Running boards(rain shield) or not

[MPERL]

Looking at buying my 1st Goldwing trike. Likely 2001-2003, CSC or Motor Trike. North Tex heat 4 month of the year, I normally ride from 40-85 degree outside temps. Give me the pro and con of running boards. Thanks.

 

[2006gold]

Looking at buying my 1st Goldwing trike. Likely 2001-2003, CSC or Motor Trike. North Tex heat 4 month of the year, I normally ride from 40-85 degree outside temps. Give me the pro and con of running boards. Thanks.

Get them.

 

[flyswatter]

Have them on a Roadsmith. Probably a little warmer to ride with on the hot days. Will keep a little more rain off you while running down the road. I think the negative is a reduction in gas mileage. From what I hear owners without them get about 1-2 MPG better fuel mileage. I think the trike looks complete with them.

 

[Solidbob]

Have a 2003 with a 2012 Roadsmith Ht1800 kit and yes for Aqua Shields, they have kept rocks, bugs, tire pieces, wood or anything you didn't miss along with lots of rain off your lower parts along with some other Baker Products like Trike Wings Lowers & Uppers to deflect heat or cool.... I'm just south of Keene , Tx so I ride in everything that gets thrown at us. I bought my 03 when it was New and doubt I'll ever want another the way Mother Honda is ignoring its current customers. There were a few frame cracks about this time but there was a recall to have them checked, mine was fine and has a Dot Punch Mark by the SN on the engine under the side cover. We wouldn't have anything else, Roadsmith has been great just make sure you get the extras you want as they are very costly or impossible to add later.... auxillary tank was a must for us along with a few other things.... Lots of Trikes out there you just have to watch what people are selling and get all service records to know what work has been done. If no work has been done, could be a money pit especially if you don't work on your own trike. Good Luck.... and by all means take your time.....

probally 200 - 300 out there....

 

[Gold Rush]

The two biggest benefits are they reduce the wind beating you passenger gets coming off those huge back fenders and if you get weight bearing ones you can stand on them. I can not use the rider foot pegs at all but the running boards give me a very comfortable place for my feet. Also makes getting on/off the trike a lot easier. :xszpv::xszpv:

I would not be without them!!!!

 

[Ed Hobgood]

My first trike did not have them and I wouldn't do without them now. They help when you get out in the rain. They help keep road trash off of you also.

 

[mhgoldwing]

I have Roadsmith with running boards and wouldn't be without them. I agree with all of the positive statement above.

1. I doubt seriously they reduce mileage as stated since they weigh very little and help clean up a lot of low dirty air coming around trike. We're heavy and I average 35-37 locally and we're heavy riding Arkansas twisties.

2. Research carefully the CSC models you're looking at. They've had driveshaft issues and have recently redesigned/eliminated the gearbox before the differential.

3. Motortrike is short wheelbase. if you're carrying passenger, look where passenger's feet rest and how they will mount the trike. CSC is longer and wider which IMO makes for better ride.

Roadsmith and Hannigan are the longest and Hannigan is the widest trike out there for the Goldwing. YMMV

 

[JaysGone]

No cons well 1. Adds a little heat to the left foot in the summer time. Too many pluses to write down.
Just if you go for them. Make sure they are weight bearing and not just for show.

 

[Gorilla]

welcome aboard

 

[cavie]

1 con is if your reverse goes out it makes it very hard to Flintstone.

 

[Ayatolla of Rockin' Rolla]

Just an aside, I manually manuver my roadsmith w/ aqua shields every chance I can.It rolls pretty easy,just take my time & watch my toesies also, its easier to see your rear end clearance

:clapping:

 

[Mick]

The aquashields help keep a lot of road debris from coming up on the passengers legs. Have an aquaintance who has no aquashields and his wife likes wearing Capri pants and thats all she complains about hitting her leg on trips. Also when I got back from a trip to California and went to change the oil ,I found a gouge in the left front lower floorboard larger around than a golfball and at least 1/16 deep. I dont know what hit it but without the aquashield I would harte to imagine where it wouldve hit. In my eyes they finish off the look of the trike.

 

[3rdwheel]

I have them on a Hannigan/Harley and just to see if it helps the heat circulation I'm leaving them off for a while. Now it is cooling off though, so it it may be a mute point. Other than that, I like them. I'll see if I notice more road junk.

 

[Shimpy]

My opinion........I try to keep my motorcycle looking as close to a motorcycle as possible and less like a conversion van with running boards. Also I've never had a problem on 2 wheels without them in the rain, so why do I need them now?. Also I try to use my reverse, my starter motor, as little as possible since it wasn't designed to move about 300lbs. more weight and walking the trike backwards saves lots of wear on it. I hear that oil changes can sometimes cause more work with them. Lastly...........I don't like the looks of them.

 

[Lucky]

Welcome glad you joined us. I like my aqua shields helps shed some of the water and I love the look of them. RIDE SAFE

 

[FRR]

After owning two trikes with running boards I would never own a trike without them. Not only do they protect you in weather, they really improve the looks of the kit, any kit, and provide comfort. Trikes without them just look like a 2 wheeler with a big fat rear end IMHO.

 

[MPERL]

Bought one without

Bought 2001 GW Trike, CSC. No rain shield. I can always add it later if I need it.

 

[CobraXL]

Bought 2001 GW Trike, CSC. No rain shield. I can always add it later if I need it.

Good deal--you'll love it. Ride safe!

 

[bikerbillone]

I did not get the aquaguards/floorboards on my RS, and that was just a personal choice based on the additional cost of the install, ease of getting under the machine, and sometimes I just like to get my feet on the pavement at a stop. Since I've never had the aquaguards, i can't make a comparison. I guess keeping some of the air flow off the the broad fenders makes some sense as someone mentioned.