Conventional vs Reverse Trike Discussion

[crna59]

After the three wheel training course you have to go through in Washington, it was the first choice. Not for my own personal safety, but for for the people who would trust me to get on behind me. When I saw and felt how easy it was to get one of those others up on two wheels (in fact, you have to in order to pass the course) versus the overall stability and safety features of the Spyder, it just kept moving the sticks on me.

I have been an Instructor in WA State for about 10yrs, and when you get your Endorsement for 3-wheels, that includes Side-cars, Trikes and Reverse Trikes. We practice getting them up on 2 wheels A LOT! It's does have a giggle factor too! Another cool thing we do in class is the Drifting Exercise. WA State calls that an evasive maneuver! Okay... I can go with that. Love those Rainy Days where we can just drift... and drift... and drift!!!

 

[Ozarkwoods]

I am not sure what year they changed, but some of the newer harley trikes (like the RG3) have the independent rear system. From what I understand, it is much better than the straight axle for ride and handling.

I don’t believe they went with a full independent rear suspension. They improved it, but it is still a solid rear axle.

Nov 3, 2025. No, the 2026 Harley-Davidson Tri Glide Ultra will not have true independent rear suspension (IRS); it will feature a new, more advanced solid axle with an articulating swingarm, but not true IRS. Rumors suggest a significant rear suspension upgrade, but it will not be the same as the separate, independent wheels found in aftermarket conversions or on some competitors.

 

[BajaRon]

The new Harley trikes do NOT have an independent rear end, but instead use a de Dion suspension design. The design increases travel while also decreasing unsprung weight. It also improves spring rates, while doing a better job of controlling roll. It can be argued that for the Harley trike design, the de Dion is better than an independent rear suspension. Most disagree that it is better, but it is far less complex and certainly less expensive, while offering a huge improvement over the solid rear axle that was previously used.

I know the above is a nuance for many in this group, but dealers are mis-selling it as IRS... It's still a Huge improvement by Harley, and it makes their trikes a much better option. I've had 2 Triglidges with the rigid axle, and I'm anxious to ride the new Streetglide 3 with the de Dion. Even with the changes though, the laws of Physics discussed by BajaRon can't be changed, so the Harleys still have a challenge they are working against!

I must say, I can see this being true. Adding more roll in turns (which a true independent suspension would do) would also change rake and trail in front. Probably not for the better. Things could get very dicey. I have to think that Harley has experimented with it and just maybe decided it wasn't a good idea on a conventional trike.

A true independent drive axle would certainly add weight, complexity, and expense. You'd have to get a much better ride out of it to make it worth the effort. I suspect that the ride might well be better straight ahead, but the pucker factor might go off the charts in turns.

 

[lvmyspyder]

I have been an Instructor in WA State for about 10yrs, and when you get your Endorsement for 3-wheels, that includes Side-cars, Trikes and Reverse Trikes. We practice getting them up on 2 wheels A LOT! It's does have a giggle factor too! Another cool thing we do in class is the Drifting Exercise. WA State calls that an evasive maneuver! Okay... I can go with that. Love those Rainy Days where we can just drift... and drift... and drift!!!

Hey Bruce. We had a lot of fun doing that and it really demonstrated what the Spyder is capable of, we TRIED to roll one and our instructor said to put them through their paces, so we did. It was so we could understand the dynamics and capabilities of the machine. Honestly I quit riding the GW and HD trikes. I am NOT disparaging them. I WANTED either the GW or HD trike, but after that class, the Spyder just came out on top.

 

[Snoking1127]

I have been an Instructor in WA State for about 10yrs, and when you get your Endorsement for 3-wheels, that includes Side-cars, Trikes and Reverse Trikes. We practice getting them up on 2 wheels A LOT! It's does have a giggle factor too! Another cool thing we do in class is the Drifting Exercise. WA State calls that an evasive maneuver! Okay... I can go with that. Love those Rainy Days where we can just drift... and drift... and drift!!!

I took the Arizona course in fall of 2020 and the Washington course on my own Spyder in Anacortes in May or June of 2021 and BRP was still sponsoring it. Washington would not accept the Arizona training because they do not do sidecar. I told the instructor that the Spyder would not drift, then he had me drifting it!!!

 

[BajaRon]

I've been drifting mine since 2008! It won't dift past about 35 mph. But that's pleanty fast enough to have fun.

 

[Jackhartjr]

Something to do with how a brick truck rides???

I personally think a brick truck would ride like a dream compared to the Tri-Glide!

 

[mecsw500]

Hey Bruce. We had a lot of fun doing that and it really demonstrated what the Spyder is capable of, we TRIED to roll one and our instructor said to put them through their paces, so we did. It was so we could understand the dynamics and capabilities of the machine. Honestly I quit riding the GW and HD trikes. I am NOT disparaging them. I WANTED either the GW or HD trike, but after that class, the Spyder just came out on top.

Well that sounds like a lot of fun, trying to roll one. I suspect it's the most fun when it's someone else's trike, just in case you end up proving you can - by accident, you understand.

I must admit I'm not that keen even on lifting a wheel on normal public roads, as my wife tends to get a little cross and I don't want to discourage her from riding, as half of the Spyder is hers.

 

[BajaRon]

Well that sounds like a lot of fun, trying to roll one. I suspect it's the most fun when it's someone else's trike, just in case you end up proving you can - by accident, you understand.

I must admit I'm not that keen even on lifting a wheel on normal public roads, as my wife tends to get a little cross and I don't want to discourage her from riding, as half of the Spyder is hers.

A wise man....

 

[Ozarkwoods]

Half is hers and she has the ability to strike you from behind!

 

[hogmemberisold]

Half is hers and she has the ability to strike you from behind!

Mine knows not to do that as one could lose control of said vehicle...

 

[mecsw500]

Half is hers and she has the ability to strike you from behind!

Yep, she carries a big stick.

Also what is hers is hers, and what's mine is hers anyway, so I'm ultra cautious on such matters.

It's only due to her that I live indoors and get to eat regular meals, so I'm eternally grateful and have no basis on which to argue.

 

[pegasus1300]

Ok how do you "drift" a Spyder?

 

[Snoking1127]

Ok how do you "drift" a Spyder?

Step #1: Find a big, smooth, open parking lot!

 

[crna59]

Ok how do you "drift" a Spyder?

You also have to "trick" the nanny system so it doesn't interfere with your playtime! I usually have to tell my students to "hang your butt off the seat" like the MotoGP racers do. If you put enough weight to the inside, the nanny system won't intervene. Sometimes you need to position your right foot and touch the brake pedal.
It's a lot easier on a trike... just ride the front brake.

 

[Snoking1127]

You also have to "trick" the nanny system so it doesn't interfere with your playtime! I usually have to tell my students to "hang your butt off the seat" like the MotoGP racers do. If you put enough weight to the inside, the nanny system won't intervene.
It's a lot easier on a trike... just ride the front brake.

Pray tell how does one do that??

 

[crna59]

Pray tell how does one do that??

You have to get the rear wheels spinning and using the front brake, just enough to allow you to correctly steer the rig. I just put on finger on the lever and modulate the brake/throttle so I have control. That way, you can do it for days... Here's what the WA State DOL Manual says:

Drifting
As discussed earlier, centrifugal force pulls a three-wheeler toward the outside of corners and may cause an inside wheel to lift. To reduce this side force and help keep all wheels on the ground, you can use a technique called “drifting”. Drifting is a technique that uses steering, braking, and throttle to slightly slide the rear tire(s) toward the outside of the corner. This subtle drift can help disperse side loads and increase stability as you maintain directional control. The best way to learn and practice this important technique is to take a three-wheel training course.

 

[pegasus1300]

Step #1: Find a big, smooth, open parking lot!

Not a Problem, lots around.

 

[pegasus1300]

But since there is no individual control of a Spyder's front brake...?

 

[Snoking1127]

You have to get the rear wheels spinning and using the front brake, just enough to allow you to correctly steer the rig. I just put on finger on the lever and modulate the brake/throttle so I have control. That way, you can do it for days.... Here's what the WA State DOL Manual says:

Drifting
As discussed earlier, centrifugal force pulls a three-wheeler toward the outside of corners and may cause an inside wheel to lift. To reduce this side force and help keep all wheels on the ground, you can use a technique called “drifting”. Drifting is a technique that uses steering, braking, and throttle to slightly slide the rear tire(s) toward the outside of the corner. This subtle drift can help disperse side loads and increase stability as you maintain directional control. The best way to learn and practice this important technique is to take a three-wheel training course.

What front brake lever, the Spyder does not have one!!!