Spyder RT vs Goldwing Trike or Harley Tri Glide

[Tin Man]

​​Met a couple of trike riders, one rides a Goldwing and the other rides a Tri Glide, both tell me they have taken test rides on the Spyder and that the conventional trikes ride smoother and handle better. I have no reason to doubt what they tell me since I have never ridden a conventional trike. Just wonder if anyone on the forum has tried both types of trikes and can share there feedback. I was surprised to see no comparisons on youtube.

[jScotD]

a buddy of mine, long time Harley rider, went to a Harley trike after getting hit on his 50's Harley and almost losing his leg.. He went riding with a guy on a Spyder up on the Trace in Land Between the Lakes in Western KY.. he said the guy in the Spyder was making the turns looks so easy, while he was fighting his HD trike to keep up.. He said it was not a pleasant ride.. He sold it, and said if he did it again he would buy a Spyder.. I offered him a good price on my 2012 RS,,since I want a ST-S... said he was totally out of motorcycles..

[BajaRon]

​​Met a couple of trike riders, one rides a Goldwing and the other rides a Tri Glide, both tell me they have taken test rides on the Spyder and that the conventional trikes ride smoother and handle better. I have no reason to doubt what they tell me since I have never ridden a conventional trike. Just wonder if anyone on the forum has tried both types of trikes and can share there feedback. I was surprised to see no comparisons on youtube.

It is a physical impossibility for a conventional trike to handle better than a reverse trike like the Spyder. The dynamics in a turn coupled with the stance of each machine gives a great advantage to the 2 wheels forward design.

What they probably did not like about the Spyder is the instant reaction to input that they do not get on their conventional trikes. This makes the Spyder seem 'Twitchy' to the uninitiatied. And getting used to a different machine will always give the impression that things are not what they should be.

Of course rider skill and how the various versions of each trike are set up will make some difference.

As far as smoothness, that may be a more debateable aspect. Still, I'd say the Spyder will hold it's own in that area with these 2 contenders.

[Illinois Boy]

It is a physical impossibility for a conventional trike to handle better than a reverse trike like the Spyder. The dynamics in a turn coupled with the stance of each machine gives a great advantage to the 2 wheels forward design.

What they probably did not like about the Spyder is the instant reaction to input that they do not get on their conventional trikes. This makes the Spyder seem 'Twitchy' to the uninitiatied. And getting used to a different machine will always give the impression that things are not what they should be.

Of course rider skill and how the various versions of each trike are set up will make some difference.

As far as smoothness, that may be a more debateable aspect. Still, I'd say the Spyder will hold it's own in that area with these 2 contenders.

I agree. Solidly stated.

[boborgera]

​​Met a couple of trike riders, one rides a Goldwing and the other rides a Tri Glide, both tell me they have taken test rides on the Spyder and that the conventional trikes ride smoother and handle better. I have no reason to doubt what they tell me since I have never ridden a conventional trike. Just wonder if anyone on the forum has tried both types of trikes and can share there feedback. I was surprised to see no comparisons on youtube.

I don't know about the Gold wing, But i do know about the Tri Glide, And as much i hate to admit this, My
Spyder rode much smoother than my Tri Glide, As far as handling ,The Spyder and the Tri will do the same speeds on the same curves, Each needs Just a little different technique to do it. My Spyder had power steering, My Tri no power steering, On the highway the Tri runs like it's glued to the road, Straight and true, My Spyder gave the tail wagging the dog feel, Nothing wrong with that just different.
The Spyder and the TRI Are two different machines for two different missions.
The Spyder sedate, The Tri rough and tumble.

[Tomite]

I'm fairly new to motorcycles but have a Spyder and my dad has a Goldwing Trike. I've driven both and definately like the way the Spyder handles and rides over the Goldwing. Took my mom for a ride on the Spyder and she said it was a much smoother and enjoyable ride than with my dad's trike.

[CSW61]

My wife owns a 2010 Rt and I have a 2008 GW with a CSC Trike Kit. She rides both and when she 1st started riding the RT she liked the GW better but since she bought it in 01/12 she now would much rather ride her RT. When we stop for gas everyone wants to know which is better. I tell them my GW is like driving a Caddy and her RT is like driving a Porsch.

[Pennyrick]

This topic has been batted around before on several threads. I have ridden all three and owned a gold Wing with a Motor Trike kit before I got my first Spyder.

Two wheels in the rear is hard to handle in turns unless the front end is 'raked' or kicked out a bit to take some pressure off the bars in turns. The rear wheels are pushing you straight while the front tries to make the turn and it takes a lot of pressure to make the turn. Two wheels (pushing) against one is tough to handle all through a turn as the front end wants to 'plow'.

Two wheels in front would be almost impossible to turn without a power assist but once it gets started the single rear wheel tends to power you through the turn better. One wheel pushing against two is harder to handle initially but smooths out once the turn is entered so the Spyder doesn't 'plow' like the Tri Glide or triked Gold Wing.

That said, the Tri Glide and triked Gold Wing have a much tighter turning radius and do handle better from that aspect. It helps if you have 20" biceps though. As far as a smoother ride... I'd say it is a draw with much depending on the type of seat, setting of the shocks and air pressure in the tires.

[Grandpa Spyder]

I have test driven all 3 before I bought my Spyder. The Tri Glide steering was very hard to me. I didn't like it. The GW was better then the HD and I really liked the looks of the GW. But I went with what had the best safety features, so the Spyder won out for me.

[wb4lrk]

​​Met a couple of trike riders, one rides a Goldwing and the other rides a Tri Glide, both tell me they have taken test rides on the Spyder and that the conventional trikes ride smoother and handle better. I have no reason to doubt what they tell me since I have never ridden a conventional trike. Just wonder if anyone on the forum has tried both types of trikes and can share there feedback. I was surprised to see no comparisons on youtube.

I have a 2012 Spyder RT Limited, and both a 2012 H-D Tri Glide, and a GL1500 SE Goldwing with a side car. For general riding comfort I find the Goldwing to be far superior to either the Tri Glide or the Spyder. I can't speak to riding the twisties as I have not had the Spyder or Tri Glide on something like The Dragon. The Goldwing will cruise all day at 35 miles per hour in 5th. gear, try doing that on a Tri Glide or the Spyder. Not that one would necessarily want to ride all day at 35 miles per hour but it sure is nice to be able to ride localy around town without having to constantly shift up and down through the gears. So the Goldwing is #1 in my book, the Spyder #2, and the H-D Tri Glide #3.