Motor trike owners
- Thread starter jnorth
- Start date
I just got one the 1st of July an like it alot, my dealer said they are one of the Best you can Buy, I have the ladder rack Suspension, mine is NOT new it's a 05 on a 2002 GL 1800,, Good Luck...
I am on my second GL MotorTrike . The first was a 2003 1800 with a straight axle system. I now have a 2008 Pearl White 1800 with the NEW IRS Independent Rear Suspension , 2010 Adventure Kit. Love them both. Had a little glitch with the Drive shaft U-Joint but I truly think it was an oops on the installer. BUT, MotorTrike stepped in and sent All NEW parts under warranty and even allowed my non MotorTrike guy install the new parts. Since then, no issues. Just got back from doing lot's of little twisties in the Tennessee/NC mountains, Tail of the Dragon, Cherohala Skyway.. NO issues. you're welcome to pm me and I'll give ya my cell # and give you MORE details if you like.
RIDE SAFE:
Tony T of I V E:Biker:
RIDE SAFE:
Tony T of I V E:Biker:
- Thread starter
- #4
Thanks all, I am just trying to figure all this out with the different conversions. This will be my first trike and all the different kits have me a little confused as to which is the best to put on my bike. I have some time since I am not tricking it until next summer. The dealer that I am looking at using only puts on motor trike conversions. Thanks Tony T of I V E, I may call you when time gets closer to next summer.
Well im on my second motor trike also, and I am 100% satisfied. Nuff said?
- Moderator
- #7
The connecting arms for the rear suspension are shaped in a manner that they look like small ladders. Get down and look under you will see what I mean.
Motor trike co. is in troup TX. you might want to take a ride over to there factory for a tour.
Motortrike is a solid trike. So that being said, I think the service from the home factory sucks. If you are not the original owner, you are in the dark. I have been riding a 99 1500SE classic for 4 years, and have NEVER recieved help from them when I needed it. The actual builders can be great, but if the factory does'nt support the installers, then that to me is a problem. I may be a minority, but this has been discussed many times before, with multiple MotorTrike owners. If I can ever afford another trike, (doubtful in this economy), I'll not go with Motortrike. JMHO jimsjinx
Helo jnorth, there are several threads in the Forum that address a lot of the features that are/are not available on the various kits. Take the time and do you homework, you will be a much happier Triker if you do. We all have opinions and many stories to tell so take some of the information with "a grain of salt" and be your own judge. So, as I mentioned earlier to do your research, review the threads and then decide. Good luck..
I just converted my '06 a few months ago to a Motor Trike Adventure (independent rear suspension) kit. This kit has been out over a year and has performed very well.... The ride is smoother then a solid axle style conversion and I think it handles better... I can't say my conversion is perfect but it's really good and I'm very satisfied.
Regarding the poor support one poster mentioned I have quite to opposite experience. I've called the Home Plant a couple times and received nothing but prompt, courteous, and informative help. Paris is not that far from Troup. I agree a road trip might be a good idea there..... ThumbUp ThumbUp
All that being said I do also agree with jfingalls. There are many kit out there. Each has good and bad points. In the end they all will be good. The key to a good trike is a good installer/dealer. Choose the kit you want and then find the installer you are comfortable will put a good ride on the road.
Regarding the poor support one poster mentioned I have quite to opposite experience. I've called the Home Plant a couple times and received nothing but prompt, courteous, and informative help. Paris is not that far from Troup. I agree a road trip might be a good idea there..... ThumbUp ThumbUp
All that being said I do also agree with jfingalls. There are many kit out there. Each has good and bad points. In the end they all will be good. The key to a good trike is a good installer/dealer. Choose the kit you want and then find the installer you are comfortable will put a good ride on the road.
skuuter
One of the Origionals
Really like my Motor Trike IRS.....no complaints.....ThumbUp
The only trike mfg.that I know of in Troup is Motor Trike.Don't know why they choose to have them do the conversion.I would check on taking it to Troup myself.Unless you don't have the means to trailer it yourself.GOOD LUCK=RIDE SAFE
Yep, ran into the same problem myself...cost me an extra grand, for not much. I think Motortrike's attitude about customer relations is going to sooner or later "shoot themselves in the foot". Guess they've never heard- "what the customer want's, the customer gets". It shouldn't be just about what the company wants. And what the heck, change your rules, Motortrike, and sell more trikes...that's what it should be about anyway. JMHO 
Yep, ran into the same problem myself...cost me an extra grand, for not much. I think Motortrike's attitude about customer relations is going to sooner or later "shoot themselves in the foot". Guess they've never heard- "what the customer want's, the customer gets". It shouldn't be just about what the company wants. And what the heck, change your rules, Motortrike, and sell more trikes...that's what it should be about anyway. JMHO
It's my experience that manufacturing facilities rarely if ever sell direct to the public. Motor Trike supports a vast network of dealer/installers and that is the way it done by most. I do know of a few cases where Motor Trike did the actual conversions but I don't think that is a long term situation for any dealer. There are too many possible reasons why a conversion would be done by the guys at Troup to even start guessing here.
jnorth, if you choose to go with Motor Trike find a dealer/installer with a good reputation and you'll be happy....
WE HAVE A 2003 1800 MOTOR TRIKE & HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT GOOD RIDING & SERVICE FROM THIS MACHINE. 50000 MILES & 1/4 OF THAT PULLING AN ASPEN TENT TRAILER. THE PERFORMANCE HAS BEEN EXCEPTIONAL!!! WAS AT WING DING & VISITED THE CALIF. SIDE CAR DEALER THERE (HE WAS FROM FLORIDA) THIS DING DONG DEALER TOLD ME TO TAKE MY MOTOR TRIKE OFF "THROW IT AWAY" & INSTALL HIS. WE LOVE OUR MOTOR TRIKE & WOULD BUY ANOTHER, BUT WOULD NEVER BUY A CALIF. SIDE CAR NOW!!! (as said before do your homework & research prior to a decision)
I have the IRS Motor Trike conversion on my 2010 wing, getting along fine with it so far. I have put 7000 miles on it. I don't know if Motor Trike is the best conversion, but I like mine.
If possible, I would have the factory install the conversion. Any conversion is only as good as the installer.
Good luck.
If possible, I would have the factory install the conversion. Any conversion is only as good as the installer.
Good luck.
Hi everyone, I found this site from a referral from someone on the VTX Cafe site. I am looking at adding a Motor Trike Kit to my ride. I currently have a 2006 Honda VTX 1300C. My hubby, Mark and I have lots of questions about a trike. We want to make the right decision. We hear that there may be front end wobble with a trike. Also, I am trying to find out if I'll lose my 2 inch Cobra Drag pipes in the configuration-which I would really hate to do. I know I'll lose my Saddlebags, but also am going to gain a good sized trunk. Any feedback would be helpful to us at this point.
Hi Kandie, and welcome to TrikeTalk! The trunk easily makes up for the saddlebags even if the actual measured space were identical, because it is all one large space you can fit things in more efficiently. As for the front end wobble -- DEFINITELY get a rake kit added! While it is not "required", it not only minimizes anything like the wobble, but it gives you the effect of power steering. Without a rake kit, you will quickly complain of aching shoulders, arms, and back!
Bazooka has a huge discount on rake kits for forum members. He also can give you specific recommendations on what degree rake is needed for your particular brand of bike and trike kit.
Bazooka has a huge discount on rake kits for forum members. He also can give you specific recommendations on what degree rake is needed for your particular brand of bike and trike kit.
Hi ALL, in regards to the MotorTrike Kit, as in my earlier post I got my Trike July 1st 2011, as of now today I have 5000 miles on the Trike and NO Problems, I just got a Rake Kit 4.5 from Randy an plan to put it on after the riding season is over here in Minnesota, November some time, MotorTrike Kit has been GOOD to ME,, got my Trike from L&M Sales & Service Inc, Glewood, Minnesota, 1-320-634-3135, ask for Lonnie, GREAT People to deal with & there Fair with you... they do MotorTrike & Champion Conversions.....:goodjob:
DON'T WAIT!!!! :wave4: :wave4:
I was gonna wait until my winter tuning also. Man am I glad I didn't... You will not believe the difference that 4.5 degree rake kit makes.
It should only take 10 to 12 hours tops to do the entire thing and you will be grinning from ear to ear... ThumbUp ThumbUp
Kandie- I have probably the same kit as you're getting. I don't know about "the wobble" as I installed 6 degree triple tree right in the beginning....gotta say though there is no trace of any wobble. Steering is extremely light and super responsive now. I'm thinking that they will replace your exhaust during the conversion, as well... they did on mine as they had to drop the exhaust pipe and move it back so that the setup can fit under the rear axle. I'm thinking of converting mine back however as I don't like the loudness of the new exhaust. I also have to say that in order to set up the suspension in order to ride the thing, the result tends to be a bit of a rougher ride...you might wanna look into a conversion with independant suspension... dunno. Lastly, with my setup, I found out that while the trunk will hold alot of stuff, the whole cut into it is so small it will hardly let you get a half helmet into it, and a 3/4 not at all... seems to mme that they could have cut out a bigger hole in the first place. I do like the trike now, but I'll say there may be better conversions out there. Which ever you decide, ride safe and enjoy it...
- Moderator
- #29
welcome aboard. the vtx1300 makes a great trike. I'm sure that you can modify whatever conversion to make the pipes work. You might even have to modify the pipes a little, hard to say until you choose a conversion. Good luck
In March of this year I converted my 94 GL1500 to a Champion Trike and put 5000 miles on it in June while on vacation. I absolutely LOVED it! In a strange turn of events while on a long weekend outing with some friends in Northern Indiana we stopped at a dealership to look one of riding companions a bigger bike. While at the dealership I ended up trading our trike for a 2010 Motor Trike Gl1800 with IRS.. I think it must have been lust with the 1500 because i LOVE the Motortrike! It is a great ride and handles superbly! I have around 1 k on it now! Going to Bardstown KY for a long weekend on it next weekend!
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