Hello

[hapbob]

I'm very new, in fact I'm still trying to decide what to do. I have a roadking I could trike or should I just sell it and buy a trike that's what I'm looking into. I would like to do the trike my self if I trike the king...but looking for advice . This looks like a super site to do the research on. Anybody want to tell me their thoughts I'm listening

Hap

 

[Buckin']

Welcome to the forum, you will receive lots of good advice here.

 

[DK Custom Products]

Welcome to the forum from NW Mississippi!

What year RK do you have? What, if any, mods have been done to it?

Kevin

 

[captdanwh]

depending on the year of your bike and how much you like it is how i would go about it. if your bike is fairly new and still runs great i might think of triking it out. the kits out there are numerous and i have friends who are real good with working on Harleys and had their bikes triked out by the trike dealers. there are also kits out there who will not sell you a kit and they have to be installed by a dealer, so that is another thing to think of. i had my bike converted and do not regret it but if i had to do it again after all these years i would buy one ready to ride and sell mine outright. there are probably a lot of good deals out there now as winter is almost upon us and guys are looking to sell their rides so they can either upgrade or do not want the bike sitting all winter in the garage. i don't know if what i mentioned did any good but think about what you really want and then go full balls after it with no looking back. you only live once, so go for it.

 

[Tuccandler]

Welcome to the 3 wheel world.
The RK trike MOD would be a lot of fun if you have all the tools and skill but the new 2014 has incorporated some very modern features that blend well with the riding suspension of a OEM Trike. Do yourself a favor and ride to your nearest HD shop, rent a trike and test out the OEM version. Preferably the 2014 so you get the Radio, GPS integrated screen.
I rented a 2013 and rode her 300 miles in a day, turned it in and shopped the country for a new one at the right price. Chandler HD in AZ made it happen. I live in Reno and the dealers just don't want to negotiate.........their loss!

 

[willom]

Had a friend who owns a local shop do my conversion a few months ago and could not be happier. Did a lot of research on the web and in person and for my preference, which is simple and functional, I chose a Champion kit for my 06 Glide Standard. Also purchased a rake kit for the front and the Champion reverse gear. I considered doing the build myself and after watching it being done I am glad I didn't mostly because of the amount of work that had to be done, not because of the difficulty. Total cost of the parts and the build, the shop gave me a good deal, was just under 13K.

 

[trikeleader]

Welcome, we are pleased to have you join us. I'm sure you will figure out what way is best for you. If you have a good reliable late model bike, having it triked might be the best option. Most of the trike kits require a certified builder to the conversion. A little research on this will give you the answer. Good luck on what you do.

ThumbUp

pepper

 

[87Trike1200]

Welcome - you'll get lots of suggestions here. I'm a "rice burner" guy so I can't suggest much for HD's. Let us know how you're doing with the project. Have fun, post often, be safe! :wave4:

 

[hapbob]

Hey
It's a 2009
Runs good
But I already see advantages to just buying a triglide
When the right one comes along
Will enjoy reading on this site
Thanks
Hap

 

[Bigbill]

Welcome Hap from Southeast Missouri. What ever way you decide to go, you've come to the right place. I speak for myself but the only bike id trade my TG for is a newer Triglide. Anyway welcome.

 

[Rick Kay]

Welcome fellow Michigander! :wave4:

I went the conversion route, and am happy with the results. The money was about the same either way, and my current bike was a great 2 wheeler, a known commodity, so to speak. Either way, you'll be happy on 3!

 

[pcombe]

:Agree:
Like Rick I converted mine myself with a Champion straight axle kit and raked triple trees and would do it again if i could.
I wish i had another to do as a winter project.

Your 09 would be easier to convert than my 89.

If you want to see pics of how i did it google- pcombe library/photobucket -and it should give you an idea about whats going on.
There are others on this forum that have done their own also and they would give you good advice.

By the way i have under $8,000 into my build, $36,000 for a new tri glide is just beyond my means.

 

[Ohio Eddie]

Welcome to Trike Talk, from S/W Ohio.
Factory built TriGlide.

 

[jaxbobg]

Hi Hapbob!

I don't ride a HD, but 2009 is pretty new and you should get a good trade-in value at a reputable trike shop in your neck of the woods. A Harley/Lehman conversion is always possible if you can find the kit for sale without the going through a dealer installation, but I hope you have a well stocked garage with some hydraulic lifts and plenty of oddball tools.

I only know one person who triked his bike and it was a couple of months of pure frustration. Looked great and ran like a champ when he finished it up, but then he wasn't the world's brightest mechanic either.:laugh:

 

[Lucky]

I'm very new, in fact I'm still trying to decide what to do. I have a roadking I could trike or should I just sell it and buy a trike that's what I'm looking into. I would like to do the trike my self if I trike the king...but looking for advice . This looks like a super site to do the research on. Anybody want to tell me their thoughts I'm listening
Hap

Welcome glad you joined us.You should contact BAZOOKA he is very knowledgeable and can possibaly save you some bucks if you want to do it yourself.RIDE SAFE

 

[Brentwood Bob]

Welcome from Northern California and either way you go you can't go wrong.

 

[AZTriGlide]

Welcome from Arizona. I had a '05 Road King that I loved. Medical issues necessitated that I move t o 3 wheels to keep riding. I was ready to trike out my RK and had already pulled the trigger on a conversion kit. At the last second, I pulled the plug on it and ended up getting a '12 Tri Glide last September.
Glad I got the TG instead of triking out my RK. What changed my mind was: all one frame and built as a trike, six speed with 103 engine (although with the weight of the TG I feel they should of at least put in the CVO engine- fixed that by putting in a FullSac Stage 1 kit), iPod plug in (love music when I ride). Very glad I went with the TG over triking out my RK- although I'll always miss my RK.
Good luck with your decision!

 

[pcombe]

Welcome from Arizona. I had a '05 Road King that I loved. Medical issues necessitated that I move t o 3 wheels to keep riding. I was ready to trike out my RK and had already pulled the trigger on a conversion kit. At the last second, I pulled the plug on it and ended up getting a '12 Tri Glide last September.
Glad I got the TG instead of triking out my RK. What changed my mind was: all one frame and built as a trike, six speed with 103 engine (although with the weight of the TG I feel they should of at least put in the CVO engine- fixed that by putting in a FullSac Stage 1 kit), iPod plug in (love music when I ride). Very glad I went with the TG over triking out my RK- although I'll always miss my RK.
Good luck with your decision!

Re: Hello
:Coffee:I jumped over to your profile photo's girl friend. I like your passenger.
It appears there is a picture in front of you dealership and you look oh so serious!
Give us one with a huge smile? :Shrug:
ThumbUpGood to see your still riding!

 

[Moe55]

Couple years ago with an 05 Ultra was exactly where you are now. Checked several different kits, reverse, different rake kits, engine up grades talked with several guys that did their own conversions. Bottom line if I did conversion myself I had an 05 converted trike with 35,000 miles cost with what the bike was worth at the time and all the needed parts, was only a few thousand dollars from a new trike with a warranty. For us it was best to buy a new trike. We now have a 14 Trike and really am very happy with our choice the new trike is so much better than the conversion ever would have been. Yes it is more money but look at the difference between the two decide what is best for you.

 

[azbob09]

If you can financially do it without it being a hardship there's no question in my mind that either a used or new TG would be the way to go, with warrantee & dealer net work nationwide.

 

[jaxbobg]

I agree with other posters. You could have a lot of fun this winter triking out your RK.
Odds are it would cost you more than an outright sale of the RK and purchasing a used TG.

Have you taken a test ride on the new TG yet? I ride a Beemer trike but would be mightily tempted by the new HD machine. It seems really awesome.

 

[bpago]

Couple years ago with an 05 Ultra was exactly where you are now. Checked several different kits, reverse, different rake kits, engine up grades talked with several guys that did their own conversions. Bottom line if I did conversion myself I had an 05 converted trike with 35,000 miles cost with what the bike was worth at the time and all the needed parts, was only a few thousand dollars from a new trike with a warranty. For us it was best to buy a new trike. We now have a 14 Trike and really am very happy with our choice the new trike is so much better than the conversion ever would have been. Yes it is more money but look at the difference between the two decide what is best for you.

+1 with MOE. I had a 2011 ultra limited. Looked into Triking bike and after three sources quoted me around $16,000, I looked at two different dealers on trade for 2014 Triglide. for about $1000 more, I got a new bike, two-year warranty and all the new technology. I am very happy. Also, some insurance companies consider a conversion a major vehicle modification and will charge you more. Best to always check.

 

[tom w]

did a conversion in august 2013 to my 2008 ultra. D.C. cycle out of RED BAY ,ALABAMA had an add on e.bay for the motor trike gladiator kit for $8995.00with free install. I had a lot invested in up grades to my ultra. and only 15000 miles . this price is only the basic kit. they did a great job. the only complaint I had was the time it took to get the kit. and when I think Alabama I think of mobile and the gulf shore. this little hole in the wall town is only 300miles from my poplar bluff home. ended up with IRS, color matched paint, and mechanical reverse, and a few other options for around $13000 and kept my stage 2 big bore s.e. upgrades that were done to the ultra.

 

[JJTRIKER]

hello from illinios i have a conversion and im saying i wont have another.
but, they arent all bad its just the luck of the draw i also like champion it was my last conversion.
for my money my next purchase will be the triglide because of the fact theres only one company to answer to. the finger pointing back and forth as well as the repair bills made me a believer.

 

[pcombe]

hello from illinios i have a conversion and I'm saying i wont have another.
but, they aren't all bad its just the luck of the draw i also like champion it was my last conversion.
for my money my next purchase will be the triglide because of the fact theres only one company to answer to. the finger pointing back and forth as well as the repair bills made me a believer.

I have read about your very real disappointments and it saddens me.
:kpzxvq: The butchers that got ahold of your trike did indeed do a number on you!
The real tragedy is that yours is a beautiful trike.
I hope at least that you have blasted them through the better business bureau,
A reputable dealer and installer can't stand much of that heat.
Don't miss your chance to alert folks on this forum to stay away from them?

 

[hapbob]

Hello again
Really been struggling with this and I think it is wise it sell my Road King and find a tri glide
Those 14 with water cool would be nice but I would like to stay around 25k for the machine.
Should be able to find a 11 or 12 for that I hope?
I'll be reading along with all your ideas and reports
Thanks
Hap

 

[Sloufoot]

Hello again
Really been struggling with this and I think it is wise it sell my Road King and find a tri glide
Those 14 with water cool would be nice but I would like to stay around 25k for the machine.
Should be able to find a 11 or 12 for that I hope?
I'll be reading along with all your ideas and reports
Thanks
Hap

If you want a good buy, & are able to wait for a short while there have been a few sold from this forum. Also keep a look on the Harley Davidson forums. Both list trikes. Most have been sold because of health reasons & have been well cared for. Plus you get a lot of upgrades already done on the Trike. Might not to your taste, but trading material.

 

[hapbob]

That is My plan...I can still ride the King but on the look out for a nice used Tri Glide...
By the way I was your 500th post sloufoot! Also I live in Idaho for 5 years west of Boise and loved your state! Always planned to return but life takes turns your not planning.
Thanks again for advice.
Hap

 

[Sloufoot]

That is My plan...I can still ride the King but on the look out for a nice used Tri Glide...
By the way I was your 500th post sloufoot! Also I live in Idaho for 5 years west of Boise and loved your state! Always planned to return but life takes turns your not planning.
Thanks again for advice.
Hap

When you get that Trike bring yourself back out & visit. If it has been a long time since you left
Boise area, It has gained bunches of concrete & asphalt!