Help!!!

Jan 29, 2011
147
4
Illinois
Name
Jim
Going to a trike in the next few months. I have never ridden one and need all the advice and or tips I can get. 53 years on two wheels; but never a trike so far. Arthritis is motivating me to try a trike and I am looking forward to it.
What I need is to find out:
1. What to consider for a first bike (Voyager, trike kit, ???)
2. New or used or convert my existing bike
3. Safety tips
4. Any other info anyone is willing to share.
Thanks
 
Welcome jmk! You have found THE trike forum.Great folks and info.IMO I would rather have a conversion than a Voyager.Did not say what you are riding or you what to do the conversion yourself.Most of the kits are good products but some do not sell to public.I hope ever you decide you will be as happy as I am with my MOTOR TRKE.Would do the rake kit at the same time. RIDE SAFE
 
Personally, I like my H-D Tri-Glide Ultra. a big advantage is that the warranty covers the whole trike. In a lot of cases, if you trike out a bike , the warranty goes out the door. if you are lucky, maybe your local dealer covers you. But if you travel, others dealers may not. That's just my 3 cents worth.
 
Current ride is an 02 Lowrider that I bought new. It has 37,000 miles on it now and is without any problems. As you can see; I ride approximately 4,000 miles a year, which is not a lot. All riding has been within a hindred miles or so of home; but I do like to ride year round when roads are clear of snow and ice. With as few miles as I ride; i am hesitant to tie up a lot of money which is why I have not gone to a Triglide or other new full trike. As far as a conversion would go; I have a local shop that would do my bike and I have dealt with them for well over 20 years; so I trust them to do it "right"
 
Current ride is an 02 Lowrider that I bought new. It has 37,000 miles on it now and is without any problems. As you can see; I ride approximately 4,000 miles a year, which is not a lot. All riding has been within a hundred miles or so of home; but I do like to ride year round when roads are clear of snow and ice. With as few miles as I ride; i am hesitant to tie up a lot of money which is why I have not gone to a Triglide or other new full trike. As far as a conversion would go; I have a local shop that would do my bike and I have dealt with them for well over 20 years; so I trust them to do it "right"

JMK I don't know about your finances, but you would enjoy a conversion much more than a Voyager. You will need to rake the trees so it handles better. Bazooka (Randy) owner of Adverture Motorsports site sponsor and founder of this forum is a GREAT person to contact for info and possible source of a kit. Bob owner of Trinity Trikes one of the forum sponsors is also a person to contact.

Not a lot of people on here have done a Dyna model, but it should be a great ride. What's good about converting your own bike is you know what you have and its pretty much done it the way you like.

Start looking at all the companies that do Dyna's. Most of us, are like you in why we are on 3 wheels. You will not regret it. You will want to say to yourself "Why did I wait so Long"

When you start you will want to take it easy for the first 400 miles or so, then you should be in the groove and will go at it.
 
<snip>....

3. Safety tips
4. Any other info anyone is willing to share.
Thanks

Welcome brother to the best riding decision you've made in years!! :D

Stop by my free downloads page and pick up a copy of "How To Ride A Trike" and feel free to wander around the site for other ideas as well. Just click here: The Trinity Trike Just load any or all of the documents and save to your desktop. Enjoy!

Bob Witte
The Trinity Trike
 
Welcome from a Harley rider and a new triker! I have an 02 Lowrider and an 06 Heritage. When I looked at triking, I obviously looked at Harley first, I have Harley blood running in my veins. But as I did my research and rode a little, I made the assessment that maybe the Goldwing, 1500 or 1800 would make a better trike. I triked out an 1800 and both me and my wife love it. Intercom, reverse, and cooler because of the liquid cooling all played in to my decsion.

Good luck and PM me if you want to discuss.
 
jmk865,
I would definately go with the trike conversion rather than the Voyager or other training wheels type add-on. Last year the state of Iowa ourlawed the Voyager type add-ons deeming them unsafe for highway use. If you go to their state and a cop stops you, you will be required to remove the add-on or imediately leave the state. Refusal to do so and they will impound the vehicle. I understand that other states are considering the same law.
 
trikeleader just wondering where you got your info on voyager kits being being outlawed in Iowa. I just called MTCVoyager and they are not aware of it. If this is factual info I sure would like some info as how to check it for myself. Thanks
 
I called the motor vehicle department in Iowa a few minutes ago and asked about the law regarding Voyager type kits. They told me the law was inacted on January 1 2009 and resinded due to constitution questions on June 30, 2010. It is legal to use these kits in Iowa. I understand someone chalanged the law and rather than fight it out in court, the state did away with the law.
 
trikeleader just wondering where you got your info on voyager kits being being outlawed in Iowa. I just called MTCVoyager and they are not aware of it. If this is factual info I sure would like some info as how to check it for myself. Thanks

I called the motor vehicle department in Iowa a few minutes ago and asked about the law regarding Voyager type kits. They told me the law was enacted on January 1 2009 and rescinded due to constitution questions on June 30, 2010. It is legal to use these kits in Iowa. I understand someone challenged the law and rather than fight it out in court, the state did away with the law.

I was wondering how a law like that could be enacted to start with. But, then remembered Indiana has handle bar height limit, must wear protective glasses/goggles, etc.
My thoughts are if a Voyager type add-on is all one can afford and if not using one that means no more bike, then do it and learn to ride it safely.
 
Missouri is working on doing away with the helmet law, but they are adding some stipulations. One stipulation is that under 21 years old must wear a helmet (OK by me). The other major one is that everyone must wear a helmet on all Interstate highways but not any other roads. Their idea is that the Interstate is more dangerous than all other roads or streets. GO FIGURE!
 
Missouri is working on doing away with the helmet law, but they are adding some stipulations. One stipulation is that under 21 years old must wear a helmet (OK by me). The other major one is that everyone must wear a helmet on all Interstate highways but not any other roads. Their idea is that the Interstate is more dangerous than all other roads or streets. GO FIGURE!

More genius types making laws!
Back in the late 60's(I think) when Ind. enacted motorcycle endorsements, the first manual said you should ride in the center of your lane, Right where all the oil/grease and debris ends up:AGGHH:
Among other craziness, that showed whoever put that manual together, never rode a bike. It was a question on the 1st test I took. Took the manual and the test up to the clerk and asked to speak to the manager.
After a good talk w/her about how to really ride a motorcycle, she gave me my endorsement and said she'd be contacting whomever put the manual together!
 
Going to a trike in the next few months. I have never ridden one and need all the advice and or tips I can get. 53 years on two wheels; but never a trike so far. Arthritis is motivating me to try a trike and I am looking forward to it.
What I need is to find out:
1. What to consider for a first bike (Voyager, trike kit, ???)
2. New or used or convert my existing bike
3. Safety tips
4. Any other info anyone is willing to share.
Thanks

Like its already been stated ride what you can afford. I have a voyager kit because thats what I could afford. Would I like a nice three wheeled trike, you betcha. Maybe one day it well happen but for now I'll just keep prettying up my wantabe. It handles good and rides pretty good. I have had no problems with it except for loosing one bolt that I did not torque to spec. So if you go that way remember no short cuts, do it right and if you have it done stand over their shoulder.
 
Missouri is working on doing away with the helmet law, but they are adding some stipulations. One stipulation is that under 21 years old must wear a helmet (OK by me). The other major one is that everyone must wear a helmet on all Interstate highways but not any other roads. Their idea is that the Interstate is more dangerous than all other roads or streets. GO FIGURE!

Don't want to completely hijack this thread, but first: I'm a Legislative Officer for FORR (Missouri Motorycle rights org.-like ABATE) Helmet modifcation got veto'ed last year by the Gov. after passing both houses of the General Assembly. We got it put this year on to remind the hired help in Jeff City we are still working on it, but don't really expect to get it passed until Gov. Nixon is out of office, as he'll most likely veto again. BTW - that was last year's wording= this bill, SB28 (voted "do pass" out of trans committee) just adds the words "who is under 21 years of age" where it says everyone must wear a helmet. Lots of other issues to work on that affect motorcycle and motortricycle riders.

Original question - Might consider a used GW1500. Plenty of power and even plentier of creature conforts. We have the SE, has CB, toe warmer vents, warm air fairing vents, lots of cool air fairing vents, cruise control, radio/cassette with Mp3 player input mod, built in air compressor and so on. Less $$ than a GL1800, more room for pilot, a bit less power than the 1800, more protective fairing than the 1800. They will easily go much more than 100,000 miles with normal care.
 
A man in minasota has over 600000 thousand miles on a 1500,outside of normal maintance and timing belts and water pump and a few other odds and ends bike has never had any major repairs.
:wtg::wtg::wtg::wtg:
 
I agree. I have personally seen many GL1500s over 100k miles and quiet a few over 200K. There has never been a more dependable motorcycle built than the Honda GL1500. Thats why some many are still being triked. ThumbUp
 
So far it's looking like a Voyager kit added to my current bike will be the way I'll have to go...at least for the time being. All other choices, though they are appealing, are far more expensive than I can justify. Thanks to everyone for their advice and ideas.
 

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