Ride Comfort

[Judson Barber]

At 75 I am looking for a smooth ride and good handling. Do my trike riding friends out there have comments about the most confortable trikes and ones that handle well.:confused
I am riding an 01/1800 GW with a tow pack installed.

Thanks for the help:yes:Jud Barber, SC

 

[Nauga Mok]

You might look at Roadsmith & CSC. They both have 10" longer wheel base that helps smooth out the bumps & puts your seating position more in the middle of the trike instead of so close to the rear axel. I'm running a Roadsmith, but I looked real hard at the CSC too. The deciding factor was I could do the conversion myself if I went with the Roadsmith. If you're having the conversion done, then it'd be a toss of the coin as to which to get. There are people here who have CSCs and some of us have Roadsmiths & a lot of other brands. Everybody seems to like their choices. If at all possible take test rides on everything you can to help make the decision.

NM

 

[Gorilla]

JUD NM's makes good recommendations. Those 2 conversions are very good ones. There are a few others out there also and everyone seems to like what they bought. Independent Rear Suspension is considered a smoother ride. Also make sure you add a rake kit to the forks. That will make it handle a lot better. The conversion will be vastly better that the TOW-Pac. Nothing wrong with the tow-pac for the money, but the conversion is WAY better.

 

[Tangle Eye]

When we triked we only tested CSC and Hannigan. After riding the Hannigan there was no question. In our opinion, Hannigan rides great and I certainly have no issues with the handling either. Check 'em out.

 

[Tango]

Just took my CSC home. It has an awesome ride. I also opted for the optional suspension set up. Glad I did. Tom

 

[Comanche]

I am 71 and almost one-half and have the GL 1800 with the Champion solid axle trike kit. I have moved my pegs, bought extenders for my pegs still don't like the peg position. Bought Kuryakyn risers and did not like those so just bought and installed MLB risers and these are more comfortable. I do not like the seat so am buying a Ultimate seat and back rest. First thing I did was to put a 5.5 degree rake kit on it as my shoulders and neck are a wreck.

What I am saying is I would not buy another Champion. I will get a lot of people telling me that they love theirs, but they are not me. If I ever get another trike, I will test ride all of them until I get the one that fits me even if I have to drive hundreds of miles to test them all.

Just one old mans opinion.

 

[Gorilla]

Comanche what does all that you state that you changed have to do with the Champion kit? I could understand if you did not like the ride the solid axle gave you but everything else you mentioned did not change because the bike was converted to a trike, except the rake and I gather that works okay. Pegs, seat, risers are all Honda. Blame the Honda not Champion, unless I'm missing something.

 

[Comanche]

Comanche what does all that you state that you changed have to do with the Champion kit? I could understand if you did not like the ride the solid axle gave you but everything else you mentioned did not change because the bike was converted to a trike, except the rake and I gather that works okay. Pegs, seat, risers are all Honda. Blame the Honda not Champion, unless I'm missing something.

That's a fair comment. Most of the lack of comfort I am experiencing is with Honda's lack of egronomics, not Champion. I still wish I had ridden other trikes as there is something missing that all of you say you experience with your trikes. Only did a 140 mile round trip yesterday and when I got home my shoulders (rotten to begin with) were hurting.

 

[Nana]

Comanche, I agree with tmigala that everything you are describing as uncomfortable for you relates to the bike and how it "fits" with you, rather than the trike kit. I don't believe any other brand of trike kit would make a difference for you.

The pain in your shoulders is almost certainly related to arm positioning since you have already raked the front end to make the steering less difficult. I had the same problem, but handlebar risers/pull backs and a set of bars bringing my hand position closer to my shoulder width has made a huge improvement, and I can ride for hours without discomfort now.

I would venture to say that if you went to a Harley dealer and sat on a Tri-Glide or another large Harley that has been triked you would might a huge difference in leg comfort also. I am not pushing Harley as better than Honda or any other brand!!!! But I have consistently found their big cruisers have a leg and seat positioning that is far more comfortable for me than any GoldWing I have sat on. That is a very personal thing, though. It means sitting on a wide variety and makes of bikes before you find the one that feels just right for your hips and knees. For my ultimate comfort on long trips, I have changed out the highway pegs on my Kuryakyn moustache bars for smaller foot boards, and they have been wonderful in allowing my feet to change position to give my legs a break.

 

[Greydog]

That's a fair comment. Most of the lack of comfort I am experiencing is with Honda's lack of egronomics, not Champion. I still wish I had ridden other trikes as there is something missing that all of you say you experience with your trikes. Only did a 140 mile round trip yesterday and when I got home my shoulders (rotten to begin with) were hurting.

I have the same problem with my shoulders hurting but I look at it as therapy. Those particular shoulder muscles haven't been exercised all winter and are protesting the workout!!! It does, in fact, take considerable more effort to steer the trike than it does a two wheeler but that's just the nature of the beast. We took a ride yesterday on some twisty country roads with the wind gusting occasionally to 40mph and my old shoulder muscles are a little sore but I'm riding again today. I'm 65 and although my body ain't what it used to be, the trike keeps my heart and mind young.

 

[5thwheel]

I have a Goldwing 1800 with a Lehman conversion and have added the triple tree kit from them. I'm very happy with the ride both as the driver and on occasion as the passenger.
I've found the handling to be quite easy. I was out riding mine 2 weeks after I had surgery and the whole time I was doing radiation treatments. Not exactly feeling strong then but boy did it feel good to be out. I ride along with hubby and friends on 2 wheels and have never had a problem. I do find my arms get a little tired on the first couple of runs of the season but after that I feel like I could go all day :yes:.
Comanche, Nana has a good point there. I ride my hubby's bike once in a while and find that the set up of his handlebars makes my shoulders ache in a short time. They're perfect for him but a bit of a stretch for me.

 

[Comanche]

Comanche, I agree with tmigala that everything you are describing as uncomfortable for you relates to the bike and how it "fits" with you, rather than the trike kit. I don't believe any other brand of trike kit would make a difference for you.

The pain in your shoulders is almost certainly related to arm positioning since you have already raked the front end to make the steering less difficult. I had the same problem, but handlebar risers/pull backs and a set of bars bringing my hand position closer to my shoulder width has made a huge improvement, and I can ride for hours without discomfort now.

I would venture to say that if you went to a Harley dealer and sat on a Tri-Glide or another large Harley that has been triked you would might a huge difference in leg comfort also. I am not pushing Harley as better than Honda or any other brand!!!! But I have consistently found their big cruisers have a leg and seat positioning that is far more comfortable for me than any GoldWing I have sat on. That is a very personal thing, though. It means sitting on a wide variety and makes of bikes before you find the one that feels just right for your hips and knees. For my ultimate comfort on long trips, I have changed out the highway pegs on my Kuryakyn moustache bars for smaller foot boards, and they have been wonderful in allowing my feet to change position to give my legs a break.

Nana, Just yesterday I had the Kuryakyn risers swapped with the MLB standard risers. Substantial difference. I have been riding with a gel pad on the seat. This, albiet a bit softer has moved my legs and hands farther from the comfort points of each. So, I have removed the gel pad. I ordered a new Ultimate seat and back rest and am expecting this to make a huge difference. I know when I bought a Mustang seat for my Suzuki I went from Oh He ll to Oh yeah doing 500 mile days at my age was still fun. I will wait until I get the new seat installed before fooling with adding rubber on the pegs. Hoping the seat will solve the rest of those ilks.

 

[Gorilla]

Comanche, You are on the correct track. You need to get the trike fitted to you and then things will be a lot different. You can not enjoy the ride if you are in pain. Keeping working at it you will get it right. The GW/Champion is a good trike, you just got to get it right for you.

 

[BlueTrinity]

I'm 65 and although my body ain't what it used to be, the trike keeps my heart and mind young.

Greydog, I'm an older hillbilly than you and riding 'round with arthritis for years. You gotta check those bars! You get those arms in a better position and your shoulder problems won't go away, but the pain from riding will.

Now, before you go trying out new bars (handlebars, that is), I'd try moving them up or down a tad first. It's amazing what that small adjustment will do.

..and hey...how 'bout them 'eers? Might not of won it all, but tied for #3 in the nation ain't nothing to be ashamed of.

 

[Greydog]

Greydog, I'm an older hillbilly than you and riding 'round with arthritis for years. You gotta check those bars! You get those arms in a better position and your shoulder problems won't go away, but the pain from riding will.

Now, before you go trying out new bars (handlebars, that is), I'd try moving them up or down a tad first. It's amazing what that small adjustment will do.

..and hey...how 'bout them 'eers? Might not of won it all, but tied for #3 in the nation ain't nothing to be ashamed of.

Well, I learned it's not the steering making my neck and shoulders sore.....it's the helmet not fitting right. Been wearing a half helmet my buddy gave me and it's too big!!! The wind gets under the visor and wreaks havoc with my neck muscles blowing my gourd around. I wore my 3/4 helmet riding all day yesterday and no problems.

Yep!!! The WVU team and coach did us proud!!! I would like to have seen them go all the way but they made a great run to the Final Four. Quite an accomplishment considering it's been over 50 years since the last one!! :yes:

 

[ThirdWheel]

Jud: If I were you, I would be looking for a 40-50 year old, 135 lbs.(a little heavier for a more cushioned ride), any younger the ride may be a little to rough for you. LOL :yes:

 

[1800 06 Champion Trike]

I'm really getting sick of people cutting down the solid axels!

IMHO, I love our Champion Solid Axel and think it's the best Trike kit built.
I wouldn't trade it for any other brand.

I have friends with IRS and have nothing but problems.
One of them has stuck $2,000 trying to get his CSC suspension right.
Another one traded his MT for a CSC and wished he had his old one back. It shakes so bad after 50mph that he cann't see anything in the rear view mirrors.
My dealer had Champion's with their new IRS with suspension problems also.
The Hann and RS look like tanks they are so big and long.

My Champion has the best ride, one of the biggest trunks, doesn't lean to the outside of curves, has the least maintenance and best looking of all the Trikes out there.

There I vented, flame on!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[BlueTrinity]

Geesh !....you'd better pull over to the side of the road and get that burr out from under your saddle before you bust a gut.

Didn't see anyone on here flaming the Champion, in fact there's a good many of them on here.

Pretty obvious you don't have any kind feelings for anything other than the Champion, but you'll make a lot more friends if you don't try to go trashing our choices.

 

[Gorilla]

Wow I just re-read all the posts on this thread and not one person cut down a Champion straight axle. The gentalman that owned it was not happy with his ride and everyone pointed out that it was the bike not the conversion that he identified as the problems. By the way I have a Champion Straight axle and love it also, but I also know that an IRS under SOME conditions will ride better. Over all the straight axle works just great. We all pretty much like all trikes on this forum.

 

[Ozarkryder]

Here is another tip that I see nobody has brought up yet. A backrest for the pilot lessens the stress on the shoulder muscles. Having something to push against helps to relieve the tension on the back and shoulders.

 

[Tango]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>1800 06 Champion Trike</strong>
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<div class="message">I'm really getting sick of people cutting down the solid axels!<br />
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IMHO, I love our Champion Solid Axel and think it's the best Trike kit built.<br />
I wouldn't trade it for any other brand.<br />
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I have friends with IRS and have nothing but problems.<br />
One of them has stuck $2,000 trying to get his CSC suspension right.<br />
Another one traded his MT for a CSC and wished he had his old one back. It shakes so bad after 50mph that he cann't see anything in the rear view mirrors.<br />
My dealer had Champion's with their new IRS with suspension problems also.<br />
The Hann and RS look like tanks they are so big and long.<br />
<br />
My Champion has the best ride, one of the biggest trunks, doesn't lean to the outside of curves, has the least maintenance and best looking of all the Trikes out there.<br />
<br />
There I vented, flame on!!!!!!!!!!!!</div>

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Those CSC that are having problems with the suspension need to try a different installer. I only have 300 miles on mine, but it is rock solid. Handles like it is glued to the road. The longer wheelbase and IRS is awesome. Tom <img src="images/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Smile" class="inlineimg" />

 

[Nauga Mok]

Think he said he's ordered a seat with back rest, but you're RIGHT!! A back rest does make a BIG difference! Got the back rest for my Raodsofa because I remembered way back when I rode the rigid chopper that a rolled up sleeping bag on the queen's seat felt realy good when I hit a bump & got my butt kicked. That turned out to be a GOOD thing to remember because I LIKE that back rest!! The Saddlemen back rest on the roadsofa has an air bladder inside it that's adjustable. On long mile days, being able to instantly adjust the pressure of the backrest REALLY feels good!<br />
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NM

 

[Gorilla]

Amen to the back rest I would not ride far without one.

 

[meredog]

Well for what it's worth. I bought a Suzuki/Leman trike last year. It handled well but rode hard and often would bottom out if you hit a "big" hole. It was a low milage trike and the Leman wes starting to show a few stress craks in the glass but nothing serious. I did find Leman the factory to be "uncareing" about a few of the problems i had .<br />
I recently sold it and purhased a Honda vtx 1800 with a Champion convertion. Haven't ridden it enough to do a good evaluation of it but can say off the top that it rides 100% better than the Leman

 

[Gorilla]

meredog is the suspension IRS or solidaxle?

 

[meredog]

The Leman with the Suzuki was a solid axle---the Champion has the Independent -----------<br />
Hands down the Champion ride is so much better that my wife is riding with me and not flexing up and complaining when we go over bumps.

 

[Puff]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>Nauga Mok</strong>
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<div class="message">Think he said he's ordered a seat with back rest, but you're RIGHT!! A back rest does make a BIG difference! Got the back rest for my Raodsofa because I remembered way back when I rode the rigid chopper that a rolled up sleeping bag on the queen's seat felt realy good when I hit a bump & got my butt kicked. That turned out to be a GOOD thing to remember because I LIKE that back rest!! The Saddlemen back rest on the roadsofa has an air bladder inside it that's adjustable. On long mile days, being able to instantly adjust the pressure of the backrest REALLY feels good!<br />
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NM</div>

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</div>Great! Now I've just added a back-rest to my wish-list... I'm fast realizing that owning a trike is just like the "Never Ending Story" Friend of mine (Gertbuilt on this forum) used an electric seat adjuster off a Honda Legend car to allow variable adjustment of the backrest 'on the go'.

 

[TRIKERBOB69]

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<div class="message">Jud: If I were you, I would be looking for a 40-50 year old, 135 lbs.(a little heavier for a more cushioned ride), any younger the ride may be a little to rough for you. <b>LOL</b> :yes:</div>

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[Nauga Mok]

Looks like Puff has figured out that the trike is just the "down payment" for this insanity!! By the time we get EVERYTHING we want on a bike/trike, it's time to trade it in & start over. Ah, but we LOVE it, don't we??<br />
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NM

 

[Puff]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>Nauga Mok</strong>
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<div class="message">Looks like Puff has figured out that the trike is just the "down payment" for this insanity!! By the time we get EVERYTHING we want on a bike/trike, it's time to trade it in & start over. Ah, but we LOVE it, don't we??<br />
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NM</div>

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</div>Don't worry, I know that it's a bottomless pit when it comes to $$$'s, but I get a lot more bang for my bucks when I compare it to the expense of my ex-wife, and it's a bunch more fun :yes: