Thursday started off like many April mornings in Wisconsin, COLD! Though it could have, and has been colder, so I was blessed with a sky which saw no clouds and 100% sun. I knew this day would warm up quickly and I had some riding to do before dinner time. I rode our 2014 Harley-Davidson Limited into work at Harley-Davidson of Madison. As hard as it was to concentrate on work, I had a few things to get done before my first ever ride on a Tri Glide.
Before heading out on the 2016 Tri Glide, I watched a mandatory twenty minute video by Harley-Davidson on the Tri Glide. This is a "must see" video for anyone wishing to demo or rent a Tri Glide. What I learned from the video was location of the Parking Brake and Reverse Gear along with their uses. As far as operation, nothing really new for me, however a Tri Glide, or any other Trike Motorcycle is SO VERY DIFFERENT than a motorcycle on 2-wheels. Many of you are saying, "Well, dah......" Believe me, take one out and you will see how different these 2 bikes are.
First impressions of the 2016 Tri Glide, awesome! The fit and finish says all Harley-Davidson. I will not be getting into the specifications because going to HD Tri Glide will provide a much more in depth review than me! I will however go over some of the awesome features I found. As I mentioned previously the Parking Brake, don't know when HD moved it from the right side of the bike to the left, just behind the driver floor board, but this was genius! It is so easy to operate, place the Tri Glide in Neutral and with your heal simply press down and your parking brake is set. A small light on your dash panel will tell you it is set. To release, simply press down again and it is off and the light on the dash goes off. On previous models, you had to reach down on the right side of the Tri Glide and pull up on the parking brake handle. Reverse Gear is easy to operate, first place the Tri Glide in Neutral, with the left thumb push the "R" button (same location as the horn rocker switch). A red letter "R" will be displayed on your dash panel indicating you found the reverse gear. Then simply hold the "R" button in and look over your shoulder, you are now going backwards! Neutral Start, I quickly found out that in order to start this Twin Cooled V-Twin, you need to be in Neutral! As a Riding Academy Instructor, I really like this feature and will have to check other 2016 models to see if it is the same or just unique to the Tri Glide. Once I got the Tri Glide started, the rumble of the Screamin' Eagle slip-on mufflers were awakened and I saw all the pigeons that make their home on top of our dealership fly away! Good thing I was wearing my helmet just in case they were upset by this noise and wanted to leave me with a present or two! Brake System, is the same as on other Project Rushmore motorcycles from Harley-Davidson. Not only are the brakes ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System) but linked as well! With linked brakes as the video shows, works when slight pressure is applied to the rear brake pedal, some pressure is automatically applied to the front brake. However, when front brake pressure is only used, none is applied to the rear. The best practice is to apply both brakes at the same time and progressively apply more pressure to stop. Keep in mind that the Tri Glide is heavier and stopping distance will be increased. If you are accustomed to getting 40mpg on your motorcycle, you will be disappointed at the gas mileage on Tri Glide, but I feel the other attributes out weigh this by far. 
What I liked about the Tri Glide was never having to put my feet on the ground as I came to a stop. This was weird at first, for someone that has been riding a motorcycle for over 40 years. Slow, parking lot maneuvers were easy to perform, you didn't have to balance the Tri Glide! The Tri Glide turns very tight if needed. The only other 3 wheelers I have had the pleasure of riding were a Boss Hoss Trike with a 350 cu in Corvette Motor and a Can Am Spider. Didn't like either of these 3 Wheelers at all. With the Boss Hoss, the driver needs a lot of upper body strength to steer around corners. With the Tri Glide the front forks are raked out further than a Limited, so the steering is easier than what I experienced on the Boss Hoss. The Spider was different having 2 wheels in front, though between these 3, the Spider was the least expensive. Back to what I liked about my Tri Glide ride, all controls were matched in location with what we have on our 2014 Limited. I didn't need to search, or look down to locate something. In fact, after about 30 miles, I pulled over and linked my iPhone with the Blue Tooth on the Boom Audio System. Good thing I did since my wife called me as I was riding. Shifting, Cruise Control, Braking, Boom Audio, Twin Cooled everything identical to our Limited. If I was to purchase a 3 wheeler, this is the only one I would consider since I am so comfortable with the location of controls.
What I didn't like about the Tri Glide is why so many fall in love with them. A trike you don't lean, you don't counter steer. Counter Steering is explained as pressing on the side of the handle bar in the direction you want to go. Press right, go right. As you press, the motorcycle leans in the direction you want to go. When going through a curve, the tighter the curve the more you will feel yourself being pushed into the seat. You lean with the curve and the motorcycle. With a Trike, you steer in the direction you want to go. For example to go right, you pull the handle bar towards you in the direction you want to go. As you go through the curve on a Trike, keep your body upright though you will feel as though the force is pushing you opposite of the turn direction. It is really important to practice curves at a slower speed until you get used to this feeling. I also felt that the Tri Glide was a rougher ride than our Limited, though I never checked the air adjustable shocks, so this may have been the issue. The only other thing was that the Tri Glide was an Ultra and not a Limited, meaning no stock heated grips or a CB radio, though both can be added. 
So where did I go on my maiden voyage of the 2016 Tri Glide? I rode to the Merrimac Ferry and took Highway 113 over the Wisconsin River. For those of you that have never been here, there is NO bridge, NO pavement to ride on! It is a cable operated ferry that runs throughout the day simply taking people from one side of the Wisconsin River to the other. From here I proceeded to Devil's Lake State Park to experience some tighter turns. The Tri Glide performed flawlessly in these turns! Then to Baraboo and Circus World Museum before heading home. 
If you are interested in trying a Tri Glide out, look us up at Harley-Davidson of Madison, in fact take this one out on a rental ride. We have other rental motorcycles available such as; Heritage Softails, Street Glides, Road Glide, Limiteds and the Tri Glide. The Tri Glide rents for $155 per day, $140 for 2-3 days, $125 of 4-6 and a week rental is $750 or $107.14 per day!! Check us out!
Any part of this article that is highlighted, by clicking on, will take you to a link explaining more. Overall, my Tri Glide ride was just about 200 miles. I look forward to adding miles on our other rental Harley-Davidson's this month! Remember to ride safe, skilled and sober! For those wishing to learn to ride or practice their skills, we other both New Rider Course and Skilled Rider Courses at both of our dealerships! Whether you are in Madison or Sauk City, stop in say hi and grab some popcorn and tell us your stories, we'd love to hear them!
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