Motor Trike Owners....need opinions

[Skeet7373]

I have ridden two MT Razor's and due to the longer test ride on the second trip I was able to get a better feel of the trike. I was riding thru some curves and noticed the MT flexes more in the curve. I had a feeling of the trike "rolling over the tire" (a term in racing cars), not like it was going to roll over, just it was rolling over the tire to the outside of the curve. Then I found on both trikes at 55-60 mph, they both had a very sight back and forth fast shimmey to the front end. Is this normal on a GL or is that part of the trike? And including the two CSC trikes, one did one didn't , the engine noise is more when under throttle than not. One MT and one CSC was louder than the other same make. I've asked this question before and many say they do not hear it, but the engine and drive train is louder on some. All trikes had aqua shields installed.

And wow the MT got lighter on the interstate, I felt like it was lifting to fly!!

I just can't decide which I like better. I have ridden Chazzman's white 12 and it was wonderful, steered smoothly, rode great, and the engine noise was not as loud, plus it calmed down when the throttle was held steady. Beautiful machine, wish it was mine.

Karen

 

[Gold Rush]

I have ridden two MT Razor's and due to the longer test ride on the second trip I was able to get a better feel of the trike. I was riding thru some curves and noticed the MT flexes more in the curve. I had a feeling of the trike "rolling over the tire" (a term in racing cars), not like it was going to roll over, just it was rolling over the tire to the outside of the curve. Then I found on both trikes at 55-60 mph, they both had a very sight back and forth fast shimmey to the front end. Is this normal on a GL or is that part of the trike? And including the two CSC trikes, one did one didn't , the engine noise is more when under throttle than not. One MT and one CSC was louder than the other same make. I've asked this question before and many say they do not hear it, but the engine and drive train is louder on some. All trikes had aqua shields installed.

And wow the MT got lighter on the interstate, I felt like it was lifting to fly!!

I just can't decide which I like better. I have ridden Chazzman's white 12 and it was wonderful, steered smoothly, rode great, and the engine noise was not as loud, plus it calmed down when the throttle was held steady. Beautiful machine, wish it was mine.

Karen

Hi Karen. I've never ridden a Razor but the chassis is exactly the same as the Adventure I put 50,000 miles on. I believe what you experienced was largely due to difference in set up. How the suspension and tire air pressure is set will make a HUGE difference in handling. Also whether or not it has a rake kit installed and what the steering head bearing torque is adjusted to will make a big difference.

If you are considering a GL1800 conversion then I'd suggest starting with a very solid bike and have a very good installer do the conversion. I'm sure you've heard the bad installer horror stories. Unfortunately many of them are fact.

Even when everything goes exactly as planed there may be issues developed. Having a manufacture and installer that will step up when that happens is soooooooo important. Do your research and be prepared to enjoy the ride.. :xszpv: :xszpv:

 

[Skeet7373]

MT

The bike is a 13 with only 4800 miles. The MT is also new this year and still for sale at the builder. They say they add a 6 degree rake instead of the 4.5 degree that the factory sells. I'm sure they are a member here on the forum also. My other question was after riding the MT from the factory at the demo ride Wing Ding, I did not notice a lot of difference in the steering. But another owner told me his 4.5 was changed to their 6 degree and he noticed alot of difference in his MT Adventure trike. They pride them selves on their builds and sell trike left and right.

Also the air was set a 46, the ride was not as smooth as the CSC of my friends but again the roads in Georgia are all patched with running snakes....tons of sealer in the cracks of the roadway.

 

[Gold Rush]

The bike is a 13 with only 4800 miles. The MT is also new this year and still for sale at the builder. They say they add a 6 degree rake instead of the 4.5 degree that the factory sells. I'm sure they are a member here on the forum also. My other question was after riding the MT from the factory at the demo ride Wing Ding, I did not notice a lot of difference in the steering. But another owner told me his 4.5 was changed to their 6 degree and he noticed alot of difference in his MT Adventure trike. They pride them selves on their builds and sell trike left and right. Also the air was set a 46, the ride was not as smooth as the CSC of my friends but again the roads in Georgia are all patched with running snakes....tons of sealer in the cracks of the roadway.

Well, the bikes should certainly be solid.... I've always been told Motor Trike conversions should use 4.5 degree rake kits because of the shorter wheel base but I have heard of owners using the 6 degree. Maybe setting the steering head bearings on the high side would be the key to that choice.

Having the suspension set at 46 is just too high for normal riding. Even when I rode very aggressive in twisties I did not set that high. As I recall Motor Trike recommends mid to upper 20s. I carried a lot of stuff in the trunk so usually set mine at 32 then adjusted up depending on situation...

I hope that helps some Karen.. :xszpv::xszpv:

 

[wehrme]

I would agree that suspension psi and also rear wheel inflation make all the difference in the ride.

I have a razor and love it.

Why I bought it over others?.... all the others look similar to me, except one, and that one is butttttt ugly. (I'll let you guess)

 

[keepinon]

MT kit comparisons

I currently have a MT Adventure, same basics as the Razor, just a different body covering. I also have/rode a Valkyrie MT straight axle conversion for many years. The Adventure, once I learned my preferred settings, is by far the most comfortable.

The straight axle Valkyrie is rock solid. The suspension air bags can be set soft or firm. There is absolutely no roll in any corner, it performs as a sports car would. I really believe it will out-do the Adventure in the twisties.

The Adventure, in comparison, is like a Cadillac. I do notice a slight roll in the turns (especially after so many years on the Valk) but it becomes non-existent after a few miles experience. As Gold Rush said, my suspension is set much softer than your test vehicle. I usually run it at 25 psi, one up & 30-35 two up. Even loaded for the MV trip, I ran 25 psi starting out. Road & weather heat would increase it to 28 or so as the day warmed.

When I bought the Valkyrie, it wasn't raked, so steering required some effort. I found it hard to shift from 1st to second when making a turn. I rode a friends 2-whlr with a 4-1/2* rake, didn't seem much different from stock, so I ordered the 6* tree and installed it. GREAT, I love the ease of steering now.

The Adventure was raked with MT's 4.5* easy steer. It does fine, seems to require a little more effort, but I would have used a 6* kit had I done it.

I truly believe the handling/ride problems you encountered can easily be corrected by your personal settings, softer tire & air ride psi's to start.

The motor noise? I find my Adventure makes some ...?? growling??... at slow take offs. But I don't worry, as I've noticed many 1800 trikes have the same noise, and it has caused no problems. I've only had the Adventure for 2 months & 6000 miles, looking forward to many many more.

 

[Skeet7373]

MT

Thank you guys, I was wondering about those settings. I cannot ride it again since its 4 hours away from me and it was a long day there and back. I don't understand when ya'll talk about steering bearing settings. Will have to do some research on that. I really like the looks of the Razor, just wish it had more lights on the back. Will have to look into LED's for their taillights on the kit.

Karen

 

[rivers63386]

I have a 2012 Gl1800 with a 2015 Razor kit on it since this last early summer. I run about 36 pounds in my IRS and that is firm... I am single and only ride one up.. It is my opinion that more air than that tends to negate the independent suspension as it becomes more solid axle like in its handling... I also have the 4.5 degree rake kit and do not find the steering at all hard...

I run about 24 pounds in the low profile tires as they seem to bottom out with less air.. I use a Michelin Activ Pilot in the front. That greatly improves steering effort since it is not a radial and it is much firmer in the sidewalls that keeps the wallowing feeling down. You are going to feel some lean to the outside of a curve when you pull into it hard, but you get used to it in short order... Less air in the back end means more lean in my experience..

As far as exhaust noise, I think the running boards tend to reflect some of the noise on my razor... But also the razor is shorter and I think they shortened or at least rewelded the exhaust during the conversion... It seems to grumble with a deeper note that it did with two wheels... Maybe someone else knows about the exhaust conversion process.

I am constantly riding with my two wheel brothers in curvy twistie roads.... Think Northern Arkansas on the way to Wing Ding... I find myself gaining on the two wheelers as I am back on the throttle coming out of the curves before they seem to get back on it.. One of the guys is after me about being too close behind him..

So far I am very satisfied with my Razor.....!!!! This winter I have a Can Am down in Arizona and I am wondering if I will be able to go without the MT.... The Can AM has way more lean to the outside in the curves and feels much more wallowey in the front end... Might be a Can Am for sale.......?

 

[JaysGone]

With my 2010 Adventuer kit. I keep the air ride at 30ish after a fillup and at 25 after half a tank. I also adjusted the rear shocks. I have them on the 4th of 5 setting from the top down.
Makes a really big difference then the 3rd or middle settings from the factory.
Rear tires are at 24psi.
All these changes work for me. As my trike is my daily commuter.

 

[jredman]

I have a 2014 Motor Trike Razor and mine is smooth as silk. Tracks perfectly straight. I have the MPA in front mounted in reverse. I run 41 psi in front and 26psi in the rear tires. With just me I have 24 psi in the rear air. Super smooth. When my wife is with me I run a bit more air, maybe 29 psi.

I love riding mine, it will be a year old next month and I have over 20K on it. Took a 2600 ride with a fully loaded trailer and spouse and it rode even smoother if that makes sense.