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[Older Guy]

The time has come for me at age almost 80 to step aside of riding my Harley. I am in good shape but starting to not feel comforable when riding. I have had nine harleys over the years from sportster to CVO streetglide .My wife rides with me 95% of the time and but I do not want to put her in harms way . I have put my 2014 softail deluxe C V O up for sale. I had a 2011 cvo streetgluide but sold that in 2014 and bought the Deluxe thinking it would be less weight but with her on the back it became a handfull starting and stopping. As a young man I had a Vespa and loved it. always had some girl on the back. We have traveled with our Hog club over the years but now with younger people they are doing all day rides, to long for me. My ? to you I could still do short rides with out the weight of the Harley on a vespa. Any one own one and could give me some thoughts of what I am thinking. The time will come for all of you to have to write somethig like this in your life. To all of you stay well and ride as long as you can.
    Thanks Older Guy

[Twolanerider]

The time has come for me at age almost 80 to step aside of riding my Harley. I am in good shape but starting to not feel comforable when riding. I have had nine harleys over the years from sportster to CVO streetglide .My wife rides with me 95% of the time and but I do not want to put her in harms way . I have put my 2014 softail deluxe C V O up for sale. I had a 2011 cvo streetgluide but sold that in 2014 and bought the Deluxe thinking it would be less weight but with her on the back it became a handfull starting and stopping. As a young man I had a Vespa and loved it. always had some girl on the back. We have traveled with our Hog club over the years but now with younger people they are doing all day rides, to long for me. My ? to you I could still do short rides with out the weight of the Harley on a vespa. Any one own one and could give me some thoughts of what I am thinking. The time will come for all of you to have to write somethig like this in your life. To all of you stay well and ride as long as you can.
    Thanks Older Guy

Haven't had a small ride anything like that other than when starting out on beat up Honda 50s and other such toys.  Just wanted to say good on ya.  When I grow up I hope I'm as smart  .

[1Fordman]

Before you give up on the Harley, look into replacing it with a Freewheeler or Ultra trike.  You'd still have a Harley that would carry both of you comfortably and not have to worry about holding up a heavy 2 wheeler.  I'm about 8 years younger than you but realize my 2 wheel riding days will be ending in a few short years.  When they do and if I'm still able will be going the 3 wheel route.

Years ago when the kids were young I built an old 45 cop trike and hauled them all over in the cargo box.  They loved it and I got my wind therapy!

Good luck in your decision.

[coloradotom]

Time for a sidehack!

[CVODON]

They don't make sidehacks anymore. I did the test ride on a trike @ Bikeweek, twice. Not something i would ever consider. When it gets to where I don't feel comfortable on my current style bike I will quit. The trike test ride did do one thing, It gave me added respect for all the small women you see out there motoring away on them. I found it difficult to ride, takes effort and thought to go around corners, even on a city street. Again nothing that interested me, but to many a way to keep riding.

[MIKEYTEE]

I will be making that decision in the not too distant future and am not looking forward to having to make the choice.
Trike, Can Am roadster, Slingshot, Sportscar, or convertible ?  Hope I am healthy enough to still have a drivers license.
Good luck on your decision.

Mike
 

[Older Guy]

No trike for me ,I have done a test drive on a few,I dint want to hurry my death No thanks. The Vespa is a step though with a 300 cc motor. just seems the way to go and keep on riding just not as fast or far. In 4 month i will be 80 and dint want to stop riding.
 Older Guy

[Chains]

I went to a trike in January because my wife had back issues and my right leg is starting to give me problems from a very bad motorcycle wreck over 50 years ago. When I test rode a 2017 I absolutely hated it. Handled bad and rough riding. Rode a 2012 with the rear lift kit it handled great and the ride was far superior so I bought it. Added a set of LA Choppers ape hangers 1.25 diameter 10 inches high 37 inches wide and it steers like it has power steering now. I can steer through curves and corners one handed.  My biggest issue is the clutch is so stiff as I have had a hydraulic clutch since 2006. Looks like I am going to have to purchase an easy clutch kit and add it 

I love it my wife loves it however still admit I miss 2 wheels when she isn't with me. May build something with 2 wheels and a solo seat for just me.

[Para Bellum]

Rode a 2012 with the rear lift kit it handled great and the ride was far superior so I bought it.

What is this "rear lift kit" you mentioned?  Haven't heard of this.   

[Mikey]

It is hard for some people to accept the change from bike to trike. You ride a bike but you drive a trike. Once you get used to that you will love it.
We rode with a guy on a Vespa type-Honda step through at BBQ last year and he kept up with the Harley's all day. I think his was about a 450 cc.
Good Luck on your decision!

[Chains]

What is this "rear lift kit" you mentioned?  Haven't heard of this.   

The lift kit raises the rear of the Trike by 1 to 1 1/2 inches.  Helps to stop pipes from dragging eliminates the saggy butt look from the factory but most of all ride is better and by shifting the weight somewhat to the front the handling is greatly improved.  Not sure why MOCO hasn't changed the system to incorporate from the factory. Everyone I know that has the kit loves it. Many guys out there making them.  I like RJS as parts are made in America with American steel and its veteran owned. Also they understand depth of thread requirements for given diameter of a fastener.  They also make a killer heat shield.

 See photos of part and install.

[Chains]

From the back stock versus modified.

[skratch]

My biggest issue is the clutch is so stiff as I have had a hydraulic clutch since 2006. Looks like I am going to have to purchase an easy clutch kit and add it 

how about something like the rekluse auto clutch?

[Chains]

Skratch that is an excellent idea. May end up that way if I can't get the results any other way.

[Para Bellum]

The lift kit raises the rear of the Trike by 1 to 1 1/2 inches.  Helps to stop pipes from dragging eliminates the saggy butt look from the factory but most of all ride is better and by shifting the weight somewhat to the front the handling is greatly improved.  Not sure why MOCO hasn't changed the system to incorporate from the factory. Everyone I know that has the kit loves it. Many guys out there making them.  I like RJS as parts are made in America with American steel and its veteran owned. Also they understand depth of thread requirements for given diameter of a fastener.  They also make a killer heat shield.

 See photos of part and install.

Nice...that makes a big difference to the way it looks.  Would like to compare ride with/without the kit.

I demo'd the 2017 Tri-Glide.  First time riding a trike and I didn't like it, but I'm taking some comfort from your comparison of the 2012 to the '17.  The '17 had: Really rough ride (only rode it 2-up);  front wheel followed every groove, tar snake, and crack;  gearing was poor--needed a lower 1st gear and a higher 6th gear.