Newbie from RI

[seabiz]

:wave4:
Hi All, and thanks for a great site! I am looking to start riding. My husband just got back into it after many years. I am looking for a trike for safety, visibility, comfort, storage, bad knees. I looked at the Cam Am Spyder, and liked it, but my harley ('85 FXRS) husband is afraid of the complicated electrical system down the road. His bike still has a carb; need i say more! I LOVE his harley, but a triglide is out of my price range right now. So, while looking for a sportster conversion, i found you all! Thoughts, advice, and input are most welcome! THANKS!

 

[rmrc51]

Welcome to TrikeTalk from Central VA. :wave4:

You've definitely joined the right forum for detailed information on just about every type of trike offering. Great bunch of folks here always willing to share information! ThumbUp

 

[americanbadass]

GREETINGS-welcome to trike paradise! You would probably love a sportster trike, for a fraction of the Tri-Glide cost. Heck, you could even get one with a carb-so your hubby won't be worried!:wave4::Trike1:

 

[kkaykk]

Hi fellow Rhode Islander.... I think you are the only other person from RI on this board. There is a wealth of information in this forum.... I have an 2011 tri glide (with some modifications) and love it. If you see a black tri glide over at Beaver Tail it is probably me.... come over and say hello. Best wishes on finding the trike you want.

 

[Gorilla]

welcome aboard glad you joined us

 

[Bikerbozo]

Welcome seabiz. I'm afraid timing is everything. The Trike Talk NE III rally is going on this weekend in Sturbridge, MA. We all took a ride down to Newport and were there for a couple of hours earlier today. Would have been a good chance for you to meet up with us. You too Kkayakk. Lovely area by the way.

 

[Nana]

:wave4:
Hi All, and thanks for a great site! I am looking to start riding. My husband just got back into it after many years. I am looking for a trike for safety, visibility, comfort, storage, bad knees. I looked at the Cam Am Spyder, and liked it, but my harley ('85 FXRS) husband is afraid of the complicated electrical system down the road. His bike still has a carb; need i say more! I LOVE his harley, but a triglide is out of my price range right now. So, while looking for a sportster conversion, i found you all! Thoughts, advice, and input are most welcome! THANKS!

Welcome aboard! Don't give up on the sportster conversion. It makes a great trike with plenty of zip for you, especially if you ride solo most of the time. Here are some pictures of other members' sporties:
Photo Gallery List - Trike Talk Forum Photo Gallery

 

[John Luciano]

If I was doing a small trike Sportster, or 750 ,800 or less , I would do the Frankenstein set up, less weight.. Welcome. As BOZO said the tow of you, kkaykk and seabiz . We could have met up.. We were in the Newport visitor center and area around on Sat. Noon to 2:00

 

[OlBandit]

Welcome to TT, from Northeast Pennsylvania. Glad you are here!!!

Enjoy and Ride Safe!

 

[ladyff1481]

As a former owner of a Sporty Trike I would recommend a few things. Make sure it's a 1200cc you'll need the power to move that big back end around esp. up hills. The Sporty converted cost me almost the same as buying a TriGlide (depends on which kit you use.)The more you want, the more the cost-rake, reverse, paint, cc's, IRS ) Wanna' go cheaper? Go with a Frankenstein, has very little "frills" or maybe you can get a decent one used. Get the reverse (even a Sporty can be heavy to move around.) Lastly, are you planning on keeping the Sporty for awhile or using it as a break in Trike, if so don't spend too much money on it. Some of us have bought them then traded them in when we want the extras (CB, Fairing, radio, luggage space, etc.) that the Sporty's don't have.

 

[spiritdream]

Welcome seabiz! Can't help you much with the choices, etc, but nice to have another New Englander aboard!!

 

[seabiz]

:wave4:
Hi All, Thanks for the warm welcome! Well, the sportster's out, my brother-in-law was selling his cherry '06 Road King, w/ 20K on the clock. So it's mine now! but still in FL.
SO now the triking search begins! Frankenstein, or Hannigan or....? Don't see too many Harley Hannigan's. Like the others too, but seem very complex.

Sorry I missed you guys in Newport. I'll have to pay attention and catch up with you next time! Suggestions welcome!
THX!

 

[spiritdream]

Still not much help from this end, but I seriously recommend you consider an independent rear before a straight axle - the straight can really feel rough on some of our NE roads, although it's supposed to handle corners better than the independent.

 

[tis]

Welcome to the boards: I have a Hannigan kit on my '04 Harley Ultra & I love it, to bad you missed meeting up with us in Newport but maybe you'll have your Trike done and have a few hundred miles on it & be able to join us @ Americade in Lake George in June.....

 

[Maryland Triker]

Welcome I test rode both IRS and straight axle at a trike in in lichfield, Il. A few years ago and couldn't tell much difference other than the straight axle didn't seem to have as much lean in the corners. A lot depends on what style of riding you do, I'm kind of an aggressive rider so like the straight axle.

 

[Nana]

I had a Champion straight axle on my Fat Boy for years. Zero problems, handled like a dream, and I highly recommend it. Now I have the Hannigan IRS on my V-Rod. Zero problems, handles like a dream, and I highly recommend it too! LOL!

In all honesty the biggest difference the independent suspension gives in the ride would be for the passenger, not the driver of the trike. However, there is a slightly smoother ride with the independent suspension. If you ride in twisties a lot, I would give a slight edge there to the straight axle trike, however, once again the difference is not large and significant. It comes down to simply whatever would most appeal to you in appearance and $$.

These trike companies are all excellent, and all of them make great kits for Harleys. So you might want to talk to a builder near you first to see which one they work with the most. A good installation is key to a good trike!

 

[ladyff1481]

Congrats on the new bike, I believe you'll be much happier with it over a Sporty. Now pick a conversion kit, find a great dealer, demo a few, then pull out your wallet!!! Let the fun begin and when it's all over post pics, we love pics!

 

[seabiz]

Thanks for the suggestions! My husband likes the frankenstein. I do too, just no place for anything (helmet, purse, laptop-if I ride to work-or a trip to the packie!). You can put a tour pak on it but i think it takes away from it. He likes a straight axle also. He likes to keep it simple.The bike (vivid black 2006 Road King) has Kuryakyn Intake, DynoJet, Sampson Caliper True Dual Exaust, Dyno'd by Harley. I'd lose the exhaust with the Frankenstein. Some of the kits keep the exhaust intact I believe.

I am going to have to go to a rally or show this fall/winter and look at these things in person. I can only get so much of a feel from the internet. I intend to ride solo, so it will only be my butt to worry about. I would probably keep to the back roads too, but the side roads stink in RI (potholes & sand) but they are pretty. Hoping to be on the road this spring with a conversion. Suggestions for shows/rallies this fall? is there a New England group on this forum? Thank so much again!!!!!!ThumbUp

 

[Gorilla]

simple great conversion for a RK would be a champion straight axle. have one on my 07 40 k miles love it.

 

[americanbadass]

:wave4:
Hi All, Thanks for the warm welcome! Well, the sportster's out, my brother-in-law was selling his cherry '06 Road King, w/ 20K on the clock. So it's mine now! but still in FL.
SO now the triking search begins! Frankenstein, or Hannigan or....? Don't see too many Harley Hannigan's. Like the others too, but seem very complex.

Sorry I missed you guys in Newport. I'll have to pay attention and catch up with you next time! Suggestions welcome!
THX!

Congrats in the roadking-fine bikes there. If you want a solid axle Frankenstein would be an easy install iwith only fenders because bodies are not offered. If you want an IRS as well as a body kit-I would look at champion, or one of the other top mfgs.:Shrug:

 

[spiritdream]

Hi Seabiz! Keep an eye on the calendar in Full Throttle Magazine and/or the Northeast Motorcycle Expo website (nothing is listed for this coming winter yet, of course-too early). There are expos & shows all winter in New England - helps ease the PMS (parked motorcycle syndrome! ). All the ones I've been to the last couple years have had trikes represented, mostly Gold Wings and Spyders but they're showing more every year! ThumbUp

The "official" riding group for TrikeTalk is called Trike Owners International. At the moment, all of the New England states (except Mass) are grouped together, with John Luciano as the contact (I'm the Mass contact). We have a number of New England members, and we're growing! Membership in TOI is free, but not automatic as a Trike Talk member, so be sure to sign up - there are no dues or "politics", and it's a great way to stay informed of upcoming rides and events!

 

[John Luciano]

The Passenger can tell the difference on a straight axel
The Hannigan trike is a great looking machine. Is there a dealer close to you?

 

[seabiz]

Hi John,

There is american Cycle in NH. I don't know anything about them.
They seem to do all different brands of trike conversions.

I contacted hannigan, somewhat helpful. i asked for pics of the harley rear end and they don't have any. seems they are geared to honda. Like it because it seemed like a simple IRS. Don't know if i want to maintain a bunch of air pumps.

There is a motor trike guy close to me in Ct. also. There is also a frankenstein guy in Ct. This road king has an 88ci motor....so i was a little worried about the weight of some of the kits and well as drag. i will be riding alone...my husband will not be caught dead on a trike.

 

[seabiz]

Hi Seabiz! Keep an eye on the calendar in Full Throttle Magazine and/or the Northeast Motorcycle Expo website (nothing is listed for this coming winter yet, of course-too early). There are expos & shows all winter in New England - helps ease the PMS (parked motorcycle syndrome! ). All the ones I've been to the last couple years have had trikes represented, mostly Gold Wings and Spyders but they're showing more every year! ThumbUp

The "official" riding group for TrikeTalk is called Trike Owners International. At the moment, all of the New England states (except Mass) are grouped together, with John Luciano as the contact (I'm the Mass contact). We have a number of New England members, and we're growing! Membership in TOI is free, but not automatic as a Trike Talk member, so be sure to sign up - there are no dues or "politics", and it's a great way to stay informed of upcoming rides and events!

Hi Cheri,

Thanks for all of the great info you provided!

Cath.

 

[spiritdream]

Seabiz,

There are a few dealers near us - Ronnie's in North Adams, Kent Road Motorsports in Cornwall CT (he's actually a sponsor on here as well), and there's American Trikes in Keene New Hampshire (they also own Cycle Design in Phillipston, MA).

I don't know if Ronnie's does conversions, but they're really great people there, so you might want to ask. Both Kent Road in CT and American Trikes in Keene do conversions on Harleys - I don't know anything about Kent except that they're sponsors here, but we have members who are good friends with the owner Doug, and they've told me what a great guy he is.

Personally, I would start with Kent Road, then try American Trikes if necessary, and lastly Ronnie's.

 

[seabiz]

Hi Cheri, et. al.,

Thanks again for the great info. I had already been in touch w/ American Trike. When their show schedule slows down a little i plan on paying them a visit some weekend. I will check out the other two as well.

Has anyone done a conversion w/ American Trikes? If so, can you let me know how it went and with which kit?

Thanks Much (again)!

Best,
Cath.

 

[hotsyman]

Welcome to TrikeTalk from Northeast NC

 

[Coach 64]

SEABUZ
The owner of Kent Road motorsport is Jim. Great person, I have never made a purchase from him but he lent me a tool to adjust my rear shocks. How many people would do something like that. When I am going to move up to a Goldwing, I will be dealing with only Jim. You can contact him at www.kentroadmotorsport.com
Tom

 

[ladyff1481]

Cath,
I am PM'ing you with the name & number of a gal who just had her bike converted to a Trike with a Roadsmith conversion at American Trikes in Keene NH. She can tell you all the good things about her experience there.
~Joanne