purchase kit or complete trike

[sg107e]

I have 2009 road glide and was looking at RS for either conversion kit or should I just keep looking for a RoadGlide already to go that has a few miles on it. I know what my bike is worth and I see a few Ultras out there in excess of what a complete bike would be. I just do not have anyone near me. so another expense is travel to have kit installed. and the wait. I'm looking for direction but might not like what I hear but I just sold my side car and I want a trike.

Anyone near WV want to chime and get together so I can see the difference everyone is talking about.

Thanks in advance

Chuck

 

[cavie]

Find a trike builder near you. I Googled 5 in WV. Some builders are very fast. I have heard of a week or two after they get the kit in hand. Buy Champion and do it yourself.

 

[J.T.M.]

My dealer in Bowling Green Ky says it will take 3 days to install my Hannigan kit with independent rear suspension. After looking at several kits and touring the plant I chose the Hannigan Transformer kit for the looks, independent suspension, and large trunk.:clapping:

 

[Texan]

I'd do some homework. Calculate the cost of performance up grade on your '09, big bore, adding a reverse, triple tree and such. Then go out to KBB, CycleTrader and NADA and compute values, retail, wholesale and trade, from '09 to date. Then add in the $15,000.00 base price for the IRS rearend "not installed". :xzqxz:

I had a 2010 loaded Ultra and figured all this out. Would still have a '10 Ultra where in I could buy a new '13 TG for just about the same $$$$ and not take the big depreciation hits on a conversion down the road.

8~\o

 

[Ed Hobgood]

This sounds like some good advice.

I'd do some homework. Calculate the cost of performance up grade on your '09, big bore, adding a reverse, triple tree and such. Then go out to KBB, CycleTrader and NADA and compute values, retail, wholesale and trade, from '09 to date. Then add in the $15,000.00 base price for the IRS rearend "not installed". :xzqxz:

I had a 2010 loaded Ultra and figured all this out. Would still have a '10 Ultra where in I could buy a new '13 TG for just about the same $$$$ and not take the big depreciation hits on a conversion down the road.

8~\o

 

[Copasetic]

You could also consider a California Sidecar conversion and have the factory do the conversion for you. I have one and love it (love my Hannigan too). I mention CSC because they are in Arrington, VA, which appears to be only 240 miles from you.

 

[Veritas44]

When I bought my last Deer Rifle I decided I wanted something that would last for the rest of my Life. Something that would be "bullet-proof" (pardon the pun). Something that was awesome visually. Something that was made with the best materials and Processes as well. Something that stood the best chances of providing years of service with little or no "headaches or heartbreaks". Something I would be happy with and not settle so that it would be One and Done and be all I ever wanted now and stand the test of time too...

I figured I could buy a Savage for around $350. A Rem 700ADL for about $400

It would take somewhere around $800+ to get a Browning A-Bolt in the same caliber.

Sure the Savage (or Rem 700 ADL) was cheaper. Sure lots of them were out there. Sure it would kill a Deer.

Sure it would "Do"...

Given the Criteria, Desires, Needs, and Goals,,,, No Brainer-Bought a Browning.

You can get a lot of things that will "Do". Took that path many times myself. In hindsight and retrospect, wasted a lot of "cheaper" money and priceless time with things that "will do". Wish could go back and do most of them over.

All the best in your decision. All the best with what that choice brings as well ThumbUp

 

[roadking2]

If it were me and I was happy with the bike I had, I'd go conversion. There has to be dealers within a reasonable distance from you. You get a Triglide and you have solid axle and for me anyway, that would be a deal breaker. Get something already converted and you have practically no idea of how it was treated by it's former owner, etc. There are lots of really quality conversion kits available and there are probably some reasonably close to you. My conversion took 5 weeks and part of that was because I told the installer I was in no hurry for it. It was late November in Ohio, so I had till spring to get it back before I would have been itchy for it.

 

[Big Juice]

Looked at new TriGlides without Independent suspension last year, 38K+, no I wasn't going to do that, so I converted my '06 Stratoliner 1900 (which I loved) with a CSC trike kit, independent suspension (handles and rides better than solid axels, in my opinion), electric reverse, added a CSC tour box and custom color match for $15K out the door from Mitchell Motorsports Trikes in Kyle, Texas. I've put 11,000 miles on it so far, no problems, it looks pretty good and I dearly love riding it! Even the State of Texas loves it (I have a title and insurance!). Do your research, then make your decision, you will be pleased and happy with your choice!

 

[Moe55]

Looked into this a few years ago. Using my bike and doing the work myself for me it was not worth it. When you figure what my bike was worth, cost of the engine upgrades, rake trees, reverse, kit, paint and the things I forgot it came out with in a few thousand dollars different than a new one. Now I have a bike that is a few years old and a conversion resale was questionable plus no warranty. For me it was worth it to spend the extra money to buy new. What worked for me may not work for you but spend time checking the total cost completely done against trading yours for new.

 

[J.T.M.]

I could have traded my Ultra Classic in for a triglide for less than I am spending to have my Transformer kit installed along with a few other upgrades. I would rather have the independent suspension, larger trunk, better appearance, and I am going with the mechanical reverse. Plus the taxes on my bike will still be the same. I would not trade my trike for a new TG. I bought my Ultra new and know how it has been treated and cared for.

 

[JetDoc]

I have a 2004 BMW K1200LT in the garage. I've owned it since new, and I dearly love the bike, but I have one artificial knee and my Doc tells me that the other one may need replacement soon.

At over 900 pounds with a full gas tank, My Beemer is just too much bike for me to ride anymore. I considered a Hannigan trike conversion, but the kit and suspension mods cost almost as much as the bike did new, and the resale value is just not there. That's why I finally decided to go with a new Harley TriGlide Ultra.

I'm hoping to take delivery on my new trike this afternoon, and the wife and I are already planning some long weekend rides for the summer around the Pacific Northwest. If you get up to Montana, Washington, Idaho or Oregon, we'll see you on the road!

 

[Big Juice]

I doesn't matter how you get to 3, as long as you get there!! You will love it as you get to know it and ride it!

 

[Gorilla]

I have a 2004 BMW K1200LT in the garage. I've owned it since new, and I dearly love the bike, but I have one artificial knee and my Doc tells me that the other one may need replacement soon.

At over 900 pounds with a full gas tank, My Beemer is just too much bike for me to ride anymore. I considered a Hannigan trike conversion, but the kit and suspension mods cost almost as much as the bike did new, and the resale value is just not there. That's why I finally decided to go with a new Harley TriGlide Ultra.

I'm hoping to take delivery on my new trike this afternoon, and the wife and I are already planning some long weekend rides for the summer around the Pacific Northwest. If you get up to Montana, Washington, Idaho or Oregon, we'll see you on the road!

CONGRATS, The BMW is a great bike. As a trike it might have been a little under powered especially 2 up. You will love your Harley just give yourself time to get to know a trike. Remember it steers like a ATV or a Snowmobile even a little like a jet ski. Next remember it is wider in back especially getting gas. Enjoy

 

[dirtdobber]

I suggest riding a triglide then take a ride on other trikes that were converted. You will know what to do after you do that, most likely.
I like the triglide's a lot.
The conversions are different than a HD built one. Not saying it is bad mind you.
Sometimes we have to spend that little extra to get what you really want.

The HD is a good format as long as you spend the extra. I have a mystery kit on a super glide, it is a drag bike. Plenty of oomph. I lost 15% of power when I went to a trike. It still had over 100 hp/tq triked. It was a over kill but it sure made it a lot of fun.
Going to a 107 big bore kit, cams, head work for tq. then adding reverse can raise the build price, then you may need to regear to help the power to do what it is able to do without strain.
I bought one out right because of the price. I sill think I should have waited and had my CVO triked. Don't get me wrong we love the trike but my CVO is by far the best bike I have had in the 50 years of riding.

 

[Gorilla]

I suggest riding a triglide then take a ride on other trikes that were converted. You will know what to do after you do that, most likely.
I like the triglide's a lot.
The conversions are different than a HD built one. Not saying it is bad mind you.
Sometimes we have to spend that little extra to get what you really want.

The HD is a good format as long as you spend the extra. I have a mystery kit on a super glide, it is a drag bike. Plenty of oomph. I lost 15% of power when I went to a trike. It still had over 100 hp/tq triked. It was a over kill but it sure made it a lot of fun.
Going to a 107 big bore kit, cams, head work for tq. then adding reverse can raise the build price, then you may need to regear to help the power to do what it is able to do without strain.
I bought one out right because of the price. I sill think I should have waited and had my CVO triked. Don't get me wrong we love the trike but my CVO is by far the best bike I have had in the 50 years of riding.

Yes a triked CVO would be a GREAT machine. I went the other route. I took my TRi and made what I thought HD would do to make it a CVO except the paint. All Blacked out a 110 engine, Alot of extras Street Glide look in front. Custom Wheels 21 in front 18 in rear. Now I am putting the TTS 110 cams in it. Have fun and ride safe.

 

[sg107e]

You could also consider a California Sidecar conversion and have the factory do the conversion for you. I have one and love it (love my Hannigan too). I mention CSC because they are in Arrington, VA, which appears to be only 240 miles from you.

Called them they sent me to a dealer 2 hours away and I will visit them on Monday to talk about a CSC. Factory would not install he told me
thanks

 

[Retired Army]

My experience with joining the 3 wheel community was the time it took for the installer to get the kit delivered. It took the better part of 6 weeks and that was the longest time involved.

 

[clint44]

If you want a top-notch conversion with IRS,Hannigan Motorsports in Kentucky offers you the option of a turn-key conversion in their factory. Hannigan's customer service is probably the best in the industry and their workmanship is top of the line,too.

 

[J.T.M.]

If you want a top-notch conversion with IRS,Hannigan Motorsports in Kentucky offers you the option of a turn-key conversion in their factory. Hannigan's customer service is probably the best in the industry and their workmanship is top of the line,too.

Yes sir. I agree with that. They are the best!!!

 

[geol]

My two cents... It all boils down to what is affordable. For one guy, a brand new Triglide with all the bells and whistles or a new Gl1800 with premium conversion is the ONLY answer. If the conversion is done right, you will have many trouble free miles. Problem is, you are looking at perhaps $35K or more. I find this spending insane on my budget. I am a retired Federal employee with a small business and just can't afford a big ticket item like that. I have learned over time there are MANY recreational vehicles sitting in garages all over the country that folks have purchased but find they don't really want.

Going into the winter season you can often find some real big values out there where someone else has taken the bite getting the kit installed and eating the depreciation. Get a used trike and check it out carefully. You will also hear on this board that this conversion or that conversion is the best. Right... basically what a person is saying when they make that claim is that their buying decision reflects their intelligence so you will seldom hear folks who have experience no major problems wishing they had gone is some other direction as far as kits go. There are probably a lot of folks who will argue what the best platform for a trike is. It used to be the Goldwing was THE touring standard but the late model Harleys are no longer gutless and with the improved frames of the past several years will also be just fine.

Both Wings and the touring HDs retain their value. Another thing to consider is that the Triglide is a factory beast and if you decide to sell and trade, it can be financed a whole lot easier than a Wing that has been converted with an aftermarket kit. Last, don't be in a hurry. Research the platforms and kits and factory 3 wheelers. Then mooch a test ride on those that make the short list. I have owned every touring bike except a BMW and just bought another Goldwing trike with a Champion conversion. I HAVE test ridden a very similarly equipped wing and was totally happy with the performance. It was a solid axle conversion but rode great according to my passenger who has MANY miles in pillion. We owned a Roadsmith IRS wing conversion at the time and it rode just as well as far as comfort but handled a bit better (The Champion conversion that is).

Test ride a Can-Am Spyder RT... make sure it is a 2014 or newer with the bigger engine and 6 speed. Lots of folks like these trikes for their sportiness. Hannigan is coming out with a two-in-front conversion that is ready to be rolled out and will be more cost effective and more sporty than a two-wheel in the rear conversion by all accounts. Last bit... I was torn between a 2008 GL1800 Champion conversion with 6K miles and a 2007 Royal Star Venture Hannigan conversion (IRS) with 20K miles and I can afford either. I got the Wing because the basic bike will retain value better and have a bigger resale market when I sell. I love Ventures and my wife and I put 60K miles on one in 2001 and was sorely tempted by that conversion. Since I buy and sell frequently I had to be realistic regarding which was the smartest buy as I was unlikely to get more for the Venture conversion than I put into it after a year or two if I sold it.