Riding a true trike, remembering a true friend
When my friend Mike first showed me this 2016 Harley-Davidson Freewheeler he had traded for, he made a point to speak about the specialty windshield he’d had etched and installed. Mike had battled several forms of cancer off-on since 2012, and at that time was in the throws of another bout. He reflected, “I’ve survived so far by the grace of God, and thought I’d share it on the windshield. I don’t know what will happen this time around, but I’m confident God’s got me.” Mike’s faith was strong, and in his heart he knew where he was going should his current battle claim his life, which it did in December of 2023.
But not before he had a chance to straddle the saddle a little longer, with this H-D trike.
The Harley-Davidson Freewheeler has been the company’s base model trike for a number of years, and is still listed in their lineup for 2024, along with their Road Glide 3 and Tri Glide Ultra. Mike’s 2016 ran the popular and reliable Twin Cam 103 c.i. (1687 cc) mill, while the new models sport the Milwaukee Eight 114 c.i. (1868 cc) motor. Older or new, these are torque monsters, more than adequate for hauling the freight of the large trikes and their rider(s).
Mike, his trike, his grandkids, daughter and daughters-in-law.
I must admit, I had never ridden a true trike before, as in single wheel up front, dual wheels/dual axle in the rear. I’ve taken Can-Am Spiders for a spin, we’ve reviewed the Polaris Slingshot before, but my first time on Mike’s trike was an education. Lena, Mike’s wife, recently let me borrow their trike for a couple of weeks, so I spent my first day familiarizing myself with the handling and maneuvering characteristics.
Riding a trike is wholly different than riding a bike.
The first time I threw a leg over the Harley trike to throttle out, I had to figure out how to back it out of Mike’s and Lena’s garage. It’s got a reverse button on the left handlebar grip, but it took me a minute to learn how to engage it- with the bike in neutral, press once to see the “R” indicator in the speedo housing, tap again to engage, then thumb it to back up. Okay, got it now. Reminds me of how the Honda Goldwing’s reverse has to be engaged, if I remember correctly. The H-D trike also has a nice left side parking brake which was easy to engage/disengage. Once I had those elements sorted out in my head, I was ready to ride.
2016 Harley-Davidson Freewheeler motorcycle trike, on a rare gorgeous February afternoon.
The Freewheeler runs a 6-speed gearbox, a 6 gallon fuel tank for longer distances, and a large-capacity, lockable rear trunk for those extended road trips. At an alleged 39 MPG, the trike can make about 230+ miles on a full tank. With the windshield Mike had installed (not stock on the older or current model Freewheelers), this trike is ready to eat miles and hours on the road. And that’s exactly what my friends did in the past year, until Mike just couldn’t ride anymore. While multi-day road trips became untenable for them, Mike and Lena enjoyed many day trips around the Southeast, and the Freewheeler transported them in comfort, style and reliability. “It kept us in the saddle and on the road together for a few more months, and I’ve got precious memories I’ll cherish the rest of my life because of it,” Lena told me.
Pulling out onto the back country roads we both live on down here, I quickly experienced what Mike once told me about the trike- “You don’t lean a trike, you steer it.” Certainly true. In the first set of curves I encountered, I found myself pushing and pulling hard on the bars- in a left-hander, I was pulling in the left grip while pushing out on the right, and vice versa in right-handers. Push-pull, push-pull, in each curve. I had to slow my pace a bit too, as I discovered in the first few curves that I was nearly floating the inner rear wheel in each. Coming in too hot. Obviously, like an automobile, the rear axle and pair of wheels want to drive straight ahead, and you’ve only got the single front wheel, forks and handlebar to change direction.
Steering is a workout.
Trike riding is a wholly different exercise in handling and maneuvering.
Like nearly every large displacement Harley I’ve ever ridden, shifting is clunky, noisy and heavy, but definitely solid. 6th gear seems to act as an overdrive, as there were many times out on the open road that I would be running about 80-85 mph, and realize I still had another gear. Long miles and moments on the road in 6th, the Freewheeler just rumbles along, tuned for torque and touring like it is. No wonder Mike and Lena made frequent day trips on it in the time Mike could still ride. This trike is equipped with a steering damper underneath the triple tree, to mitigate any steering head gyrations that can accompany the geometry of a trike at speed.
I mostly rode the Freewheeler locally, on the occasional afternoons it wasn’t too cold or rainy to ride in Jan-Feb. One Friday was predicted to be sunny and in the low 60s, so I rode the trike down to Eatonton, Georgia to visit my mother and her brother my Uncle Bobby for lunch. Between the ride down, the 2 hour lunch eating and laughing with them, and the ride back, I had enjoyed a good long day in the saddle of the big 3-wheeler. Funny, even after riding the trike for many days, I still occasionally found myself about to put my left foot down, as if I was on a 2-wheeler. Muscle memory, I suppose.
Cockpit view, rolling north on Ga. 441, just south of historic Madison.
I tell ya, if I found myself in a situation where I couldn’t safely hold up and balance a standard motorcycle anymore due to age, illness, injury, whatever, I’m with Mike, I’d extend my riding years with a trike like this. Of course, I’d have to be at least able-bodied enough to wrestle these bars side to side. Slowing down in corners helps, but it’s still a workout. Worth it, in my opinion.
I returned the trike to Lena’s garage after a couple of weeks with it, and we chatted about her plans in the coming year. “I’m not selling it for awhile,” she noted. “I’ve got too many memories of our last rides together to get rid of it yet. At some point, yes. But for now, having it here in the garage comforts me. And who knows? I may get out and ride it some myself this year.”
I hope you will, Lena. Mike would be proud.
Rob
For more on the 2024 Harley-Davidson trike lineup, check them out here:
*Check out Rob’s ride footage, without ever leaving this page:
I concur with everything you said about this Trike. I have a 15 that was customized a bit with all the chrome and bling. I traded in my 18 Ultra Limited Low because I’m 70 and my wife wouldn’t ride with me anymore due to health reasons and meds. What a game changer, now I can’t get her off of it. She doesn’t have to worry about it tipping over on a bad hill or turn and trying to lift it up. I still lean into the turns and put my foot down when I stop, but I’m learning to enjoy the ride like the old days when we met.
George, that is fantastic! So happy you’re still in the saddle, and your beloved with you. Lord willing, I’ll still be riding then in my life, as well.
Blessings on ya,
I’m kinda in the same boat I’m fighting cancer an can’t walk an i want to be in the wind so bad an can’t afford it my wish is to have a trike somehow before it’s to late i need to feel the wind in my face once more
What part of this beautiful country are you in?
We’re in north Georgia.
to al I’m going through the same problem now. can’t walk. cancer. & Nerve problem.it,s not easy. good luck to all mike
Prayers for ya, Mike. Courage,
Bill lindoerfer
After 65 years on the 2 wheelers mostly HD’s. It just got to difficult to handle them on foot, pushing them in or outta the garage or parking place. A little over center and you would half strain yourself to the braking point to keep it upright.
So at 80 years old I picked up a 2015 Freewheeler with super low mileage. It was a chore to come to peace with the difference in riding style and I was a tad disappointed. Then one day I took it for a nice ride and realized that it wasn’t a chore anymore my system just took it on as natural and I just love it. I’ve Since spent over a grand on making it 2. Tone paint and hand pinstriping.
It’s going to keep me in the wind and loving it, as long as my loving Lord will let it, and I pray for a good long while.
Bill, you’re an inspiration. Happy to know you’re still in the wind. May the good Lord keep you rolling for years to come.
John I’ve had 4 hip replacements 3 of which went terrible so I had to sell my 2011 Roadglide I didn’t feel safe anymore. So I ended up buying a 2009 Honda Goldwing 1800 trike for 15 K and my daughter in law bought a 2023 Freewheeler I rode hers she rode mine and she said mine was like a caddilac it’s a foot longer then her Freewheeler has 125 hp rides better and it’s water cooled. when I rode hers I found the exhaust pipe heat was almost unbearable where as my Goldwings exhaust is underneath no heat at all. just FYI. Have agreat day.
I have a 2023 bought new in July of 23,,, had the 5 k svc done Jan 2024,,, I absolutely LOVE this bike,,, stable, fast, corners or straight it ride on rails,,
I love my 2022 Freewheeler. I’m 66 with both hips and left knee replaced. The 03 Fatboy wasn’t working out for me.
Glad you’re still in the saddle, Joe!
77 year old disabled Vietnam combat vet. Increasing health issues took me off two wheels 7 years ago. I wasn’t ready to stop riding.
I’m seriously thinking about a Free Wheeler.
It might put you back in the saddle for a few more years, John.
Blessings on you for your service.
I know exactly the situation. My wife had a stroke in 2019. We couldn’t do two wheels anymore. Found a 2016 Freewheeler with lots of accessories including a passenger seat with armrests. A little trouble for her to on and off but we put the miles and memories on it till she passed in 2022.
Wow, so thankful you got to share those miles & smiles with your wife those last years. Cherished memories.
Blessings on ya, Bob.
Similar story. Been riding for 60 years. Have 58 Pan and 2000 Road King. In 2019 my wife had a stroke so two wheels wouldn’t do it anymore. We decided on a trike. Searched and found a 2016 Freewheeler which already had a special passenger seat with armrests. The rest was nothing but wonderful memories! My wife passed in 2022. As they say, I hope there’s Harleys in heaven for her! Love to Joanne!!
Bob, man, so sad for the loss of your beloved Joanne. Our hearts are with you.
You made some beautiful memories in the days you had left with her. That trike was the ticket to them.
Blessings on ya, brotha.
My wife has a 2020 Freewheeler and she absolutely loves it. We put a batwing fairing with a Rockford Fosgate stereo system on it, had it wrapped in a very feminine color with a matching seat and color matched diamond stitching. I love seeing the look on her face when we’re putting down the miles.
That’s the best part, Richard- seeing the joy in your wife’s face.
I had a 2016 and now have a 2023 Tri-Glide Ultra. I have enjoyed the smooth ride and comfortable seating. Put almost 40,000 + miles on my first Trike. Now just waiting for better weather to come, and I’ll be on the road again.
Keep on riding and rockin’ Michael!
Nice article . I got over myself and tried out a Triglide 3 yrs ago. I was impressed with the power of the 114 , bought one and have made it my own while putting 27 k over the last 3 years. The GF and I rode over 1000 miles straight through to Milwaukee for the HD 120th celebration. GREAT Ride!
Of the three in the lineup Triglide , RoadGlide 3 and Freewheeler , the RG 3 handles the best in my opinion.
Whatever you ride, get out there and ride it!
Yessir! Good on ya, Kevin!
I have always wanted a trike. I have never ridden a motorcycle and thought a trike would be the way to go. Now I’m almost 55 with stage 4 breast cancer settled in my lungs. I am sad that I will never have the chance to learn to ride or even afford one. But I admire everyone who chases the dream. Keep on riding!
Prayers for you, Amy. Courage for the fight.
Does Harley make any with automatic transmissions? My husband passed away 2 years ago and I have serious leg problems. Just miss the days we could ride. Life’s about memories right? And the Lord right? Thanks Sandi
Hi Sandi,
Indeed it is, in our humble opinion- memories, and walking with the Lord.
As far as we know, Harley does not make an automatic transmission. Honda does however for their Goldwing, which can be had in trike form as well.
Blessings on ya, Sandi. Thanks for commenting.
I liked my 2019 Tri Glide but found it could use some improvement. I stage 3’d it with better injection and cam. I put a improved suspension on, which reduced turning effort and smoothed the ride. The trike feels quick and stable.
I still ride a nice Softail as well.
Good upgrades, Paul. Rock on,
come fellas, you have driven the market up to none of us can afford to ride much less own a Harley . same steel, same V twins to a degree. my 1200xl, a take off of the 50s knuckle 7 inches shorter and made to be a track machine at 1st w a 45 and they realized that wasn’t enough and built it up to 50. I like the sporty and when I got out of the 82nd, went to Oceanside in PHX and at that time they only wanted$7500. for a low rider or a Bob. that was in 77. you gonna tell me that prices and labor have gone up that much? labor is off the hinge and parts. you people are cutting off your sales. to bad .
I have ridden motorcycle for 63 years but could not pass the IL driving retest for motorcycle license.
I tested twice but dropped the bike the second time and realized that was it for the bike.
I put my 2006 FLHTPI aside and bought a VW trike but have trouble with the title. I decided to buy a trike kit for the 06. I’m in the process of installation now and will have it done in a couple of weeks.
My first trip is to Tacoma, WA and on as long as I can ride, I ‘am 79 and want to ride until I……..
Best to you, AJ, wishing you more good times in the saddle!
I’m 77, disabled vet and think I am much younger. I have been ridding since 12 1/2. had many bikes, VW trike and on and on. I built a wishbone rigid trike. In process of being sold. I then built a Sporty Frakenstein trike. Have had 30 + surgeries.
Can walk again and thought I will get back on 2 wheels again. Under build of Sporty Chopper, Spotty Bobber. At 77 wondering if I will ever think like 77. Have seen the Stage 3 trike. Really caught my eye. Have always built my bikes and trying to come to reality that I need to be safe for my wife. God is in control. Prayers for me to listen. GB
Good to hear from you, RD.
Thanks for sharing a bit of your story.
Prayers for ya, brotha.