Falling in love with a trike is easier than you might at first think. In fact, many riders who swear their fidelity to bikes often change their minds after just one ride. While reasons for crossing over to a trike can vary, riders often agree: once you go trike, you never go bike! So with the return of the Sturgis Buffalo Chip’s second annual all-trike ride, T.O.U.R., we asked eight trike riders to share the reasons why they fell in love with life on three wheels.
1. Love of the Outdoors
Jerry Gelsthorpe
Fort Madison, IA
Harley-Davidson Tri Glide
“The Geezer Glide”
What do you love about riding a trike?
The time my wife and I spend on the trike brings us closer to each other and the great outdoors. We get to see the little things that you miss in a car!
Why do you prefer trikes to their two-wheeled counterparts?
My wife loves the ride and the comfort of the trike over our bike.
Have you done any unique customizations to your trike?
The first thing we did was beef up the horsepower to pull our timeout camper that we take to the Buffalo Chip every year. We also put in a Road Zeppelin seat and extra storage bags and did a little custom pin striping.
2. Love of Camaraderie
Paul Marquardt
Watertown, SD
2009 Thoroughbred Motorsports Stallion
What do you love about riding a trike?
Enjoying the camaraderie of my many “biker” friends and staying active in my motorcycle associations: ABATE of SD, Patriot Guard Riders, American Legion Riders and Trike Owners International.
Why do you prefer trikes to their two-wheeled counterparts?
I owned and rode a 2002 Honda Goldwing touring motorcycle prior to the Stallion, but I unfortunately had to quit riding on two wheels in fall of 2008 when I had a stroke that affected my right side. After much physical therapy, I was able to regain all my activities for daily living and ability to safely drive a car. In short, I was able to gain back my independence and, with the discovery of the Stallion, my freedom, love and passion for the open road and the wind in my face.
Have you done any unique customizations to your trike?
Due to its shape, design and controls, it’s a rather unique trike in and of itself. It doesn’t have the typical handlebars and controls of other motorcycle trikes, but has the controls that are typically found on automobiles—a steering wheel, gas pedal, dash-mounted shift lever for its automatic transmission, and heater and air conditioning vents, just to name a few. Some people say (usually the avid motorcyclists) that it’s a three-wheeled car, nothing more, nothing less. But because it has less than 4 wheels, the state of SD and many other states classify it as a motorcycle and register it as such.
3. Love of Stability
Cliff & Linda Oleson
Plano, Illinois
Can Am Spyder
What do you love about riding a trike?
Safety on the road, stability and balance.
Why do you prefer trikes to their two-wheeled counterparts?
Traction control, huge storage compartments, three-wheel ABS and the roomier sitting area. My wife’s hip has bothered by her the last couple years and the Spyder offers her the extra room to hop on the bike. It wasn’t possible to get on the two-wheeler without practically knocking me over.
Whenever we stop somewhere on the Spyder, there’s always someone to talk with us about the bike. And you know us…bikers love to talk about their toys!
Have you done any unique customizations to your trike?
We added blue spider lights on the center hubs of the front wheels and extra brake lights on the trunk for more visibility to traffic.
4. Love of Functionality
Tom Rech
Wright City, MO
2011 Harley-Davidson Tri Glide
What do you love about riding a trike?
I love the stability of the trike and the extra storage space. Also, it’s fun to see the attention the trike gets.
I learned very quickly that the trike handled very well. My friends learned that too, just trying to keep up! Coming from a motorcycle racing background, I was always looking for that opening to get around someone or the fast line thru turns/curves. Now that I have a trike, I have to slow down a bit, but it’s my choice. Now I get to check out the scenery and enjoy the view!
Why do you prefer trikes to their two-wheeled counterparts?
Like most trike riders, I prefer my trike for the stability. Also, like many trike riders, I needed that stability for health reasons, after more than a dozen knee operations, five total knee replacements and running from back surgery for more than 40 years. I fell in love with my trike on the first ride and couldn’t believe how stupid I was to have waited for so long to get one.
Have you done any unique customizations to your trike?
I hope to have added my little bits of “safety chrome” to make it “my bike” by the time riding season gets here.
5. Love of Freedom
Maggie Coleman
Bellingham, WA
2009 Ultra Classic Harley-Davidson with Lehman Conversion
What do you love about riding a trike?
I love the freedom it allows me, the ease of riding, the comfort, the control, and the wind in my face as I am cruising along listening to my music. I feel safe but sometimes miss leaning in the corners. There is a certain respect between motorcyclists no matter how many wheels you have.
Why do you prefer trikes to their two-wheeled counterparts?
The only 2-wheeler I ever rode was a Moped.
Have you done any unique customizations to your trike?
Rosewood wood grain kit and added lights.
6. Love of Handling
Jodi Mauro
Las Vegas, NV
2009 Harley-Davidson Street Glide with Champion Conversion
“Cleopatra”
What do you love about riding a trike?
What I love about riding a trike is the way it handles—much like a little sports car, but even more exciting when I take the curves and stay on the tail of any two-wheel rider I follow. I love the freedom of being able to turn sharp and go anywhere. I don’t feel any limits on my trike!
Why do you prefer trikes to their two-wheeled counterparts?
I prefer the trike because the wind is no longer a problem. I’ve ridden in some very strong winds on both two wheels and the trike, and it is a relief not to worry about blowing into oncoming traffic (which happened to me on two wheels in Oklahoma). Also, I’ve ridden 750 miles in a day on my trike and not felt exhausted.
Have you done any unique customizations to your trike?
The paint job on my trike constantly gets complimented. The color is called “Black Ice,” and it changes from blue to purple depending on the light. I had the dash painted to match the bike and put rhinestones around the gauges and a matching Harley emblem over the gas cover. I’ve also got extra chrome, but what biker hasn’t done that? I don’t have a large trunk on the back, but instead kept it low and clean looking. I’ve won Best Bike, Best of Show, and two first place titles for my class.
7. Love of Safety
Tom & Peggy Huber
Pierre, SD
Harley-Davidson Tri Glide
What do you love about riding a trike?
Ease of handling and the added sense of safety and stability.
Why do you prefer trikes to their two-wheeled counterparts?
The Tri Glide is for my wife who had a total knee replacement and her Sportster was no longer appropriate for her. Also, as we age, it does make sense to consider the Tri Glide to keep riding longer.
8. Love of Comfort
Veronica Long
Eloy, AZ
Roadsmith Goldwing
What do you love about riding a trike?
The stability and comfort.
Why do you prefer trikes to their two-wheeled counterparts?
The fun of riding and the ability to continue to ride at age 70!
Have you done any unique customizations to your trike?
Pinstripes and design, chrome, heel toe shifter and luggage rack.
If you love riding a trike and spending time with other trike riders, be sure to join the Buffalo Chip for the 2nd annual Trike Owners United Ride (T.O.U.R.) sponsored by Roadsmith Trikes on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2014. This free trike ride is open to all makes and models of trikes and is a great way to meet other trikers while exploring some of the most scenic roads the Black Hills has to offer!
Following the trike ride, you can enjoy a custom trike show, free hors d’oeuvres, and full access to the Buffalo Chip’s Motorcycles as Art exhibition, at the Chip’s Russ Brown Events Center. Admission to the Buffalo Chip amphitheater and the concert entertainment is not included.
Have you already made the switch from bike to trike? Tell us why you love riding your trike in the comments below!
