Tips for Riding a Trike
There’s no shortage of reasons to ride a trike: they’re powerful, comfortable, and look awesome. However, if you’re coming to trikes after having driven cars or you only have experience riding standard motorcycles, there are a few tips and tricks you’ll need to learn before you start riding. This short guide will provide you with some of the info you need before you ride your trike.
Turning
Turning and steering may be the biggest difference between riding a trike and a standard two-wheel motorcycle. A standard motorcycle uses what’s known as “counter steering,” which refers to the way a rider must lean into a turn to counterbalance the centrifugal force of the turn. On a trike, a rider uses “direct steering,” which is more similar to the way you steer when driving a car.
It’s important to remember that the addition of a third wheel will significantly change the geometry of your steering. On a motorcycle, the distance traveled by both wheels is the same. On a trike, the inside wheel will have to travel a shorter distance than the outside wheel, and both will travel a slightly different distance from the front wheel. Getting used to the speed at which to take corners and planning paths around corners takes some practice.
Manual Transmission
Trikes use a manual transmission, just like a two-wheel bike. This type of transmission requires the rider to engage a clutch to disengage power from the engine so that gears can be shifted before letting the clutch out and reintroducing power from the engine. For those who are used to driving a manual transmission in a car, the concept is the same, but the controls are split between the hands and feet.
Braking
One of the most important things about riding a trike is remembering that you have much more weight behind you than you would on a normal motorcycle. You’ll need more space to slow down, and quick stops might take longer than you think. The good news is that you have an extra wheel for braking. On a normal bike, the front wheel gives about two-thirds of the braking power, but on a trike, the rear wheels have the advantage. Use both sets when you need to slow down from high speeds.
Riding a trike is a rewarding experience, especially if you take time to get used to the controls and riding mechanism. If you’re in the market for a new trike, stop by Team Mancuso Powersports North in Houston, TX. Our knowledgeable staff will set you up with the perfect model! We proudly serve all those in The Woodlands, Beaumont, and College Station.