Harley-Davidson Tri Glide Ultra Classic - 2009 Motorcycle Review

Sounds a bit as if your trike might have some kind of intrinsic issues, I've had mine since November and rarely gotten under 40mpg, usually my fault in how I am handling it. I tend to shift up to quickly. I've done close to a 1,000 miles in the last 10 days and comparing to my friend with a 2 wheel ultra classic, his is slightly better, maybe 5 mpg in places. I agree with a previous poster who was talking about the cornering, I've been back and forth over the North Cascades pass in Washington 4 times in the last two weekends and it is pretty much a definition for twisty, turns. I still can't do more than 350 miles in a day though but I think that is a function of age. BTW, I am a lady rider.

Well, I have improved the performance and economy. After putting on the V&H pipes I installed a stage 1 breather and bit the bullet for a fuelpak. The performance is better and too soon to be sure on the economy, but I think it will follow. I will keep you posted as things progress. I am taking it in for the first 1000 mile checkup next week. I will talk to my dealer and ask if anyone else is having these issues and if so what they have done about it.

I want one so bad I can taste it, but I can't afford it, but when I sell my motor home. Look out Harley here I come.

I finally took delivery of mine two weeks ago. I wasn't so sure about it for the first couple hundred miles. I had never rode a three wheeler before and there is definately a learning curve. After I learned to lock my outside elbo coming into a curve and let the momentum help steer through the curve things got better. I am not yet ready to sing high praises to the heavens as some have here. I am disappointed in the ride since the suspension has to do so much more than on a two wheeler, try missing bumps and holes with three wheels instead of straight line two, you will understand what I mean. I only have 800 miles on mine so far but the mileage is abismal in the low thirties and power, well I am still looking for it. I put on a set of Vance & Hines pipes and am going with a stage one breather this week in hopes I can get this thing to breathe a little bit. For the reasons I went with the three wheeler in the first place still hold promise but hopefully performance will follow. I am hoping it grows on me soon because the price tag sure doesn't, with security, reverse, delivery, setup, and such the tag topped out over 33G. Harley may list them as under 30 but upon delivery it will sky rocket over that.

Last edited on Jun 07, 2009 at 9:57AM

I just returned from a 6 day trip with 5 of my HOG 2-wheeler friends riding in the Mountains of Arkansas, and Southern Missouri and all I can say is WOW! My 2009 Harley Tri-Glide handled like a dream on the mountain twisties and curves. My riding buddies stated they thought I was going to run over them in some of the curves. One of my two wheeled friends was so impressed that he said he was going to order him one. During one of our stops at a road side park a few fellow HOG riders stoped that were following us down one of the mountain roads an asked who was riding the Trike and I of course boasted I was. They said they were amaze how a Trike could handle curves as I was on a Trike kit. I explained to them it wasn't a kit, it was the new Harley Tri- Glide and that Harley had built it to run and handle curves, plus the fact I new the Trikes limitations and how to ride. I also explained how to let the throttle and the apex of the curve is your friend when going over speed limits in twisties and the mountain curves. I quote from a recent Tri-Glide review, "2 critical measures the trike had to pass for Harley were the lane change maneuver at highway speeds, and the steady state turn (in tight circles at increasing speeds). The trike accomplished both with room to spare. Harley management ok’d the project when they realized the Ultra-based Tri Glide can go faster and corner harder than a stock Harley Ultra motorcycle “so we felt a comfort zone there.” (end quote) And boy did I feel that confort zone and my ride was not only stable but confortable! I had a lot of comments on my Tri-Glide and several motorcycle riders commenting on how easy it looked like it handled on the mountain curves, and they couldn't believe I was taking curves with recomended speeds of 20, 25, and 30 MPH sometimes 20-25 MPH over the recommended speeds, and with aprox. 50 pounds of luggage in the Tri-Glide trunk space. Ray-Tay

That is great, I hope you continue to enjoy. I am still waiting on delivery of mine, it too is a dark blue pearl. Do you live in a more southern state where the weather is better than mine in the north country? I have never owned or rode a trike so I am understandably concerned as to wheather I will like it or not. I am trading in my 07 Ultra Classic so the basic bike is built on the same frame only redesigned for the trike. I have been riding since I was in my teens and am now in my mid fifties and I have found I am just not able to relax and enjoy riding like I used to. Not sure if it is from aged wisdom, or feeble mind, but either way I am banking on the trike making relaxing and enjoying a possiblility once again. Keep me informed as to how your experience progresses on your trike, if you want you can email me at pmanches@twcny.rr.com. Hope you continue to enjoy and ride safe.

I just bought a dark blue pearl Tri-Glide and I absolutely love it. I am 48 years old and traded in my 05 Ultra. I didn't do this due to medical or age reasons, I did it because I have always liked trikes. So, needless to say, I was thrilled when Harley Davidson produced a factory built trike. I do not know why people stereotype trike riders as being GEEZERS or for whatever other reason. I ride a trike because I LIKE TRIKES! I have shown my trike to a lot of young people (in their 20's) who are amazed with it. Those of you who are going to trade your two wheelers in for a Tri-Glide are not going to regret it. It handles extremely well and is very comfortable on those long rides.

Last edited on Mar 29, 2009 at 10:07AM

I sure hope these machines live up to their hype. If they do they will be quite impressive but moreover I just put a deposit down on one today. It isn't due to ship until early April but considering the unavailability of them what's a guy to do? I have a Harley Davidson Electra Glide Ultra Classic, 2007 going in on trade. I am 55 with bad knees and wrecked back, but wish to continue to ride for many more years to come and no longer feel all that comfortable on the big bikes with two wheels. I am keeping my fingers crossed they don't turn out to be a one pony show and disappear from the market in a year or two. Does anyone out there have any thoughts on that? It is one hell of an investment and here is hoping it isn't a mistake. So far I have not found anything bad said about them, except of course the Bombardier dealer that sells his three wheel Spyders. That you kind of expect, they aren't in the same league. Any words of caution or encouragement will be welcomed. Thank you.

Last edited on Mar 17, 2009 at 4:10PM

Majestic Trikes is a Lehman Trike Dealer in Wisconsin. It's kind of funny now that Harley and Lehman Trikes made the agreement in September 2008. Before the agreement comments would be made at Harley Events "I would rather die than have a trike". Same people now say it's okay to have a trike because Harley's name is on it!!! Majestic Trikes-N-Cycles have been doing customized conversions for the past seven years now and going strong. If you want a cookie cutter trike then the Harley Tri-Glide is for you. Tri-Glide pricing has gone up on these babies approx. $35,000 you are now in my price range and have a custom Lehman Triked on a Harley Davidson Ultra that is built for the you in mind. Better yet we can convert your Harley Davidson from 1999-(Current Year). This way you can keep your beloved Harley. Check us out on the web at www.mtrikes.com See our Customers Pictures this is a Custom Lehman Trike powered by Harley Davidson!! I am glad that Harley did finally legitimatized the "Trike". We offer a three yr. unlimited milaege on the conversion and can also warranty your trike from tip to tail. This is helpful to the consumer "Once you trike any Motorcycle Harley or Honda you loose the mfgr's warranty". Sure some of the dealers that offer conversions do say that we will warranty you (their shop only). Once you brake down in another state or at another shop whopps you just lost your warranty. Good advise

I purchased my new Harley Tri-Glide in November and I am in my 50's. I have owned a motor cycle in the past (not a Harley) I love this Trike the ride is great and I have not had any problems keeping up with my 2-wheeled friends. I have test driven other trikes in the past and none of them handled as good as the Harley Tri-Glide, this I feel is because Harley did alot of research and Harley enginered it from the frame up. I love the way it handles and I get lots of looks and comments, I feel it was a great investment. Raymond, Hallsville, Texas

Well, I am the proud new owner of a TriGlide. An amazing machine, I will not extol all it's mechanical virtues, let's just talk about the ride. First off, I am neither a guy, or a geezer, but a girl with a medical issue that does not allow two wheeled adventuring. I think women are going to be huge embracers of this motorcycle. I rode a conversion for 3 years and the difference is like night and day. The ride is smooth, corners are easy, bumps are pretty non existent. Even railroad tracks are not an annoyance, so whatever they did was oh so right. Beautiful, easy ride, and lots of power just waiting for me to get her through that first 500 miles and away we go.

Federal law now requires all new trikes to have the parking brake...which is ugly and kind of silly...leave it in gear it works as well. In terms of price it's interesting..out the door the Harley will cost you around $35,000..a lot. But most of the other conversions will cost at least that much if not more..once you get done buying the new bike (e.g., a new Goldwing) and then adding on the conversion and cost of installation...lotsa dough. But it is a good and relatively untapped market.... BTW I just ordered the new Harley tri-glide.

Very true, it just baffles me that it is listed as an option! "IF" I were ever to get the money to buy one, the only one there would be one without reverse on it....lol ;)

Well since it is an "Option" and not standard I would say you could buy it without it. You would be nuts to do so but as long as they list it as an option, then you could get one without it. Just as they list Black as standard and other colors are options and cost extra. ;)

Don't sweat it... you can't buy the trike without the reverse...

George have you driven one yet? What's you opion on the straight axle which the motor company offers via Lehman or such a suspension like the the Champion or Mystrey? I think the IRS may just handle a little better. Granted it may cost a few more dollars but hell if your in for 30 grand what's a few more bucks.

I have to say I am very disappointed in Harley this time! Why in the world would anyone build a Trike (Especially Harley) and have reverse as an option and not standard? The thing weighs in at almost 1,200lbs! Seems if they were catering to the aging rider or anyone else that reverse would be standard, not an option. I admit it is a nice looker but Harley has finally let this old biker down...;(