First Ride Trike Search Comparisons

[David357]

I had the opportunity on 6/4/15 to test ride a Hannigan and a Roadsmith at two different businesses. This was my first time on a trike. I plan on test riding a few other manufactures soon.

My first ride observations:



The Hannigan had a 4.5 degree rake kit. The Roadsmith had a 5.5 degree rake kit.

The Roadsmith rear tire pressures were set to 35 lbs. according to the dealer. I thought this seemed high. The dealer stood firm on 35 lbs.

The Hannigan rear tire pressures were set to 25 Lbs.

I thought this seemed low.

Roadsmith manufacture recommends 32 lbs while Hannigan recommends 28 lbs.

The Roadsmith steering inputs were slightly easier but seemed twitchy to subtle steering inputs the faster the speed. The Hannigan, on the other hand, required ever slightly more steering input but did not exhibit the twitchy feeling from subtle steering inputs at any speed. Hard cornering and twisty roads felt steady and tracked well on the Hannigan.

Hannigan has an option to install a 6 degree kit in lieu of the 4.5 degree rake kit.

My questions:

• Will the 6 degree rake kit option make the Hannigan more twitchy in cornering and at speed with proper tire pressures?
  
• Will setting the Roadsmith rear tire pressures to manufacture recommended pressures reduce the twitchy steering inputs of the 5.5 degree rake kit and the side to side "yawing" sensation?
  
• Both manufactures demo trikes would veer to the right, no matter what direction the crown in the road was sloping. Constant pressure needed to be applied to the handle bars to keep a straight line. The Roadsmith required considerably more than the Hannigan. Is this related to the rake and/or rear tire pressures? Is this normal for trikes to pull right?
  

Thanks for any input on these matters.

 

[cavie]

My Champion VTX 1300 pulls to the right. Iv'e gotten used to it and don't notice it. I run rears @ 20 lbs. with assumed 4.5 rake.

 

[Trail Blazer]

trikes

I have a gl1500se with a champion kit with 6 degree easy steer. my gold wing tracks good if there is a crown in the road it will pull a little ( not bad) if the road has very little crown, it will run straight for a while be for going right any.

I run 22 lb in the back tires and 40 in the front. ( as per champion no more then 25 lb ) some time I run 21 left rear and 22 right rear.

 

[Trk Ldy]

I had a Valk trike with a trike shop (now Roadsmith)kit on it. *I thought it handled great *Took some pushing and pulling thru the turns. And that kit was over 13 years old, so they may have changed things up.
* * *I now have a hannigan trike. What a difference in the handling. I think it handles much smoother. *I have not test rode.any of the new roadsmith trikes, they may have made changes to the way it handles. *
* * *Good luck in your quest, *but then the fun is test riding and finding the one for you.

 

[roadking2]

I have a Champion on my HD Roadking and it handles great. I have 36 in the front and 25 in the rear. When I was shopping, I also tested several different trikes. My choices were a HD Triglide, a Roadsmith, a CSC, and a Lehman. My observations seemed to indicate that wheel base and suspension had the greatest effect on the handling and ride comfort. The longer wheel base definitely had a smoother ride than shorter and IRS was smoother than solid axle especially around town and on uneven road surfaces.

I've played with the pressures a bit and there is a noticeable difference. I believe that you can have to much pressure in the rear and 35 would be way to firm in my opinion. 40 in the front is probably not as far out of optimal as that 35 rear would be. My trike has a 5+ degree tree and I have no problem low or high speed. If you are a first timer on a trike, I think some of that twitchyness might just be due to your inexperience.

I felt mine was a bit twitchy until I got used to the handling, Now I don't notice anything remotely like that. But what do I know.

I'm pretty new to trikes myself. I only have about 1 1/2 years under my belt. My trike does not pull right or left but it does pull some when the road has a crown. Flat surfaces it goes straight as a arrow.

 

[mhgoldwing]

since this was your first time to drive a trike I would suggest the twitchy feeling was the fact you have no experience in relaxing; a trike does not steer like a bike and most first impressions are "twitchy". I have a RS with 6 degree rake and do not think it is twitchy. Tire pressure has some bearing on this but so does stem head bearings, road surface etc. For instance, trike by their very nature tend to "hunt" seeking center on roads that are crowned from the centerline to edge and the center hump between the two primary wheel tracks. Most trike riders will ride close to the center line to keep all three wheels in the same "groove".

Get some more test time in and then re-ride the same trikes again. Your impressions may change.

 

[knob]

35 psi seems pretty high for the rear tires. I would think the ride would suffer? I run 26 in mine with the Roadsmith. Not sure why both trikes pulled to the right? At any rate both Roadsmith and Hannigan offer great conversations.

 

[msocko3]

The greater the rake the quicker the steering will be, one of the reasons I stuck with a 4 degree rake. I was used to pushing a little harder from when I had the Triglide, I didn't want steering so easy a 5 year old could do it. I run the recommended 28 psi in the rear and 41 in the front, on my Hannigan. I've never had any issues with it pulling, I can let the bars go and it will track straight down the road.

 

[David357]

since this was your first time to drive a trike I would suggest the twitchy feeling was the fact you have no experience in relaxing; a trike does not steer like a bike and most first impressions are "twitchy". I have a RS with 6 degree rake and do not think it is twitchy. Tire pressure has some bearing on this but so does stem head bearings, road surface etc. For instance, trike by their very nature tend to "hunt" seeking center on roads that are crowned from the centerline to edge and the center hump between the two primary wheel tracks. Most trike riders will ride close to the center line to keep all three wheels in the same "groove".

Get some more test time in and then re-ride the same trikes again. Your impressions may change.

Great informationThumbUp

Thanks

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The greater the rake the quicker the steering will be, one of the reasons I stuck with a 4 degree rake. I was used to pushing a little harder from when I had the Triglide, I didn't want steering so easy a 5 year old could do it. I run the recommended 28 psi in the rear and 41 in the front, on my Hannigan. I've never had any issues with it pulling, I can let the bars go and it will track straight down the road.

Thanks for the info.

Your points are well takenThumbUp

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I have a gl1500se with a champion kit with 6 degree easy steer. my gold wing tracks good if there is a crown in the road it will pull a little ( not bad) if the road has very little crown, it will run straight for a while be for going right any.

I run 22 lb in the back tires and 40 in the front.

( as per champion no more then 25 lb ) some time I run 21 left rear and 22 right rear.

Thanks for your inputThumbUp

 

[bikerbillone]

35 psi seems pretty high for the rear tires. I would think the ride would suffer? I run 26 in mine with the Roadsmith. Not sure why both trikes pulled to the right? At any rate both Roadsmith and Hannigan offer great conversations.

Agree, I think RS recommends 26 to 30, so I run 30 and works for me. RS also reomennends 5.5 rake, that also works but I have experience with 4.5 or 6, so can't give a good comment on that.

 

[FRR]

I always run 28 in the back and 41 in the front, but that front end is so stiff with 41 I'm thinking about reducing he front to see if it helps.

 

[Lucky]

I run 41 front/22 rear on Pearl II. 08 WING/ Roadsmith

 

[Trail Blazer]

I have a gl1500se with a champion kit with 6 degree easy steer. my gold wing tracks good if there is a crown in the road it will pull a little ( not bad) if the road has very little crown, it will run straight for a while be for going right any.
I run 22 lb in the back tires and 40 in the front. ( as per champion no more then 25 lb ) some time I run 21 left rear and 22 right rear.

as for twitchy, it took me about and hr. to learn it was me over steering that caused the twitching,

 

[Papa Zook]

I would recommend always running the max recommended air pressure in your trike front tire per the tire manufacturer. That tire has a lot of sidewall pressure and weight on it especially through the turns and it needs to be set at the max. I have discussed this with all the trike manufacturers and a couple of tire manufacturers over the years and they all agree.

 

[David357]

It has been almost 6 weeks since I started this thread on my first ride trike comparisons of a Roadsmith and a Hannigan.

I just recently had the opportunity to test ride a CSC demo provided and built by CSC. I did 2 different demonstration rides in Cherokee, NC on 2 separate days for about 1/2 hour each. Both rides were performed on the Blue Ridge Parkway. This was my third and fourth time on any trike.

Tire pressures were set to 25 lbs. rear and 40 lbs. front.
The preload adjuster was set to #4 first ride and #7 for the second ride.

I was very impressed with the steering, riding comfort, overall handling, overall mechanical /body design, linked brake system remains and the hydraulic preload adjuster is fully functional.

My observations of the CSC:

• Did not have any of the twitching or "pulling to the right" issues as described at the start of this thread.
• Did not have the tendency to "float/yaw" left or right when going in a straight line as described at the start of this thread.
• By far, the easiest bike to steer (6 degree rake) straight or in turns.
• Positive/ reliable braking through the linked brake system.
• Positive shock tension control maintained through the Honda stock preload adjuster.

My only negative ,on the CSC were the buzzy/vibrations in the grips when running speeds above 20 mph with a stock front tire.

I have now test ridden (3) trike manufactures. I am leaning towards the CSC. There have been considerable discussions both pro and con on the "sportier ride/ feel the road more" with the CSC. My current 2 wheel Wing has the Traxxion suspension system, so I am comfortable with a more positive road feel.

My last step is to test ride a CSC with a qualified installer who is also certified in Traxxion suspensions. My next stop is to visit his shop in Georgia very soon!

 

[bikerbillone]

Doing your homework thoroughly, that's good, At the end of your search, you should have a very good handle on your preference. Wish you the best. Ask the right questions on the CSC drive line, there were some problems early on, hope they got that corrected and I suspect they did.

 

[msocko3]

Some handling issues such as pulling could be brought on by the installer. To day while running along at 80 mph on my 2012 Hannigan I took both hands off the bars and fastened one of the straps on my glove. The trike tracked true, it never left the center of the lane. My install was done at the Hannigan factory, it doesn't pull and doesn't float.

 

[Big Juice]

My StratoLiner with a CSC and rake kit, tracks and rides very good. Rear tires at 28, front at 36 (front does cup at about 10K miles though, may increase pressure). I like the ISS suspension, long wheel base and wide track of the CSC for MY preferred handling (running quick and tight in curves/corners). Good luck with your decision, I know you will be quite pleased with which ever you choose, when it's in your garage! Keep us informed and post pictures!

 

[David357]

My StratoLiner with a CSC and rake kit, tracks and rides very good. Rear tires at 28, front at 36 (front does cup at about 10K miles though, may increase pressure). I like the ISS suspension, long wheel base and wide track of the CSC for MY preferred handling (running quick and tight in curves/corners). Good luck with your decision, I know you will be quite pleased with which ever you choose, when it's in your garage! Keep us informed and post pictures!

Thanks Big JuiceThumbUp

I will certainly post pics after "dropping the hammer" on the final conversion process.

What front tire manufacture are you currently running?



- - - Updated - - -

Some handling issues such as pulling could be brought on by the installer. To day while running along at 80 mph on my 2012 Hannigan I took both hands off the bars and fastened one of the straps on my glove. The trike tracked true, it never left the center of the lane. My install was done at the Hannigan factory, it doesn't pull and doesn't float.

:Agree:, the installer is the key.



I have seen multiple replies on this thread and other threads confirming this same issue.

 

[Big Juice]

Thanks Bid JuiceThumbUp

I will certainly post pics after "dropping the hammer" on the final conversion process.

What front tire manufacture are you currently running?


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:Agree:, the installer is the key.

I have seen multiple replies on this thread and other threads confirming this same issue.

I am using a Bridgestone Battlax BT45-R, rear tire running in reverse direction, on the front. The most important thing to remember about a conversion, is what is said just above, "the installer is the key"! Get the best quality and experienced installer you can find, to build your trike!

 

[David357]

I have now test ridden (3) trike manufactures. I am leaning towards the CSC. There have been considerable discussions both pro and con on the "sportier ride/ feel the road more" with the CSC. My current 2 wheel Wing has the Traxxion suspension system, so I am comfortable with a more positive road feel.

My last step is to test ride a CSC with a qualified installer who is also certified in Traxxion suspensions. My next stop is to visit his shop in Georgia very soon!

Update;

I just recently visited and test rode a full front end Traxxion suspension system on a CSC Goldwing in McDonough, Ga.

Just as I thought, the suspension system allows for more precise steering inputs and control on trikes as it does on my current 2 wheeler.

I liked the owners of the shop. They both seem very qualified and experienced on trike conversion installs including Traxxion suspensions. References are very good.

My dilemma, this installer is 550 miles away. Does this make sense to have the conversion performed here? I am concerned about any tweeking or minor adjustments that may be required after a few weeks use.

There is another very well qualified CSC installer with good references in Inverness, Fl. that is about 170 miles away. However, they are not certified in Traxxion suspensions and AK-20 cartridge shock rebuilds. They would have to send shocks directly to Traxxion. Do certified installers do adjustments or warranty work on other installers work?

 

[Big Juice]

This is just my "personal" opinion..........I bitch about having to take my trike 45 miles away (with an hour drive because of traffic), sooooo, I can't even imagine what it would be like to go 550 miles or even the 170 miles. Small problems and adjustments won't get fixed and made, timely, with that distance to travel. You may also look at a trailer to make the trip easier when you have running/riding issues (and sometimes you will have to leave the trike for repair if parts have to be ordered). Good luck with your decision, glad it's not me making it (maybe my trike dealer being an hour away is not really that bad)!

 

[David357]

Good luck with your decision, glad it's not me making it (maybe my trike dealer being an hour away is not really that bad)!

I only wish their was a reputable trike dealer one hour from me. The time/distance factors are the issues holding me back from proceeding with the conversion at this time.

 

[bikerbillone]

Yes, I can tell you distance is a problem, I've had to make that two hour, one way, run twice, after the install. I'm thankful I didn't have to have it towed.

 

[philmcc]

Inverness FL did my CSC install on 2012 GW. Very good people to do business with. About 140 miles from me.
Phil