Honda or Harley?

[Tango]

The Gold Wing Trikes are longer and wider than HD's. CSC, Hannigan and Roadsmith are with in a half inch in wheelbase of each other. They also have Independent suspensions for the most part. HD is a solid axle design and you will feel it! The Gold Wings are cooler running. The HD can be made to ride a little cooler for approx. $1500-$2000 in engine mods. The HD has the "cool" factor going for it. And a fit and finish that is the best in the business. Their paint is awesome! The most important decision is picking an installer. A bad install and you have big problems! Good luck and have fun. Questions? Fire away.ThumbUp Tom :Trike1:

 

[ben721364]

I recommend that you pay no attention to posts touting one brand of motorcycle or trike kit over others. Instead, I suggest that you test ride several different brands and types, including 2F/1R and 1F/2R trikes, to determine for yourself what works for you. Styling is one thing but there are many more things to consider. What fits me may or may not fit you. Don't be influenced by peer pressure. Do your homework.
Cheers. Ride carefully.

 

[hbrogan57]

:Agree::Agree:

what one person prefers might not fit your riding habits. ride what you can, research the different brands and base your decision on that.

Anyone's opinion is going to lean towards their preferences. Me? I have a Hannigan and couldn't be happier. Others prefer DFT, CSC, MotorTrike, Et al.

I recommend that you pay no attention to posts touting one brand of motorcycle or trike kit over others. Instead, I suggest that you test ride several different brands and types, including 2F/1R and 1F/2R trikes, to determine for yourself what works for you. Styling is one thing but there are many more things to consider. What fits me may or may not fit you. Don't be influenced by peer pressure. Do your homework.
Cheers. Ride carefully.

 

[seabiz]

This decision is both an emotional and logical one; and they can be at odds with one another. I have a TriGlide. For me the emotion trumped logic. I have a Honda Ridgeline P/U. No problems, runs like a top, but too unemotional; stepford truck. My previous vehicle, a 1st gen. Range Rover, was troublesome, expensive, but always put a smile on my face and I miss it. Is my Ridgeline a "better" vehicle, hell yes from logic standpoint; it gets me to work every day without drama. But it did not satisfy that part of me that the Rover did. When I saw the TG I fell in love. Look at both, rent both, pretend you bought one and and see how you feel not having the other. You will know.

 

[FRR]

I've already been cautioned about responding to comments like yours, so I'm just going to ignore it as an ignorant post. Nice try!

You should have been cautioned. This gentleman asked for opinions and everyone on this thread offered one, so don't call us ignorant just because you don't agree. Comments like yours detract from the spirit of this website.

 

[Mr Orange]

Ok I know the search parameter is "Honda or Harley" but let me get this out of the way. I obviously don't ride either one so I would ask have you looked at Can Am Spyders?

Now actually it should also be obvious that I like things that are different. So first have you thought about a Triumph Rocket III? I think it would make a killer platform for a trike. It definitely has the engine for it. If I decided to build a conventional trike this is what I would build.
This kit on a Rocket…

and I put this front end on it so I could a nice square tire on the front!

Ok so if your still stuck on Honda I'd go this route…for a Wing this one really speaks to me!

but if you want to stay conventional I'd go with this one…

the only Harley I would consider would be this one…

For me though no matter what trike platform or kit I used it would have a leading link front end on it. I just don't like the look of that skinny little motorcycle tire on the front. I want some nice wide sticky rubber up front!

 

[Livin2Ride]

You should have been cautioned. This gentleman asked for opinions and everyone on this thread offered one, so don't call us ignorant just because you don't agree. Comments like yours detract from the spirit of this website.

As do yours!

 

[orange winger2]

I like my Harley Roadsmith Trike it keeps me warm when it starts to get cool up here. I probably would not like the heat it gives off if I lived somewhere down south but I think this may be a fixable issue. As for price, my new Harley Trike cost more than a new Goldwing Trike. So if someone says that a Harley Trike costs less that may not be true. Look around, ride a few, then pick what you like, and if you ride with a passenger make sure they like it too.

Test road The new Harley trike in Sturgis this year. I'm not understanding (keeps me warm statement)? The ride weather was cool with rain sprinkles. Maybe there is aftermarket wings or some way to get the wind from coming around the fairing and on the rider. I'm not poo pooing the ride nice trike. Really liked the seat, nice pickup and go. But like riding in a wing tunnel, rain came over wind screen and blasted my head 95mph on freeway. Even at slower speeds I could feel the wind on lower body and hands. The wing with full set of baker wings has much less flying across the body. And why can't Harley put both turn signals in one button?:Shrug:

 

[lboos]

Just in the looking stage, but my wife and I are interested in purchasing a trike in next few months. Where we live, most rider's own Harley's, but for looks, we like the Honda the best. It looks like the Honda is longer which we think will make the ride smoother. :Shrug:Which bike do you believe is better? We are retired and will be using the trike to travel around the country. Thanks for any imput.

Hi traveler287,
I can solve your problem right now :wave4:, Buy the Harley, of course ThumbUp.
If you buy one of those bikes with a funny name you will be kicking yourself in the butt in two mo's. esp. the 1st time a Harley T/G passes you on the hi-way and you hear that great deep sound that only a Harley can make.
all the others sound like large elect. motors to me . and that is no way for a motor cycle to sound :Shrug:.

Just kidding :qpnmt:, They are all great bikes, and it sounds like you and your wife have already decided on the Honda [we like the Honda the best] then the Honda is the one you should pick, BUT!, test drive them both, the decision will be easy ThumbUp.

 

[msocko3]

Test road The new Harley trike in Sturgis this year. I'm not understanding (keeps me warm statement)? The ride weather was cool with rain sprinkles. Maybe there is aftermarket wings or some way to get the wind from coming around the fairing and on the rider. I'm not poo pooing the ride nice trike. Really liked the seat, nice pickup and go. But like riding in a wing tunnel, rain came over wind screen and blasted my head 95mph on freeway. Even at slower speeds I could feel the wind on lower body and hands. The wing with full set of baker wings has much less flying across the body. And why can't Harley put both turn signals in one button?:Shrug:

The wind is one of the 1st things my wife noticed when I took her for a ride on a Wing. I had her on the freeway running 80 mph and she could still hear the radio loud and clear. On the Triglide I had there was no hearing the radio for her at 80 mph, way too much wind blasting her.

 

[Ozarkryder]

orange winger2 - I believe the statement by ladyff1481 refers to the heat of the HD Twinkie engine. Ever since the Twin Cam was introduced there has been heat issues. The MOFoCo has tried a bunch of fixes, like plastic wings under the front of the seat to deflect the heat away from the rider's thighs, but they have never really cured the problem.

As far as having a turn signal button on each side of the bars instead of having one like the rest of the world? They always have done it that way, and that is the way the core HD rider expects it. It's just the way it has always been.

 

[Lakeman]

Complaining about the wind and noise is ridiculous, IT'S A MOTORCYCLE!! If you want to be warm in the cold and cool in the heat and hear the radio loud and clear get a car, IT'S A MOTORCYCLE!! Just spent five weeks in Myrtle Beach and did not see one Honda trike and only a few Honda's of any kind I guess they were all home or in their cars warm and listening the radio. There may have been some ride by when I wasn't looking, don't know I couldn't hear them. When we are on our Harley where ever we are we see more Harley's and have friends. It's the comradely and a life style that can't be matched. I don't know of any brand of anything that has the loyalty and global recognition that HARLEY DAVIDSON has. Yes I do think the Honda Goldwing is more refined than the Harley but what you feel on a Harley is that you are riding a motorcycle not a car regardless of the number or wheels. To each his own, depends on what you want.

 

[ben721364]

You have been receiving two types of responses. Most tout a brand and others recommend that you take test rides 'cause what's good for you might not be good for the next guy. I recommend long (100 miles or more) test rides on all the brand that you are considering. A quick trip around the block isn't going to cut it; especially if you don't have lots of trike miles under your belt. Look at warranties and discuss them with installers/dealers before committing.

 

[hbrogan57]

:Agree::Agree:​

You have been receiving two types of responses. Most tout a brand and others recommend that you take test rides 'cause what's good for you might not be good for the next guy. I recommend long (100 miles or more) test rides on all the brand that you are considering. A quick trip around the block isn't going to cut it; especially if you don't have lots of trike miles under your belt. Look at warranties and discuss them with installers/dealers before committing.

 

[hbrogan57]

Five weeks in Myrtle Beach?? At this time of year people are heading to Daytona.......:xzqxz::xzqxz:

Complaining about the wind and noise is ridiculous, IT'S A MOTORCYCLE!! If you want to be warm in the cold and cool in the heat and hear the radio loud and clear get a car, IT'S A MOTORCYCLE!! Just spent five weeks in Myrtle Beach and did not see one Honda trike and only a few Honda's of any kind I guess they were all home or in their cars warm and listening the radio. There may have been some ride by when I wasn't looking, don't know I couldn't hear them. When we are on our Harley where ever we are we see more Harley's and have friends. It's the comradely and a life style that can't be matched. I don't know of any brand of anything that has the loyalty and global recognition that HARLEY DAVIDSON has. Yes I do think the Honda Goldwing is more refined than the Harley but what you feel on a Harley is that you are riding a motorcycle not a car regardless of the number or wheels. To each his own, depends on what you want.

 

[Lakeman]

Yes I did it backwards, next year Daytona and then Myrtle Beach. I have already heard it from y wife.

 

[Hoghead]

I bought a 2012 Tri-Glide and immediately had to put the kit from the guy in Indiana to raise the rear end up which improved handling as well as exhaust pipes wouldn't rub. The Tri-Glide steers like a Mack truck w/o Power Steering. The Tri-Glide rode very rough due to the straight axle. The Tri-Glide puts out a tremendous amount of heat but things wasn't too bad untill I got about 2000 miles on it then it started making noises sounding like a solid lifter small block Chevrolet with out of adjustment valves. I took it back to my Dealer three times and he couldn't hear anything. Told me they all did that. My 2010 Electra Glide Classic don't do it at any RPM. I finally took it back the forth time and told them to fix it as it was under warranty and only 6 months old so they picked it up again and changed the two spark plugs. After finding out what they done I politely told them what I thought and went and traded it for a 2012 GL1800 with Roadsmith Trike kit. No need to comment on what I think of a Tri-Glide but the Honda Trike is awesome. No noise, steers with one hand in parking lot doing figure 8's, no wind issues after putting F4+4 windshield, three times the power, rides excellent with the independent suspension, and it does not run hot.....I haven't missed any part of the Harley Tri-Glide.......Not bashing the Harley because I still have one.....

 

[msocko3]

Complaining about the wind and noise is ridiculous, IT'S A MOTORCYCLE!! If you want to be warm in the cold and cool in the heat and hear the radio loud and clear get a car, IT'S A MOTORCYCLE!! Just spent five weeks in Myrtle Beach and did not see one Honda trike and only a few Honda's of any kind I guess they were all home or in their cars warm and listening the radio. There may have been some ride by when I wasn't looking, don't know I couldn't hear them. When we are on our Harley where ever we are we see more Harley's and have friends. It's the comradely and a life style that can't be matched. I don't know of any brand of anything that has the loyalty and global recognition that HARLEY DAVIDSON has. Yes I do think the Honda Goldwing is more refined than the Harley but what you feel on a Harley is that you are riding a motorcycle not a car regardless of the number or wheels. To each his own, depends on what you want.

Its a motorcycle is all fine and well, but when your spouse is deaf in one ear and has some tenitis in the remaining good ear wouldn't you make some changes? The thing Harley has going for it is the company is a great marketing maching, what other company sells more leather and tee shirts along with other doo dads. Up until the 2012 GL1800 I bought last August I have only owned Harley, I'm not into life styles other than my own, could care less what the Jones are doing. As for keeping warm in the car, I've ridden in more inclement weather than most. The folks at the Harley dealer I used to do business with thought I was a loose nut because of some of the weather I'd be out in. A few years ago my dad and I took a 200 mile ride in weather which didn't get above 35 degrees, it rained, sleeted and snowed on us the whole way home, we don't own heated gear either.

Funny thing is I often wondered what a Goldwing was really like and wondered if I would like it. Once I rented one for a couple days and road the snot out of it I was sold. The difference between the Wing and my Ultra Classic is night and day, the Wing just flat out handles better, its a hoot to toss that sucker into corners where I would be dragging stuff if I was on the Harley. To be honest it isn't fair to compare the 2, the Harley touing line is more like a cruiser vs a sport touring bike which is the Goldwing.

If your buy a brand based on life style your more of a sheep following the rest of the sheep than an individual. I make my purchasing desisions based on how the item is going to perform to my expectations, with are quite high.

 

[Lakeman]

That's why I said to each his own, I like the whole package. Sheep do things by instinct people by what they like (me anyway), like not riding in sleet and snow. If you like to lean into a curve till something scrapes you would not like a trike anyway. If your wife has issues them by all means do whats right by her, she would probably be more comfortable is a car.

 

[Shimpy]

Its a motorcycle is all fine and well, but when your spouse is deaf in one ear and has some tenitis in the remaining good ear wouldn't you make some changes? The thing Harley has going for it is the company is a great marketing maching, what other company sells more leather and tee shirts along with other doo dads. Up until the 2012 GL1800 I bought last August I have only owned Harley, I'm not into life styles other than my own, could care less what the Jones are doing. As for keeping warm in the car, I've ridden in more inclement weather than most. The folks at the Harley dealer I used to do business with thought I was a loose nut because of some of the weather I'd be out in. A few years ago my dad and I took a 200 mile ride in weather which didn't get above 35 degrees, it rained, sleeted and snowed on us the whole way home, we don't own heated gear either.

Funny thing is I often wondered what a Goldwing was really like and wondered if I would like it. Once I rented one for a couple days and road the snot out of it I was sold. The difference between the Wing and my Ultra Classic is night and day, the Wing just flat out handles better, its a hoot to toss that sucker into corners where I would be dragging stuff if I was on the Harley. To be honest it isn't fair to compare the 2, the Harley touing line is more like a cruiser vs a sport touring bike which is the Goldwing.

If your buy a brand based on life style your more of a sheep following the rest of the sheep than an individual. I make my purchasing desisions based on how the item is going to perform to my expectations, with are quite high.

Sounds like a fair evaluation to me. I've got to say I like the looks of Harleys and the rumble they make as long as it is factory. It seems like a bike or trike I'd like to own for a little local riding, but I also like to own a Triumph Bonneville for around town. Picking one, it wouldn't be anything but the wing. Nothing else gives you the power and quietness, and very important to me, the reliability. If you doubt the reliability, then check out what the Iron Butt Association riders are riding in their rally which is approx. 11,000 miles in 11 days. The last time I looked there were almost no Harleys used due to their reliability.

 

[lboos]

I have had a lot of diff. motorcycles in my life, most were old worn out clunkers, but I enjoyed them all, but their seems to be a lot more Harley bashing here, don't know why? ...it's almost like some of you folks who own Honda's are just unhappy that you don't own a Harley for what ever reason:Shrug: so it makes you feel good to bash them, SHAME,SHAME,SHAME, as Goober would say.
Why you wanna bash an American icon [110 years old]? .... if you cant say any thing good about America,s Harley, why say anything.

Just remember, it was on a Harley that Deputy Barney Fife gave out tickets to maintain peace and order in Mayberry,
NOT! no "stinking" Honda .
JMO ThumbUp.......I love um all :wave4:.

 

[slimfin]

I LOVE my goldwing, but I also have not rode anything else.

 

[Ozarkryder]

Can we put an end to the Harley vs. Honda debate/bashing?
At the Rally V at Maggie Valley this last year there were a myriad of trikes - Hondas, Yamahas, Suzukis, HDs, VeeDubs, V8s, Stallions, home built, factory and more. The thing I really liked was that nobody really cared about the brand, everyone seemed to appreciate other folks ride for what it was: another nice trike by a fellow trike lover. That is one of the things I love about this forum. It's about the love of trikes, not the love of a brand.

We now return you to our regularly scheduled program where meanwhile, back at the ranch, Tonto, not knowing the Lone Ranger had disguised himself as a doorknob, shot the lock off.

 

[Trent]

I thought he was disguised as a pool table and got his b---s knocked around with a cue stick!!!

When I made the second post on this thread I knew what was coming. I will never say anything bad about another brand and I dont care what it's negatives might be. A lotta people are quick to criticize, but there is just no way to compare one brand with another. I am a Ford guy too and have been my whole life, but I will never bash another vehicle brand except in private with certain people and I have been sippin' too much Crown. I love my Harley, and no one should care. You guys all love your Honda's...and I dont care. Just ride what you like and enjoy it whatever it is.

 

[msocko3]

That's why I said to each his own, I like the whole package. Sheep do things by instinct people by what they like (me anyway), like not riding in sleet and snow. If you like to lean into a curve till something scrapes you would not like a trike anyway. If your wife has issues them by all means do whats right by her, she would probably be more comfortable is a car.

I used to own a Trike and intend on triking the Goldwing. I had a 2010 Triglide for almost 3 years when I got rid of it to buy the Wing, I had some problems on the horizon with the Triglide so I sent it down the road. There was an electrical gremlin which had most of my electrical system go out when I was 500 miles from home, got lucky and I started working again. The compensator was bad and the stator was leaking, it had just a tad over 21,000 miles which 99% were highway because I traveled on the Trike and ride my 06 Ultra around town.

 

[msocko3]

Can we put an end to the Harley vs. Honda debate/bashing?
At the Rally V at Maggie Valley this last year there were a myriad of trikes - Hondas, Yamahas, Suzukis, HDs, VeeDubs, V8s, Stallions, home built, factory and more. The thing I really liked was that nobody really cared about the brand, everyone seemed to appreciate other folks ride for what it was: another nice trike by a fellow trike lover. That is one of the things I love about this forum. It's about the love of trikes, not the love of a brand.

We now return you to our regularly scheduled program where meanwhile, back at the ranch, Tonto, not knowing the Lone Ranger had disguised himself as a doorknob, shot the lock off.

:Agree: I'm with you 100%. I'm fortunate, I've owned and ridden both brands so I can pretty much speak to the good and bad of both. I love both for what each one brings to the table.

 

[Nana]

Can we put an end to the Harley vs. Honda debate/bashing?
At the Rally V at Maggie Valley this last year there were a myriad of trikes - Hondas, Yamahas, Suzukis, HDs, VeeDubs, V8s, Stallions, home built, factory and more. The thing I really liked was that nobody really cared about the brand, everyone seemed to appreciate other folks ride for what it was: another nice trike by a fellow trike lover. That is one of the things I love about this forum. It's about the love of trikes, not the love of a brand.

We now return you to our regularly scheduled program where meanwhile, back at the ranch, Tonto, not knowing the Lone Ranger had disguised himself as a doorknob, shot the lock off.

Thank you, Ozarkryder! Appreciate your comment a lot .

 

[hbrogan57]

I know a LOT of folks that ride Harley's, Yamaha's, Suzuki's. et al.

Sure I get a little bit of teasing and so do they. It goes hand in hand. But, in the end, we fire up our trikes and bikes and ride together. Personally, I don't care WHAT you ride. I simply care THAT you ride.

There are those Harley hard-cores out there that will NEVER accept you. But those folks aren't generally in the same group of people that you would WANT to be rolling with anyway.

Sure, I might be on a T.W.A.....but I rather like the fact that my music is a lot louder than my pipes, I enjoy the reliability of the motor and I like the looks.

If you have a Harley or any other type and want to ride someplace then, please, let me know. I'll ride with you as I don't care what brand it is.

Can we put an end to the Harley vs. Honda debate/bashing?
At the Rally V at Maggie Valley this last year there were a myriad of trikes - Hondas, Yamahas, Suzukis, HDs, VeeDubs, V8s, Stallions, home built, factory and more. The thing I really liked was that nobody really cared about the brand, everyone seemed to appreciate other folks ride for what it was: another nice trike by a fellow trike lover. That is one of the things I love about this forum. It's about the love of trikes, not the love of a brand.

We now return you to our regularly scheduled program where meanwhile, back at the ranch, Tonto, not knowing the Lone Ranger had disguised himself as a doorknob, shot the lock off.

 

[JaysGone]

I don't care what anyone rides as long as it has at least 2 wheels.
Ive ridden with guys who can only afford a Chinese scooter.
If it puts wind in your face its alright with me.

My Uncle got me started riding by teaching me on a Vespa scooter when I was 8 years old.
I built my 1st motor bike from my old Schwinn and a briggs motor when I was 9.
So if it has 2 wheels and a motor its alright with me.
We all had to start riding some thing..................
Ive owned them all over almost 40 years and will never knock someone elses choice in wheels.
The model maybe, but not the brand.

 

[Rick Kay]

I think the original intent of this thread was the OP was looking for first hand knowledge of the pros and cons of each brand. It's a perfectly valid question, especially if one is new to trikes. The problems arises because of a lack of our (forum members) own self restraint, tolerance and civility toward each other. We can be adults and help the OP without all the bravado and chest thumping...