The decision to convert our 2007 GL1800 motorcycle to a 3-wheeler arrived after considerable debate, extensive reading, a fair amount of personal anguish, and much earlier than I anticipated. My wife who had ridden with me as a passenger for many years and miles on the GL1800, decided that at 68 years old, prudent risk management would no longer include riding on the back of a 2-wheel motorcycle. Now she still enjoyed riding but wanted a more stable base under her; i.e., 3-wheels.
That prompted months of reading, visits to trike kit installers, and seeking dealers with inventory who also allowed perspective customers to test ride a trike. That latter not being as available as hoped for. We strongly agreed that a conventional trike with the 2-wheels in back was our preference. Thus the hunt began in 2 directions: find a used Goldwing trike or convert the GL1800. And it was the latter which we chose. Since we both preferred Motor Trike’s Razor kit and there was a dealer less than 40 miles away in Leola, PA, that is where the conversion was done. Aftermarket seat heaters and heated grips were installed at the time. [Both were excellent decisions. Controlled heat for aging bodies and arthritic joints is a “God-send’].
So after almost a year with the trike, what’s the assessment? First and foremost, the conversion met the fundamental requirement of risk management: 3-wheel stability and confidence of both rider & passenger. It keeps us riding together! The Razor kit looks great and my wife feels it truly enhances the appearance of the GL1800. I don’t disagree. The conversion has extended the riding season and with greater safety. With 3-wheel stability, heated seats (rider & passenger), and 12v heated jacket liners (rider & passenger), we’ve been riding in temperatures as low as 28 degrees F. That would have never happened before the conversion.
And while I miss the sports bike handling of the GL1800 motorcycle, and the absence of gliding through the ‘twisties', I have no justification to complain since there remains another ‘stallion in the corral’; a 2004 Honda Valkyrie Rune. And that beast loves to romp!
That prompted months of reading, visits to trike kit installers, and seeking dealers with inventory who also allowed perspective customers to test ride a trike. That latter not being as available as hoped for. We strongly agreed that a conventional trike with the 2-wheels in back was our preference. Thus the hunt began in 2 directions: find a used Goldwing trike or convert the GL1800. And it was the latter which we chose. Since we both preferred Motor Trike’s Razor kit and there was a dealer less than 40 miles away in Leola, PA, that is where the conversion was done. Aftermarket seat heaters and heated grips were installed at the time. [Both were excellent decisions. Controlled heat for aging bodies and arthritic joints is a “God-send’].
So after almost a year with the trike, what’s the assessment? First and foremost, the conversion met the fundamental requirement of risk management: 3-wheel stability and confidence of both rider & passenger. It keeps us riding together! The Razor kit looks great and my wife feels it truly enhances the appearance of the GL1800. I don’t disagree. The conversion has extended the riding season and with greater safety. With 3-wheel stability, heated seats (rider & passenger), and 12v heated jacket liners (rider & passenger), we’ve been riding in temperatures as low as 28 degrees F. That would have never happened before the conversion.
And while I miss the sports bike handling of the GL1800 motorcycle, and the absence of gliding through the ‘twisties', I have no justification to complain since there remains another ‘stallion in the corral’; a 2004 Honda Valkyrie Rune. And that beast loves to romp!
