Solid axle question

[MangoMike]

Does a solid axle offer any advantages? It certainly has a rough ride over bumps, very jarring.

 

[Gorilla]

The straight axles tend to handle better in the twisties. The IRS does better on the straight bumpy road. I have straight axle and am an aggressive rider. I love my straight axle Champion.

 

[MangoMike]

Thanks Gorilla. Mine is a 2013 GW with the Lehman conversion, but not the new Limited Lean System. I thought since it's an older design that it might be more reliable as well. My bike does handle very well, but I'm not usually very aggressive.

 

[1800 06 Champion Trike]

I have a 06 Champion SA and wouldn't trade it for anything else. 36,000+ trouble free miles. It handles the twisties and even the bumps. Sure the pot holes are a problem but how many do you hit, steer around them.

 

[SEABILL]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>MangoMike</strong>
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<div class="message">Does a solid axle offer any advantages? It certainly has a rough ride over bumps, very jarring.</div>

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Have you played with your tire pressures? Often on new trikes the tire pressure is set at around 32psi. They ride better at around 24psi.

 

[MangoMike]

Yea SeaBill, Lehman recommends 22 and that's what I've been running. It's not that I'm not happy with the bike, I love it. But, pot holes, or bumps of any kind are nasty. Guess it's just something I have to get used to. It certainly doesn't keep us off the bike.

 

[1800 06 Champion Trike]

I have my rear tires at 22 PSI. That will soften the ride for you.

 

[Shimpy]

I chose SA Champion for the simplicity of it. I like low maintance and work truck reliabilty. I've read of many complaining of air leaks on IRS and looking at them they seemed much more complicated. That said I'm sure they give a better ride, but it's a motorcycle and I don't expect it to ride like a Lexus.<br />
I'm happy but that's all I've ever ridden.

 

[meredog]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>SEABILL</strong>
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<div class="message">Have you played with your tire pressures? Often on new trikes the tire pressure is set at around 32psi. They ride better at around 24psi.</div>

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</div>even better at 15 lb, we ride two up and the tires have been at 15 pounds for the last two years---no noticable tire wear and sticks to the road like glue Champion solid axle

 

[1800 06 Champion Trike]

Shimpy ThumbUp

 

[MangoMike]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>Shimpy</strong>
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<div class="message">I chose SA Champion for the simplicity of it. I like low maintance and work truck reliabilty. I've read of many complaining of air leaks on IRS and looking at them they seemed much more complicated. That said I'm sure they give a better ride, but it's a motorcycle and I don't expect it to ride like a Lexus.<br />
I'm happy but that's all I've ever ridden.</div>

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</div>Good points, especially the work truck reliability, and I agree 100%. After my Spyder stranded me I want reliability much more than a soft ride. The GM at my dealer mentioned that the solid axle has far fewer moving parts, less chance for problems, and that's what I want. I love my solid axle. Now it's off to the dentist to have some fillings replaced. <img src="images/smilies/grin.gif" border="0" alt="" title="big grin" class="inlineimg" />

 

[Mick]

Mike try 20lbs in the rears ,41 upfront,Lehman shock put on the middle setting and Honda rear suspension starting at 7. And try tweaking the ride witth the Honda shock settings.

 

[skuuter]

I'm an aggressive Rider also at times...sometimes "very aggressive", and live in a very twisty ride area, but having ridden lots of various Brands/Types of Trikes, I prefer an IRS if set up properly/stiff enough. I also prefer the narrower tread widths in a Trike like the Motor Trike Kits. Michelin Pilot Activ Tire, Progressive Springs, Rake Kit, Super Brace fork brace, etc. on the frontend also...I ran 22 lbs in the rear tires, 42 lbs in the front......opinions vary on what/which type Trike Suspension works best....except for some "ride harshness", You seem to be happy with Your handling, so just miss the pot holes and enjoy the Ride.....ThumbUp

 

[MangoMike]

Mike try 20lbs in the rears ,41 upfront,Lehman shock put on the middle setting and Honda rear suspension starting at 7. And try tweaking the ride witth the Honda shock settings.

Thanks Mick, I'll give this a try...

 

[Cee Ex]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>SEABILL</strong>
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<div class="message">Have you played with your tire pressures? Often on new trikes the tire pressure is set at around 32psi. They ride better at around 24psi.</div>

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</div>I run a CX 500 hardtail trike and have run my rears as low as 12 PSI without any problems. If I'm loaded for camping I'll up them to around 15 PSI.

 

[MangoMike]

Wow, what a difference. I lowered the Honda preload on the spring, and lowered my rear tire pressure from 22 to 20, and the ride was noticeably smoother. I didn't see a Lehman spring, nor did I increase the front tire pressure (currently 36), but just these two changes made a huge difference.<br />
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Thanks...

 

[Bill Reber]

even better at 15 lb, we ride two up and the tires have been at 15 pounds for the last two years---no noticable tire wear and sticks to the road like glue Champion solid axle

Heading to Table Rock SC camping for the weekend think I will give this presure a shot , however I am pulling a Aspen camper , do you think I should run a little more oresure ? :Trike1:

 

[MangoMike]

Bill,<br />
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I haven't tried 15, but just going from 22 to 20 helped. With the weight of the trailer you might want to keep it where you normally set it, but I could be wrong.

 

[Mick]

Mike glad it worked out for you. The lehman spring is accessible from underneath the trike only and the preload has to be set manually. Bill I wouldnt go any lower on an 1800 than 20 psi especially if youre towing a trailer. the 1800 has appreciably more weight and with towing a trailer 15 psi could have the possibility of causing a blowout.

 

[MangoMike]

Thanks Mick, I called Lehman and talked to Lori who was very helpful. I then jacked up the bike a little and found the spring, but wasn't able to either see what it was set on so I just left it. Since I only have a Sears jack, and no jack stands, I didn't want to get under the trike. I'll just leave it as it (my guess is that it is probably already set in a middle setting), and have my tech check it when he does my next service. I am thrilled at the ride as it is, and can't imagine that it changing the Lehman shock will make a big difference. I love the handling and reliability of the solid axle, and now with a decent ride I am very happy.<br />
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Thanks for all the suggestions... <img src="images/smilies/thumbup.gif" border="0" alt="" title="ThumbUp" class="inlineimg" />

 

[FRR]

Thanks Mick, I called Lehman and talked to Lori who was very helpful. I then jacked up the bike a little and found the spring, but wasn't able to either see what it was set on so I just left it. Since I only have a Sears jack, and no jack stands, I didn't want to get under the trike. I'll just leave it as it (my guess is that it is probably already set in a middle setting), and have my tech check it when he does my next service. I am thrilled at the ride as it is, and can't imagine that it changing the Lehman shock will make a big difference. I love the handling and reliability of the solid axle, and now with a decent ride I am very happy.

Thanks for all the suggestions... ThumbUp

From what I have been told it is the passenger who greatly appreciates the ISP much more than the rider. As some of these folks say, "happy wife, happy life".

 

[rmrc51]

From what I have been told it is the passenger who greatly appreciates the ISP much more than the rider. As some of these folks say, "happy wife, happy life".

I agree 100% that the passenger gets the most benefit from an IRS trike. But I also have to say that I can definitely feel the difference from my first trike, which had a MotorTrike solid axle as compared to my present IRS Roadsmith. The longer wheelbase and IRS has provided a smoother and more comfortable ride! ThumbUp

 

[Shimpy]

Good points, especially the work truck reliability, and I agree 100%. After my Spyder stranded me I want reliability much more than a soft ride. The GM at my dealer mentioned that the solid axle has far fewer moving parts, less chance for problems, and that's what I want. I love my solid axle. Now it's off to the dentist to have some fillings replaced.

Mike, you have a great looking trike, I like the two tone treatment. I'm sending a PM to you.

 

[MangoMike]

Thanks Shimpy, we love to color too. I would not have ordered a solid axle trike, but as things worked out that was our best option, so we bought it. Now that I've softened the ride, we absolutely love it. I honestly think this is the best bike (for us) we've ever owned. It has a few draw backs, but overall it's just about perfect.

Got the PM, thanks. I've Subscribed to the RTE thread -- hope to meet you soon.

 

[Papa Zook]

Wow, what a difference. I lowered the Honda preload on the spring, and lowered my rear tire pressure from 22 to 20, and the ride was noticeably smoother. I didn't see a Lehman spring, nor did I increase the front tire pressure (currently 36), but just these two changes made a huge difference.

Thanks...

Mike, always run max recommended air pressure in the front tire which is 41 lbs, especially on a trike.

 

[MangoMike]

Just checked to Owners Manual and it recommends 36, but that's not on a Trike. Should I increase it to 41?

 

[skuuter]

Just checked to Owners Manual and it recommends 36, but that's not on a Trike. Should I increase it to 41?

"Most" Members, including myself, seem to have much better Tire wear, and especially less "cupping" using 41-42 lbs in the Front Tire...I finally settled on 42.....ThumbUp

 

[MangoMike]

"Most" Members, including myself, seem to have much better Tire wear, and especially less "cupping" using 41-42 lbs in the Front Tire...I finally settled on 42.....ThumbUp

Thanks Skuuter,

Rather than wait for an answer I changed mine last night to 41 and I'll see how that works. If the issue is tire wear and cupping I guess I won't notice much difference, but I'll leave it here for now. Thanks for your help.

 

[Papa Zook]

Thanks Skuuter,

Rather than wait for an answer I changed mine last night to 41 and I'll see how that works. If the issue is tire wear and cupping I guess I won't notice much difference, but I'll leave it here for now. Thanks for your help.

Mike,
Most of the newer performance Gold Wing tires have a recommended max air pressure of 41 lbs. I'm not saying you should run more than the stated max air pressure posted on your tire sidewall, but if it says 41lbs max, then run 41 lbs. If it says 36 lbs max on the tire, then run 36 lbs. Follow the stated max tire pressure per the tire, not the manual.

What does your front tire say?

 

[MangoMike]

Tire is the standard OEM Bridgestone and says Max PSI is 41 lbs.

But, why is it necessary to run a trike front tire at max PSI when the weight is all on the rear. I am looking for a smoother ride and thought that a lower front tire pressure would ease some of the jarring. I'll defer to your experience and run at 41, just curious why that is important?

Thanks...