An other Rake Question.

[deringer]

Hello my name is Jim.
I currently have a 2005 GL1800 with a CSC Cobra trike kit. I purchased it that way in 2010.
The trike kit also has the CSC 4.5 degree rake kit installed.

My question is whether or not it would be beneficial to put the 6 degree rake kit on in lieu of the 4.5 degree or not?

I've was told by the CSC technical person (same tech support guy that confirmed that the bike had the 4.5 degree kit on it) that I would see a big difference. He said it would be like the difference between manual and power steering. He also said that CSC no longer offers both the 4.5 and the 6 degree kit they only offer the 6 now.

I notice after an intermediate ride that can really feel the muscles in my arms and chest from steering and was wondering if this change might help.


So has anyone gone form a 4.5 to a 6 degree kit and does it truly make enough difference to warrant the change?

Thanks
Jim

 

[jaxbobg]

I've got 5 degrees rake on my GL1800 / Roadsmith and can ride all day long with one hand on the bar. If steering got any easier the trike would steer itself.

Seriously, even with 4.5 rake you shouldn't be getting fatigued after a few hundred miles or so. If you're using a push/pull steering technique and the grips distance from your body allows your elbows to bend slightly, in a relaxed position, you shouldn't have arm or chest stress.

Have a friend look at you on your bike in typical riding position. It may be an issue with posture.

 

[Papa Zook]

Depending on the areas you ride in, yeah you could see a pretty big change between the 4.5 and the 6 degree.

 

[deringer]

I've got 5 degrees rake on my GL1800 / Roadsmith and can ride all day long with one hand on the bar. If steering got any easier the trike would steer itself.

Seriously, even with 4.5 rake you shouldn't be getting fatigued after a few hundred miles or so. If you're using a push/pull steering technique and the grips distance from your body allows your elbows to bend slightly, in a relaxed position, you shouldn't have arm or chest stress.

Have a friend look at you on your bike in typical riding position. It may be an issue with posture.

Thanks for the advise I will definitely have some friends take a look

- - - Updated - - -

Depending on the areas you ride in, yeah you could see a pretty big change between the 4.5 and the 6 degree.

Bazooka, everyone says you're one of the experts when it comes to rake information on this site so I appreciate your input.

Most of my riding on the trike is here in New England more back roads than highway. My wife and I like to go on leisurely rides away form the hustle and bustle of the cities and highways. Definitely more winding roads than straight highways.

thanks again
Jim

 

[Lucky]

I went from a 4.5 to a 6 and there was a lot of difference to me. 6 really sensitive till ya get used to it. GOOD LUCK! RIDE SAFE

 

[deringer]

I went from a 4.5 to a 6 and there was a lot of difference to me. 6 really sensitive till ya get used to it. GOOD LUCK! RIDE SAFE

Thanks Lucky I appreciate the feedback, just wanted to make sure it was worth the upgrade and by the sounds of it, it is. I was hoping someone had made the change like you did from 4.5 to the 6 the feedback is invaluable.



Thanks again

- - - Updated - - -

 

[Lucky]

If you are going to change you should talk to Zook. He knows and probably can save you some $$$$$$$$$$ RIDE SAFE

 

[dirtdobber]

I had a 2010 csc kit with the 4.5 degree trees, changed them to 5.5 degree and it was a lot better steering. Almost like power steering.

 

[FRR]

I went from a 04 Wing with a CSC Cobra XL kit with a 6 degree rake to a 2012 with a 14 Hannigan kit and a 4.5 degree rake and couldn't tell much difference at all. I really think it not only depends on the rake but also the trike kit that is installed.

 

[tfdeputydawg]

Reading many posts on several forums about this. Seems 4.5 on shorter wheel base and 6 on the longer wheel base trikes is the way to go.
Having siad that, it's really what one prefers!

 

[deringer]

I had a 2010 csc kit with the 4.5 degree trees, changed them to 5.5 degree and it was a lot better steering. Almost like power steering.

thanks for the feed back I appreciate it.
Jim

- - - Updated - - -

I went from a 04 Wing with a CSC Cobra XL kit with a 6 degree rake to a 2012 with a 14 Hannigan kit and a 4.5 degree rake and couldn't tell much difference at all. I really think it not only depends on the rake but also the trike kit that is installed.

Thanks for the feedback I appreciate it.

Jim

 

[Papa Zook]

I went from a 04 Wing with a CSC Cobra XL kit with a 6 degree rake to a 2012 with a 14 Hannigan kit and a 4.5 degree rake and couldn't tell much difference at all. I really think it not only depends on the rake but also the trike kit that is installed.

True. The longer, wider trailing arm suspension trikes, ie, Hannigan and Roadsmith respond better to more rake for sure.

 

[Hocky]

True. The longer, wider trailing arm suspension trikes, ie, Hannigan and Roadsmith respond better to more rake for sure.

Trying to find that post where you list rake kits, contents & prices.
2003 GL1800 w/Roadsmith kit (non raked as yet)
Thanks, Ron (Florida)

 

[cjmitch]

Remember when yo increase the rake you are going to absolutely increase your turning diameter/radius. It will take more handlebar movement to facilitate a given right or left turn. Some really tight turns will be difficult to make

 

[Hocky]

Remember when yo increase the rake you are going to absolutely increase your turning diameter/radius. It will take more handlebar movement to facilitate a given right or left turn. Some really tight turns will be difficult to make

Understood. More interested in the head shake thou...........

 

[skuuter]

True. The longer, wider trailing arm suspension trikes, ie, Hannigan and Roadsmith respond better to more rake for sure.

Yep, Wheelbase, Track Width, Front/Rear Weight Bias, Suspension Type, Type Roads Ridden, Rider Aggressiveness, etc. are all contributing factors.....I prefer a modest 4.5 degree Rake on "most" Gold Wing Trikes, but prefer 6+ degree Rake on "most" Cruiser Type Trikes......just "Personal Preference".....ThumbUp

 

[JaysGone]

I don't know if this will make any difference or give you an idea of what a 6 degree might be like.
Being that I have a Motor Trike with a 4.5 degree rake and they claim due to the short wheel base its not even needed.
Maybe there might be some comparisons to what your bike with its longer wheelbase would be like if you went 6 degrees.

What I guess Im saying is. My bike to me has power steering.
I make a U-Turn left lane to left lane easy.
My 2 wheeler goes from left to outside of the right lane and needs another lane on 441 if you know what Im saying. I use the bus stop on 441 and Glades road to finish a U turn with the 2 wheeler.

If you would like to take mine out for a ride let me know, any Friday or weekend day would work.

 

[SteveMac]

Trying to find that post where you list rake kits, contents & prices. 2003 GL1800 w/Roadsmith kit (non raked as yet) Thanks, Ron (Florida)

^^^ I'd appreciate that link also. I have a Champion with a shorter wheel base. Honestly haven't had any trouble steering, but it does steer harder than my old Spyder RT. So I'd like to at least educate myself on rake options.

Remember when yo increase the rake you are going to absolutely increase your turning diameter/radius. It will take more handlebar movement to facilitate a given right or left turn. Some really tight turns will be difficult to make

really just wanted to say what an amazing looking Wing you have. Very nice work! For me, black is the new chrome! Are your wheels powder coated, painted, or plasti-dipped?

 

[Marc H]

An old post but here ya go. http://www.triketalk.com/forum/threads/2580-Rake-Kits-Discount-to-TT-com-Members/page10

 

[cjmitch]

If your arms and or chest are sore after you ride the twisted then your steering technique needs some refinement.
Instead of using your arms, lock your elbow then lean into the handlebars.
ie if turning right, lock the left elbow and lean into that arm. Use your body weight

 

[John Luciano]

Bet I am one of the only ones on here that has never raked the front. I have a DFT 1997 wing. Put 60,000 no rake.( 80% of my riding is back roads of Conn and NY ) I like the hard bar feeling. Makes me feel like I am in control. The way you steer makes a world of difference. Arm use body use etc. JMHO. talked to a guy way back when. He made the change to 6 from 4.5. Said it made him nervous at high way speed. Had to concentrate to much or he found he drifted.

 

[Gold Rush]

talked to a guy way back when. He made the change to 6 from 4.5. Said it made him nervous at high way speed. Had to concentrate to much or he found he drifted.

YUP, drift with the higher degree rake kits is a new feeling. My new Roadsmith has a 6 degree rake. The old MotorTrike had a 4.5 degree. First thing I noticed was having to pay more attention. That has gotten better so it's not an issue for me now but it sure was a little unnerving at first. :xzqxz: :xzqxz:

More bothersome to me is the reduced turning radius thing. I use to do U Turns in the road. No way that will happen with the 6 degree rake. I wish I had known that before.... :xszpv::xszpv:

 

[keepinon]

Some of your increased turning radius may be caused by the longer wheel base of the RS. My Valk/MT with 6* rake, I can still do u-turns on a two lane highway.

But I bet the ride is worth a few more feet turning.

 

[John Luciano]

Everything is bigger in Texas. Bet your roads are wider too. A typical ROAD in this state is about 25 feet wide.

 

[Gold Rush]

Everything is bigger in Texas. Bet your roads are wider too. A typical ROAD in this state is about 25 feet wide.

Same here but we have wide shoulders and real ditches (called bar ditches). I use to be able to just crank it hard and stay on the blacktop. Not now. Yes, the increased 8 inch wheel base has some influence but I'd bet money the rake difference is the primary cause. Either way, I LOVE my new Roadsmith and would not do anything different. :xszpv::xszpv:

 

[DPK]

I have a 1500 Valk w. a Lehman Predator conversion w. a 3 1/2 degree rake. The trike does have a rather short wheelbase.

Its a bit stiff but I like it - it's sort of like a good German sports car - a lot of feel of what's going on with the front tire. It also likes to stay on center & not wander or be very affected by steeply crowned roads or wind.

Stiff arming the outside bar with some body lean & weight shifted to the outside peg together with setting the line for the corner at entry makes it pretty much unnoticeable. This is even more so for me as I have trashed both rotator cuffs from too much slalom sking.

Lehman knew what they were doing when they recommended 3 1/2 degree rake for this trike. However, I think their 26 psi recommendation for the rear tires was a legal CYA. 18 & 40 makes a real difference in how much better it rides and steers.

I think there is a significant relationship between rake happiness and tire pressure. If it is too stiff, try lowering the rear & upping the front.

I I hope this is of some help to someone.

Dan

 

[cjmitch]

Bet I am one of the only ones on here that has never raked the front.

My 05 MT is not raked

 

[oahe]

My 05 MT is not raked

Same with my 09 MT. Don't see the need. Maybe if you're riding the trike equivalent of a Mack truck. :Shrug: