Thinking trike again

[Fabricater]

I am thinking of going to a trike again. Was on here a year or so ago ,and ask ? ,but never did the conversion.I just got back from a 2,680 mile ride to Maine ,I was in a lot of traffic ,My brother on his trike looked a lot more comfortable than I felt on 2 wheels.Then there is that low tire light that came on ,had to check out the tire ,just had to add a few pounds of air and all was ok,but the not knowing if I had a problem did wear on me for a while today. So thinking Roadsmith.I want a trike that is narrow enough to load in my truck.that narrows it down to Roadsmith and motortrike.I like the idea of extra fuel , so Roadsmith is what's left.I would like to ride a Roadsmith before I make the switch.I had a motortrike with straight axial years ago ,and have road my brothers CSC.I would just like to try a Roadsmith before I spend that much on a kit.

 

[clint44]

Are you sure you want a Roadsmith? :laugh:

 

[Gorilla]

might try going to the factory. Its not that far away.

 

[Gold Rush]

I am thinking of going to a trike again. Was on here a year or so ago ,and ask ? ,but never did the conversion.I just got back from a 2,680 mile ride to Maine ,I was in a lot of traffic ,My brother on his trike looked a lot more comfortable than I felt on 2 wheels.Then there is that low tire light that came on ,had to check out the tire ,just had to add a few pounds of air and all was ok,but the not knowing if I had a problem did wear on me for a while today. So thinking Roadsmith.I want a trike that is narrow enough to load in my truck.that narrows it down to Roadsmith and motortrike.I like the idea of extra fuel , so Roadsmith is what's left.I would like to ride a Roadsmith before I make the switch.I had a motortrike with straight axial years ago ,and have road my brothers CSC.I would just like to try a Roadsmith before I spend that much on a kit.

Howdy Clinton. Welcome back. I owned a MotorTrike Adventure but last December bought a new 2015 GL1800 and converted it myself with a Roadsmith HTS 1800 kit. Both conversions have strong points and lesser ones. I believe the MotorTrike with the shorter wheel base handles twisties better but it does not ride near as smooth as the Roadsmith. The Roadsmith is considerably longer then the MotorTrike so If you are dead set on hauling it in your pick up bed I fear you will have to give up the axillary gas tank because I doubt the Roadsmith will fit. Roadsmith is 116" long and 65" wide. MotorTrike Adventure is 110" long and 55" wide.

You have a tough choice to make. Both are GREAT conversions. It will come down to what you really want to do... Good luck with the decision.

 

[Fabricater]

Howdy Clinton. Welcome back. I owned a MotorTrike Adventure but last December bought a new 2015 GL1800 and converted it myself with a Roadsmith HTS 1800 kit. Both conversions have strong points and lesser ones. I believe the MotorTrike with the shorter wheel base handles twisties better but it does not ride near as smooth as the Roadsmith. The Roadsmith is considerably longer then the MotorTrike so If you are dead set on hauling it in your pick up bed I fear you will have to give up the axillary gas tank because I doubt the Roadsmith will fit. Roadsmith is 116" long and 65" wide. MotorTrike Adventure is 110" long and 55" wide.

You have a tough choice to make. Both are GREAT conversions. It will come down to what you really want to do... Good luck with the decision.

Thanks all for the responds.I like the input.Looking at Roadsmith specs on there web site ,it says that they are 58" wide with the running boards.The length will fit if I measured correctly .My truck bed is 98" inside not counting the tailgate,which will put the center of the rear wheels inside the bed ,but the rest will hang over the bumper.This should be all right.

 

[paws]

Just a thought...you might want to consider the sharp angle when you load the trike into the truck bed - dragging the rear-end of it when it starts up the ramp and then back down - same issue, just opposite direction on the drag. There's not much clearance between the bumper and the ground.

Good luck with your decisions - you will enjoy the comfort of the trike on long rides and unsure footing (gravel, sand, etc).

And... welcome back to the forum!

 

[FRR]

Regardless of manufacturer, you will love the trike. Never talked to anyone who went from 2 to 3 and regretted it. At any age.

 

[Fabricater]

Just a thought...you might want to consider the sharp angle when you load the trike into the truck bed - dragging the rear-end of it when it starts up the ramp and then back down - same issue, just opposite direction on the drag. There's not much clearance between the bumper and the ground.

Good luck with your decisions - you will enjoy the comfort of the trike on long rides and unsure footing (gravel, sand, etc).

And... welcome back to the forum!

Yea , the bike has drug a little a few times when loading it.I think a few boards under the wheels will take care of that problem. I have a camper and like to take the bike with me when I travel.

 

[Fabricater]

might try going to the factory. Its not that far away.

Where is the factory?

 

[dirtdobber]

White bear lake, MN

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Have you considered a trailer?
A 6x12 will give you plenty of room and not that costly. Make it a snap to load and unload.

 

[Fabricater]

White bear lake, MN

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Have you considered a trailer?
A 6x12 will give you plenty of room and not that costly. Make it a snap to load and unload.

I pull a travel trailer and load bike in truck.Works well, and I have the bike with me when I am camping or traveling.

 

[RoadKingTrike]

I, too, went back and forth between Roadsmith and MotorTrike. Both have their strong and weak points, although the "weak" points are really just personal preference things, mostly. I settled on the MT only because I didnt want the extra length (+11") of the Roadsmith. Just didn't look right to me. Preference. Can't go wrong either way. Safe riding.
respects,
ed

 

[Fabricater]

I, too, went back and forth between Roadsmith and MotorTrike. Both have their strong and weak points, although the "weak" points are really just personal preference things, mostly. I settled on the MT only because I didnt want the extra length (+11") of the Roadsmith. Just didn't look right to me. Preference. Can't go wrong either way. Safe riding.
respects,
ed

A friend has a new motortrike,he likes it a lot.The lack of extra fuel tank is a concern to me ,for a trip out west that I want to do.I can deal with that.one other thing I noticed is the passenger foot board is tucked in between the fender and the bike.My wife likes the transformer boards,have the pegs that raise up.Is there enough room for them on a motortrike ?I like the shorter look myself as well,but am looking at what will fit my needs best.I pull a aspen motorcycle camper,and think the air suspension would work very good for weight adjustment .

 

[RoadKingTrike]

A friend has a new motortrike,he likes it a lot.The lack of extra fuel tank is a concern to me ,for a trip out west that I want to do.I can deal with that.one other thing I noticed is the passenger foot board is tucked in between the fender and the bike.My wife likes the transformer boards,have the pegs that raise up.Is there enough room for them on a motortrike ?I like the shorter look myself as well,but am looking at what will fit my needs best.I pull a aspen motorcycle camper,and think the air suspension would work very good for weight adjustment .

We fitted our Road King / MT with Kuryakin Retractable Passenger Pegs # 4389. Wife lives 'em, and they are really a quality part.

 

[skuuter]

For "compactness" and twisties handling the short Motor Trike IRS does great...Lots of choices out there nowadays though...do some Demo Rides if possible.....ThumbUp

 

[stinger608]

If going to the Roadsmith factory doesn't allow you to test ride a trike and you can make a trip to Cheyenne Wyoming, I have a Honda VTX Roadsmith conversion at your disposal.

It is an amazing trike. It isn't mine but a very good friend/business partner of mines and I could certainly arrange a test ride for you.

We could also arrange for the conversion on yours if you did decide to go with Roadsmith. :clapping:

 

[Fabricater]

If going to the Roadsmith factory doesn't allow you to test ride a trike and you can make a trip to Cheyenne Wyoming, I have a Honda VTX Roadsmith conversion at your disposal.

It is an amazing trike. It isn't mine but a very good friend/business partner of mines and I could certainly arrange a test ride for you.

We could also arrange for the conversion on yours if you did decide to go with Roadsmith. :clapping:

Thanks for the offer, that's a long distance from me , and if I was coming your way I may stop and look at it.I'm not planning on being out that way until next summer. I hope to have mine tricked by then.Thanks

 

[RoadKingTrike]

I'll add what has been said before in other threads......choose your installer wisely. The key to trike conversion happiness begins with a competent, trustworthy installation shop. I don't know where in S.E. Ohio you are, but if Zanesville is not too far away, check out this place. http://www.trikesbyrodney.com/

 

[Fabricater]

I'll add what has been said before in other threads......choose your installer wisely. The key to trike conversion happiness begins with a competent, trustworthy installation shop. I don't know where in S.E. Ohio you are, but if Zanesville is not too far away, check out this place. http://www.trikesbyrodney.com/

I have been to rodney's shop about a year ago.He does nice work , and is a great guy.He does CSC and Motortrike.

 

[RoadKingTrike]

I have been to rodney's shop about a year ago.He does nice work , and is a great guy.He does CSC and Motortrike.

The MT dealer in my area changed hands since my conversion was done . Jury still out on the new owner, but I may have to make the trip to Zanesville if I need and further warrenty service.