Lift kits and steering

[Borla]

Hi. New to trike riding after 18 years on 2 wheels. I have heard about lift kits to make steering the triglide a bit easier. Looking for experienced opinions before I spend the money. Thanks, all.

 

[Notgrownup]

Hi. New to trike riding after 18 years on 2 wheels. I have heard about lift kits to make steering the triglide a bit easier. Looking for experienced opinions before I spend the money. Thanks, all.

I was new to the trike world last year and installed the 14” pro action and the comfort lift kit from DK.

I really can’t tell the difference because I had no previous experience.

I know the better Suspension made a huge difference because Mrs Notgrownup said so. Lol. It is apparently said that it makes steering better manageable…BUT It’s still a chore to steer in the major twisty roads I just came from in WV, VA & NC mountains.

This is just is compared to riding an Electra Glide for 16 years.

 

[Rogue1]

Hi. New to trike riding after 18 years on 2 wheels. I have heard about lift kits to make steering the triglide a bit easier. Looking for experienced opinions before I spend the money. Thanks, all.

I put a lift kit on a couple years ago. To be honest I can't really tell any difference in the handling or steering, maybe it's just me.

It definitely makes the trike sit better and look better. When I added the Progressive shocks that made a huge difference. I did have to re-engineer the headlight to get it aimed properly. No big deal

 

[FirstTrike]

Hi. New to trike riding after 18 years on 2 wheels. I have heard about lift kits to make steering the triglide a bit easier. Looking for experienced opinions before I spend the money. Thanks, all.

The best thing that I did for steering and handling was to install Papa Zook's Rake Kit and krome werks 2+2 handlebars. Made a world of difference. Have not done a lift kit or shocks yet.

 

[DOKK]

I recently changed to the 14" NexGen shocks and the comfort lift from DK Customs. I installed it all before a 600 mile road trip. The ride and handling was improved. I had a year and a half and about 19k miles on the stock setup for 40k total on the dial.

I will add one caveat though and I posted about this as well for the folks at DK, once I installed the new shocks and lift, it really highlighted how crappy the stock Harley front suspension is. It almost had a "loose" feeling like a stock car being loose in the turns.

Once the new front suspension came in, it was on back order, and I installed it, holy hell, it was a completely different Trike. It rides so much smoother. Bumps are like butter and the handling got even better.

I already had the KW 2+2 Wide Sweepers installed and now, with the total package, it will lay in the twisties harder, easier than it probably should, LOL. The lift will definitely improve the handling IMO but be prepared to experience the deficiencies in the the rest of the suspension system.

Brian

 

[arnie]

I had the lift on my 2011,2014, & 2016. For me, no difference in steering. It did help a bit with the pipes scrapping.

 

[staudy]

Front Suspension

You mentioned the backordered front suspension really helped the ride. What did you install. I have a 2014 and can feel every bump and tar strip.

 

[DOKK]

You mentioned the backordered front suspension really helped the ride. What did you install. I have a 2014 and can feel every bump and tar strip.

I installed the FST cartridge system from DK Customs. After everything was done, it rides like a new trike. This suspension package should be stock on them.

 

[milemaker]

This is the only place I have found where everyone isn't saying the lift kit changes the steering. I agree 100%.

Years ago the lift kits came out to level the trike as the back was lower by a couple inches. No talk about helping the steering.

Its true that it does lift the back of the trike a couple inches and its level after installation. I added the lift kit a year after I bought my trike and it didn't do anything for the steering.

I did put Progressive springs in the front forks of my trike just as I had done with my Road King and Goldwing before that. Those make a world of difference in any motorcycle front end.

Its nice to see honest people with real experience telling us what is really true. Thanks to those of you who speak the truth.

Sam

 

[jgc89]

Installed the lift kit and progressive shocks then a Papa Zook Rake Kit.

Great ride now 2012 triglide.

 

[BikerG]

I’m new to trikes. I ride a 2012 Tri Glide. The marketing claims about improved steering are confusing. Has a magazine or independent party ever reviewed the various approaches to improve steering?

Wider handlebars
Lift kit
Longer shocks
Rake kit

 

[PosseRider]

I had the lift on my 2011,2014, & 2016. For me, no difference in steering. It did help a bit with the pipes scrapping.

Papa Zook's fork rake kit made a 100% better steering for me.

 

[Notgrownup]

I didn’t notice much difference in steering when I installed the lift kit but I didn’t do it for that purpose, I wanted more clearance.

 

[David792]

I recently changed to the 14" NexGen shocks and the comfort lift from DK Customs. I installed it all before a 600 mile road trip. The ride and handling was improved. I had a year and a half and about 19k miles on the stock setup for 40k total on the dial.

I will add one caveat though and I posted about this as well for the folks at DK, once I installed the new shocks and lift, it really highlighted how crappy the stock Harley front suspension is. It almost had a "loose" feeling like a stock car being loose in the turns.

Once the new front suspension came in, it was on back order, and I installed it, holy hell, it was a completely different Trike. It rides so much smoother. Bumps are like butter and the handling got even better.

I already had the KW 2+2 Wide Sweepers installed and now, with the total package, it will lay in the twisties harder, easier than it probably should, LOL. The lift will definitely improve the handling IMO but be prepared to experience the deficiencies in the the rest of the suspension system.

Brian

Hey Brian; I just read your post and I'm curious. How does changing the front suspension affect the way the rear end handles the ruts and bumps? I also changed out my rear shocks for the 14" pro action shocks and lift kit. I couldn't use the tall hole on the lift kit and had to use the short hole. I think that is equivalent to the stock shock mount. The Pro Action shocks are much better than stock, but rough roads are still rough.

 

[Notgrownup]

Hey Brian; I just read your post and I'm curious. How does changing the front suspension affect the way the rear end handles the ruts and bumps? I also changed out my rear shocks for the 14" pro action shocks and lift kit. I couldn't use the tall hole on the lift kit and had to use the short hole. I think that is equivalent to the stock shock mount. The Pro Action shocks are much better than stock, but rough roads are still rough.

The front hits the bump first so improved front reaction makes the ride better.

 

[DOKK]

Hey Brian; I just read your post and I'm curious. How does changing the front suspension affect the way the rear end handles the ruts and bumps? I also changed out my rear shocks for the 14" pro action shocks and lift kit. I couldn't use the tall hole on the lift kit and had to use the short hole. I think that is equivalent to the stock shock mount. The Pro Action shocks are much better than stock, but rough roads are still rough.

What @Notgrownup said and it tightened the handling of the trike up. When I lifted the rear, it changed the geometry I assume enough to make it feel loose or wiggly going down the interstate. Once I installed the front, it raised it up some and corrected the geometry, again, I assume and tightened the handling back up. The stock suspension on the front is very soft IMO.