Handling at high speed

[zr1john]

Picking up my first Goldwing trike this Friday. Currently ride a 2005 Goldwing two wheeler. How fast can you cruise on a Goldwing trike? The one I'm getting is a 2008 with a Motor Trike Razor. Will the trikes cruise at 75-80 mph? How is the handling at that speed?

Just joined the forum and I'm sure I'll have many more questions after I get my trike.
Thanks in advance,
John

 

[pwhoever]

I know with my CSC, I had no problem doing 75-80. Sometimes I might catch myself going maybe a tad faster. The GL1800 motor can easily handle that. I know that some have complained about a slight wobble in the handlebars when hitting a bump or some uneven road surfaces. I'm assuming you have a rake kit on it. They come in various flavors from 4⁰ to 6⁰. If you have a shorter wheelbase, the 4-4 1/2⁰ rake kit works best. On longer wheelbase such as the CSC, THE 6⁰ is a better choice. If you have a 6⁰ on a shorter wheelbase, you will notice that the steering at higher speeds gets a little twitchy.

On mine, I always install a fork brace and that helps tremendously in stiffening the front forks. Not making the ride harsh, just less wobbly. It helps the forks to work more in tandem. I used to use the Superbrace and on my GL1500 it worked just fine. However in the GL1800's, I have seen quite a few complaints about it tweaking the forks because adjustments are limited. The Kuryakyn fork brace as well as the Traxxion fork brace are a better choice as they are more adjustable. The Kury one is the one I use now.

I just checked in the Motortrike site and looks like they use the 4-1/2⁰ rake kits

 

[zr1john]

I know with my CSC, I had no problem doing 75-80. Sometimes I might catch myself going maybe a tad faster. The GL1800 motor can easily handle that. I know that some have complained about a slight wobble in the handlebars when hitting a bump or some uneven road surfaces. I'm assuming you have a rake kit on it. They come in various flavors from 4⁰ to 6⁰. If you have a shorter wheelbase, the 4-4 1/2⁰ rake kit works best. On longer wheelbase such as the CSC, THE 6⁰ is a better choice. If you have a 6⁰ on a shorter wheelbase, you will notice that the steering at higher speeds gets a little twitchy. On mine, I always install a fork brace and that helps tremendously in stiffening the front forks. Not making the ride harsh, just less wobbly. It helps the forks to work more in tandem. I used to use the Superbrace and on my GL1500 it worked just fine. However in the GL1800's, I have seen quite a few complaints about it tweaking the forks because adjustments are limited. The Kuryakyn fork brace as well as the Traxxion fork brace are a better choice as they are more adjustable. The Kury one is the one I use now.

I just checked in the Motortrike site and looks like they use the 4-1/2⁰ rake kits

Thanks for your answer. The trike has the 4.5 rake and there is a fork brace on but I don't know what brand it is. I just turned 70 and my Goldwing two wheeler was getting to be too much to handle, therefore my decision to go to 3 wheels. I've been riding for 58 years and I'm not ready to stop yet! I also have a 84 Honda V65 Magna that I will ride on occasion.

 

[pwhoever]

Well I would say you're set. Take it out for a spin and see what you think. Don't immediately run down the road at 75-80mph to start. Start off slow in a large parking lot because steering is going to feel a little strange at first. You are naturally going to try to lean and make turns but that won't work. At first you will be confused why you aren't turning. You have to fully turn the handlebars and that takes a little getting used to. Once you feel comfortable, try city streets. The more used to it you get, start finding streets with higher speed limits. You will get the hang of it.

One tip, when turning right, push handlebars forward with your left arm and lock it in outward position while pulling back with right. Do the opposite with left turns. Also watch out especially around gas pump islands that you don't come in too close or you will find out the hard way. Trikes are obviously much wider than your bikes were.

 

[Gorilla]

Welcome aboard you will love that trike. With that setup you should be able to cruise as fast as you want. Now just remember trikes will use more gas than what you are used to. One more tire on the ground and more body resistance.

 

[Burnerboy]

John, (just a helpful suggestion here only) I'm assume'nnn that you now have you new TRIKE, I highly suggest, that you first ride your new bike on a large parking lot, turning, and turning, both ways till you get used to the NO LEAN situation.. I promise this will totally get you ready for the real road situation(s).........
I myself, was so excited to get her out on the "real" road before any practice'nnn and sure enough, the first corner, I came too, I tried the leaning, process, instead of turning the bars, and off into the ditch I went.. (luck'eeee there was another car behind me that helped me pull my brand new TRIKE out of the ditch (use'nn a rope tied to my hitch area, and the other end tyed to his front bumper) BIKE DID NOT, luckily occur any damage, so I rode away, totally embarrass'd, and the first large parking lot I came to, I then pulled in, and practiced what, I preach.... Practice, Practice, Practice!!!

Ronnie
12/23/24

 

[pwhoever]

The wrong rake kit can be just as bad as no rake at all. It could potentially be worse. Shorter wheel base trikes do better with the 4-1/2⁰ rake. Longer wheel base do best with a 6⁰ rake. With a short wheel base, a 6⁰ can make the steering a bit twitchy at higher speeds.

 

[BIG DENNY]

Picking up my first Goldwing trike this Friday. Currently ride a 2005 Goldwing two wheeler. How fast can you cruise on a Goldwing trike? The one I'm getting is a 2008 with a Motor Trike Razor. Will the trikes cruise at 75-80 mph? How is the handling at that speed?

Just joined the forum and I'm sure I'll have many more questions after I get my trike.
Thanks in advance,
John

you start slow and get too the feel of your trike and then it well run with the best of them. Just use good old seat of the pants

 

[DCTruncale]

Picking up my first Goldwing trike this Friday. Currently ride a 2005 Goldwing two wheeler. How fast can you cruise on a Goldwing trike? The one I'm getting is a 2008 with a Motor Trike Razor. Will the trikes cruise at 75-80 mph? How is the handling at that speed?

Just joined the forum and I'm sure I'll have many more questions after I get my trike.
Thanks in advance,
John

I've had my 2012 GL1800/CSC Viper with 6 degree rake kit up to 95 mph. Rock steady at all speeds. Not sure about MotorTrike. Just test it for yourself and see. Work up gradually, out on a good wide road. Welcome to the club!

 

[Marc H]

My 1500 with a Champion kit had a 6 and it wasn't twitchy but it did respond to any movement of the bars.I actually miss that part and at some point my 1800 will get the same treatment.

 

[Donncat1]

Thanks for your answer. The trike has the 4.5 rake and there is a fork brace on but I don't know what brand it is. I just turned 70 and my Goldwing two wheeler was getting to be too much to handle, therefore my decision to go to 3 wheels. I've been riding for 58 years and I'm not ready to stop yet! I also have a 84 Honda V65 Magna that I will ride on occasion.

I am the exact situation. I triked my '21 Tour 18 months ago. same reason you mentioned. We have adjusted very well, one surprise though, I didn't realize how much I was worried about the balance thing until my concerns went away once on three wheels. I literally breathed a sigh of relief one day and acknowledged that I was thinking about it more than I admitted. I would like to have that second two wheeler for that occasional ride but don't want to give up the garage space. I think you will be happy you converted. BTW, I have a 6 degree rake and I'm told that is the best setup for pleasurable steering. I do not have any pull at all on my trike.