How much rake?

[Okie]

I just bought a 04 1800 trike (Trike Shop) and I'm going to have it raked!
My question is how much rake do I want. I'm wanting it to handle well in the twisties and I understand that will happen with the rake.
One shop I talked to installs a 3 degree but I've heard others talk about a 5.5 degree or 6 degree.
I need some help figuring out which one I need and why.
You input will be appreciated.
Okie
Tulsa, Ok

 

[Nana]

Okie, the link below will take you into a thread from earlier with lots of information that may be of help to you. While you wait for others to add more, this should give you some good reading. I think the EZ-steer that Champion makes is a 4-1/2 degree rake. It is an excellent brand to consider!

http://www.triketalk.com/forum/mechanical/421-trying-decide-whether-rake-not-rake-front-end.html

 

[pastor bill]

Oakie:
I live in Bristow, OK. and had my 2005 wing triked at Renegades in Glenpool. After rideing it for one year, and the front roller bearings went out, I decided to have it raked and had Renegades install a 4 1/2 degree rake kit, which I believe is not manufactured by the Trike Shop. I believe it may be by Champion. Anyway, I love it! Give Dick a call. He won't steer you wrong. I ride with Akdar Shrine and all the wing riders have Renegades work on their bikes.
Halfbreed

 

[shiney b.]

trike shop makes a 5 1/2 degree reke for the 1800, but not for the 1500. the company installing my kit ordered a 4 1/2 degree rake kit from champion to install on my 1500.
dave

 

[Okie]

Shortly after I posted the question on the rake I did go to Glenpool and had them put on a 5.5 rake and it made a world of difference.
I went by one day and told them I was trying to figure out which one I wanted and they had me ride Dick's trike and it had a 5.5 so that's what I went with and I've since put almost 3,000 miles on the trike and I love the way it handles. Can't imagine riding one without it.
Like everyone said it's like putting power steering on it.
Okie
Tulsa, Ok

 

[ben721364]

Which trike kit do you have? Generally speaking the longer the wheelbase the greater the rake it will be happy with.

 

[Comanche]

Bringing this thread back to life. I have had more shoulder dislocations than Mel Gibson plus two torn rotator cuffs and the damage 71 years will take on a persons body. I put the 5.5 degree rake kit on my trike plus yesterday swithched from Kuryakyn risers to the MLB standard risers. It makes a big difference.

Wednesday, I am riding with a good friend who will have the 5.5 degree rake kit put on his trike after riding mine and discovering the difference in the ease of steering.

 

[Puff]

Bringing this thread back to life. I have had more shoulder dislocations than Mel Gibson plus two torn rotator cuffs and the damage 71 years will take on a persons body. I put the 5.5 degree rake kit on my trike plus yesterday swithched from Kuryakyn risers to the MLB standard risers. It makes a big difference.

Wednesday, I am riding with a good friend who will have the 5.5 degree rake kit put on his trike after riding mine and discovering the difference in the ease of steering.

I recently did a run with some trikers over our Alpine Pass... the corners were endless going up and down the mountains, and at each stop my Harley mate, who doesn't have a raked front end, could hardly raise his arms after each stint. My Valk trike was like a tractor to ride before I had it raked... now it's fantastic. The difference between 'before' and 'after' is incredible... I loathed it before having the front-end raked, it's like turning on power-steering... go for it.

 

[Muleskinner]

I'm new to this forum and also to trikes. I am looking at a 06 1800 with a Hannigan kit and 6 degree rake. Can you go overboard on the rake? I know that the standard option offered by Hannigan is 4.5 degrees?

 

[Gorilla]

Welcome aboard muleskinner. Yes you can go overboard on rake. I believe 6 degrees on a Honda is in the park though. A little less on Harleys.

 

[Nana]

Hi Muleskinner. Welcome to TrikeTalk! Make yourself at home and keep us updated on your new adventure in triking!

 

[RED BARON]

How much $$$ are we talking about?? And how long does it take normally? I have a 97 wing with a 06 motortrike kit.

 

[Muleskinner]

Thanks for getting back with me. FYI, I sent an email to Hannnigan and asked them about putting a 6 degree on a GL-1800. They said it would not be a good idea as it would make the ride "twitchy & ill-handling". They may just be trying to push their offered 4.5 degree rake, but that very accurately describes the feeling I got when I rode the trike. I think I'll keep looking for another one to buy. BUMMER as I really loved that 06 Navi!!!

 

[Comanche]

I was concerned about the 5.5 degree kit which was installed on my GL 1800. No need to worry. Did 639 miles on very twisty roads in the pouring rain this weekend and trike handled perfectly. Other than a teensy bit of hydro plaining, which could happen with a non-raked trike I felt I was in control the entire time. I have very rotten shoulders with bone spurs in my neck. The trike handled like a dream with no over correction not even once.

 

[Muleskinner]

Thanks Comanche. What trike kit did you use? I've been told that different brand kits respond differently to rake.