Am I making a mistake returning my trike?

[frocco]

I was all set to return my 2012 TriGlide and buy a new Goldwing.
Later maybe have it triked.

Needless to say, I would take a beating.
Wife says it hurts her spline, I think it runs too hot.

But I worry I may not be able to handle the GW as I am only 5'6" and 26 1/2 inseam, and 59 years old.

 

[pettifogger1]

The GW's are big and they are heavy. But they do have a reverse and who do you see riding them? Mostly old retired pharts. If you like it, go for it. You only live once. I lost a ton of money when I traded my Electra Glide for the trike I have.

 

[frocco]

Do you have a TriGlide?

 

[felixpirozzi]

I traded in my Ultra Clasic for a Gold Wing a few years ago. Now that I have a bad knee that they won't repair I went to a Gold Wing Trike. No comparison in bikes. No problems with power-heat-or comfort right out of the crate. The Gold Wing doesn't weigh much more than the Ultra Clasic.
They do make a lowering kit for the Wing. It lowers it about 3" I think you can look it up.

 

[oldtimer]

I was all set to return my 2012 TriGlide and buy a new Goldwing.
Later maybe have it triked.

Needless to say, I would take a beating.
Wife says it hurts her spline, I think it runs too hot.

But I worry I may not be able to handle the GW as I am only 5'6" and 26 1/2 inseam, and 59 years old.

I need help understanding how you can "return" your Triglide.

Did you have a 30 day return agreement with your dealer or something?

If so, please let me know who your dealer is-I'm willing to travel!

 

[Bikerbozo]

Have you tried playing with shock air pressure for a ride your wife is comfortable with? Maybe an adjustable air seat. HD makes a Zeppelin seat. Had it on my last 2-wheeler and loved it. The only reason I haven't gotten one for my TG is my wife, being 5 ft nothing thought it was too wide.
There might be some used GW trikes out there also you might want to consider.

 

[frocco]

I need help understanding how you can "return" your Triglide.

Did you have a 30 day return agreement with your dealer or something?

If so, please let me know who your dealer is-I'm willing to travel!

I did state I would take a beating.

 

[oldtimer]

I did state I would take a beating.

Frank, I'm not sure a beating would even describe it especially now with the 2013s almost out. Obviously that would be your call.

I owned one GW a long time back briefly, a 4 cylinder job. My recollection is that it got pretty hot at times itself. I'd do some reading up but I've heard several people say the new ones can get hot too.

Unless you just don't like the TG or are at the point where you're just over it, I'd bet you could get it cooled down enough to suit you and comfortable enough for your wife for a lot less than the cost of selling it back to the dealer. There's a lot of help and advice to be had here.

That's just one guy's opinion though, and it does take a fair amount of time, work and of course money. I think it's worth it but then again that's just me and admittedly I'm a Harley loyalist.

Best of luck to you whatever you decide!

 

[rhino 2]

I tried different air pressures in the tires and shocks, On local roads, Manhole covers, construction joints, and just the crappy pot hole streets in the Metro area the T/G Just plain beats me up, Now on a highway [rt 80, 287, Parkways etc] It rides great. But i do most of my riding on local roads.
If Honda made a Goldwing Trike in their own factory My T/G [11] would be gone!

 

[oldtimer]

I tried different air pressures in the tires and shocks, On local roads, Manhole covers, construction joints, and just the crappy pot hole streets in the Metro area the T/G Just plain beats me up, Now on a highway [rt 80, 287, Parkways etc] It rides great. But i do most of my riding on local roads.
If Honda made a Goldwing Trike in their own factory My T/G [11] would be gone!

I agree that's a big deal.

I wonder why they don't? You see a lot of them on the road.

 

[bumlbe]

I tried different air pressures in the tires and shocks, On local roads, Manhole covers, construction joints, and just the crappy pot hole streets in the Metro area the T/G Just plain beats me up, Now on a highway [rt 80, 287, Parkways etc] It rides great. But i do most of my riding on local roads.
If Honda made a Goldwing Trike in their own factory My T/G [11] would be gone!

I own a GW/Motor Trike. I have often thought that Honda should build their own trike, if they did, they sure would put a lot of companies out of business here in the USA which I wouldn't like to see.

As far as heat, mine will get pretty warm with a passenger and at speeds less than 20mph. Fortunately that doesn't happen very often. My buddy burned a hole in his jeans riding his Harley. Again, I am very fortunate, my pants haven't caught on fire yet.

 

[jcolson]

You have a really nice looking trike there. I would keep it until you can expreiment on it to get to ride alittle softer. You may try & find a new or used GW trike just to try out at a dealer. I've seen some around here in the Auto/Rv books. We have a trike conversion place in Indiana, I know they have some to try out. Just a thought. we are getting to the age that 3 is better than 2 . A lot safer anyway.

 

[John Luciano]

Heat from a Goldwing is really only felt when the fan comes on. I rode last week in 99 deg temp . Any movement above 30 you don't feel much heat. If you find a GW with ind rear as apposed to the solid in your Triglide you will feel a difference. To improve the Triglide to get power, ride, and heat issues is going to cost you maybe as much as how much you will loose making the switch to the wing. My suggestion is either a Champion IR. or the Roadsmith. Don't forget you never have to put your feet on the ground. Taught my friend ( 70 year old woman 5'.1" 130 # woman to ride a 2002 Gold wing, that by the way is now for sale.

[/IMG]

 

[screwball]

You are never going to be happy, dump that piece of crap, buy that Honda and see what happens. Go over to the Ride Central, one of the ladies husbands rides a wing. There is a picture with the wing on the side of the road where it overheated (radiator) pulling a trailer. If you think maintenance is expensive on the Harley, wait and see how much labor they charge you taking off all that plastic fairings and cowling's around your engine.

 

[Maryland Triker]

I have found that with my back against the backrest when I hit bumps I feel them a lot more so I've learned to lean forward slightly when I see bumps coming. Harley's are hot because they have to lean them out so much for the EPA & the ethenal doesn't help either. I put a tune kit on mine enriched it a little to take some of the heat out of it. I run 20 lbs in rear tires 36 in front & 40 psi in shocks 50 when the Warden rides with me. She is about 150 & I weigh 300? But I've always ridden Harley's tried Goldwings a bunch of times but they just aren't for me

 

[msocko3]

You are never going to be happy, dump that piece of crap, buy that Honda and see what happens. Go over to the Ride Central, one of the ladies husbands rides a wing. There is a picture with the wing on the side of the road where it overheated (radiator) pulling a trailer. If you think maintenance is expensive on the Harley, wait and see how much labor they charge you taking off all that plastic fairings and cowling's around your engine.

Fortunately the fairing doesn't have to come apart very often, the 1st service where the top shelter has to come off is at 25,000 miles which is when the air filter gets changed. Pretty much change oil at 5,000 miles which is easier and cleaner than changing oil on a Twin Cam.

I've worked on both HD's and Wing's, the Wing is actually pretty simple to work on. As for overheating, pretty much any bike can overheat given the right set of circumstances.

If I was the OP and was considering a Wing I'd rent one which is what I did. I rented one for 2 days and put over 500 miles on it so I could form my own opinion whether it was something for me or not. Yesterday I ordered a 2012 Level 1 Wing, the rented Wing proved to me it was worthy of garage space. In my case the wind buffeting for the passenger is much less which equates to less wind noise. My wife is deaf in her left ear so protecting what hearing she has is at the top of my list. The 1st thing she noticed it her hearing wasn't being impacted by wind buffeting like she gets on the back of a HD. She can't use ear plugs, the doctor told her it was a no no, so the Wing was pretty much a no brainer for me.

 

[Copasetic]

I feel that I improved the ride of my TG immensely with Legend Air Suspension. Really helps with the lousy roads in my neck of the woods.

 

[Memnoch451]

I really don't see how in the world anyone can compare a Goldwing and an Ultra Classic??? These two bike are so wildly on the opposite in so many ways it's not even funny.

First off let's look at it from a purely Engineering point of view...

Harley's use very old engineering as a basis for their bikes. A few points are Swing arm ( double sided ), Engine, Structure of the frames( were as many Metric bikes use the engine as part of the structure.. harley does not) and Don't get me started on the springer...

Harley's run hot... and you can feel the heat when you're riding it.... Live with it will never go away.. sure you can get it down a bit..but there will always be more heat than a GW. On cool day there really isn't any heat issues.. but in the summer... OUCH!

I think everyone in here knows the true differences between a Harley and a Honda... regardless of the engineering and heat and ride.. most harley people are harley people and that's that.

I like Harley and I like Honda and Suzuki and Ducati and Kawi and just about anything that has two wheels or three in the case with trikes.

Bottom line is buy what makes you happy.. if it stops making you happy and you can afford it get something else. ThumbUp

 

[msocko3]

I really don't see how in the world anyone can compare a Goldwing and an Ultra Classic??? These two bike are so wildly on the opposite in so many ways it's not even funny.

First off let's look at it from a purely Engineering point of view...

Harley's use very old engineering as a basis for their bikes. A few points are Swing arm ( double sided ), Engine, Structure of the frames( were as many Metric bikes use the engine as part of the structure.. harley does not) and Don't get me started on the springer...

Harley's run hot... and you can feel the heat when you're riding it.... Live with it will never go away.. sure you can get it down a bit..but there will always be more heat than a GW. On cool day there really isn't any heat issues.. but in the summer... OUCH!

I think everyone in here knows the true differences between a Harley and a Honda... regardless of the engineering and heat and ride.. most harley people are harley people and that's that.

I like Harley and I like Honda and Suzuki and Ducati and Kawi and just about anything that has two wheels or three in the case with trikes.

Bottom line is buy what makes you happy.. if it stops making you happy and you can afford it get something else. ThumbUp

Very well put, I'm on the same side of the fence as you are. I like all bikes and trikes, I don't care what a person rides as long as they are happy with it.

 

[John Luciano]

I heard this yesterday is this true, the 1st service call is at 1,000 miles and is $500

 

[oldtimer]

I heard this yesterday is this true, the 1st service call is at 1,000 miles and is $500

It was indeed true in my case but of course it would depend on the labor rate and parts markup of each individual dealer. As in my case, generally it will be more in major metropolitan markets.

My dealer charges a 1 hour surcharge to do the 1K (and what else?) on a trike!

 

[Memnoch451]

It was indeed true in my case but of course it would depend on the labor rate and parts markup of each individual dealer. As in my case, generally it will be more in major metropolitan markets.

My dealer charges a 1 hour surcharge to do the 1K (and what else?) on a trike!

I"m not that old... But, when I was in my early twenties wasn't it free??? :Shrug:

 

[Oldmsocko]

I"m not that old... But, when I was in my early twenties wasn't it free??? :Shrug:

The 1,000 is still free at some dealers.

 

[oldtimer]

The 1,000 is still free at some dealers.

Yeah, I wish.

I've heard a rumor my dealer is thinking about putting in pay toilets...

 

[rhino 2]

Yeah, I wish.

I've heard a rumor my dealer is thinking about putting in pay toilets...

My 1 thousand and 5 thousand were free Going in for my 10 thousand Tuesday that one is on my dime. That's probably when he'll make it up. But still No charge for a dump.ThumbUp

 

[patriot]

I've had a GW CSC trike and I have a Tri Glide right now. Most of what I've heard in this discussion is heat. What about ride? My T-Glide rides just as good as the GW. My spouse likes the way the T-Glide seat sits. I believe handling is just as good as the GW. the heat is an issue, but the crotch coolers have really helped. So there are ways to works things out. By the way, wait till you equip a GW to Tri-Glide standards.

 

[2fromTX]

got our '08 Ultra Motortrike 3 months ago after having a 2000 GW Motortrike for 2 years. I personally prefer the HD over the GW. The Harley is a smaller more nimble machine IMHO and the sound/feel of it just put's and instantaneous smile on my face when I roll on the gas.
The wife was not a fan at all of the Harley,she said the GW had way more "room" and she could stretch out better. She also could go on shorter rides wearing only her sandals/capri's(her favorite summer attire) whereas on the Harley she has to be fully geared up because of the heat.

Modifications are in process,we moved the tour-pak back and taking the trike to the shop tomorrow for a set of "tru-duals" which will eliminate the cross-over pipe that runs right by her footrest,and a new air breather. Stage II or III kit with a good tune to be installed this winter will hopefully cool it down a bit more.

Both machines are/were solid axle,and I think the HD rides and soaks up bumps WAY better than the GW(could just be 8 more years of engineering)....I am also a huge fan of the newer electronics on the HD(GW still had a cassette player LOL)

BUT one of the biggest feathers that HD has in its cap(and no other moco has ever thought of),is "motorclothes" which will keep the wife happy as long as she can shop for stuff everytime we hit a dealerThumbUp

 

[TattooZ]

I prefer to look at this question in several ways.

1) How much does it cost?
Putting in some after market parts to make the bike feel right for you vs. WHat's it going to cost for the gold wing + conversion. Even money the Gold wing wilkl cost about 3 to 7 thousand more. (sales price new)

2) Gold Wing front suspension SUCKS! It will cost you 2 thousand plus to fix that and the
rear hydrolic suspension.

3) Ride a goldwing first, then decide if it's comfortable for you and the wife.

What you really want is a comfortable ride regardless whom manufactures it.

Harley triglide runs warm. There are several ways to cool it down but we're talking 800 to 1500 bucks or so. The rear should be lifted IMHO. That can be solved from $250 to $1600 plus labor.

The GW has heat issues as well, not as bad as my 2100 TriGlid had. But Hot never-the-less.

Personally I find the Gold Wing to have much more power and much more uncomfortable for me. That's why I traded my 04 Wing for a Harley. Get what fits you and rides the way you want it to ride. It's still going to cost you some money.

 

[screwball]

There have been 2 or 3 others on this and the 'other' trike board who bought a new Tri and didn't like it. They ended up trading for a 2 wheel Harley. If you are unhappy with it, get rid of it. It isn't going to appreciate any sitting in your garage. Every year it is worth less, the beating won't get any better.

We get a bunch of people that bought a Harley for the first time in a lot of years, raising kids etc and this is their Mid Life Crisis toy. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Those of us that bought trikes because of health reasons are just damn glad to still be riding, not occupying a rocking chair. If it isn't right for you, trade it for a car, boat, air plane.... anything that will make you happy, instead of giving you worry wrinkles. My neighbor Dave always wanted a Harley. On his 53rd birthday he bought himself a brand new shinny 2008 Deluxe. In 2011 he sold it with 920 miles and a ton of chrome goodies on her. It just wasn't the right dream.

Good Luck.

Another suggestion. If you do buy that wing, go join a wing board. People, especially Harley people get tired real soon of X Harley owners residing on Harley boards talking about what a piece of crap Harleys are and how we all should buy a wing.

Again, good luck.

 

[Lakeman]

Well said