NOTE: all blue lines or text are links to related articles or videos. Please click each.
Turning Corners: https://youtu.be/AgMuTGUytSg
Disclaimer:
This is my personal experience, and it is only that. My thoughts, videos, notes and ideas are shared to help those that have either bought this trike and never received lessons, or are thinking about buying one. Use the information in this site at your own risk.
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Even though I scared myself half to death when learning to ride this Trio with Tilt-Lock, I'm still riding, and with Tilt-Lock on full time now. It can be done! If I can do it, You can do it too!
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In August of 2022, I purchased a used 2008 Honda Goldwing with what I perceived to be the coolest trike front end made for a motorcycle, that converted the two wheel motorcycle into a new front end - a type of reverse trike. The front end is manufactured by Tilting Motor Works(TMW), originally out of Washington State, but acquired by Arcimoto and moved to Eugene, Oregon. Where I bought mine from.
The TMW front end, known as the TRIO, has an optional electronic and hydraulic package applied to it, that is known as "Tilt Lock". Tilt lock enables the motorcycle to stay upright at traffic lights, slow speed maneuvers, and allows the rider to keep their feet up on the foot rest pegs. Tilt Lock, once turned on, does not need to be turned off until you park your bike and shut it down.
As a side note: The online community surrounding the TMW TRIO is a very mixed one and it's polarized, people really love it, or flat out hate -- fear it. There really is no in-between.
The reason for this polarized response is that in order to ride a TRIO with Tilt Lock turned on, you have to completely stop and re-learn what it means to ride this kind of motorcycle conversion with the TRIO and tilt-lock enabled front end. You can't just hop on it, turn Tilt Lock On, and go. And I mean that. If Tilt Lock is turned on, and if you have no idea what the electronics do on this front end, you shouldn't even put it in gear.
People, myself included, that just jump on a TRIO Tilt-Lock enabled motorcycle, with it turned on, and just try to ride it with no lessons from an instructor that has put in the hours on it -- they nearly always have a near death experience or an accident. In my case; three very close calls --and almost getting nailed by oncoming traffic each time. I was very lucky, and had no business being on the road without knowing how this thing functioned.
With that being said; once the TRIO with tilt lock is mastered, it really is a blast to have in place. The tech in one of these units is incredible. (If you haven't bought one yet, and are thinking about it, please make sure to get lessons from someone that knows how to ride it. And I'm not talking about a 20 minute dealer orientation, I'm talking about a full on lesson plan across several days.)
You will see a lot of bikes for sale and they are priced really quite low in some cases, many times the bike is going for next to nothing, and you are just paying their cost of the conversion. I too picked up my bike already converted from someone that was afraid of Tilt-Lock... and the cost to convert a Honda Goldwing to a TRIO Trike with Tilt Lock is hefty.... Many bikes you will see for sale with a TRIO front end are up for sale because the owner is either scared of it or can't trust it. And, for the record, if they never took a lesson, or learned to ride it properly, and re-learned how to ride with one in place, ...they are scared for a very good reason.
So, lets go into some specifics;
Once converted from a standard Goldwing to a TRIO front end, the Goldwing changes, it's no longer a two wheel motorcycle, but it's not a trike either, at least not in the fixed wheel sense, even though it did go from two to three wheels.
This conversion is confusing for most people that see it, because they assume that the three wheels is turning the bike from something you balance, to something that holds itself up all the time similar to a Can-Am Spyder. They actually expect that its now a Goldwing that rides like a Can-Am. And, they are very wrong. There are conversions that are like that, both rear and reverse trike, but this is not that.
(Note: Although similar in the way they tilt; This is not the same thing as a Yamaha Niken, or a Piaggio MP3 500; this front end, with the TRIO Tilt-lock package is significantly different in the way it functions between 0 and 10 MPH.)
The TRIO allows the motorcycle once under way (above 8 mph), to turn left and right, it leans into corners, and you steer it with counter steering. The Tilt Lock functionality, (under 7 MPH), steers like a typical trike under certain conditions. You steer left, it goes left, right, it turns right. Not dissimilar to a Can-Am in this regard.
This two to three wheeler - not trike... this is where the lines get fuzzy. TRIO is neither and both.
Tilt Lock OFF or not installed
A Trio with no Tilt Lock, or with it turned off, acts similarly to a two wheel bike, you hold it up at traffic lights, it leans into corners, and you counter steer it.
A TRIO with the Tilt Lock off however, acts very differently in how it handles and "feels" in comparison to anything else you have ridden. The feeling is disconcerting or unsettling to the new TRIO rider. A traditional two wheel motorcycle, because of it's two wheels pivots on a clearly defined axis; if you draw a line down from the front wheel to the back wheel, this is the axis, the motorcycle leans on this line. Steering is an effort of leaning to one side, and counter steering, and usually, the bike responds immediately in a simple fashion, where it just moves from this axis into a turn.
The TRIO however, is a three wheeler; and even if you hypothetically draw a line down the center between the two front wheels to the rear wheel, when you lean and enter a counter steer turn, the bike does not feel like it's pivoting on this same kind of axis. The only way I can describe the feeling of it, is that the front end of the bike feels like its floating between the front two wheels, and the turn feels like its coming from the outer most wheel in a line to the rear wheel in how it pivots. It feels very wrong at first. It feels kinda-like the front end is not on a set pivot, and at low speed, the whole bike is now more ungainly, and you are pulling it through the turn...(but a lot easier in effort than that sounds and the bike does lean into it...) It's just not a pivot and turn, it's more awkward than that. What I can say, is that you get used to it. After a few hundred miles, you get used to the feeling of it.
Notes about the Trio with Tilt-Lock:
Tilt lock is technically something you can turn on and off while on the go. There is a switch near your left hand. Tilt lock technology which is an optional add-on when purchasing the TRIO, makes the front end "Trike like". Tilt Lock is why I bought this form of trike. It is a mechanical, electronic, & hydraulic solution that uses electronics with an array of sensors to make what is technically a tilting only vehicle into a semi self supporting upright trike under very certain conditions. The mechanism and tech that make this trike so interesting, also make it very challenging to learn and operate as a beginner on it if you have no one to learn from. Please do not only listen to the promo videos that tell you this is simply a three wheeler that acts like a two wheeler, at least with Tilt Lock. I say at least with Tilt Lock, because if you bought the TRIO front end without the electronics package and sensors, it does behave more like that of a normal two wheeler but with all the heavy handling characteristics already mentioned. With Tilt lock turned on and left on, it changes everything.
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Tilt Lock ON
The Tilt Lock On Option is the part that scares the hell out of people that just hop on the bike and try to ride it; it is this Tilt Lock function engaging when you expect that it won't, and when and how the electronics are programmed to engage. This is where it goes from "oohhhh, that looks so cool", to "OMG WTF", and "hell no, I'm never getting on that thing again."
There are rules that absolutely must be followed or you can get yourself killed.
What you need to know(with Tilt Lock ON):
1st gear with no throttle / less than 6 mph = the tilt lock system is always locked (bike is held up mechanically / hydraulically) This is also true in reverse at any speed. (I have a great video of me backing out of the driveway on a slight decline and just letting the bike back up freely with my feet on the pegs.) This always locked, slow speed, is great for navigating gas stations.
Greater than 6 mph and Less than 8 mph = Tilt is locked OR unlocked depending on lean angle, amount of acceleration or deceleration or braking - This is the danger zone for new riders that haven't learned. (You must learn to handle the on and off of tilt lock. When it engages and when it releases.) If you don't learn this from someone else, please contact someone on the TMW FB page and ask for help. There are many riders that are competent and will assist. Ask for help. As a rule of thumb, stay out of this transition of speed. When acceleration is needed; Move quickly from a stop to over 10mph, and when slowing down, do so quickly.
Greater than 8 mph, the system is always unlocked (bike is not held up and will lean and counter steer).
You can at any time you wish turn off Tilt Lock with the flip of a switch at your left hand, and have it ride like the original form of the Trio, with it being fully manual and you hold it up at a full stop. This remainder of this post however is mostly addressing how the system works and operates with Tilt Lock Turned ON when you start the ride, and left ON the duration. You don't need to turn it off until you turn your bike off.
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IF you have already bought a Trio with Tilt lock, and you are scared of it; HANG ON -- please keep reading. You can do it! There is a trick to it, you can teach yourself, you just have to get back on, and try to move past your fear. Trust me, I know. Please read on. Just apply what I am saying below.
Here is what I figured out:
Here is the trick; You can't be timid at all once you put the bike in gear; your movements have to be thought through, completely chosen, and then you need to be decisive in your action. You can't relax your mind and just veg. You have to maintain your awareness. You must stay present and be aware of your speed under 15 mph at all times.
When at a stop sign or traffic light and you have pointed your wheels, depending on the angle of the turn, the bike can enter a 'pre lean' or a kind of crouch - this is totally normal-- you then wait until you have enough space between cars, and I mean it, enough space to give it gas and get up to speed - with plenty of distance to move, then when there is enough room - just move, get up and over 10 mph. The moment you hit the gas, you will feel the system disengage out of trike mode, DON'T STOP, Don't hesitate, do not try to pause or back off the throttle, don't just start to go and try to stop. JUST GO! --- Get from your full stop to at least 10 mph in a smooth and quick move. This is very important!!!!
If there isn't enough room to go from a full stop to at least 10 MPH, then don't go. Wait until there is enough space, and then go, get all the way up to speed.
It's only when turning from a full stop, or turning when coming to a stop and not expecting the system to come on, that is when the system kicking in or out becomes problematic.
When you learn to expect it, you will have it down. Again, this Tilt Lock System engaging to on and then off, it only happens during that 6 to 8 MPH window of speed. It's a best practice to just move through that window of speed quickly, either with quick acceleration or when coming to a stop through aggressive braking and coming to a full stop.
A lot of this is learning to ride a bit more aggressively than you are used to. But, until you have it all hammered out, this is the best way to learn.
Moving quickly from a stop to at least 10 MPH, and then when coming into a stop, coming in fairly quickly and come to a full stop. This is the secret to riding a motorcycle with a Trio Tilt-Lock enabled front end.
Also-- A side note about turning: There is sometimes a lot of fear about the system kicking in while in a slow turn. As long as the bike is engaged in the process of turning, even when you are in a slow corner, while leaning into the corner even a little bit -- the system will hold that corner, See this video: slow downhill turn that comes to a stop. Just go with the fact that the electronics will do their job. As the corner comes to an end and a stop, just hit the brakes and come to a stop. The key is to just keep your balance all the way.
When coming to a stop at a light, balance is the key, do not think about the "trike expectation" of being held upright, do not look side to side, do not look down and put your attention on the blue/green light transitioning, keep your attention straight ahead, look at the car ahead of you, line up middle of the lane and just balance the bike like you were still on two wheels and come to a stop. The system will engage and hold the bike upright. Some people find it easier to come in fairly fast and come to a quick stop. That way they aren't balancing the bike at slower speeds. This works too.
For the most part you just balance your bike and ride. Accelerate up to speed, and when needed, decelerate. However; It can be a touch and go kind of thing in heavy stop and go traffic, where the terrain, hills, etc can make it really not much fun to keep accelerating through to 8+MPH and then staying under 7, and then again accelerating over, and back again... but, it can be done. I don't recommend this trike for stop and go traffic. It gets tiring and trying after a while.
Someone once asked me to show that I was running with Tilt Lock on full time.... this is that proof. This short video shows the camera aimed at the switch and light. You can see the bike coming to stops, traffic lights, and doing a slow U-turn, just driving around the neighborhood.
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Once you have the above down, you won't need to put your feet down again. If you are like me and go for more than an hour in your rides, you will obviously need to stretch out, put your feet out, hop back on the passenger seat and stretch your arms and legs.. but as long as you are holding the brake at a full stop, you can do all of this without touching the ground. The bike will just sit there fully supported. When you pull up to a traffic light or a stop sign, your feet can remain on the pegs; the same will be true as you navigate a parking lot, or through gas pumps-- you can do all this in trike mode, and just steer around until you are ready to park it, either dropping the side stand, or pushing it up on it's center stand and then turning off Tilt Lock, then shutting off the bike.
For the most part, you won't be futzing along below 15 MPH, you will be on your cruiser on the freeway, and this front end is at it's best while moving fast and taking corners at steep lean angles. Most large bikes are fairly flickable at speed, and while I wouldn't characterize this Trio as being flickable, I would say that it's very maneuverable once you are used to it. You just have to swing a bit wider than you normally would on two wheels, as your bike is now wider than it used to be.
You also have to take in to account, that as you try to counter steer around objects in the road, you have to take care to judge how far to swing to make sure the inner wheel clears the object.
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If you are parking at an angle (to the side) like in a parking garage -- on the ramp, and you put your bike on it's center stand, the bike will try to level itself to the horizon, don't worry about it, just flip the Tilt Lock switch to Off, and the bike will rest on the stand, usually with a small jerk to land solidly on it. When you go to start your bike again, and turn it back on, the bike will automatically adjust to the horizon again, you can then take it off the center stand, hop on and then leave the spot. You will need to make sure that when steering around out of the parking garage space you will need to take care to go slow and keep it below 6MPH. When maneuvering a garage, try to keep it just above the 8 MPH mark, unless you don't have a choice, then drop it down below 6 MPH and stay in trike mode. Just as with the learning phase, stay clear of that transition if you can help it.
There are a few places you have to be wary, or on guard. Like when in trike mode and crossing railroad tracks that are at an angle, for whatever reason, this sends the bike rocking side to side. And, in gravel roads, when the dirt isn't packed very well, this too causes the system to rock a lot. It's not so bad for the driver, as you have handlebars, but the passenger may feel like something is wrong. By this point you will probably be very used to feeling what it does.
The last thing I have to say about the front end, is that, although there is an owner's manual, there is no service manual that you can buy as of this writing. Surprisingly; there is a LOT that can go wrong with this front end. And it takes knowledge and in some instances specialized tools to accomplish things that should be no issue in doing.
SERVICE:
The wheels require a special lug nut wrench to remove the center part of the wheel. This can be ordered from TMW.
The Disc Brake Rotor's are not something you can go to your local motorcycle shop and buy, you have to order them from TMW. The brake pads are however something you can easily get.
Hydraulic fluid-- this is a process I'm still learning about. This may require special tools to both drain and add new fluid. From what I understand, the clear fluid used is only manufactured by one company, and isn't easily sourced. You may need to special order this from TMW as well.
The Front end can get out of alignment, but good news, you can do this yourself. Contact TMW and they will give you the instructions.
Changing out the wheel bearings is also a thing, and you need to know the replacement cycle, and how to do it. As of this writing I'm still waiting for that information, and what is needed to do the work. From what I understand, if you don't get the torque settings just right, you can over tighten and the wheels can seize up on you.
If the front end rocks side to side super easily, or, if you find it feels like it's floating while riding on the freeway, you need to tighten your front shocks. On the Goldwing, I have mine adjusted so that 12 threads show on each side.
Some things to think about, that may need replacing at some point: Hydraulic Motors, the electronics, wiring, and sensors.
Note: if you have already bought one, make sure you check with TMW to make sure you have received the Recall. The recall is free, and can only be done by a dealer.
Also: Just as an aside -- A solid red light is indication of one of the following 4 faults:
1. Both Quadrature sensors are missing or malfunctioning
2. Motor overload
3. Accelerometer failure
4. Solenoid failure
Unplug and replug all connectors. Check fuses. Ensure the ABS has a power wire, the thin black one.
My goal with this page is to give a balanced view point; this is not an advertisement, it's an honest run down of my Trio based on going from a beginner and learning it on my own, and then advancing to a year later and having roughly 15,000 miles on it. All that experience came about doing things the hard way and teaching myself.
...and yes I do work on the bike myself... if you have questions, you can ask....