Can't hit the brake and change gears ....

[Duck]

I have owned several types of bikes but never a trike and never a Goldwing. I like what I have read and what others have told me about the wing and my wife loves the back seat so at this time that is what I am thinking about going to. Now let me start asking questions so I know if I can make a wing work for me, I know this site covers ALL trikes but I now there must be a Wing guy or two out there. I have a nice 97 picked out and have test rode it a few times but each ride was only about 15 miles long. The other day I borrowed one that was just like the one I am looking at and took it for a long ride. Now I am not sure if a Goldwing will work for me. I have a lot of problems with my legs, hip and back area and the front pegs just will not work for me. Yes I can put highway pegs on but I can’t get my legs to move in the area that the brake pedal and gear shift are. If I force my legs on the pegs to change gears, they cramp up so bad I have to stand up to stop the pain. I need them to be in the area they would be in if I am on a curser type of bike. So talk to me, how can I solve this without spending big bucks putting on air shifters and so on? I need something like forward controls for the Goldwing. I can't wait to get a trike.

Duck

 

[katfish16]

Talk to Wheels, he has some modifications to his trikes....that might help U.. U can Pm him, or maybe he will see this and answer U....

 

[Doc]

Talk to Zook also...he sells Trikes and works with many Mfg'rs. There's a Co that makes an Electric shifter that mounts to the Left Grip area and there's also a set-up to operate both Front & Rear Brakes with the front Brake handgrip...keep us posted on your progress

Ed

 

[Gorilla]

I have owned several types of bikes but never a trike and never a Goldwing. I like what I have read and what others have told me about the wing and my wife loves the back seat so at this time that is what I am thinking about going to. Now let me start asking questions so I know if I can make a wing work for me, I know this site covers ALL trikes but I now there must be a Wing guy or two out there. I have a nice 97 picked out and have test rode it a few times but each ride was only about 15 miles long. The other day I borrowed one that was just like the one I am looking at and took it for a long ride. Now I am not sure if a Goldwing will work for me. I have a lot of problems with my legs, hip and back area and the front pegs just will not work for me. Yes I can put highway pegs on but I can’t get my legs to move in the area that the brake pedal and gear shift are. If I force my legs on the pegs to change gears, they cramp up so bad I have to stand up to stop the pain. I need them to be in the area they would be in if I am on a curser type of bike. So talk to me, how can I solve this without spending big bucks putting on air shifters and so on? I need something like forward controls for the Goldwing. I can't wait to get a trike.

Duck

maybe a Harley Tri-Glide might be more what you need. The controls are further forward. I have both a Harley and a 97 wing trikes both

 

[Casper]

Duck
I had the same problem. had a 07 CSC...great trike but the sitting position killed me. Tried everything, HWY pegs, Mick-o-pegs, floorboards etc...nothing worked. I went to HD Tri Glide...forward footboards were the answer.
Harley, Victory Cross Bow, Yamaha Venture, and maybe a few others all have forward floorboards....made all the difference to me.
The foot position was the only thing I disliked about the wing, but after 200 miles I was hurting, not fun.

 

[tfdeputydawg]

Find a conversion that has weight bearing foot fairings installed and the rider pegs removed.
Try that and see.

 

[Lunchbox1983]

Find a conversion that has weight bearing foot fairings installed and the rider pegs removed.
Try that and see.

^^^^ This is a good suggestion.

In the end forward pegs may only work for you, I find it comes down to preference, my back kills me on forward controls, so the wing is good to go for me. Thats what great about choices, so take your time and try a lot of different setups, the more you try the better you will fell when you find the "one".

 

[Casper]

Lunchbox
You're right on. Different bike for different folks one bike does not fit all. If I could have made the wing work I would have stayed with it but. Didn't work for me

 

[jim peacock]

Duck you did ot say how tall you are,if you are on the tall side a 1800 might be a little cramped for you,taller people have some problems with leg room on a 1800.
May I suggest a late modle 1500 with floor boards and a trike kit that has indepent rear susppensin and floor boards you can stand on and remove the pegs.
I have a 96 1500 with a 06 lehman kit with floor boards and I have removed the pegs also I have markland foot boards.I have a little problem with arthur.in my hips and knees,but set up this way I can ride all day with no problems,I can stretch my legs out and when I get down to lower speeds and stand up,also I have a russell custom seat made for me.
Another thing you may want to think about is buying a used late two wheel low milage 1500 and have it converted to a trike with irs.
The 1800 does have more room in the passenger seat and the 1800 does have more power,but when it comes to handiling once they are triked there is very little diffrence.
I would suggest you try and ride both the 1500 and 1800 with diffrent trike kits and make sure your wife goes with you.
You know the old saying if mama not happy no body is.

 

[Duck]

I am 6 foot and I think I have worked it out. I have spent the last day thinking about it and drawing it out and I feel I can make some controls that will work. I have also test rode a few more models. The Harley fits me better with where the foot controls are located but my wife likes the Wing A LOT better. I love to tinker with stuff so if I can't find something already made I will my shop and see what I can do. Right now there is one about 200 miles south of me and one 200 miles east that I am thinking real hard on but have not rode either one. They both are 98 models with MotorTrike kits.

Duck

 

[jim peacock]

Duck I ride with a couple who have a 1500 with a motor trike kit and they are well satisfied with it.
Good luck.
:yes::yes::yes:

 

[Duck]

Do the 1500's have more leg room than the 1800's and do the older 1500's have more room than the newer one's? I have sit on so many and at is what it feels like.

Duck

 

[Lunchbox1983]

1500's have more leg room, at least all of them built in the 90's. As with most things there is a trade off, the passenger seat is smaller, so your wife may not like it. In your case it sounds like the leg angle is the problem and I am not sure a 1500 will fix that. The extra room is in the butt, thus allowing more room for your knees to the faring. I think the angle of my knee is the same, and I have ridden both, but at 6'3" I really like my 1500.

Because you said your wife likes a wing, may I suggest looking at the Big Yamaha Cruiser (Royal Start Venture ??) I am not sure they made one the past year or so, but used ones can be found, they are smooth riding, and have a more forward leg controls. My good buddy is 6'5" with horrible hips and he loves his. The rear seat looks to be a good size as well.

Kawasaki also came put with a Harley ultra classic looking clone in the Vulcan Nomad line this year, not sure if you could find a kit or not, and I do not know what kind of ride, but it should be a smooth one, but more Harley like than the Yamaha which will be like the Wing.

At least that is my opinion