Can Am vs HD TRike

[prider]

Recently I was asked, is there an advange of 2 wheels in the front compared to 2 in the rear. Not having ridden the 2 in back models I did not know how to answer this question. Is it stability, easier to turn or just a matter of choice or to be different? This not an attack of one or the other.
I get a lot of looks and questions as I travel around. But this is the first time I heard or thought about this difference in the Can Am.

Ride Smart.......Ride Safe
Tom

 

[ThreeWheels]

There are, IMHO two main advantages, one technical and the other riding technique.
First, the two in front is technically more stable around turns. Centrifugal force around turns tends to throw a force forward and opposite the direction of a turn. The Spyder has a wheel there to support this force, a traditional trike doesn't.
The other is more a matter of technique and choice. I find that, when riding aggressively such as cutting tight corners or riding the edge of the road, I know exactly where the outboard wheel is. I don't have to judge its position.

As always my free advice comes with a double your money back guarantee.

 

[prider]

There are, IMHO two main advantages, one technical and the other riding technique.
First, the two in front is technically more stable around turns. Centrifugal force around turns tends to throw a force forward and opposite the direction of a turn. The Spyder has a wheel there to support this force, a traditional trike doesn't.
The other is more a matter of technique and choice. I find that, when riding aggressively such as cutting tight corners or riding the edge of the road, I know exactly where the outboard wheel is. I don't have to judge its position.

As always my free advice comes with a double your money back guarantee.

Makes scence I; like the way the Spyder turns. When I catch it right the machine seems to jump out if the corner wanting to go.

 

[GeoffCee]

Recently I was asked, is there an advange of 2 wheels in the front compared to 2 in the rear.

When braking hard, the weight of vehicle and passengers are "thrown" forward. I've heard that enough times for it to have sunk in. Having two ABS-braked wheels up front has got to be better than a single wheel, hasn't it? I ask the question because I'm not an engineer or expert in vehicle dynamics but my gut instinct thinks 2 wheels "ought" to be the better proposition.

There is another bit of science which says something about a moving object continuing in a straight line unless acted upon by a force. Steering round a corner applies a turning force. Again, two wheels are probably going to do this better than a single wheel ever could. Yes? :dontknow:

 

[Bob Denman]

One rear wheel pushing two up front into and around turns will offer better and more precise steering, than two rear drivers pushing a skinny solo shoe up front.
The conventional trike will try to push that single wheel in a straight line; not so great in the curves! :shocked:
It's called "Understeering"; "tight" in the NASCAR vernacular...

 

[Pennyrick]

Have ridden both extensively.

The two in the rear is stable platform but there is a tendency to plow on turns as there is a lot of force on the single front wheel... the machine wants to keep driving straight. This makes it a handful (or armful) in turns. to counteract this the front end can be kicked out a bit to add some rake. Six degrees seems to be the ideal to make the machine a little easier on the arms in turns.

The Spyder has this tendency too but it is a lot less noticeable plus the DPS makes it very easy to steer. With two fronts steering and one rear following it takes less energy to turn than one front steering and two following.

Other than that I found that both types are good to ride and enjoy.

 

[Oldmanzues]

It was a Honda VTX 1300 trike and not a Harley. I took part in 2 GWRRA trike courses, one on the VTX and one on my Spyder. I like the wide part in front for stability and it is where I can see. I have heard, but do not know, that HD trike can be fitted with a electric back up system or a gear driven one.

I did have a rather "interesting moment on a PGR mission awhiloe ago. I arrived as a HD trike was being pushed back up a slight grade to be in position for the escort. Er have ridden togeather before. He said, come on I know yours backs up better then mine.
I did ride several different ones including a HD at other times. )
The Spyder just feels right to me.
To each his ( or Her ) own.
Oldmanzues

 

[Grandpa Spyder]

I have driven a H triglide and did not like the steering. It was very hard steering, I also found that if you were on a road that tilted to one side or the other it had a tendency to pull in that direction. I did not like that either. As others have stated I like having the widest part of the bike in front of me as opposed to being in the rear. I also think the can am has more safety features then any other three wheeler. JMHO

 

[smurfette]

Hello!
Here at me house, we are a "blended" family. Hubby has an HD Tri Glide, and I have my 2010 RT-A Spyder. It can depend on what you're looking for in a ride. The Spyder, with its independent steering is going to handle sharp quick turns a lot better that the HD. When I was forced onto an offramp at 65mph, my Smurfette just followed the road right throught the turn smoothly. The HD, with its straight axle would have been in danger of tipping over. I do have to admit that as a passenger, I find the HD more comfortable on a long distance. Each trike has its advantages, and I would strongly suggest test driving both under various conditions. I know in my case, being only 5'2", I fit much better on the Spyder than the HD, due to the width of the gas tank.

 

[viperryder]

There are, IMHO two main advantages, one technical and the other riding technique.
First, the two in front is technically more stable around turns. Centrifugal force around turns tends to throw a force forward and opposite the direction of a turn. The Spyder has a wheel there to support this force, a traditional trike doesn't.
The other is more a matter of technique and choice. I find that, when riding aggressively such as cutting tight corners or riding the edge of the road, I know exactly where the outboard wheel is. I don't have to judge its position.

As always my free advice comes with a double your money back guarantee.

Centrifugal force is a force that makes rotating bodies move away from the center. Just trying to be correct.

 

[boborgera]

Having ''had'' a Spyder for 3+ years and now ''have'' a Tri Glide for about a year, I can say there entirely different rides. The T/G has a rear differential so contrary to popular belief it's not going to tip over in sharp turns. [like ATC'c] I ride the same roads with the T/G as i did with the Spyder just as fast, And i might add with the T/G i can sit bolt upright i don't have to lean my body over snowmobile style. Yes the steering is quite heavy but for most ''normal'' people that's not a problem. There's no odd tracking or the dog wagging the tail effect, On the highway it tracks strait and true at any speed. The range in a true 6 gal. tank is 200 +miles
The T/G Does have a reverse, Not as fast as the Spyders but I'm not really in a hurry when I'm in reverse
Overall all on rough roads [in town] the Spyder wins hands hands down also the Spyders brakes are a little better even though they don't have a hand brake like the T/G has.

One isn't better or worse than the other, Just;
Two different Machines for Two different missions.

 

[Mr. White]

I have 7,000 miles on BR1 and 62,000 on my Gold Wing Motor Trike. They both handle well in the twisties, which I ride often west of Bandera, TX. BR1 does very well and is set up for my riding experience....shocks and air pressure is very important to handling....My Wing has adjustable air shocks on the rear with an on board air compressor. I run 20# on the Interstate and 40-45 on the twisties. My Wing tracks better on Interstates and two lane roads, less wandering if you will. Punkin' has more torque in dealing with curves....important to me.

I have ridden many miles with the Hill Country Road Riders and have no problem keeping up with them on any highway....I "followed" the San Antonio Sport Bike club a few times....followed is the main word here....ha ha

I have a 4.5 degree triple tree on Punkin' which improves the steering effort quite a bit. These are two different rides, and at this point, I prefer the Wing. I only have 7K on BR1 so I am not giving the Spyder a fair test.

I have never ridden a HD tri glide, but two of the HCRR group do and love them...go figure.

I will say, I will never have another two wheeler. I only hope BR1 does not break down again as the next time, he is gone and I will buy a 2013 or 2014 Wing and trike it. I can not deal with unreliablity.

:spyder2:

 

[Dragonrider]

Recently a dealer offered me a straight swap on a 2012 TriGlide for my 2010 RT, and I did a lot of research and test riding. I still have my RT.

Many of the trikes out there have a differential, making them much safer than Hardley's solid axel. Additionally, the Tri has a kludge for a parking brake, and an electrical reverse that's worse than my old BMW's - but, at least it has one. Heat is a major issue on the Tri (as well as many of the late model Hardleys), and generally isn't a problem with other trikes - an issue you can fix for $2000 and the loss of your warranty. Finally, the 1938 technology found in the Hardley, can seriously impact long-term ownership costs (maintenance - how many 100K mile Hardleys have you seen w/o a rebuild??). However, Hardley has a dealer network to die for, many of which are quite good.

BR 1, in Texas loves his Wing trike (personally, I wouldn't pay a dime for a GW 1800), and I have a friend with a nice BMW K1200LT trike. Both of these bikes convert to an excellent long range trike, and deliver the power and safety to make them contenders. Given the base prices of these bikes, conversions will cost at or more than a new Hardley.

However, I like the standard trike look, and I've started the process of purchasing and converting a Victory Cross Country to a trike. I will look forward to getting it on the road next summer, and frankly, will enjoy the winter project as much!! Unfortunately, while the bike is terrific, the dealer network isn't.

For me, it's the feeling of a larger and more old school two wheel bike experience, coupled with a history of reliability, and easier maintenance that's drawing me.

Probably WAY more than you wanted to hear….

 

[SpydeRider2010]

having ridden conventional trikes when I worked
at an H-D shop... I find the stance and technique
required are noticeably diffferent on a Spyder. I'm
slow on the uptake sometimes, so it took me about
5 months to completely transition from 2 wheelers
and conventional trikes, into the Spyder style of
riding.

the other thing is cost. when H-D first came out with
a factory trike... it was close to $32,000. and I just
couldn't justify that. but... you ride what YOU like,
not what someone else thinks you look good one.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

MY 3 CENTS

Conventional trikes ( not Spyders ) make great Drag Bikes that's all.......otherwise get a Spyder they turn. :agree:...Mike

 

[ARtraveler]

Lots of great ideas and opinions here. For once, everyone is right on. It amounts to different rides and preferences for all.

 

[CMA Cowboy]

Had a gentleman on an aftermarket HD trike pull up next to me at a motorcycle rally yesterday and start asking the usual questions. After a bit he made the statement that he could not get his wife to ride with him anymore but she might on something like mine. After watching him drive off I had to chuckle because I don't think she is going to ride with him no matter what he is riding.