Well after several years of rumors and speculation, it’s finally here, the Harley-Davidson Trike, or the Tri Glide Ultra Classic, or the FLHTCUTG if you want to use H-D lingo. I guess it makes sense for Harley to finally put a trike into their production lineup, if you look at the median age of their customers over the past 5 years or so, the median age isn’t staying the same it’s getting older. Generally speaking, as this large demographic gets older it’s tougher for them to handle the large and heavy two-wheeled touring bikes.Well after several years of rumors and speculation, it’s finally here, the Harley-Davidson Trike, or the Tri Glide Ultra Classic, or the FLHTCUTG if you want to use H-D lingo. I guess it makes sense for Harley to finally put a trike into their production lineup, if you look at the median age of their customers over the past 5 years or so, the median age isn’t staying the same it’s getting older. Generally speaking, as this large demographic gets older it’s tougher for them to handle the large and heavy two-wheeled touring bikes.
Notice I said “generally” speaking, that doesn’t mean there are plenty of riders out there well into their 60’s, 70’s and even beyond that ride two wheeled Touring Harleys. This new model will provide options for not only older riders but also disabled riders who thought their Harley riding days were over. What do you think about the H-D Trike?
Harley-Davidson Trike, TriGlide
It's Here! The H-D Trike
Written by: Eric Ellis on July 24 2008 1:15 PM
Categories:
Harley-Davidson
Have not had any problems and have 13K on it since 2010, my biggest problem has been my forgetfulness, I lost my keys and got stuck in the Desert, sometimes my reverse doesnt work because I put too much weight on it and it trips the fuse which I have to open the side cover and push the buttons and sometimes my GPS heats up and stops working but have never had any problems with mechanical stuff.
Have a 2010 HD Trike Ultra Classic, added a new paint job, EFI Super Tuner, K@N Air Filter, Seats air cushioned, love them the most, added lots of LED lighting, love my trike and my VROD but when I go on long trips to the Esat Coast and West Coast, it is the best, have radio and Tape player and GPS and oversized windshield and padded foot pegs and engine guards to prevent heating up my feet and cruise control. Am almost 65 years old and put about 11,000 miles on it this past year. To me was one of the best things Harley did since my VROD which I still love
We just bought a new 2012 Trike and our first ride out we found the trike to be very hot on the right leg. My wife was very uncomfortable. We took it back and they said there is about 8 degrees difference than what it should be and are ordering a part, but that this is normal. Does anyone have any suggestions for a way to make it more comfortable (meaning the heat downgraded) for riding. We want to retire and ride, but right now she is very uncomfortable. Suggestions please
Just got home from purchasing 2012 Trike and I actually got a blister on my leg from the heat. Did you ever work out your heat problems. What part did Harley change. I really want to fix the problem because it is soo much fun riding and I am too short for 2 wheels.
I just bought a 2012 trike and changed stock equipment to Vance & Hines Power DUAL HEADERS, PIPES & MUFFLERS. There is a difference in the right leg heat from stock. butI still feel the heat in traffic. I live in AZ and when the temp is 115 you are tortured. The sound is superior to stock and I use my road pegs as much as I can. My wife commented on the heat. I find the dealership cordial but they never solve the situation completely. My problem is that I like the harley brand so I put up with these issues.
We had a 2009 and now a 2012 we have found a stage one kit and syn 3 oil helps a lot we also have the heat shields on the new bike seems a lot cooler.
Would like to know if my rineharts that I took off my 09 street glide will fit my tri glide ultra classic. and if so who makes true duals for the trike.
The EPA Standards got tough in 2010, the baggers were already a little hot from 07 on. The catalytic converters make the 2010 even hotter. I like my Tri since I spent an extra 2000 over sticker to get it cooled off.
1st gear two up and loaded is a little sluggish off the line. 6th gear is not usable under the same conditions. I hear the 2011 got a lower geared primary pully. 30 tooth, Harley’s feedback engineering. The lower gear should have been on the 09. If you expect to get some extended engine life you will have to do some cooling mods, especially if you spend a lot of time in traffic at idle.
We had a 2009 T.G. the reverse went out on it. A bolt on the drive came out with just 150 miles on it. Traded in Aug.2010 for a new 2011 T.G. the drive bolt came out on it also with just 24 miles on it. They tell me that there has been just 3 of them with that trouble and I got 2 of them. Just checkin to see if there on more out there with that trouble..
They have lied to you we had an 09 and it happened to us and we have a 2012 and now having an issue, I also know of a couple other people who have had an issue. Harley really needs to get this resolved .
I am considering a HD Tri Glide Ultra Classic Trike and have heard of problems with the electric reverse. A friend stongly suggest not installing one because of problems burning up starters and batteries. What other options are there and what have other trikers experience?
Chuckypoo
I will be getting one of the New 2010 Tri Glide in Purple. Details later, expect delivery of the trike in end of May or end of June dealer doen’t know for sure yet. Will keep you posted.
I am among the older generation of bikers who, hate to admit it but honestly, is getting older and handling my heavy touring bike with my wife along is a bit of a struggle, I can still do it but why tempt fate and slip up then what, it could prove to be a disaster. Like others on here, my wife and I have traveled all the US on HD two wheelers for many years, I figure before I hurt either one of us struggling with my current Ultra Classic it’s time to move up. I look forward to many more years of riding the four corners of the US on my new Tri Glide which I will have in the coming weeks. I am glad Harley took the plunge and made them available to us. I still have a BMW K1200S I can run and play on with no issues but certainly not a machine for long distance two up touring. And to those who say the price is equal if not greater to a Murano, your right and especially if you add in a Bush Tec trailer it’s way over but if I want to go for a drive we can go in our 370Z. Its a fun ride but certainly not the same experience. Not too many rallies and MC events where you can drive up and park your car and participate as a fellow rider.
Hey Wendy6 My wife rides ours all the time , she feels stable and safe on it ….no balance issues anymore.
As for your husband saying u wont like it in the turns ….NO WAY ..The thing tracks and corners awesome …I have been also riding it more and more and leaving my chopper at home …You can take corners as fast as you want …MOST COMFORTABLE BIKE I HAVE EVER RODE !
Only one issue …the trunk still leaks ….Harley is working on fixing it ….BUY IT …YOU WONT BE SORRY …..
I am a new(not real young) woman driver and I would like to have a trike because I am not confident enough to ride on 2 wheels, the weight of these bikes intimidate me, but my husband keeps telling me I won’t like a trike especially on corners. I would like to hear from other women about this.Are they as hard to handle as he says they are?
Wendy I ride our trike all the time. The guys in our club are always wanting to trade rides with me because I look so comfortable compared to them. I have just as much fun in the curves on the trike as I do on my streetglide.
Hey PeterK …Yes , I have the same problem. new seal did not work on mine either, even made it worse , Love the trike ! but do not like driving a $32,000 fish aquarium around. No answer from Harley and very slow to respone to the problem
As for the wheels , not yet only have 5200 miles on her.
got my tri-glide on may 22. My wife wanted something we both could enjoy. Didn`t know that the trunk could double ask a swimming pool for a pet frog after washing bike. The trunk is water resistane not waterproof as one shop guy said. I think maybe it is neither. Already replaced the gasket(seal), now waitting on new door. Same shop guy said this did not fix problem on another customers tri-glide. Thinking about investing in a little yellow rain jacket to hang on the sucker when I visit my dealer, maybe everywhere I go. Not a happy camper. Anyone got a comment?
help — need to know if any one out their is having problems with their tri-glide the problem that i am having is that as we are going down the road it trys to put it self into reverse. It has tryed to do this 2 times as we are going down hill. i pull over and turn the machine off and restart the tri-glide and it is in reverse.
It’s an old addage, but if you’re not into Harley’s you just won’t get it. I’m 52 and I’ve been riding bikes since I was 8 years old. I fell for harley’s watching them on an old TV show in 1963. It took till I was over 40 before I could afford one. I am now on my 3rd. My wife can’t ride behind me due to illness – as an ex-military firefighter and a hog member, I do a lot of charity work. This would be ideal for my wife and the poor kids we take for rides. Harley in their wisdom have decided not to export outside N.America, crazy! This is just what me and many others across Europe have been waiting for! Also, why go for a lehman back end?? Why not independent suspension on each arm?
I have a 2009 Tri Glide I am only getting about 19 mpg. Does anyone else have any mpg to compair mine with? I love the bike and I will continue to ride no matter what, but I was just wondering if anyone else has any infor on fuel milage.
People will always question anything new, and the Tri Glide certainly is. My wife and I have been waiting patiently and we finally ordered ours.
Now the “Why”?. I ride a 2009 Road Glide as does my son. My wife had a Sportster 1200 Custom. It scared the Hell out of my son and I every time my wife rode. She did/has not the strength to “catch” it when her foot slips on those nasty painted signs on the road or gravel. Also, she is afraid of it.
Sure the price is pretty steep, but what is peace of mind worth? We were both quite pleased this weekend when we went to our local Harley dealer and my wife said she wanted one. We couldn’t get to the salesman fast enough! It will delivered at the end of this week. She will take a class in three wheelers and she will be off.
By the way, she has informed my son that this year his toy hauler will be alright for the two Road Glides for the Sturgis trip. But next year, there will be an added Tri Glide.
I am waiting on my triglide for delivery mid-june what problems are ya’ll having with them, so I will know what to look for. Really excited about getting it,cant wait, had some great rides on my 07 ulta classic. But due to some old injuries decided to go with the trike.Please let me know what to look for as for as any problems. thanks wb
am fixn to purchase my 2nd h-d a triglide is there anything ya’ll can tell me about it before I make the purchase.etc things I should look for as for what to expect, about how much,any help would be appreciated. thanks
As an owner of HD Products since ’66 I am amazed that there is so much ANTI-ATTITUDE regarding the Tri Glide. I currently have a 2008 FLHTCU, 103 mid range kit, Vance and Hines, and about $12,000.00 post OTD pricing of $38,622.23. Don’t get me wrong, I love this bike, but would gladly buy a Tri Glide today, but MOMMA says not so fast. did anyone ever think that maybe the reason Harley Riders are getting OLDER is because of the high quality of the products delivered for over a Century? Get a clue, the difference between men and boys IS INDEED the price of their toys. Forty Two years and still going in only one dorection HD!
I am 62 years old and have been riding an Ultra Glide Classic for 6 years. I bought a TriGlide about two weeks ago. I am not handicapped in any way.I frankly am in excellent condition. I love riding horses and Harleys. I love my triglide classic and frankly don’t feel that it is over priced. I am an older adult and am very proud to be. I love life and love my new triglide. Not too bulky, handles like a dream and it does have a reverse gear, but very easy to move around without it. Thank you Harley-Davidson for finally engineering a real three-wheeler,thats not a kit. I love my Tri-Glide!! Do I need to say it again, ok, I love my trike.
The the “For What it’s Worth Department”….I’m 68 years old and had trouble holding up and handling heavy bikes. So, I triked a 2003 Fatboy anniversary addtion. Cost of lehamn kit and goodies installed (no reverse) 19K and change! A good job and adequately equipment conv isn’t cheap, not matter anyone tells you….Operative words being adequately equiped. Betwen the bike and the kit I sunk 38k in it before I started triking it out. In the end, this show bike quality piece cost me about 50K! It was a whim turned into a project…..but, I’m not sorry a bit! It was gorgeous with a custom blue like paint job, air shocks, triple tree (that’s real important on a trike acts like power steering). I like the lady above got rave reviews everytime I took it out! Can’t count how many times I got the “Thumbs up” from cars going by! I could ride this thing 300 miles without getting tired! But, some things to consider, touring frames ride very different then softail frames, much smoother. Get the reverse, don’t even thing about not doing it! The more lights the better….some people still can’t see motorcycles…..especially at night….they think you are a car! Ride the completed bike before spending the money on a steering damper…..they are of little use on some trikes! Consider making the torque tighter before investing in a damper! They use more gas, not a lot, but when you crank it the consumption goes up. Put a Tour pack, big or half pint…..you’ll thank yourself in the end, so will she. Get the trailer hitch…..someday if you become avid trike fans, you’ll travel and want a trailer! She’ll hug you for that, over and over! Get a seat with a lot of cushion…..you butt still gets to asking for a rest, the harder the seat the more times it’ll ask for a break! Last, don’t forget you are on a bike, it just has three wheels, while you are on three wheels, you can still roll it in a high speed corner, you can skid on gravel, have the front wheel knocked sidewise by hitting a rut or junk in the road. It will throw you off with lateral lungs when you hit bumps…..fit the tendency to ride with one or “No Hands” you blow a front tire and that trike will fling you from side to side and off with the greatest of ease. If you blow a rear tire at high speed, the drag will pull you so hard to that blow side, you can hardly get it stopped before blowing right into the on coming lane! Treat it like it was a two wheeler and, keep the attitude that every body out there on 4 wheels is a seriou threat to me. Last, the most important, it is so easy to become over confident because you can’t “Fah, down”…..it’s not a 70 mph bar stool…..Just sharing a lot of experience……not preaching, I’m sure many of you won’t agree with some of the comments above….but, pls take this in the spirit it is given! “Ride Safe”
I purchased the FLHTCUTG in late March of 09. I currently have 2,000 miles on the TG and have enjoyed every mile. The TG is a well engineered and offers a stable platform for long runs. I recently road the bike in heavy wind conditions on a 500 mile round trip and was able to keep up with the rest of the pack of two wheelers as we cruised at 75 and 80 in the Southern California mountains on our way to the Yuma Prison Run.
The 103 CI V Twin coupled with the 6 speed transmission provides a quick throttle response for the rider. The engineering efforts that went into frame design especially the angle of neck rake mated with a steering dampener render the bike agile and quick to respond to the riders commands. The ease of access and ability to adjust the rear suspension removes any hard suspension conditions no matter what the weight load is.
As with all new products there is bound to be a failure of some individual part.
In the case of the Tri Glide it was the trunk hatch tolerance when matting with the weather seal. The factory quickly identified the problem and has provided the dealers with a new deeper lipped replacement seal.
I have read other reviewers comments which have stated that Tri Glides are and old mans bike or a woman’s bike. I have been ridding for over 45 years all of which has been on one model of a Harley or another. My current daily driver is a 2003 DEUCE! I ride every day no matter what the weather conditions are. This year I will have put over 1 million miles on various Harley models and consider myself as and old saddle tramp and non weekend warrior to be well qualified to make comment on the Tri Glide
6 YEARS AGO I LOST A LEG. STOP RIDING WAS NOT AN OPTION. I DESIGNED A BUILT A TRIKE,USING MY SPORTSTER. FROM THE BACK IT LOOKS LIKE A 40 FORD 3 PANEL TAIL GATE. I HAVE 14,000 MILES ON IT.ITS A THUMPER PROTRIKE REAREND/STRAIGHT AXEL. GOOD LOOKING RIDE AND THE ONLY ONE IN OUR AREA.I HAVE BEEN RIDING THIS TRIKE FOR 5 YEARS.GREAT RIDE
From what I hear, go for the power or you’ll be unhappy with it.
<a href=”http://www.rideshack.com”>Ride Shack</a>
My tri glide leaks inside the trunk. A replacement gasket did not fix and am now waiting on the new lid door. Also the finish appears to be coming off the back wheels. Has anyone else had similar issues?
I Currently ride a 2008 Screaming Eagle Ultra classic. I demo rode; after taking the mini class at Sturgis, a new Tri Glide with reverse. Even though they have a 103 engine they seem very under powered. I am not sure what the real cost between the 103 and 110 that I currenyly ride is ; I feel it could use the larger engine. I too am getting older and want to be able to count on the option in the future of a three wheeled ride.
I am a woman rider. I rode before a Sportster 883,2001, Sportster 1200, 2004 and a Fat Boy 2002. Due to a knee injury I converted my Fat Boy to a trike with Lehman Kit, boosted it up to 1550 and added a manual reverse. I loadeed it as well with chrome, Vance and Hines, Nachelle kit, chrome wheels etc and it is totally custom painted by the Wizzard. It cost me twice as much as the new trike but it is all worthy it. Now that my knee is fine, I am totally in love with my trike and I would not give it up with anything. I can go to my office with my computer in the trunk, I go shopping and I also travel long distances carrying much gear. I do not have to worry in slippery roads and I feel absolutely safe. I manouvre it extremely easy and it is my pride. The only problem? I can not leave out of my side. People photograph it on the road and whenever parked and I collect crowds around it. By the way, no one ever told me “this is not a bike”. Brothers and sisters on the road have actually told me “it is one of the most beautiful bikes they have ever seen”.
We are one of the fortunate ones and are the proud owners of a brand new 2009 Harley TriGlide Trike…
It is beautiful; very classy and top notch…
The reverse is a blessing – so many people watch were we are parked and wonder how we’re going to get out of that space – they certainly are surprised…
Have read all the previous posts – why a trike for us – because we wanted one and it’s pure Harley…
We’ve travelled thoughout the country including Alaska, Canada and across the border into Mexico – riding over 200,000 fantastic miles, two up on two wheels…
We plan on doing the same with this trike – we’ll be all over North America…
Ok, responding to several comments here all at once. One, HD bikes are not cheap in the first place. That’s already been covered. I know one guy that has close to 50k tied up in a conversion. So, it is a reasonable price for a luxury HD cruiser. A conversion is ok as far as it goes, however, I rode a conversion for three years before getting my TriGlide and there is no comparison. I’ve been putting her through her paces and I have to say, it’s kind of like going from a 63 chevy, to a corvette. Wow!!! For trikers, this is truly the next generations, and the pictures and press releases do not do it justice.
I’ve heard of comparing HD to Japanese bikes but never to Japanese cars! I respect everyone’s opinion but you’re way off base. All I seem to hear is how expensive they are. Let’s brake it down…until 09 the only option you had was to take a 23k Ultra and convert it. For a good kit done by a qualified shop you could expect to pay 12k-15k.(lets not forget that a conversion will void the factory warranty) Even still, your giving up the redesigned front end for handling and the 103cubic inch engine. Also, when you get the chance to see one, take notice as to how easy the body work removes for ease of maintenence. I could go on and on. By the way, the 32k price tag includes the optional reverse. Not really a bad deal.
I’ve seen one of the new Victory bikes. In a word, UGGGGGGGGLY! As far as making the choice of paying 32K for a Nissan or a Trike? Beam me up Scotty I’m a Triker!
HDnoWay I think you are missing the point. The majority of HD owners would pick a Harley over a Nissan Murano. Its a pretty humiliating thought that all my buddies I am going to meet up with are going to have their Road Kings, Sportsters, and what have you, and I have to pull up in my soccer mom Nissan Murano. No way not happening.
Come on guys. $32k?? You can buy a nice fully equipped car like a Nissan Murano with All wheel drive and Navigation etc…… for less. How can Harley ask that much for a trike? If automobile makers can build a complete car with a automatic tranmission, water cooling, antilocks, 4 wheels and 4 brakes, enclosed body, seating for 5, 6 windows for less money then what the heck is Harley thinking?
I am 61 yrs old and still ride my 05 ultra glide with no problems. My wife however is not at ease on two wheels with me. So we are going to buy a tri glide for her to join me. It’s nice to be a empty nester at long last.
Ok, here’s a different take on this from a trike rider. As much as I would love to a two wheeler is not in my future. Due to some mild brain damage I cannot process the physical information needed to balance and steer. So, I have ridden a converted Sportster for the last 4 years waiting for the HD trike. I am getting one and it does by the way come with reverse at least on the prebuilt shipped that will be arriving soon. The order ones may need to add the reverse. My trike weighs nearly that much and I have been fine without a reverse but the lovely running boards on the new bike would make it inconvenient. I have had enormous interest in my current trike so to say it is a mistake is, I strongly believe, an error.
I tend to agree with the statement above, that older, frail, infirm or riders otherwise uncompfortable with riding heavy two wheeled vehicles would be interested in a trike…. however, after talking to more than one dealer and reading the specifications on the website, I don’t know how many people would be interested in a $30,000 three wheeled vehicle weighing over 1100 lbs. that doesn’t have reverse. The sales people tell me that they believe reverse is available as an option. I think Harley goofed!!
Not the older harley guys, but there is a market for it just like the Ducati’s. I for one have problems with my elbows and like the V-Rod. The bikes that Ness guys came up with are nice but nothing more than what the bikes already are. Not many younger guys will ride them because they are not sport bikes. Young guys like sport bikes for the most part. I am now 43 and have always likes sport bikes and cruisers. I still plan to get a used sport bike for riding around maybe once or twice a week, as long as the elbows hold out. If Harley thought like you did they would have never created the Rocker C, I believe the rocker C is a nice addition to the lineup.
very good points funbenny. Take a look at Victory, they have tapped Arlen and Cory to help design some of their bikes and the Ness’ have come up with some pretty cool designs/bikes.
Its nice to see HD seeing a nitch market and capitalizing on it. I have to agree, the Harley age group is not getting any younger. Could it be that on almost every bike the price tag is closer to $20k then not? Na…Seriously, they ought to drop the vrod line. HD people do not want a sport bike like ride. If they did they would buy Honda and for less money. i think HD should get with designers like Roland Sands and Chip Foose to capture the under 50 market and then price it competitivly. The new CVO’s are cool but without remorgaging the house no one under 40 could afford one.