Need riding/turning advice....

[Buford]

OK, a dumb question from a newbie that you ol' timers probably do in your sleep. I just got my first 3-wheeler (Kawasaki KLT 250), and it seems particularly hard to turn. Half the time I turn the front wheel, it just wants to keep going straight. Is there a technique I don't know, or is this just the way it is and I gotta deal with it? Thanks.

[atctim]

Two words for you - Body English. Try these few steps for easier turning.

1 - Slide up on your seat to put more weight over the front tire.
2 - Really lean into the turns. Riding a 3 is much different than a quad. If you have ever rode a quad before, take all of the riding style you learned and throw it out the window. However, if you have ever rode a snowmobile, use some of those skills. It's all about body english.
3 - after you get comfortatable riding your new 3, try this turning technique. Lean, turn the wheel where you want to go, and gun it. Your back end will spin you in the direction you want to go. Start out trying this in either mud or gravel or loose leaves in the woods. After you get good at it you can do it on harder ground. Once you master this, you will be able to do it on pavement as well. With the 250cc 2 stroke, you should be able to spin it around on a dime. Remember - Lean lean lean, and never ever put your feet down while riding.

Hope that helps.

[TheOlderFox]

First, welcome aboard. I would say let off the gas a little and use your body weight to push the back end around. Problems can also arise if you have a bald front tire or are on a surface that it can't dig into. You will learn in time how your machine responds and how you can manipulate it.

[thefox]

You may be sitting too far back. If you sit forward more then more weight goes on the front tire so it turns better. Also check your tire pressure, it could be under inflated.

[250rAL]

That takes me back to my very first time on an ATC90! At very slow speeds(like making a tight U-turn) you want to shift your weight to the outside rear wheel so that the inside wheel can nearly lift off the ground. With a solid rear axle, the inside wheel needs to be able to spin in the dirt because although it's turning at the same RPM as the outside wheel, it is travelling a shorter distance. At higher speeds, you should lean to the inside like on a bike then gas it and slide the rear end.

[Buford]

Thanks, you guys are great! I'm 6'5", so yeah, I probably do sit too far back. I also ride with one of my kids behind me sometimes, so that puts even more weight back there. A buddy told me about not putting my foot down...said he ran over his once. Thanks for the tips!

[Yamahammer490]

Yup, turning a trike takes a little technique. My first time I steered my buddie's ATC 110 into a tree - turned the bars but it just kept going straight.

Once you get the feeling of leaning into a turn while weighting the outside peg it is pretty easy. You'll be able to make amazingly tight turns.

[200xman]

unlock the hub in the center of the left rear tire. That will give you 1 wheel drive and make it easier to turn.

[JoeSuzuki]

I find that a too inflated tire in the front reduces the grip of the front. But dont go to low pressur neither not to damage the tire.

[1985 200s]

unlock the hub in the center of the left rear tire. That will give you 1 wheel drive and make it easier to turn.


Thats a silly answer to give a newbie who allready feels he's asking a dumb question which is not a dumb question and one i asked six months ago when I started riding. :rolleyes:

[Speeder84]

I would definitely check the air pressure in the front tire if you have problems turning. If it is too low trying to turn that wheel will be hard as hell.

[200xman]

Thats a silly answer to give a newbie who allready feels he's asking a dumb question which is not a dumb question and one i asked six months ago when I started riding. :rolleyes:

Actually, the KLT 250 Prarie (remember he does NOT have a Tecate) has a differential that you can lock and unlock with a hub on the left rear axle. Don't criticize people when you don't know what you are talking about! :mad:

[1985 200s]

My bust. :D Remember I'm learning too. :p

[Buford]

A guy at the local Kawasaki dealer said he thought it had a differential you could lock or unlock, but mine isn't how he described it. He said it was in the middle of the rear axle, and I didn't see a box like he described. He described it as a spider gear. Does it have this or not? All I can find on the label on the frame is that it's a KLT 250A...does that determine what year model it is? Thanks.

[cliff2302]

ii'm pretty sure that its on the end of the axle on the left side. it locks like the front axle on an old 4wd pickup, twist it one way and its locked, twist it the other way and its free. I think its like that, but im not sure. hope that helps
Joe

[200xman]

ii'm pretty sure that its on the end of the axle on the left side. it locks like the front axle on an old 4wd pickup, twist it one way and its locked, twist it the other way and its free. I think its like that, but im not sure. hope that helps
Joe

What he said! :) I've got a Haynes manual for the Kawasaki trikes. If you need anything copied send me your address and I will send them out.