Morning...........

[kena1940]

Been reading this forum for a number of years. Lately quite intensely. Comment/Question.

I'm going to have to go to a trike if I want to get back to riding. Currently have an 2007 GL1800. Was going to have a trike kit installed. Made the mistake of looking at Harley trikes. Saw a Freewheeler, sat on it and felt like a Road King. Which was about as comfortable as my old '86 FXRS. My goal is to make one more trip to Alaska next spring. Did that trip year I retired.

Don't have many chances to try different trikes around here.

For those that have had IRS conversion kits and SA Freewheeler trikes, what are your thoughts for touring. I do very little two up riding.

Ken

 

[Keystone]

Welcome to TT!ThumbUp


I recently spent @ 1300 miles on a GL1800 with a MotorTrike IRS. Running down the highway the IRS provides a very smooth ride. The biggest "complaint" (for lack of another word) I would have is the amount of roll the body has. I've spent 65,000 miles on a solid axle starting with my 2009 Tri Glide and now on my FLRT. There are pro's and con's to both but it comes down to what "fits" you. For me I like the way the solid axle rides/handles. Others prefer the IRS. #1 reason to buy a FLRT or Tri-Glide is that they are factory built and you have a very large dealer network. In the case of conversions some dealerships will not work on a converted bike.
It's not exactly just a one brand VS another, but rather a factory built VS conversion question too.

 

[Gold Rush]

I won't say that factory warranty is a NONE ISSUE but I can tell you there are thousands of conversions out here that have never seen any dealer for warranty work.

As Keystone says "There are pro's and con's to both but it comes down to what "fits" you." Don't buy anything based on one experience. Not doing your research can be a very expensive mistake.

What ever you choose, three wheels beats the dickens out a recliner!!! :xszpv: :xszpv:

 

[Rick Kay]

Welcome to Trike Talk from Michigan! :wave4:

I triked my existing bike in 2012. It was an interesting educational experience when I was making my decision to trade said bike, or convert it. Ultimately, the opportunity to customize piqued my interest, and I did the conversion. My installer was my HD dealer, whom I trust and have done business with for years, and I bought the conversion they were a dealer for, CSC.

You're going to agonize over your decision, and then second guess yourself, but you really win either way, because you'll be riding again. ThumbUp

 

[kybigmac]

Main thing is to get your knees back in the breeze! :Coffee:

 

[dirtdobber]

I have a 2012 goldwing roadsmith coversion and a new freewheeler. At your age i would take in cosideration of what will it take to give you the ride your after, not appearance but function.
I can do 800 miles on the gw with no problem. The free needs some help for complete comfort. It is simple to do. The free is closer to a performace ride, kinda stiff. DK makes a kit that will solve that.
Test ride is your best option . The older I get the softer ride i want.

 

[clint44]

Strictly my opinion only but if it were me,I would have either Hannigan or CSC trike that Wing and never look back.

 

[rtotten]

I have a CanAm Spyder and Love it. No problems with it so far. Ride is phenomenal, the new 1330 rotax engine is hard to beat. At least take one for a test ride!

 

[Gorilla]

Welcome aboard. There has been enough said to stimulate your thought processes good luck and ask more questions if you need to. Make then specific.

 

[J.T.M.]

I chose a hannigan transformer kit for my Harley. I wanted the longer wider kit with independent suspension for the smooth ride and great handling. The extra large trunk is a great bonus

 

[kena1940]

Demo

Demoed (is that a word) a Freewheeler today. May be hooked.

 

[Keystone]

Demoed (is that a word) a Freewheeler today. May be hooked.

I can fully understand!ThumbUp

 

[Gorilla]

Yep saw the line running out full speed.

 

[kena1940]

Thanks

There's some wise folks here. Called my dealer and told him I was going to hold off for a while. Really, really like riding the Free Wheeler. But...........got home took a good look at the Wing and all the creature comforts I've added..........better think about this a while.

Need to find a ride on an Independent Suspension before deciding. Thanks for the "slap up the side of the head" and common sense advise.

 

[kena1940]

Update

Since you all were so helpful with your time and expertise, thought I would update what is going on at this end.

Decided to go with CSC conversion. Installer within 40 miles.

Picked it up the first part of September.

Hadn't touched the wing for a year.

First 500 miles wasn't sure but I was on the road again.

At around 1000 miles getting pretty comfortable.

BAM! 1500 miles and I'm lovin' it. Jeez this thing is nice and smooth. Gravel and sand roads aren't giving me the jitters.

Oh yeah, better go make an appointment for the 1000 mile checkup. 35 degrees, what a wonderful ride.

Wish I had done this years ago. I think I'm 5 years younger than I was yesterday. epper::clapping:

Thanks to all who took the time to answer questions and give honest advice.


Oh yeah, looked at the freewheeler a couple days ago. If I could win the lottery I would have one of those in the garage.

 

[Gorilla]

Glad it all worked out for you.

 

[ol' school]

Since you all were so helpful with your time and expertise, thought I would update what is going on at this end.

Decided to go with CSC conversion. Installer within 40 miles.

Picked it up the first part of September.

Hadn't touched the wing for a year.

First 500 miles wasn't sure but I was on the road again.

At around 1000 miles getting pretty comfortable.

BAM! 1500 miles and I'm lovin' it. Jeez this thing is nice and smooth. Gravel and sand roads aren't giving me the jitters.

Oh yeah, better go make an appointment for the 1000 mile checkup. 35 degrees, what a wonderful ride.

Wish I had done this years ago. I think I'm 5 years younger than I was yesterday. epper::clapping:

Thanks to all who took the time to answer questions and give honest advice.


Oh yeah, looked at the freewheeler a couple days ago. If I could win the lottery I would have one of those in the garage.

Enjoy that CSC trike. I know me and the missus love ours. We triked our 1700 Kawasaki Nomad earlier this year with a CSC kit. It took me a good 500 miles before I was comfortable after riding on two for so long. Got a few thousand more on since and totally love the trikin' life. Definitely like my IRS. Have a riding buddy who has a new Freewheeler. They are definitely nice rides too... like a little hot rod he says.

 

[gerald martin]

morning

I bought a freewheeler June 28/15 as of today I have 18,000 miles not kms on it. At first I thought the stock seat was no good but now I like it. At first my wife didn't like the stock seat so we demoed a sundowner and both of us didn't like it. my wife now likes the stock seat. We have made many trips together in excess of 1000 miles at a time and were completely comfortable. My only regrets of buying the freewheeler is on a really hot day say 90 above or more my wife says the heat is bad but we are getting her one of those evaporator vests. below 90 she is fine. Also the freewheeler is hard to keep clean. My second choice would be a Frankenstein conversion. easy to clean and because it is way lighter could haul a small one wheel trailer for storage.