The Harley-Davidson Tri Glide Ultra Classic is the three-wheeled motorcycle the company introduced for the 2009 model year under the code FLHTCUTG. It is the first trike Harley-Davidson had built since the Servi-Car, which ended in 1973, and it is based on the two-wheeled Electra Glide Ultra Classic.
Harley-Davidson Tri Glide at a glance
| Introduced | 2009 model year |
|---|---|
| Model code | FLHTCUTG |
| Based on | Electra Glide Ultra Classic |
| First trike since | the Servi-Car, built 1932–1973 |
| Built with | Lehman Trikes of Spearfish, South Dakota, from 2008 |
| Assembly today | Harley-Davidson plant in York, Pennsylvania |
| Public debut | led the parade at Barack Obama’s inauguration, 20 January 2009 |
| Engine | 114 cu in (1,870 cc) overhead-valve V-twin |
| Transmission | six speeds, electronic fuel injection |
| Reverse | optional at launch, standard later |
| Cruise control | standard |
| Second trike | Street Glide Trike, 2010 model year, later dropped |
History of the Harley-Davidson Tri Glide
The Tri Glide Ultra Classic appeared for the 2009 model year as the first three-wheeled motorcycle Harley-Davidson had produced since the Servi-Car of 1932 to 1973. It is based on the Electra Glide Ultra Classic, a conventional two-wheeled tourer. In 2008 Harley-Davidson agreed with Lehman Trikes of Spearfish, South Dakota, to supply parts and conversion services, and the first Tri Glides were finished at Lehman’s facility; after the owner John Lehman died in January 2012 the assembly moved to the Harley-Davidson plant in York, Pennsylvania.
Shortly after the launch a Tri Glide led the parade at the inauguration of Barack Obama on 20 January 2009. Harley-Davidson briefly offered a second trike, the Street Glide Trike with fewer standard features, from the 2010 model year, but it was dropped; a new trike, the Freewheeler, came in 2015. At first, and because of its stability, the Tri Glide was marketed to riders with health problems caused by age or injury and to women riders.
The Tri Glide is powered by a 114-cubic-inch (1,870 cc) overhead-valve V-twin with electronic fuel injection, a claimed 120 lb-ft of torque and 93 rear-wheel horsepower, through a six-speed gearbox. Electric reverse was optional when the model was introduced and later became standard, and electronic cruise control is standard equipment.
Design and features
- Factory trike: three wheels built by Harley-Davidson itself, not a conversion.
- Ultra Classic base: fairing, top case and touring equipment carried over from the two-wheeler.
- Reverse gear: electric reverse for manoeuvring the 1,870 cc trike.
- Stability: aimed at riders who want three wheels for health or confidence reasons.
Harley-Davidson Tri Glide versions
- Tri Glide Ultra Classic (from 2009): the full-dress trike, code FLHTCUTG.
- Street Glide Trike (2010): a short-lived version with fewer standard features.
- Freewheeler (2015): the later, lighter trike model.
The two-wheeled model it is based on is described in the article on the Electra Glide, the earlier Harley three-wheeler in the article on the Servi-Car, and the touring chassis in the article on the FL. More models are in the Harley-Davidson collection.
Sources
- Harley-Davidson Tri Glide Ultra Classic, English Wikipedia: history, assembly, market, specification
- Harley-Davidson Electra Glide, French Wikipedia: the trike as a derivative of the Electra Glide
