Champion trike ride is very hard

[grillmate]

I have an IRS Champion ket and LOVE it. One thing I cant seem to solve is a pretty hard vibration when I put the bike in a load (heavy throtle) It really has a vibration then. I changed the drive shaft and checked everything I possibly can but no help. Any suggestions?

 

[meredog]

My Champion has solid axle and it rides good--had a suzuki with a Leman Trike and it rode HARD

 

[Gorilla]

grillmate. check and see if the drive shaft is alligned properly. Look in the Honda forum for more information. There is a right way and a wrong way to install the drive shaft. The wrong way causes vibration.

 

[Smoken'JOE]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>grillmate</strong>
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<div class="message">I have an IRS Champion ket and LOVE it. One thing I cant seem to solve is a pretty hard vibration when I put the bike in a load (heavy throtle) It really has a vibration then. I changed the drive shaft and checked everything I possibly can but no help. Any suggestions?</div>

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</div>Down shift one gear and most of the vibs should go away.

 

[Jenkinsrawhide]

I have a Champion solid axle on my 2008, but I have EZ Steer plus a 4.5 rake and I run 41 lbs up front and 18 lbs. in the rears. I weigh 250 lbs. A railroad track will sometimes jar me a little. You can test out your suspension number until you find one that feels good, when two up I raise the number higher. By myself I have run it from 5 up to 12. It just depends on what feels best to you. I am NOT a mechanic.

 

[webetriked]

What position are your rear shocks in? Do you have a fork brace on your trike? If yes, take it off. Do you have a stock radial front tire on the front, or a bias ply rear tire on the front? It is a well established fact that a bias rear tire provides a better ride. (MPA, BT-45) With a Champion trike there are only 3 adjustments. You have to find the best compromise to get the ride you like<br />
1. Shocks. With your spanner wrench you can adjust the rear shock rings from position 1(least spring compression) to 5(most spring compression). I think they come from the factory at position 2.

I put mine to position 3. <br />
2. Tire pressures. Champion recommeds something in the 20-25 PSI range. I ran 20 PSI in my left rear and 22 PSI in my right rear<br />
3. Preloader. Each GL1800 reacts differently. I ran 5-6 when riding solo. 9-10 when riding 2-up. 12-15 when 2-up and different loads.<br />
It took me my first riding season to find my compromise settings.

I rode the Champion 2 more years. At the end of last year I traded my Champion and went to a Hannigan(IRS). Got a lot more comfortable ride for both of us( it's not just about how the suspension reacts to bumps) but gave up a little in handling in the turns. This is my first IRS riding season, so I may have a learning curve to get thru.<br />
Mike

 

[Comanche]

I started this post. It was because I was so new to trike riding. Many of you have given me great advice and thanks for that. <br />
<br />
<br />
I have put many things on my trike to make things more comfortable but the best thing by far was the 5.5 degree rake kit and the MBL risers.<br />
<br />
Just got back from a 200 mile ride and while I was riding I was thinking how smooth this rides. <br />
<br />
Just yesterday, I put two Michelin Hydroedge tires on the rear. <br />
<br />
I do love this trike.

 

[trike lady]

I wonder if Harley 'Outsourced' the parts to China or if they used an American company to make the parts for them?

 

[spiritdream]

My Champion has solid axle and it rides good--had a suzuki with a Leman Trike and it rode HARD

SOOOOO glad I'm not the only one to think so!! Honestly? I'm ready to cry at the thought of trying to ride it to Maggie Valley next June - I see a trailer in my trip planning, assuming I can find a place to park it. :yes: