Trike Proficiency

            Yesterday as I was again teaching a trike experienced rider class, I again noticed a couple of things that concern me. Our GWRRA trike riders, as a whole are very proficient. However, there are a couple of areas that I would like to address.
            The trike has an abnormal amount of rubber on the ground for a motorcycle and therefore, lots of traction for the rider’s use. The lesser of the two things I would like to address with trike riders is maximum braking. With all of that rubber on the ground, most trike riders don’t use the front brake much and therefore are prone to not use it in a panic stop. I would like to see all of our GWRRA trike riders spend time in an open lot practicing maximum use of both brakes. It could save you from a bent front fender somewhere, because even with those big tires on the back braking for you, a lot of your braking power is in the front contact patch. Remember that with sharp braking, weight is transferred forward giving you increased traction with the front tire and therefore more stopping power than you may think. Ignoring the front brake as a habit could hurt the rider in a panic stop, because he or she will do what they habitually do, and that could be: not using the front brake at all, therefore not using a good part of their stopping power. A better practice is to use all of the brakes all of the time.
            A second concern is that during sharp turns that are sharp enough for the tires to begin to protest, riders and co-riders do not react. By reacting, I mean that the rider and co-rider should be ready to move to the inside of the turn to help the bike stay planted firmly on the road surface. One of two things can happen when the turn becomes overly sharp and either can be dangerous. One, the inside wheel could lift and present the very real danger of a tip over if the turn angle is not reduced. Two, both rear tires could lose traction and the rear of the trike could slide out beginning a spin. To counter act each of the above scenarios, movement of the rider and co-rider to the inside of the turn moves some weight from the outside wheel to the inside one. In a sharp enough turn, at the point just before the inside tire begins to lift, it is no longer holding traction and all of your defense against a slide out is on the one outside wheel. To make matters worse, both riders have most of their weight on the outside pegs and boards, pushing more weight to the outside of the turn. If you have ever seen a trike or sidecar racing, then you have seen their riders move their weight drastically to the inside, allowing them to take corners at higher speeds. If our GWRRA trike riders would spend some time practicing the movement to the inside of the turn, then when the occasion arises, and the tires begin to protest with the whoosh and static of tires straining to keep their grip, the rider and co-rider would be familiar with what to do to minimize the danger. So.. riders, please find some time to practice these two techniques that could aid you in crash avoidance some time in the future.
            Remember, one of the best crash avoidance ideas is improving your ability to be seen. The more conspicuous you are, the better your chances are that no one will pull out into your path of travel. Headlight modulators, bright clothing, reflective strips and bands on your clothing, and judicial use of lights and signals really helps.

Walt Overlander Rider Ed. FL1-B