FLHXXX Street Glide joins Harley?s Trike family?
Not since the legendary Servicar, which happened to be the longest-running production Harley-Davidson model (1932-1973) rolled off the assembly line, had the Motor Company manufactured a factory-produced trike. In appearance, the new 2010 FLHXXX Street Glide Trike looks like a Street Glide from the front, back to the trailing edge of the 103 cubic-inch motor ? and it actually is, except for a few nuances such as the rake angle, front stabilization damping strut and braking set-up.?
The Street Glide brings to the table, original equipment design and service to the three-wheeled motorcycle segment. It is not a production afterthought, but rather is based on a new chassis that has been specifically designed for a three-wheel application, while providing the same classic styling and touring capability of Harley-Davidson?s Street Glide. It will be sold and serviced by Harley-Davidson?s dealer network, and covered by a two-year limited warranty.?
In developing the Tri Glide Ultra Classic for 2009 (the FLHTCUTG continues as a 2010 model), the H-D engineering folks set about creating a frame and associated chassis structure designed to specifically handle the steering force loads and overall increased weight of a three-wheeler. The rake was increased to 32.00 degrees, while the forks were stretched by 1.775-inches, changing the front end geometry and enhancing steering control by reducing the steering effort by up to 25 percent.? Additionally, a steering damper minimizes coast-down wobble and reduces bump steer and other road inputs when negotiating turns.
A new rear-axle assembly was designed for the Trike family, utilizing an aluminum center section with steel axle tubes. High-strength and low-maintenance advantages of belt final drive are retained, along with the smooth operation of a rubber-cushioned, compensated rear drive. The rear suspension features dual air-adjustable rear shock absorbers.?
Power for the Street GlideTrike comes from a Twin Cam 103 V-Twin engine with Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection. The motor is Black powder-coated with?a chrome treatment, and delivers 101 pound feet of torque @ 3,500 rpm. It mates to the same 6-speed Cruise Drive transmission used on Harley?s other touring bikes. Two-into-One-into-Two Dual mufflers with tapered end caps exit below the trunk. An optional electric reverse is available for an extra $1,195 and is integrated with the rear differential assembly, which is engaged with a handlebar-mounted reverse module. Bringing the Street Glide three-wheeler to a halt are dual front disc brakes and a Hayes Brake dual-disc rear brake system with a lever-actuated, integrated park brake. Throttle control is electronic.?
In terms of styling, the new body componentry incorporates clean lines that blend well with the existing two-wheeled model bodywork, which includes the traditional fork-mounted ?bat-wing? fairing.. The fairing contains complete instrumentation and a? Harmon/Kardon 80-watt Advanced Audio System with CB radio and passenger intercom system. A low-profile chrome console sits atop a six-gallon fuel tank just ahead of the one-piece, two-up Street Glide comfort-stitch touring saddle.?
Storage is courtesy of a molded composite rear locking storage compartment that features 4.5 cubic feet? of storage (50 pounds worth). The rear composite fenders are separate from the rear body box, making for easy removal for service and repair or replacement. A Tour Pak may be added, bringing the total cargo capacity to 6.56 cubic feet, increasing the weight allowance up to 80 pounds. Standard is a shorty antenna and cruise control. The Street Glide Trike is offered in two colors: Vivid Black and Red Hot Sunglo metallic.?
A single key conveniently handles all luggage locking functions, as well as the ignition. Brake, tail and turn lights are positioned on each rear fender. The Street-Glide Trike rides on matching front and rear black and machined seven-double-spoke cast aluminum wheels –? up front is a three-inch wide16-inch wheel shod with a H-D Dunlop MT90B16 tire, while the 15-inch rear wheels are five inches wide and are fitted with P205/65R15 Dunlop Signature tires.
My test FLHXXX Street Glide Trike was provided courtesy of my local Harley-Davidson dealer. It was finished in Red Hot Sunglo metallicThe base price was set at $27,999 (Vivid Black is $100. Less) but my test unit also featured the optional electric reverse, Cruise Control and Smart Security System, which along with dealer prep and handling bumped the estimated total price to $30,554.?? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ??
SUMMARY: While I?m not a big fan of trikes, Harley-Davidson?s two trikes represent a couple of the best non-traditional motorcycles, since it was?engineered from the outset with its specific purpose in mind, rather than being an aftermarket modification that results in a trike.
The Street Glide Trike looks exactly like what one would expect a trike to look like from Harley-Davidson. It provides great stability over traditional two-wheeled transport ? in other words, you don?t have to put your feet down when coming to a stop. There?s also no counter-steering involved. Passengers tend to feel considerably more secure on a trike, since it obviously doesn?t lean (unless the rider has done something wrong).
The bigger, 103-inch motor is a definite plus over the two-wheeled Street Glide?s 96-incher, due to the significant weight increase. The Street Glide tips the scale at 1,071 pounds dry rendering it exceptionally stable and pleasurable when traveling in a straight line, but it is a force to be reckoned with should one have to make a sudden high speed emergency turn. In fact, turning even under ordinary conditions requires more force or upper body strength than a conventional bike, and leaning won?t help (except to make you feel better). The Street Glide is essentially for the hot rod bike tourer at heart.
In the bottom-line analysis, the Street Glide Trike is an extraordinary three-wheeler if you want or need a three-wheeler. The electric reverse gear is a bit quirky and noisy in it?s operation, but it certainly beats no reverse at all when you?re pushing a rig that?s over half a ton. It is certain to fill an important niche in the marketplace.
?
