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Bike Review: New Bike Test 2009 Harley-Davidson Tri Glide Ultra Classic - From RoadBike August 2009
 On The Tri (Glide) Tip By Buzz Kanter
The Tri Glide is a genuine Harley-Davidson manufactured in association with Lehman Trikes. Harley’s marketing and engineering staff described the main goal of the Tri Glide as “to extend riding access,” which I took to mean extending the riding season (trikes handle better in snow, ice, and rain than bikes do) and helping people be more comfortable riding a stable three-wheeler than a less-stable two-wheeler. H-D’s marketing and engineering teams both claim their target demographic is more experienced riders, and in fact one of the senior people at the press launch confided, “A lot of people who try a Tri Glide for the first time are pleased and surprised with the ride.” After I put some miles on one, I have to agree. It’s well engineered, looks good, and is a blast to ride. How’s it made? The main chassis of the Tri Glide is built in Harley’s York, Pennsylvania, factory, and then shipped to the Lehman plant in South Dakota to be finished. From there, the completed machines are shipped to Milwaukee, to be distributed to the dealer network. Harley-Davidson insists that while Lehman is actively involved in the building process, its Tri Glides are quite different than Lehman’s own Ultra-based trikes: while the Lehman version uses a modified stock Harley FL frame and one-piece rear body section, Tri Glides use the aforementioned, purpose-built frames, and separate rear body sections and fenders. What else is unusual about the Tri Glide? The specific-to-this-model frame, with its increased fork angle and lessened trail, provides better steering than most trikes. The front forks are longer than those on two-wheeled Ultras and have an external steering stabilizer. The front wheel is a 16" hoop, the rears are 15-inchers. Machines with this much weight need good brakes, and the front dual Brembos are up to the task. The 103" engine mated with a heavy-duty, police-style clutch offers sufficient power to get down the road. A standard oil cooler helps keep engine temperatures down. The Tri Glide’s Tour-Pak is rated for up to 30 pounds of cargo, and the 4.3' trunk, featuring hidden hinges and a lockable latch, can handle an additional 50 pounds. So what’s involved in riding a trike verses a bike? Well, let’s just say that they’re exactly the same, only different. Quite different. Same throttle, clutch, shifter, and brakes, but the handling is more like a car because trikes don’t lean, they’re steered, so get used to pulling on one side of the handlebars and pushing on the other through the turns. And, thanks to all the extra weight out back, you’ll have to slip the clutch a bit more and give it a bit more throttle coming off a stop than with a bike. Plus, you can keep your feet on the floorboards all the time, even at a full stop. The machine is a lot wider than a bike, even a bagger, when going through narrow spaces, so just because you missed that pothole with your front tire doesn’t mean you’ll miss it with your rear ones. Well, you get the idea. Trikes and bikes are simply different. The 2009 Tri Glide is based on Harley’s Ultra Classic bike. It’s covered by a full, two-year factory warranty, lists for $29,999 (in the US), and is available in the 48 contiguous US states and Canada. Right now, the Motor Company isn’t saying whether it might consider using other models as a base in the future. However, given the fact that Harley considers the Tri Glide a new, separate model platform, I’d bet there are more variations in the works. (Personally, I’d like to see a water-cooled, V-Rod-powered H-D trike.) I’ve ridden many trikes over the years, and out on the road, the Tri Glide is impressive, with superior handling, a healthy powertrain, and top-notch fit and finish. The low- and high-speed handling is more neutral than I expected, and I suspect the purpose-built frame, specific fork geometry, and rear suspension have a lot to do with that. Once you get used to slipping the clutch slightly from a dead stop and the push/pull steering on the handlebars, riding the Tri Glide is a blast. Anyone who has ridden a motorcycle should be confidently cruising the highways and slicing through zigzag turns on back roads in no time. RB
Reverse Option This is a heavy machine, so I’d recommend spending the extra dollars for the electric reverse option. Don’t plan on winning any races with it, as it’s geared to go no more than 2.5 mph in reverse. The reverse motor works only when the Tri Glide is running and the transmission is in neutral; it’s designed to work only with the engine running because the electric motor drains the battery, and the running engine recharges it.
Tech Sheet List Price $29,999 (black), $30,799 (blue, red) |
It’s been more than three decades since the Servi-Car, and now another factory Harley-Davidson trike has made an appearance. Apparently, Harley management had been considering the possibility of adding a trike to its lineup for some time, but there were many issues to deal with, including safety concerns, marketing options, and manufacturing challenges. Once these were met, the Tri Glide Ultra Classic was born, and late last year, I had the opportunity to be one of the first to give it a test spin.
