2010 Harley-Davidson Tri Glide Ultra Classic Review

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From a two-wheeled perspective, trikes are the controversial stepchildren of motorcycles. Encumbered by the weight of their added hardware, they rub purists the wrong way with their plus-sized proportions and inability to lean. But as I discovered after several hundred miles aboard the 2010 Harley-Davidson Tri Glide Ultra Classic, trikes offer benefits and sensations you can’t get from a conventional motorcycle.

Based on Electra Glide architecture, the Tri Glide’s cockpit offers a familiar view for Harley touring bike enthusiasts. The bat wing fairing houses traditional analog gauges (among them a cutely anachronistic air temperature meter), and just ahead of the large chrome fuel filler cover is an 80-watt Harman/Kardon head unit with MP3 compatibility. Two front speakers complement another set flanking the passenger seat. The trike’s gauges and chrome bits are visually satisfying, though the fairing’s main surface is constructed of plastic—a bit of a disappointment in comparison to the bike’s otherwise satisfyingly glossy finishes.

The rider is treated to one of the most comfortable saddles Harley offers, and the passenger benefits from the rear portion of the one-piece seat, along with a backrest and chrome grab rails. Unlike the sleeker Street Glide Trike, the Tri Glide comes equipped with a tall windscreen and a 2.26 cubic foot top case, in addition to a 4.3 cubic foot trunk. Motivation comes from a 103 cubic inch (1,688cc) air-cooled v-twin mated to a six-speed Cruise Drive transmission. The fuel-injected powerplant produces 101 ft-lbs of torque at 3,500 rpm, and fuel economy is estimated at 33 mpg city, 48 mpg highway; in concert with the six gallon fuel tank, average cruising range is a touring-friendly 243 miles.

Piloting the Tri Glide from Los Angeles to Carlsbad one warm spring afternoon, I experienced both the good and the bad that a traditional trike offers. Mounting this ride requires merely standing on a floorboard and throwing a leg over the relatively low seat; once aboard, the rider enjoys the security of knowing that there’s no immediate threat of tip-over or concern about balance. It’s an admittedly weird sensation for veteran motorcyclists, and it can also feel somewhat liberating.

The Tri-Glide fires up with a typically raucous Harley snarl, and the distinctive exhaust note is punctuated by a loud clunk when the shifter is dropped into gear. Riding a trike requires unlearning a few motorcycle-specific habits, particularly the technique of countersteering. Rather than instigate a turn by leaning and flicking the handlebar away from the intended direction of travel, the Tri Glide requires the handlebar to be steered into the turn, which can require a bit of physical effort.

At low speeds, sudden maneuvers can upset the chassis, and in extreme cases, wheel lift can result when steering input is abrupt enough. The sensation can be disconcerting, and it’s important to remember that this old school three-wheeler lacks the electronic stability control found in “backwards trikes” like the Can Am Spyder. Head shake and wheel hop can also undermine the Tri Glide’s ride, and the relatively firm suspension transmits more road information than a two-wheeled Harley touring bike would.

Engine heat from the big v-twin also becomes perceptible on warm days. However, this three-wheeler is unexpectedly relaxing at highway speeds; protection from the windscreen is good, apart from basic lane positioning there’s no overriding need to stress over steering, and once the correct gear has been chosen the rider’s boots can be propped up or rested on the rear floorboards.

The Harley Tri Glide has an imposing road presence, though its performamance is a bit more sluggish than its two-wheeled counterpart; the engine works harder to move all 1,174 pounds of mass, and the four-piston front and single-piston rear brakes lack the carefree intervention of ABS (though it takes quite a bit of lever effort to lock up these stoppers.) Parking maneuvers—at least on our test unit, which lacked the optional electric reverse feature—require a bit of forethought, since pushing this heavyweight uphill is a near-impossible task; but at least the lever-actuated parking brake ensures the Tri Glide will stay in place once parked.

But what the Harley-Davidson Tri Glide lacks in maneuverability, it makes up for in comfort. Cruising down the highway on this trike enables a level of detachment that’s simply not an option on a traditional motorcycle. With creature comforts like wind protection, a four-speaker stereo system, and cruise control, as well as the added benefit of the extra luggage capacity, Harley’s Tri Glide becomes a compelling way to eat up the miles for those who don’t mind ditching the familiar two-wheeled layout.

Editors’ Note

In keeping with our unique format – we present the review from three separate perspectives: 1) a Beginning Riders , 2) an Intermediate Rider , 3) and an Expert Rider . We hope you find this format helpful…. The Harley Davidson Tri Glide Ultra Classic Review for Beginning Riders - Click Here . Tri Glide Ultra Classic review for Intermediate Riders- Click Here . Harley Davidson Tri Glide Ultra Classic review for Expert Riders- Click Here.

Beginning Riders
The Harley-Davidson Tri Glide Ultra Classic is a mixed bag for beginner riders; though there’s no onus for balancing the Tri Glide and keeping the shiny side up, positioning this bulky trike on the road presents its own set of challenges, thanks to the wide rear wheels that can easily clip curbs, and the amount of effort required to steer the front wheel that can get considerable at moderate speeds. Likewise, freeway speeds reveal their own unusual dynamics, as it doesn’t take much steering input to steer this three-wheeler across lanes. Beginners should also take into account that braking distances are lengthened on the Tri Glide, which necessitates planning in advance of stops.

Intermediate Riders
Riders with some motorcycle experience might actually be at more of a disadvantage on the Tri Glide, compared to those who learn to ride on a trike. The three-wheeled dynamic requires mental habits like countersteering to be severed, and the inability to do so can have a serious impact (pun intended) on this trike’s trajectory. Take it slow, however, and the Tri Glide proves to be relatively easy to master.

Expert Riders
Advanced riders with the mental flexibility to wrap their heads around a trike’s decidedly non motorcycle-like handling characteristics should have no problem adapting to the Tri Glide. The V-twin engine isn’t powerful enough to get you into much trouble, though the only thing preventing a seasoned motorcyclist from avoiding disaster might be the temptation to hoon it up and slide the rear tire in turns.  It may be difficult to flip this baby, but once it goes, it goes—becoming a potentially lethal 1,174 lb projectile. But not to worry; it takes far more hubris to wreck a Tri Glide than it does a standard motorcycle, and expert riders might actually be pleasantly surprised by the degree of relaxation they find in the three-wheeled ride.

Bottom Line

The 2010 Harley-Davidson Tri Glide Ultra Classic is a traditional style three-wheeler priced at $29,999 in vivid black, $30,799 in solids, and $31,299 in two-tones. The Tri Glide is powered by a 103 cubic inch, air-cooled v-twin mated to a six-speed transmission, and is equipped with standard cruise control. Fuel capacity measures 6 gallons, and economy is estimated at 33 mpg city, 48 mpg highway. The 41.3mm telescopic front forks have been lengthened and raked, and the rear axle assembly features an aluminum center section and steel axle tubes, with air adjustable shocks. Brakes include 4-piston front and 2-piston dual rears, and wheel travel measures 4.6 and 3 inches, respectively. Available options include an electric reverse system ($1,195) and a security system ($370.)

Go to the “Harley Davidson Tri Glide Ultra Classic” Overview Page