I Can't Seem To Ride It.

[Upshifter]

I bought a Honda 250SX in a garage sale. It's in good condition, and everything works as it's supposed to. Yet, I've never even tried to ride a 3 wheeler before now. I'm an experienced motorcyclist that has been riding all kinds of bikes for many years, but this 3 wheeler is totally alien to me. I'm not even sure I can learn to ride it.

I don't even know anyone who owns a 3 wheeler around here. So, I warmed it up, put it in gear and started forward onto my large lawn to teach myself how to ride one. Going as slow as I could, I tried to turn it, but it wouldn't turn, even at that slow speed. Also, I felt like it might tip over, so I instinctively put my foot down to steady it, and the rear wheel tried to climb my leg. Ouch! I read the riders manual; and it says to keep your feet on the pegs. I know that I'm supposed to lean just opposite from a motorcycle, but this 3 wheeler does not go where I want it to go, and it is scary when it heads left on a collision course instead of right on the lawn. I've only tried riding it for about 30 minutes or so, but I need some tips on learning to ride. This model is probably too heavy and too powerful for beginners.

Thank you for any tips that you can give me.

[footpeg350x]

Try sitting closer to the tank when turning it will let the front tire grab better also lean into your turn IE if your turning left lean left HARD.
have a look at this and see how hard they lean.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZ0PuvGfSws&feature=fvwrel

[atctim]

Actually when going really slow (first gear just above idle), you want to lean out of the turn. This essentially places most of the rear axle weight on the outside tire, and will help you turn at low speeds. Try it out. Don't be afraid, just ride within your limits and you will get comfortable. Normally at speed, lean into the turns. In wet grass, try to spin the rear end out a bit - like drifting. When riding high powered machines, I find myself steering with the rears almost all the time. Also, when turning, don't just lean into the turn, but move forward. You said you have bike experience, so pretend you are going into a turn hard to rail it, and lean forward as well.

Hope that helps.

[Upshifter]

Thank you, guys, for the good tips and the interesting video. I tried riding it today and did a little better. I was able to turn it around in a circle. I couldn't do that before.

[jbinette1080]

Awesome video!

[falloutboy]

it takes practice. make sure your tires are properly inflated.

On a side note, Welcome! What part of the Oregon Coast are you from? I'm about 25 minutes north of Coos Bay

[tri again]

it takes practice. make sure your tires are properly inflated.

On a side note, Welcome! What part of the Oregon Coast are you from? I'm about 25 minutes north of Coos Bay

x2 on the tire pressure.
I have an sx that is almost impossible to turn unless I ride it like atctim says
but one front fork is almost unnoticably bent.

I have another sx that turns like it has power steering.
The front tire is about 2 inches shorter although all 3 tires say
22x11x8.

Yeah, that reflex to put a foot on the ground is darn near genetic
butcha gotta fight it.
There are things called nerf bars or heel guards that you may be able to find.

Always nice to see 3 wheelers at the dunes.

[Upshifter]

it takes practice. make sure your tires are properly inflated.

On a side note, Welcome! What part of the Oregon Coast are you from? I'm about 25 minutes north of Coos Bay

I'm about 2 miles south of Waldport. You must live close to Winchester Bay or Reedsport?

[Keepah Rolln]

I own one and they drive good..A little tippy but you will get used to it quick. try skipping first gear as it is very low and the front wheel will hop off the ground and not turn good..try 2nd and 3rd gear and it will turn better!!

[falloutboy]

Lakeside. You plan on doing any duning with it?

[BeersBuds&Mud]

man i wish they still made trike!!

[gus]

welcome to the site !! you will find alot of people here willing to help you with any trike needs glad you find a good trike to start out with you will get better as you learn

[Upshifter]

Lakeside. You plan on doing any duning with it?

I wish that I could. But, I'm older than dirt, and although my spirit is willing, my body is weak. I have several motorcycles, and I do well with them, but that 250SX is too much for my 78 year old body. I would love to ride the dunes, and I would if I were even 10 years younger. My vision is good, and my reflexes are fine; but I'm going pass on this 3 wheeler. I'm going to load it onto my pickup, take it down to Florence at the dunes, and try to sell it. It looks like it would be good in the dunes if it had paddle tires.

[rjs89ia]

I'm sure with a degree of motorcycle experience that you wear the proper safety equipment while practicing. The casualty reports are no joke, so be aware of what your doing while you ride, your experience means everything in the long run so remember to bring on the challenges as your ready for them. I hope you enjoy your new toy as we all do ours and good luck with the riding.

[tri again]

I wish that I could. But, I'm older than dirt, and although my spirit is willing, my body is weak. I have several motorcycles, and I do well with them, but that 250SX is too much for my 78 year old body. I would love to ride the dunes, and I would if I were even 10 years younger. My vision is good, and my reflexes are fine; but I'm going pass on this 3 wheeler. I'm going to load it onto my pickup, take it down to Florence at the dunes, and try to sell it. It looks like it would be good in the dunes if it had paddle tires.

Rhodie festival in Florence this weekend so there will be a lot of traffic.
South jetty (and others) should have lots of dune riders.

I could certainly use another trike but not sure about a run to the coast this weekend.
If you can wait a few days, my # is 541 935 4 two zero 6

[4x4van]

On a 3-wheeler, you have to understand what the rear tires have to do in order for it to turn; then it will be easier for you to adapt. They aren't "difficult", they're just "different" from motorcycles.

Because of the solid rear axle, the inside tire must actually break loose a bit and slide in order for the bike to turn, while the outside tire will be the one actually driving the bike through the turn. At slow speeds, that means leaning towards the outside of the turn. At higher speeds, though, the technique changes a bit. What you really want to do then is lean your body to the inside of the turn, but push your weight on the outside peg. While you are leaning into the turn, the bike is actually leaning slightly to the outside of the turn. It sounds complicated, but it really is second nature after just a bit of practice.

A couple of other tips: You started on probably the worst possible surface to learn on; riding on anything with high traction (grass, asphalt, etc.) makes turning much more difficult. Because both tires turn at the exact same speed, if they are on a high traction surface they will want to push the bike straight and will resist turning. Also, while a quad will more easily make a gradual turn all the way through a corner, trikes don't like gradual sweeping turns very much; they would much rather go straight in, brake, make a hard turn, then drive straight out of the turn (also known as "squaring off" the corner). That's why the two (quads & trikes) are not really very compatible on a racetrack; they tend to use conflicting, criss-crossing lines in the corners.

BTW, my dad finally quit riding his '85 ATC250R last year, at age 77, but not because of age. He quit because he lost one eye to cancer, and the lack of depth perception made riding in the dunes problematic (although he still rides his Gold Wing trike!) So don't give up yet. Ride it on some loose (low traction) ground a bit, and see if it "grows" on you!

[Upshifter]

Here is my 250SX that I cleaned up, but can't seem to ride. This is a nice bike, but not for me. I've ridden motorcycles all my life and they are like second nature to me. But, I can't manage this 3 wheeler, and I feel like a fool.

[tri again]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cEjXQHEW9Y&feature=related

These should keep you interested.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVItbSiBn5Q&feature=player_detailpage

I'll post pix of my sx that steers like it has power steering.
All 3 tires say 22x11x8 but the front one is a good 3 inches shorter for some reason
and all 3 have light wear.

All the others DO want to go straight with the front wheel turned especially if they're on
asphalt. just like 4x4 and a few others said.
Much easier in loose dirt or sand with very little body english.
My daughter's sx is a bear to turn but one of her fork tubes is slightly bent and almost hard to see.

Let's turn the ladies loose in the casino and I'll bring a couple sx's we can ride at the dunes.

[freedog]

Love the video, takes me back to when I was a little younger and dumber. Upshifter, I hope you get the riding figured out before you decide to unload it. They sure are fun.

[kb0nly]

Wow if he does decide to sell it that does look nice! Its in a lot better shape then most of the ones i see.

[Angore]

Here is my 250SX that I cleaned up, but can't seem to ride. This is a nice bike, but not for me. I've ridden motorcycles all my life and they are like second nature to me. But, I can't manage this 3 wheeler, and I feel like a fool.
NICE RIDE !!! Stick with it bud , before you know it you'll forget how to ride on 2 wheels . Ha Ha .

[hogmuffin]

wow that is an awesome video. watch those guys keep your feet on the pegs, get your trailprotrailprotrailprotrailprotrailpro off the seat and over the fender. that's how i learned