No Trike Yet...1st post Have Questions

[rhino65]

Just decided 2 weeks ago to maybe go to 3 wheels. Been riding a Yamaha Stratoliner for last 3 years. Before that a 650 V Star for several years. My knees and balance just not what they use to be especially 2 up.

Questions. As far as Champion, Roadsmith, CSC is one really more superior over the other? These seem to be the main conversion kits I see for sale when looking at trikes. Is IRS worth the extra $$ over solid axle?

Test rode a 2016 RT Spyder 2 weeks ago. Nice but then wife sat on a 2005 GW trike and said this is what she needs more room than the RT. This saturday going to Neihaus Honda in Litchfield to test ride an older 2002 GW trike. What do I look for other than usual?

 

[Lee H. Mann]

Ease of steering, handling, braking, rider and passenger comfort and a network of dealers that can service your needs on the road, should they arise. If Neihaus is close, they are great people. They offer different models and designs. Talk to Bill Burke.... Good Guy...

 

[flyswatter]

Welcome abroad. Lots of trike info to be found on this site. Niehaus is a trike friendly Honda dealer that I have done business with satisfactory. They do Roadsmith, CSC, and Lehman conversions. Good fun doing the research and the deal....

 

[rhino65]

Thanks for the info. Will ask for Bill Burke. I'm about 1.5 hrs from neihause but they are closest trike dealer to me. I've been there a few times to buy accessories and browse

 

[Gorilla]

welcome aboard we love to have our members share their knowledge and thoughts with the group.

 

[DblTrbl]

Just decided 2 weeks ago to maybe go to 3 wheels. Been riding a Yamaha Stratoliner for last 3 years. Before that a 650 V Star for several years. My knees and balance just not what they use to be especially 2 up.

Questions. As far as Champion, Roadsmith, CSC is one really more superior over the other? These seem to be the main conversion kits I see for sale when looking at trikes. Is IRS worth the extra $$ over solid axle?

Test rode a 2016 RT Spyder 2 weeks ago. Nice but then wife sat on a 2005 GW trike and said this is what she needs more room than the RT. This saturday going to Neihaus Honda in Litchfield to test ride an older 2002 GW trike. What do I look for other than usual?

I had a "loaner" Stratoliner with a CSC conversion while I was waiting for my Venture to be finished....Just my opinion but I didn't like it. It was very hard to steer and I had to see a chiropractor after riding it for the day. I could not move my neck which was caused by the effort to steer it on the twisty roads. I had to stop several times just to give my arms and shoulders a rest. Also, my passenger hated it because whenever I took a curve, she felt like she was going to fly off the seat. The seat was small, flat and hard. The "grab bars" were under her legs so extremely difficult to grab a hold of.
As for the bike itself, I loved the fuel injection and the quick response of the throttle.

I myself would choose the comfort over the acceleration.

Just my 2 cents..

 

[rhino65]

DblTrbl.I have no plans to convert my Liner to trike. Wanting luxury and comfort for myself and more important my passenger. Either will sell my Liner or keep it for solo rides. Love that 1854 big twin.

 

[Gold Rush]

Just decided 2 weeks ago to maybe go to 3 wheels. Been riding a Yamaha Stratoliner for last 3 years. Before that a 650 V Star for several years. My knees and balance just not what they use to be especially 2 up.

Questions. As far as Champion, Roadsmith, CSC is one really more superior over the other? These seem to be the main conversion kits I see for sale when looking at trikes. Is IRS worth the extra $$ over solid axle?

Test rode a 2016 RT Spyder 2 weeks ago. Nice but then wife sat on a 2005 GW trike and said this is what she needs more room than the RT. This saturday going to Neihaus Honda in Litchfield to test ride an older 2002 GW trike. What do I look for other than usual?

Welcome to Trike Talk Brian. I don't see answers to your questions as yet so I'll try to help a little. I use to ride a STRAT so I know a little about where you are coming from. I kept it for several years after converting my '06 GL1800. Needed that speed fix every now and then.. epper:

First of all the three kits you mention are all good companies so I have no reason to doubt the conversions would be good. Personally, I would not have anything but IRS. Some will argue the solid axle corners better but my experience with GL1800 conversions at least is that the opposite it true. I have ridden several solid axle trikes and they ride rough and handle bad. I Sold my '06 a couple years ago and bought a '15. Converted with Roadsmith HTS1800 and could not be happier. :xszpv:

Good luck on your decision journey. Ride several different trike conversions before choosing and if they have adjustable suspension be sure to play with that some. A little change in suspension can make a HUGE difference in comfort for you and you wife. Neihaus Honda has a super reputation but don't limit yourself. There may be better trikes for less $$ if you hunt around some. :Coffee::Coffee:

 

[Rev Ray]

My 2cts,Yes I/R is well worth the extra. My little bride complained for several years about the harsh ride and now we have the same brand of trike with I/R rear end and I no longer hear the complaints and she said she enjoys the rides now.

 

[FRR]

Whatever you decide, your passenger will love it if you purchase a kit with IRS. Straight axle is tough on them. Also, you may want to consider Hannigan. A great kit. I've both CSC and my current Hannigan. I like the suspension set up better than the CSC but both are good.

You will not regret deciding to go with 3 wheels. Few have ever regretted the change. Good hunting

 

[Ed Hobgood]

Welcome to Trike Talk from Southeast Missouri, glad to have you aboard. We have been to Neihaus several times and they are a bunch of great people to work with. The main thing I always look at is comfort, then I start looking at the extra add-on's, IRS is the best way to go in my thinking and make sure the trike has a rake kit on it. Ride safe and have fun!

 

[Trail Blazer]

welcome

welcome Rhino for East Texas, as for trike kits. if every one was the same there would be just one trike kit. test ride as many as you can there are many good kits out there. any shape, size & prices. some have more room in trunk, some have hand brake, some have 2ed gas tank. only you know want you want. so like I said look and test ride as many as you can

 

[Haste Maker]

Pm sent

 

[CrystalPistol]

Maybe it's just in the setup, but my "Wife Unit" says our SA Lehman rides as good back there as a Champion IRS one we tried a few years ago when I was giving thought to a change if it increased her pleasure. I do have tallish sidewall 215/70-15 rear tires?

It is what it is ......

 

[rhino65]

Thanks to everyone for replies. I plan on riding several trikes including TGU. Already rode the Spider and after sitting on a GWT the wife pretty much scratched Spider off list. Hoping to get lots of info from Neihause tomorrow. Weather will probably hamper test ride. That's fine. Plenty of time left

 

[TGCarol]

Welcome and good luck with your search :wave4:

 

[john]

i had a 2008 honda goldwing trike with a champion trike kit. it was a trouble free trike but road a little rough on back roads but great on interstate. sold it and bought a 13 goldwing with a csc trike.it rides great on all roads. i to road a 2014 spyder rt and did not like and the seat hurt my wife's back. csc hannigan roadsmith are all good trikes. ride all three and you will know the one you like. good luck.

 

[Haste Maker]

Also the kits that place the rear end behind the passengers seating area make a much better ride for her...the longer the over all length of the trike the better the ride.

 

[CobraXL]

Thanks to everyone for replies. I plan on riding several trikes including TGU. Already rode the Spider and after sitting on a GWT the wife pretty much scratched Spider off list. Hoping to get lots of info from Neihause tomorrow. Weather will probably hamper test ride. That's fine. Plenty of time left

You're doing the right thing going to Neihaus to test ride--they know their stuff when it comes to Goldwing trikes. I would have worked with them--I went there--but they were just too far from home for me.

 

[CrystalPistol]

Also the kits that place the rear end behind the passengers seating area make a much better ride for her...the longer the over all length of the trike the better the ride.

They also transfer more of the weight to the front wheel. :Shrug:

 

[rhino65]

Test rode 3 different trike kits today at Neihause in litchfield ill. All on GW's but made by Motor Trike, Roadsmith and CSC. All IRS. I couldn't tell any difference really in any of them. The wife says all felt same to her. The GW were a 2016 & 2014 demos. The motor trike kit was on 2010 GW. Liked them all. Dealt with Bob Nelson. He was very nice and knowledgeable. Didn't buy today but will be back after my Strat is sold