Beginner's Trike Riding Tips

While trikes are generally fairly easy for beginners to ride, there are still plenty of ways for newcomers to get tripped up. That’s why the experts at High Voltage Harley-Davidson® have created this list of beginner’s trike riding tips.

Starting the Trike

To start your trike, first engage the brakes and clutch. Shift into first gear and then release the brakes. Slowly release the throttle until you feel confident enough to be able to release the clutch as well.

Shifting Gears

The next step is to learn how to shift gears, a process very similar to shifting gears in a manual transmission car. First, drop the throttle and engage the clutch. Once those steps are complete, you can shift to the desired gear, keeping hold of the clutch until the gear shift is complete. Be warned that it’s very easy to lose control of your bike while shifting gears, so try to only do it while traveling in a straight line. If your engine stalls or your trike jerks forward, it means you are not shifting gears correctly.

Turning On a Trike

When you see an oncoming turn, slow down to make things easier. As you make your approach, maintain your speed and turn the handlebars in the opposite direction. Don’t hit the throttle again until you’ve exited the corner. Jerky turns usually lead to you losing control of your trike, so try to make the maneuver as smooth as possible. Don’t take the turn too sharply, either, or you might end up with one wheel coming off the ground.

Stopping on a Trike

Trikes are a bit heavier than traditional motorcycles, so they need more time to stop. Avoid hard braking, as this usually leads to the brakes locking up. Typically, a trike will have one braking system from the front wheels and one for the back wheels. If you are only using one system at a time, always use the back brakes so that you aren’t thrown from the trike. If you need extra braking power, feel free to engage both systems at once.

Practice, Practice, Practice

As with most things, the best way to get good at operating a trike is through extensive practice. Before hitting the open road for the first time, we recommend practicing the basics in a safe place like a vacant lot. The more you practice, the easier it will become to control your trike.

Shop trikes at High Voltage Harley-Davidson® in Spartanburg, South Carolina. We’re proud to serve communities like Gaffney, South Carolina. We also offer motorcycle financing.