How Important Is Mileage?

[TarheelTriker]

How Important Are Miles When Picking a Wing?

OK, I am just starting to look for a Wing to trike. I am wondering how much importance to place on miles if I am going to trike the bike anyway. Also, does ABS really make that big of a deal? My current bike is ABS, but I am not familiar with the Goldwing "linked braking" system. Do the trike kits retain the ABS system capability if the bike was ABS before the conversion?

 

[Gold Rush]

Re: How Important Are Miles When Picking a Wing?

OK, I am just starting to look for a Wing to trike. I am wondering how much importance to place on miles if I am going to trike the bike anyway. Also, does ABS really make that big of a deal? My current bike is ABS, but I am not familiar with the Goldwing "linked braking" system. Do the trike kits retain the ABS system capability if the bike was ABS before the conversion?

Howdy Warren. I expect you are referring to odometer miles not gas mileage. The GL1800 is nearly bullet proof. There are guys out there still riding '01 Wings with over 300,000 miles on them. Agreed, that is the exception but it speaks volumes for the longevity of the bike as a whole. I had nearly 74K on my '06 when I converted three years ago. I'm now coming up on 113K.

I personally do believe ABS is a good thing. Maybe not as important on a trike as it was on two wheels (saved my butt once) but still I'd want it. Some conversions maintain the ABS - others don't. I don't know if all that do charge extra or not. I know Motor Trike does charge more because there is another part required.

The linked brake system is pretty straight forward. If you apply only front brake you are sending 70% of the pressure to the front wheel and 30% to the rear. If you apply only rear brake the inverse is true. I have always used both front and rear combined even though Motor Trike does maintain the linked system. Again, some conversions do not keep this function.

I know I didn't directly answer your questions. That's is something you will have to decide. Hopefully I've given you the information to do that. :xszpv: :xszpv:

 

[TarheelTriker]

Re: How Important Are Miles When Picking a Wing?

Jerry,

Thanks very much. Your info was quite helpful. The closest installer to me does Roadsmith and Hannigan. The RS does not retain the ABS functionality, but it has the auto load level system.

Anyway, your help is much appreciated!

 

[FRR]

I've owned 2 trikes. The conversion with the CSC did keep the unified braking system but my new one with a Hannigan does not. Hope this helps.

As far a mileage, Wings go forever. As far as gas mileage, expect a reduction of 4-5 MPG.

 

[MDGeorge]

I have the California Side Car and it has kept the ABS brakes.

Good to have. IT makes a difference.

Like Gold Rush said, these bike go forever.

 

[bikerbillone]

Re: How Important Are Miles When Picking a Wing?

OK, I am just starting to look for a Wing to trike. I am wondering how much importance to place on miles if I am going to trike the bike anyway. Also, does ABS really make that big of a deal? My current bike is ABS, but I am not familiar with the Goldwing "linked braking" system. Do the trike kits retain the ABS system capability if the bike was ABS before the conversion?

In my opinion, linked ABS is not as critical on 3 as 2 wheels. I know the Road Smith ABS is delinked, or disconnected, and probably most other brand trikes are as well. I've never been real content with the amount of braking power to rear wheels, perhaps if I jumped on the rear foot brake really hard then there would be more braking traction. I don't worry about it, if I need to jump on the rear I can do that in an emergency situation, plus grab the front brake. Now I'm about 80% on rears and the rest on the front to save the front brake pads. The rear pads are huge and should be up to the emergency stop job.

 

[Hannigan Motorsports]

Hannigan Motorsports GL1800 (both GEN 1 & GEN 2) conversions do indeed retain the ABS.

Also, we do retain the Hand-Lever linking to the Rear and disable the link to the Front from the Rear when the Foot-Pedal is utilized.
So,
When you apply Foot-Pedal braking: Only the 2 Rear Disc Brakes are engaged.
When you apply Hand-Lever braking: the OEM Linking & Proportioning remains and Both front & rear Brakes are being engaged same as prior to conversion.

Thanks much for your interest and I hope this answers your inquiry as well as any Others who may be wondering the same. As always, if not or you need anything else just give us a call anytime or Post your questions in our Sponsor Section "Information Desk" Thread here on Trike Talk.

 

[bikerbillone]

Hannigan Motorsports GL1800 (both GEN 1 & GEN 2) conversions do indeed retain the ABS.

Also, we do retain the Hand-Lever linking to the Rear and disable the link to the Front from the Rear when the Foot-Pedal is utilized.
So,
When you apply Foot-Pedal braking: Only the 2 Rear Disc Brakes are engaged.
When you apply Hand-Lever braking: the OEM Linking & Proportioning remains and Both front & rear Brakes are being engaged same as prior to conversion.

Thanks much for your interest and I hope this answers your inquiry as well as any Others who may be wondering the same. As always, if not or you need anything else just give us a call anytime or Post your questions in our Sponsor Section "Information Desk" Thread here on Trike Talk.

'Nother good response from Hannigan, and good for them if they retain the ABS which is proven to be a very good safety factor. Again as a RS rider, I am impressed how Hannigan responds to inquiries in a positive way.

 

[skuuter]

Mileage on a Gold Wing.....will mostly reflect in the price, more so than the quality if it had regular maintenance performed on it....."BULLET-PROOF"......ThumbUp

 

[howardg]

I have a Lehmen trike and it DOES have the front and rear connected to the foot break, the hand break is only the front.

 

[Cycleguy]

ABS is not the same as linked. Some manufacturers claim to maintain ABS, but they put the wheel speed sensor on the differential. Not sure how well that would work.

My DFT would maintain ABS (if I had it) because it uses only the stock Honda brake system, down to the last washer. So the ABS sensor would stay on the rear brake.

 

[John Luciano]

Also I might add 95% of Goldwings are pure stock. No rejeting, or exhaust mods, chips and cams,intakes and sprocket mods. They are pretty much good enough right off the shelf so most owners don't modify them. Mileage and kit determines the cost, 10,000 to 30,000 is like brand new, just broken in, next we have the 60,000 to 100,000 they are still in good shape and will a good price. After that the 125,000 to 165,000 wing. Still a lot of life if it was well maintained, but I would back off on this much mileage if you are planning long distance touring. If it is going to be 4,000 to 6,000 a year you can get a real bargain bike.
high end kits as the Hannigan, California Side car, DFT,and Lehman, could raise the cost a bit.

 

[msocko3]

Also I might add 95% of Goldwings are pure stock. No rejeting, or exhaust mods, chips and cams,intakes and sprocket mods. They are pretty much good enough right off the shelf so most owners don't modify them. Mileage and kit determines the cost, 10,000 to 30,000 is like brand new, just broken in, next we have the 60,000 to 100,000 they are still in good shape and will a good price. After that the 125,000 to 165,000 wing. Still a lot of life if it was well maintained, but I would back off on this much mileage if you are planning long distance touring. If it is going to be 4,000 to 6,000 a year you can get a real bargain bike.
high end kits as the Hannigan, California Side car, DFT,and Lehman, could raise the cost a bit.

:Agree: Unlike all the Harley's I've owned, I have yet to feel the need to modify for power. The Wing right out of the box is right on the money for my use. I just bolted on some comfort accessories and plan on plenty of comfortable miles.

 

[UBoat]

I agree with the 35 mpg figure. Goes up a little if I am motoring some back roads at a "little old lady" mode and drops a little if I am in a hurry to get some where. I know ... this doesn't help much.

Chuck

 

[icedad]

On my GL 1500 I can get 30 MPG while traveling on the 2 lane roads and having to shift. I do not baby the bike, nor do I hammer on it. On the big road, I tend to get about 33 MPG between 65- 70 MPH, which seems to be about average. I have a CSC and have been unable to lock the brakes up ever, tho I really haven't tried too hard.