My children have all been huge fans of anything on wheels, so when the opportunity to try out Fisher-Price’s Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Tough Trike popped up, my nostalgia for the good old days of stalking sweet bikes with my kids revved up as well. My sons are a bit too old for this ride (they’re between 7 and 14, but that didn’t stop the youngest from giving it a go) but my friend’s 2- and 3-year-old nephews, also Harley fans, were more than happy to stand in for a few test drives. (I enlisted a few more preschool to early elementary-age riders, too.) Read on to find out if this bike lives up to the hype.
Setup: A bit trickier than it looks
Though most of the trike pops together easily, one screw took some real elbow grease to get in place on the wheelbase. I think the issue was that the hole for the screw was slightly too small. Otherwise, setup was relatively simple.
Design: Nice trike!
This Fisher-Price Trike boasts a black body with orange flames, an orange seat, and orange pedals—plus the cool Harley-Davidson branding that kids love. The trike has solid silver handlebars with a comfortable grip, pedals that are large and easy to turn, and a spacious seat that seems comfortable for a range of body types. There’s also the awesome feature of a trunk under the seat, where kids can store their secret treasures.
Entertainment Value: “Best bike ever”
What little kid doesn’t long to hop on a Harley? I know mine did, and even years over the suggested age range, they are still coveting this bike. “Awesome!” “Can I ride it?” “Whose is that?” This is just a sampling of the feedback this bike elicited by just about every kid within eyeshot—and I live one block from an elementary school, so there was no shortage of testers. My 7-year-old asked if our 3-year-old tester needed any help figuring it out—he didn’t. Instead, the tot immediately hopped aboard and started riding. Feeling quite proud, he said happily, “I can do it by myself!” Loop after loop around the block later, he was still at it, with older kids chasing after him. The general consensus after an hour of play: “This is the best bike ever!” The fun skyrocketed with the discovery of the hidden storage compartment. My 7-year-old suggested they put fruit snacks and pretzels inside, while the 3-year-old decided to start a rock collection and use the trunk to stow away his finds.
Educational Value: Pedal power
Kids work on coordination, pedaling, and balance while using this trike–and there is also the benefit of just getting outside and exercising.
Age Range: 4 to 6 years
The manufacturer recommends this bike for kids aged 2 to 5, with a maximum weight of 55 pounds. However, I’d say the optimal age is more like 4 to 6 years unless the child is on the bigger side—ideally over 36 inches tall. Another 3-year-old and a 2-year-old in our neighborhood also loved the trike, but both found that their legs weren’t long enough yet to turn the pedals. Still, they happily scooted around unfazed that they couldn’t ride it like a bike—they’ll need to grow a bit to make that happen. Incidentally, I had a hard time keeping my 7-year-old off this trike. He was keen to give it a go and, despite the fact that he’s been riding a “big boy bike” since age 3, he had a blast pedaling around on this trike.
Safety: Sturdy and stable
Some trikes seem like they could fall over with a slight breeze. This trike is much sturdier and has wide, solid wheels. We didn’t have any issues with kids wobbling or becoming close to toppling over. All the little ones who tried it felt very secure and could get to a decent speed safely.
Ease of Cleaning: Easy-peasy
This trike is made of plastic—not great for the environment but easy to wipe clean with a damp cloth. My only worry is if food, especially the sticky kind, gets accidentally left in the “secret” compartment, but again, that can be wiped out or hosed off as needed.
Price: A steal
The Fisher-Price Harley-Davidson Tough Trike costs around $30. This is a good price considering a number of comparable products run all the way up to $70 or more. Plus, this is Harley!
Fisher-Price Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Tough Trike vs. Fisher-Price Nickelodeon PAW Patrol Lights & Sounds Trike
Both of these trikes will put a smile on just about any kid’s face. The PAW Patrol Trike is a bit more expensive at around $57, but it does offer lights, music, and a “walkie-talkie” feature, which I’m sure would be a big hit, particularly with PAW Patrol fans. However, I would lean a bit toward the Harley model, which has a more streamlined style; the PAW Patrol trike looks a bit bulky and top-heavy. The Fisher-Price Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Tough Trike offers epic fun on wheels. This is a sturdy, comfortable ride that will delight kids ages 2 to 5.
