday (second one I have ridden) and it scared me a bit. The first 250ES I rode was great. I am hoping the unit I rode yesterday was the issue.

[hublake]

I don't think you can beat a 250es. Seat time is all you need. As I mentioned before give me a PM and set up a time and come out and ride mine for awhile.

[ColtonGG33]

100% agree with yaegerb, these machines take a lot of body English. After a day of riding you should hava pretty good feel for the machine.

Also I'm almost 6 foot 180 lbs and my dx still feels huge haha

[jb2wheels]

I am 6'3", 275 and I race a 200x and 250R. Trust me, you aren't too big. ...

x2 - I'm 6-4 and closer to 300lbs than I should be. I've ridden a bunch of trikes in the past 5 or 6 years - TriZinger, ATC70, ATC110, ATC200X, Tecate, 250R, 350X. The only 3-wheeler I felt too big on was the Tri-Zinger.

Based on my limited quad experience - the pair of TRX70s I've had - what you experienced was the fundamental difference between trikes & quads.

[delling3]

Thanks for the replies, and for the offer Hublake ! I appreciate the offer. I am not certain when my schedule is going to allow me to get up to the cabin again, but I will keep your offer in mind.

[Keepah Rolln]

The 250 es sounds like a great candidate...

[YamaBoss]

When I first started out I was the same, feel like it pulls one way and any sense of tipping you wanna put your foot down. I rode both of my dads and it seemed the same. I remember my dad taking me and my younger brother through some uneven trails just to practice and that helped a lot. Almost like riding a bike to me. Once you get it you'll always remember it and have a lot of fun on it. But I guess I was pretty young back then so maybe that impacted things as well.

[jakep53]

Yep it's all in the body english don't be afraid to hang off the side and move your weight around!!!

wow you guys are TALL im only like 5 110 (makes riding a 70 easy) and I can't hang on to my 250r if I lift my fingers off to pull the clutch in I will fly off the back!! do you guys notice much speed/power loss when against some of the smaller fallas?? sorry for getting off subject!!

[DohcBikes]

More throttle.

[El Camexican]

Keep in mind that you counter steer a motorcycle at most any speed above 5mph whereas a trike is steered like a car or snowmobile at all speeds up to such point that you are sliding the rear wheels, then everything changes and you switch back to counter steering. Might sound complicated, but you make the exact opposite transition hundreds of times when you get on a motorcycle and ride a tight trail. It is unnoticeable to any experienced rider, but the last time you realized you were doing it was when parked your tricycle and learned to ride your bicycle. 90 some % of street motorcycle rides don’t even know that they counter steer their bikes (they are the ones that run into posts, trees and parked cars for no apparent reason)

This is why so many people, me included, took their first trike ride into a ditch. Everything that you would do naturally on a 2 wheeler combined with visual fixation is what makes trikes seem to want to run into the only dangerous object in the area.

Practice the steering and body English at low speeds in a flat open area and maybe even set up a pylon obstacle course if possible and increase your speed as you get comfortable with the whole thing.

Aside from the feet up, body language and pointing the front wheel in the direction you want to go, remember to look where you want to go and not where you don’t, just like a bike.

Oh, and trikes highside when you roll them on flat ground, so have that body English ready at all times, but especial if you are making a sharp turn. You’ll know you need to add more when the inside wheel starts to come off the ground. Driving on one rear wheel is another good thing to practice at low speed.

[jb2wheels]

...do you guys notice much speed/power loss when against some of the smaller fallas?? sorry for getting off subject!!...

Surprisingly, not on the Zinger - once it came on the pipe, it was fast. Too fast for kids IMHO. Although I never had it on the sand.

Stock 70's struggle to haul me around on anything but pavement or hard pack. Forget any dune time with them.
One of my TRXs had a 125 swap and the other got an 88 kit. Those could go out on the sand.

[Mosh]

I am going to go against the populace grain here.
You are coming to a trike forum and asking die hard enthusiasts if you should buy a trike. Of course they are all gonna say do it man.
Equal to going to a Chevy forum and asking if you should buy Chevy.

IMO...you may....the key word may , adapt and learn to be comfortable on a trike..However..If it was me...I do and will not just let regular folks with no riding exprience on a trike. You are asking for somebody to get hurt. Many people just can't grasp the concept of riding a trike much like some people crash big cars. Each person is different and if you begin to shake that uneasy feeling and become confident then great. But ifyyour plan is to mostly purchase for others to ride.....don't do it if you want your friends to be safe unless they too are avid riders..

I am going to go against the grain one more time. I have ridden all types of trikes. The worst ones for handling are 90s and 110 models. I am also going to say the 250es big red is great machine but IMO handles very poor on uneven terrain and is so top heavy it likes to tip.
I would advise if you want a larger model with suspension you stick with the 250sx model as it weighs way less than the big red and handles better with the same power level.
Some big red guys are gonna rip on me over that but then again there are those that refuse to ride 2 stroke sport bikes which I personally prefer..However...I never let many people ride any of my stuff...and even fewer throw a leg over any of my trikes unless they have proven experience..

[atc007]

I had not read this yet,for whatever reason. My advice is this. Absolutely do NOT buy a 3 wheeler for your cabin. You are man enough to admit that you,and your sons are very uncomfortable on them. They WILL hurt you,,broken collarbone and shoulder would be my guess for you if it matters lol... DO get a 250ES,,a GOOD one. And practice. You clearly WANT TOO. But this thread has thrown me back to 1980,my 1st 3 wheeler ride. Bike to choose,,,,,,a 250SX is simply way too small for you,,and I mean WAAYYY too small. Go ride one and see what you think by all means. I'm 6ft,and a SX is just a terrible knee mashing ride for me. A 250ES,that is still good. Is the bike for a big guy.Pulling,,,that is simply air pressure,2 different tires on the rear,or bent frame components. 99% of the time,simply air pressure. Get the pressures close,,3-4 psi in all 3 tires..And whatever way it pulls,let air out of the other side a whisper at a time till she tracks straight as an arrow. Clearly,some or most of the machines you have ridden ,are in no way set up right. Hills,,,your ass needs to be on the upper side whatever you are doing. Racing,you will be doing the opposite of everything you're learning lol! But for now, were just trying to get in a few Safe rides. Take your time,do some figure 8's in a field or dirt road. You seem smart enough to know. We are not training for the races here. Take it SLOW and careful. A 3 wheeler is a very fun,nimble ride through the woods and trails,and I think the fact that you've came this far,you MAY enjoy one,but they are NOT for everyone. And too have just anyone coming up to camp and jumping on one?? No, please,,,NO lol. get a quad or SXS for camp. But again there,, EACH and every rider needs to show you common sense of taking it easy and not thinking they are Mario Andretti. Helmets at all times. Cuz ANY off road vehicle will mess you up real bad and real fast. Trees don't care :) Good luck!

[delling3]

Great advice. Thanks to everyone. I curious about the effect of a stretched swing arm. One of the rides that if am contemplating is a 200x with a stretch swingarm. Although it has a manual clutch (fine for me, but maybe less for my boys), it seemed to track real well, and also felt less unstable?

I am too old for ripping it up. My plans are trail riding in the woods, unpaved two-tracks, maybe sand, and occasionally in snow, or on the frozen lake.

[atc007]

They are more stable. I personally can't speak a lot about them. I don't have a lot of seat time comparing a extended to a stock. Given your size. I am simply guessing that particular 200X actually had 2 of the same rear tires,with the right air pressure in them!! Do yourself a favor,and test ride a NICE 350X. It is a beast power wise and will not in the least mind biting you hard! However,I can tell you're a mature adult. Take it easy. You will never wish for anything power or handling wise on a 350X. But I still stand by a GOOD Big Red,unless of course you LIKE kick starting and a manual clutch. It IS too much for a beginner,but if you liked the 200 with your size ,you will be astounded with the 350.

[Mosh]

Delling........ who will put the most seat time on what you decide to purchase? And their size in relation to you?
Ext swing arms will help keep the front end down up hill and on acceleration. Anything shaft drive will be geared lower and have more torque, IE "can" wheely easier than a smaller bore chain driven trike. Ext axles and or hubs with offset wheels, will provide more stability side to side "IE in turning applications". Sometimes lengthening a swing arm longer, while not extending the rear wheels will actually make a trike tip side to side easier.

Keep in mind, most utility trikes that are shaft drive IE the big reds and 250sx are a little more difficult to extend the axle width and very hard to lengthen the swing arm due to the drive shaft essentially being a fixed length. So therefore you will be limited in making mods "if" you do not like the stock stance after riding a few times.
I also want to clarify, I have nothing against the larger utility trikes at all. They are great for what they are designed for. I am not as large as you, and I have a had some big reds tip on me and when they do, my stature was not able to right the trike before it went all the way on it's side. But I am significantly smaller/shorter than you. However I am heavy for my height at 200lbs.
You could also look at the Yamaha 225dx. IMO these may be the best suited for "learning riders".
The 200x is a good trike. But at your size you may feel like a grown up on a kids big wheel. My brother in law is 6'10 330 and he could ride one, but the handlebars would hit his knees.

Really the best thing to do is ride as many as you can and find a good fit for whoever will be the primary pilot.

[ps2fixer]

I agree with Mosh, test ride a 250sx, 350x, and if you know anything about 2 strokes, give a 250r a shot (85-86 was the best for handling). As for a machine for a bunch of people to ride, I would say either a small quad, like a 200-250cc, or if you don't mind some education and coaching, look at a 185s or 200s. They are plenty fun, cheap, and light, but they are a hard tail (no rear suspension).

My personal fav is the 350x, but right behind it is a 250sx then the 250es. I'm not much of a 2 stroke person, but I have an 82 and 84 250r, fun but I prefer the other machines :).

Oh yea.. that feeling of tipping over, I know exactly what you are talking about, I went from a 350 sports quad to a 200cc big red 3 wheeler. It took me a while, but after I overcame that feeling, and learned to lean more into the turns, I wanted more speed! Was dreaming of a 250es, well I have like 5 now and a 250sx, and shortly after that I started craving a 350x, which I have 2 of them. I'm happy with the 350x, perfect amount of power, and for an experienced rider, good handling.