There are many who have waited their entire lives to own a motorcycle. As a kid, they idolized characters like Steve McQueen, James Dean, Marlon Brando, Evel Knievel, Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Miley Cyrus, and Pink ( I had to include some more recent names). Hollywood certainly gave us a glimpse of how cool it is to ride a motorcycle. The leather jackets with the studs and the patches identifying their club affiliation, the rugged stone washed denim, leather riding gloves, and helmets all added to the mystique of the rider. This was the epitome of cool. Riders had a place to go where there was either comraderie or a place to kick up a ruckus.
Maybe you have a certain fear of falling that prevents you from actually throwing your leg over the seat of a two or three wheel motorcycle. And if you are willing, what about your mate? Sometimes this is the barrier for many to not fulfill that lifelong desire.
In comes the trike. People are embracing the cool factor that now exists on riding a three wheel vehicle. Baby boomers may have embraced the trike for safety and stability, for the joy of cruising the highways. But now there is a whole new group of trike riders: Gen X, Millennials, and now with the new Ryker trikes, even Gen Z has an affordable entry into the motorcycle community. Many may cross over to riding a 3 wheeler for the safety and stability but they stay for the thrill. So go ahead, take a test ride on a trike and start living the …
I was just thinking of planning a long weekend road trip. Of course, I am still waiting to find a string of days that are nice enough to ride. But, I thought of a trip we took last year from Chicago to Michigan. Here’s the twist. We did not ride to Michigan. We rode to Milwaukee. By now you are probably thinking, how can you get to Michigan from Chicago when you rode to Milwaukee? Well, we took a ferry! I know…so cool, right?
We rode to the dock and pulled our motorcycles onto the ferry. It was just like the movies we had seen where the stars would try to evade the villain and would drive onto the ferry just in the nick of time before the ferry left the dock. The attendant strapped down our bikes so they would not move and we took a 2 and 1/2 hour trip across Lake Michigan to Muskegon, Michigan. It was a great experience! We relaxed in an air conditioned cabin, had lunch, got a little nap, and walked around – of course we were making sure the motorcycles were stable as we bounced across the lake. (Surely would hate to see my trike floating briefly in the lake before being submerged in the water.) It was so much fun. We got off in Muskegon and many of the ferry riders watched as we disembarked. We then rode along the east side of Lake Michigan and stayed in South Haven and Saint Joseph. The beach was very active with families on the beach and in the water on boats and jet skis. We found plenty to do and see on this extended weekend trip before heading back west to Illinois. Unfortunately, we were stuck in traffic in the hot sun but the fresh air made it worthwhile. Share your weekend adventures on how you enjoy the
Well, it’s that time of year in the Midwest. The weather teases with sunshine but the temperature is a bit chilly. You want to ride but the ride may not be exactly what you have been longing for over the long winter. You know – the first day when you gear up, start the engine on your motorcycle/trike, and swing your leg over the seat. The smile takes over your face and you shift into first gear so you can ease out into the road. You want to feel the wind in your face and the sun on your back. Ahhh… That’s not exactly what we’re experiencing right now. Sure there are glimpses of riding days to come but right now they are too often speckled with rain and cold, damp days.
Right now, I am getting antsy. I find myself leaning a little more when I turn the steering wheel on my car. Driving with two hands on the wheel like I am gripping my handlebars. Yes, I will get my fix on whatever day provides me with a clear forecast. Cold and wet is too much for my early season rides. I know there are many riders that put on extra clothing and enjoy the chilly air. When I get the sunshine and the warm days, I too will smile and sing while I ride along the highways. For those of you who live in 365 day riding zones, get an extra ride in for me while you live the .
Not sure if this is a motorcycle? Will I look cool enough on this machine? Will my friends laugh and call it a tricycle? Well, I can tell you all are valid. Yes, some of your friends may initially ask you about it with a look of sympathy in their eyes, like that is all you are able to ride and you will travel along the side of the road like a toddler. They confuse the trike with a long ago first mode of transportation that was stable and fun. Others will stand around as you ride off like you are in a parade. Kids will wave! And guess what? The trike IS stable and fun. But, it has a whole lot more power than that first trike you rode. This machine packs power and speeds that are faster than most two wheel motorcycles. But, it also provides the comfort and fun to just explore the road and see the countryside. You will enjoy the command of the road that you have while occupying a broader surface of the highway. You are visible and people will look at you, wishing they too were living the Tryker Lyfe.
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