I am stuck in do I convert my beautiful totally chromed 08 Ultra Anniversary Edition with 24K miles on it or buy the 14 Triglide. Money is almost the same. Little nervous about some if the issues on the 14 with it being new technology and all. My 08 runs great. No one can give me a good answer about straight axle verses independent suspension. I am comparing a Champion conversion to the 14 TriGlide. I welcome anyones comments.
Convert my 08 Ultra
- Thread starter Harleyrider2810
- Start date
I'm sure you are saying... money would be about the same if you added the price of your 08 and the conversion that it would be about the same money.
Let's talk about straight axle to independent. I've owned straight axle and have ridden independent. While riding they feel the same, not much difference at all, but when you get into corners the independent (to me) feels sloppy (loss of a better term).
This may be due to me owning straight axles. The bottom line, again to me, would be dependent on how and where you ride.
Not trying to knock independent but I'm just used to straight axle. When riding independent through the Georgia mountains I feel I have less control. Doesn't mean I have less control or the bike will not handle in curves. So, I'm hard headed and will stay with straight axle.
Now, let's talk about converting your bike. I did convert a 2007 Ultra and absolutely loved it. There were some issues but most of them were "installation" issues and I had to personally correct these. The dealer wasn't too much help. The reason I said that was to let you know it's all about WHO does your installation. Get really involved in asking previous clients about their experience then check with many installers even if they are out of state.
Which conversion to go to?
Motor Trike, Lehman and Champion seem to be the most common. All make good conversion kits but offer different add on equipment or different axle systems. Weigh your options on these expensive add on's. Go with the best option from "asking around". Add up all the best comments and personal experiences in each conversion and installer then pull the trigger.
This brings us to the 2014 TriGlides. They are selling like hotcakes. There are some technology issues. These issues will be fixed but not every 14 TG out there has issues. The money for them is high dollar but isn't any new bike? On more of a personal note, my 2012 rides and runs fine. I did think about getting a '14 for about 30 seconds but reality kicked in.
I don't listen to the radio, my brakes work fine and I fixed all the power and heat issues that bothered me. If I bought a new bike I would just have to start over again.
Let's also take another angle at this... what about a used TriGlide? Sell your 08 and put that money into a really nice low mileage 11 to 13 TriGlide that already has the cat removed or some nice mufflers. Maybe a tuner or extra oil cooler and so forth. There are some great deals out there. Seem the average price on a used model will run between 28 to 30K.
Post moved to it's own thread
I had an 08 Anniversary Ultraclassic. Nicest colour ever out. Traded on an 07 Lehman conversion. Love the trike. Like the Lehman body design over the Triglide. But I should have converted the 08. Check out Lehmaqn.
That's some very sound advice from the Wiz. All I can add is that I am completely happy and have been issue free with my CSC conversion. My 2006 was a great two wheeler and was a very sound platform for the conversion. My wife loves the ride, which is better than when the motorcycle was a two wheeler. The CSC has an independent suspension. and is a little longer and wider than some of the other conversions. One of the selling points for the conversion, was the ability to customize and personalize the trike as we planned the build. I'd do the same thing if I had it to do again.
I have a Lehman and love it. Mine has the straight axle and I like it. Lehman has the straight axle or IRS, your choice. If I were to do it over again I would get the Lehman straight axle and I would have it converted by Lehman in SD. I like the size of the Lehman, don't like the BIG trikes.
CAN YOU DO IT YOURSELF check out Frankenstine Trikes ,build your own monster.
Well I was the same place as you in 2011. I had an 08 Ultra and had to decide between converting it or buying a new 11 Tri Glide. I figured the actual blue book value of my 08 with 25,000 miles on it and the cost of the conversion including labor and compared it to the cost of a new 11 Tri Glide.
Also here in Nebraska there is also the hassle that once a two wheeled bike is converted to a trike it needs to be taken in and be inspected by the state to determine that it meets all requirements and safety regulations to be operated on the public roads. (In most cases the installer will assist one in this process. If one does their own install they are on their own to accomplish this). Once that is done then one can go to the DMV and have a new title issued showing that it is a trike conversion and then it can be registered and licensed and insured as such.
Another thing one needs to do before deciding is check with your insurance company to find out if they will insure a trike conversion and if they will what the cost would be compared to insuring a factory built Tri Glide.
There are quite a few insurance companys the will not insure a trike conversion. I don't remember the exact numbers but for me it was more costly for me to insure my 08 with a conversion than insuring a factory built Tri Glide.
Also a factory built Tri Glide has a blue book value. A conversion is not listed in any blue book. So should one chose to sell or trade a conversion down the road it can be hard to determine an actual value. Most of the time that boils down to what ever a buyer is willing to pay for it as there is no blue book value as a starting point.
This can also come into play with an insurance company should something happen and the vehicle would be a total loss. At what amount of damage would it be considered a total loss ? The best way to handle this is to have the vehicle appraised and insured for the appraisal amount but again doing that does increase the cost of ones premium.
You say your 08 is chromed out. Many of those chrome parts will fit on the new 14 and some won't. So determine how much of yours you can transfer to a new one. I prefer the straight axle but that preference depends on each individual.
As far as the new changes and technology on the 14's. Will there be problems ? Only time will tell that. Those that bought the 09's, first year for the new Tri Glide, didn't have a lot of issues with them.
Will the 14's be the same ? As I said only time can answer that question. Anytime one gets a new model vehicle there is always the possibility that there could be some issues with it the first year or two. Just do all your home work and checking before you make your final decision so you don't have any suprises and I'm sure you will be happy with the choice.
Good luck in making your decision.
Hope this info helps you.
Dan
Also here in Nebraska there is also the hassle that once a two wheeled bike is converted to a trike it needs to be taken in and be inspected by the state to determine that it meets all requirements and safety regulations to be operated on the public roads. (In most cases the installer will assist one in this process. If one does their own install they are on their own to accomplish this). Once that is done then one can go to the DMV and have a new title issued showing that it is a trike conversion and then it can be registered and licensed and insured as such.
Another thing one needs to do before deciding is check with your insurance company to find out if they will insure a trike conversion and if they will what the cost would be compared to insuring a factory built Tri Glide.
There are quite a few insurance companys the will not insure a trike conversion. I don't remember the exact numbers but for me it was more costly for me to insure my 08 with a conversion than insuring a factory built Tri Glide.
Also a factory built Tri Glide has a blue book value. A conversion is not listed in any blue book. So should one chose to sell or trade a conversion down the road it can be hard to determine an actual value. Most of the time that boils down to what ever a buyer is willing to pay for it as there is no blue book value as a starting point.
This can also come into play with an insurance company should something happen and the vehicle would be a total loss. At what amount of damage would it be considered a total loss ? The best way to handle this is to have the vehicle appraised and insured for the appraisal amount but again doing that does increase the cost of ones premium.
You say your 08 is chromed out. Many of those chrome parts will fit on the new 14 and some won't. So determine how much of yours you can transfer to a new one. I prefer the straight axle but that preference depends on each individual.
As far as the new changes and technology on the 14's. Will there be problems ? Only time will tell that. Those that bought the 09's, first year for the new Tri Glide, didn't have a lot of issues with them.
Will the 14's be the same ? As I said only time can answer that question. Anytime one gets a new model vehicle there is always the possibility that there could be some issues with it the first year or two. Just do all your home work and checking before you make your final decision so you don't have any suprises and I'm sure you will be happy with the choice.
Good luck in making your decision.
Hope this info helps you.
Dan
I have Allstate and my trike is covered as an 05 Ultra Classic and the conversion is covered as a $12000 accessory.
I had an 08 Ultra with a Lehman kit and loved it. Now I have a 2011 Triglide and I love it even more. I love having a reverse, I love having a raked front wheel, and I love having more power in a Trike. If it was me, I would go with the 2014 Triglide hands down. I saw one at my dealership out the door at 36,000 dollars. It had the cb, new headlamp system, and all the new features. It has more power which you can always use on a trike especially when you get into Mountains and headwinds. Plus you get a new warranty and new tires.
Somethings to think about. If I'm not wrong your '08 Ultra is a 96" motor. You will have less power, unless you change the steering rake it will be harder to ride, and you will have the repair issues with 1/2 your scoot being Harley, the other 1/2 someone elses.
About the issues.... I've been riding Harleys a very long time. I've seen a lot of people buy them then never ride them. Too heavy, too hot, too etc. A lot of mid life crisis folks buy a trike because they always wanted a Harely but they scare them to death too. There are threads here and on the other boards 3 pages long about a 'clicking' sound. How hot is too hot, how hard is hard steering. The breaks on my '92 softail squeeked. I don't know if they have been riding Hondas for years and now on a motorcycle built on 1940's technology bothers them. My point, don't get yourself talked out of a good thing by posters on a web site. Ditto, don't get talked into something you don't need or like. Go to a dealer and test ride one. Rent one for a day. That will tell you if you like them or not
Good Luck!
About the issues.... I've been riding Harleys a very long time. I've seen a lot of people buy them then never ride them. Too heavy, too hot, too etc. A lot of mid life crisis folks buy a trike because they always wanted a Harely but they scare them to death too. There are threads here and on the other boards 3 pages long about a 'clicking' sound. How hot is too hot, how hard is hard steering. The breaks on my '92 softail squeeked. I don't know if they have been riding Hondas for years and now on a motorcycle built on 1940's technology bothers them. My point, don't get yourself talked out of a good thing by posters on a web site. Ditto, don't get talked into something you don't need or like. Go to a dealer and test ride one. Rent one for a day. That will tell you if you like them or not
Good Luck!
:Shrug:I converted my old tour glide with a straight axle champion kit last winter.
I love the look and function of the champion.
To be honest the ride is a little rough in town but i built it to tour with and not as a bar hopper, I don't have a problem with the ride on the highway.
Be sensible, equip it with air adjustable shocks. The shocks on my old glide suit the purpose just fine.
I put some intense miles on my old glide both on the open highway and in the high rocky mtns. and i really don't see the need for an independant suspension and the wife likes my trike also.
As always, your only protection against a bad build depends entirely on the integrity of the builder. I did my own and didn't need to worry about that issue.
With any kit, buy the latest improved model, buy the entire unit (everything you need to do the conversion) instead of buying piecemeal.
Rake the front end and if it's a harley beef up the top motor mount.
I have ridden trikes with independent suspension and liked them well enough.
I might insist on it if i did allot of in town riding. If your wallet can bear the added expense go with the independant suspension.
If the bike has a lot of miles on it to begin with consider new drive sprockets and a new belt to begin with.
Google-- (pcombe labrary/photobucket )-to see pictures of my conversion as i did it. Yours would be easier than mine was as mine was a 24 yr. old old bike.
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I love the look and function of the champion.
To be honest the ride is a little rough in town but i built it to tour with and not as a bar hopper, I don't have a problem with the ride on the highway.
Be sensible, equip it with air adjustable shocks. The shocks on my old glide suit the purpose just fine.
I put some intense miles on my old glide both on the open highway and in the high rocky mtns. and i really don't see the need for an independant suspension and the wife likes my trike also.
As always, your only protection against a bad build depends entirely on the integrity of the builder. I did my own and didn't need to worry about that issue.
With any kit, buy the latest improved model, buy the entire unit (everything you need to do the conversion) instead of buying piecemeal.
Rake the front end and if it's a harley beef up the top motor mount.
I have ridden trikes with independent suspension and liked them well enough.
I might insist on it if i did allot of in town riding. If your wallet can bear the added expense go with the independant suspension.
If the bike has a lot of miles on it to begin with consider new drive sprockets and a new belt to begin with.
Google-- (pcombe labrary/photobucket )-to see pictures of my conversion as i did it. Yours would be easier than mine was as mine was a 24 yr. old old bike.
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I'm all about buying new in everything I do. May not be the smartest at times but I'm happy. I would go for the 2014 with an extended warranty if your going to put some serious miles on it. For what I have read it appears most really love the 2014. It will definitely run stronger then your bike now that's for sure. Also it should run smoother as well. Good Luck on your decision.
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