New to the group would love some info.

[robandlyn]

I told her that last night
Sell the bags and buy a chopped tour pac !
She is already planning to hit one of the 15% off discount days next week
at one of our local NH HD dealers. I also already have the mounting brackets
for the Tour pak because I have a 07 Ultra and did the quick release setup
and have the extra parts they took off.
Talked to my buddy today and he said he would not try the new Champion
independent suspension just yet. So it looks like the Roadsmith might be the
one we will try. I sort of like the way reverse is done via a separate high
torque electric motor. This way there is no reason to fool with the Harley
transmission.
Rob .....

 

[Gorilla]

Lynn and Rob,

I also would suggest the Champion Reverse. Most of the research I've done points to the electric reverse as being problematic. Those that seem to be in the know say pay the couple of hundred extra and go with the mechanical reverse. I personally do not have reverse. I preplan my parking and when I have to it backs up easy as long as you are not going up hill backwards or on rocks, thus the preplanning. When the time comes and I can afford it that's the way I plan on going.

Ted

 

[Ironhorsepilot]

Have the electric reverse. It is really easy for me and don't have to pull in clutch, etc.
I don't care if it whines, it gets me where I need to be. That is what counts for me.

 

[spiritdream]

My husband's friend has a shop up in Keene NH that puts Trike kits on bikes.
He uses Hannigan Trike, Champion Trike, Motor Trike, & Roadsmith.

Lynn

Does the shop have a website? I'm looking around for ideas for my next trike.

 

[robandlyn]

Does the shop have a website? I'm looking around for ideas for my next trike.

His Trike building shop in Keene,NH has only been open one year.
So really does not have a web site showing anything much yet.
He does have a web site for his other shop he has been at for
40 years. He was doing trike conversions (partnered with another
guy) at his other shop. I'll see if i can get some pictures at his new
place next time we go there.
He actually had a Suzuki Volusia triked (I think that was the model).
Here is what he has for a link so far.
Rob .....

http://americantrikesandmotorsports.com/

 

[Wing Rider]

We have the Roadsmith on our 2008 1800 Goldwing. We got it in Nov 08 & love it. No problems at all & the ride is very smooth. We went with the Roadsmith because of the smooth ride & the very large trunk. Great for shopping trips. I don't think you will regret it if you go with Roadsmith.

 

[Ironhorsepilot]

Oh, I didn't take any offense. I have heard that the electric motor reverse is not all that great, but like I said.....it works to get me where I need to go. And yes, it is whinny:yes::yes::yes:

 

[spiritdream]

His Trike building shop in Keene,NH has only been open one year.
So really does not have a web site showing anything much yet.
He does have a web site for his other shop he has been at for
40 years. He was doing trike conversions (partnered with another
guy) at his other shop. I'll see if i can get some pictures at his new
place next time we go there.
He actually had a Suzuki Volusia triked (I think that was the model).
Here is what he has for a link so far.
Rob .....

http://americantrikesandmotorsports.com/

OK! I know who that is - I actually spoke to him at the Springfield MC show a couple of months ago. Found out my "Extended Warranty" is USELESS, thanks to our conversation!!! So now I'm waiting for my dealer to return my money. When you talk to your friend, tell him I said Thanks!!! I never would have known if he hadn't told me.

 

[robandlyn]

OK! I know who that is - I actually spoke to him at the Springfield MC show a couple of months ago. Found out my "Extended Warranty" is USELESS, thanks to our conversation!!! So now I'm waiting for my dealer to return my money. When you talk to your friend, tell him I said Thanks!!! I never would have known if he hadn't told me.

Yup we will tell him this weekend we will be stopping by to see him.
I hope your dealer will give you back your money soon...
Have a great day,
Lynn

 

[Charlie D]

Robandlyn; Motor Trike is also very good. For all your Harley Davidson needs call Chicago Harley Davidson 847 418 2929 ask for Steve or Eric in parts they know the book forward and back 20% disc, notax, no shipping charge. Also have a vast internet sales dept. chicagoharley.com Have been riding my Stallion last week 800miles.love it Charlie D.

 

[ben721364]

Hi,
I am thinking about buying a trike or turning my 2007 Street Glide into a trike.
I have never ridden a trike I would like to take a class does anyone know of a trike class being held in NH or MA.
I ride 2002 Dyna Glide & 2007 Street Glide but I do find after about 150 mile the Street Glide gets real heavy when I get in stop and go traffic. I had surgery on my right elbow back in 2005 it has left me with a 10 pound limit with that arm. I am thinking the trike would be the way to go.
Thanks for any help you can give me.
Lynn

You mentioned, "I had surgery on my right elbow back in 2005 it has left me with a 10 pound limit with that arm." I suggest that you test ride a trike before going farther with your quest. Trikes must be steered rather than leaned/counter-steered and require more effort with both arms. You have to push and pull to turn them. That may be an issue for you. If your cruiser is too top heavy, you might want to consider a scooter. Don't laugh! Honda's Silver Wing is quite nimble and quick with a very low center of gravity. The Suzuki Burgman 650 is even better, IMO. Both (especially the Burgman are perfectly capable as touring bikes as well as good around town. I had one for a couple years and embarrassed quite a few cruiser riders on the super slab as well as in the twisties.

 

[ben721364]

Lynn and Rob,

I also would suggest the Champion Reverse. Most of the research I've done points to the electric reverse as being problematic. Those that seem to be in the know say pay the couple of hundred extra and go with the mechanical reverse. I personally do not have reverse. I preplan my parking and when I have to it backs up easy as long as you are not going up hill backwards or on rocks, thus the preplanning. When the time comes and I can afford it that's the way I plan on going.

Ted

Just curious. What kind of problems are you aware of with electric reverse on trikes? Both BMW and Honda have shipped their large touring motorcycles for several years. I have had both and no problems with either.

 

[robandlyn]

Robandlyn; Motor Trike is also very good. For all your Harley Davidson needs call Chicago Harley Davidson 847 418 2929 ask for Steve or Eric in parts they know the book forward and back 20% disc, notax, no shipping charge. Also have a vast internet sales dept. chicagoharley.com Have been riding my Stallion last week 800miles.love it Charlie D.

Thanks Charlie for the info...

 

[robandlyn]

You mentioned, "I had surgery on my right elbow back in 2005 it has left me with a 10 pound limit with that arm." I suggest that you test ride a trike before going farther with your quest. Trikes must be steered rather than leaned/counter-steered and require more effort with both arms. You have to push and pull to turn them. That may be an issue for you. If your cruiser is too top heavy, you might want to consider a scooter. Don't laugh! Honda's Silver Wing is quite nimble and quick with a very low center of gravity. The Suzuki Burgman 650 is even better, IMO. Both (especially the Burgman are perfectly capable as touring bikes as well as good around town. I had one for a couple years and embarrassed quite a few cruiser riders on the super slab as well as in the twisties.

Thanks Ben,
I took a test ride on a trike at a Harley Shop and didn't have any problems with handling it. I have 31000 on my 2005 Dyna I love that bike. On my Street Glide I also love that one I have 17000 on that one and do find I love how comfortable the dressers are so I am going to have that one triked.
Plus keep my Dyna for when I want to ride a two wheeler but I have been told once I start riding the trike I will not want to ride my Dyna...:yes:

 

[Gorilla]

ben721364 The electric reverse we are referring to is the after market type that is sometimes installed on trike conversions. Lehman and the HD Tri-Glide have them as well as a few others. The issue is not with the reverse that comes with the Honda or BMW. These after market motors have a tendency to heat up and then fail. Ted

 

[dwiht]

If you liked the TriGlide, then take a look at the Lehman Renegade Kit. I have one on my Ultra Glide and I love it. Of course it is a straight axle but it corners with any two wheel bikes and a tour pak looks right at home. But really I suggest riding several different trikes and find the one the fits your riding style. I do not have a reverse and have never had a problem as long as I pay attention to where I am parking. The push pull is true with a trike, I tore both rotator cuffs and find my trike is not that hard to steer and it is not raked. Welcome to the forum.:yes:
Dwight

 

[robandlyn]

If you liked the TriGlide, then take a look at the Lehman Renegade Kit. I have one on my Ultra Glide and I love it. Of course it is a straight axle but it corners with any two wheel bikes and a tour pak looks right at home. But really I suggest riding several different trikes and find the one the fits your riding style. I do not have a reverse and have never had a problem as long as I pay attention to where I am parking. The push pull is true with a trike, I tore both rotator cuffs and find my trike is not that hard to steer and it is not raked. Welcome to the forum.:yes:
Dwight

Thank you Dwight,
I am hoping to ride a few different trikes to see what I like best. Reverse is a must for me to have it's just what type do I get. God both rotator cuffs that's painful
Thanks again for your help & welcoming me to the group:yes:
Lynn

 

[trikegypsy]

You may want to look at Lehman conversions, which is what the TG is.

It is not independent suspension, so the ride is a little bumpier, but it corners like a fine sports car. I have a Lehman conversion on a GL1800, and I can keep up with any 2-wheeler in the twisties. It is also extremely simple in design, and I can get parts at most auto parts stores...it's a light truck rear end. Most other conversions, you have to go back to the dealer for replacement parts...just thought you ought to know.

To improve the ease of steering, since I do not have a rake kit, I switched tires, and got rid of the OEM Honda Dunlop radial, and put a Michelin Pilot Activ on instead. The Michelin is a bias ply tire, so I no longer fight the radial belts...made it much easier to steer. I also mounted the tire in reverse rotation, so the tread grips a bit better for stopping power. It may look a bit funky, since it's a Dual Sport rear tire, but it works GREAT.

 

[ben721364]

You may want to look at Lehman conversions, which is what the TG is.

It is not independent suspension, so the ride is a little bumpier, but it corners like a fine sports car. I have a Lehman conversion on a GL1800, and I can keep up with any 2-wheeler in the twisties. It is also extremely simple in design, and I can get parts at most auto parts stores...it's a light truck rear end. Most other conversions, you have to go back to the dealer for replacement parts...just thought you ought to know.

To improve the ease of steering, since I do not have a rake kit, I switched tires, and got rid of the OEM Honda Dunlop radial, and put a Michelin Pilot Activ on instead. The Michelin is a bias ply tire, so I no longer fight the radial belts...made it much easier to steer. I also mounted the tire in reverse rotation, so the tread grips a bit better for stopping power. It may look a bit funky, since it's a Dual Sport rear tire, but it works GREAT.

Actually several of the trike kits with both IRS with live axles use automotive differentials, and bearings on kits built for G-Ws and K LTs.