Trike Conversion OR New From the Motor Company?

[Bigfoot21075]

Hi Everyone,

I was looking for advice on my first trike. I am looking at the New 2016 Tri Glide and noticed that for around the same price I can buy a new 2016 Ultra and a Motor Trike conversion with independent rear suspension and was wondering which one is better. Here is the kit I was looking at;

http://www.motortrike.com/trikeHarleyGladiator.aspx

I like the idea of the Harley Trike being built ground up by Harley and fully factory warranted - but the Motor Trike also has an associated warranty.

I welcome your thoughts!

Rob

 

[Gorilla]

Hi Everyone,

I was looking for advice on my first trike. I am looking at the New 2016 Tri Glide and noticed that for around the same price I can buy a new 2016 Ultra and a Motor Trike conversion with independent rear suspension and was wondering which one is better. Here is the kit I was looking at;

http://www.motortrike.com/trikeHarleyGladiator.aspx

I like the idea of the Harley Trike being built ground up by Harley and fully factory warranted - but the Motor Trike also has an associated warranty.

I welcome your thoughts!

Rob

Rob, Are you planning on doing the conversion yourself? I'm not sure if MT sells direct, someone else can answer that. Your comparison doesn't include labor if you are not doing the build. Several things to consider the MT if you build it will be well known to you. If you do go that route make sure you add the rake kit. I believe MT doesn't include one. The IRS will give you somewhat of a smoother ride. Enough to say no to the factory IMO no. On the curvey roads the factory will handle a LITTLE better.

If you are not a wrencher then the factory with the factory dealers is better for you because they are all around. If you have an issue with the MT part if you convert you would have to find a MT dealer.

Both will be a great trike for you. The choice will be what is more appealing to you and for what reason. The MT bottom line maybe 3 to 4 k higher in price after you add labor and trees.

Good Luck

 

[Bigfoot21075]

Rob, Are you planning on doing the conversion yourself? I'm not sure if MT sells direct, someone else can answer that. Your comparison doesn't include labor if you are not doing the build. Several things to consider the MT if you build it will be well known to you. If you do go that route make sure you add the rake kit. I believe MT doesn't include one. The IRS will give you somewhat of a smoother ride. Enough to say no to the factory IMO no. On the curvey roads the factory will handle a LITTLE better.

If you are not a wrencher then the factory with the factory dealers is better for you because they are all around. If you have an issue with the MT part if you convert you would have to find a MT dealer.

Both will be a great trike for you. The choice will be what is more appealing to you and for what reason. The MT bottom line maybe 3 to 4 k higher in price after you add labor and trees.

Good Luck

Ahh I missed that it did not include labor. I also see they do not sell to non-dealers. I sort of had the feeling that Harley would be pretty damn sound by now they have been making trikes for 84 years now. I am a good wrench, but I do not have the stamina for a long drawn out week of hard work without paying the price in back misery.

My plan is to get a new trike all said and done and buy a 30's or 40;s servicar basket case and let that satisfy my need to turn wrenches.

THANKS for the tips!

 

[Texan]

Hi Everyone,

I was looking for advice on my first trike. I am looking at the New 2016 Tri Glide and noticed that for around the same price I can buy a new 2016 Ultra and a Motor Trike conversion with independent rear suspension and was wondering which one is better. Here is the kit I was looking at;

http://www.motortrike.com/trikeHarleyGladiator.aspx

I like the idea of the Harley Trike being built ground up by Harley and fully factory warranted - but the Motor Trike also has an associated warranty.

I welcome your thoughts!Rob

Been down this road. By the time you add a reverser, triple tree to you Ultra you got just a little more in the Ultra. BUT go figure deprecation on a Harley Trike vs a conversion. Get the figures from KBB, and NADA then do the math. When I was figuring my '12 being converted and buying a '13 Tri-Glide I was loosing 4-6% on the Harey vs 24-28% on the conversion. Was a no brainer...bought the Tri-Glide.

Rode 3-4 conversions with the independent suspension, was NOT that impressed with IRS. But ya know, it kinda like wine, women and song...we all like different things.

On doing your own conversion. I talked to MT several times and they will NOT sell to you unless you're one of their certified installers. Has to do with the 3 yr warranty coverage. Kinda funny I talked to the only certified installer in my area and he'd NEVER converted a Harley. He wanted me to give him my Ultra, he'd take it to the factory, and learn how do convert Harleys. DUH!!!

8~\o

 

[J.T.M.]

As for me I went with the conversion. I looked at a triglide and could have traded for a new triglide cheaper than converting my ultra classic. I had a Hannigan Transformer kit installed and have no regrets. The irs, longer wheel base, wider rear, and larger trunk had a lot to do with my choice. I think it rides smoother and is more stable. Plus when I go through town people don't say there goes another triglide just like the others, my Transformer has a look all it's own. I wouldn't trade my 2010 Ultra Classic with a Hannigan Transformer kit for a new triglide. That is my 2 cents worth.

 

[Capt.Bob]

Check out which companies will insure your modified trike versus a factory built one from the MOCO. I have heard that the premiums are generally higher for converted trikes. Resale is definitely in the favor of the factory complete trike. Furthermore, I have heard that some Harley dealers will not work on triked two-wheelers because of a lack of comfort in understanding how things interact and which parts get handled by Harley and which by the conversion manufacturer. Seems like too much drama to me. Just my .02

 

[clint44]

If you absolutely have to have a warranty,then the Tri Glide might be the way to go. I do not believe the difference in resale value is that big a difference but it doesn't matter to me because I tend to keep my stuff for a long time. Sherry and I rode a new TriGlide and Freewheeler,before opting for the Hannigan conversion on our 3K mile Street Glide. A few things stand out to me:
(1) Neither one of us were impressed with the ride quality of a TG or FW, Both were terrible on bumpy roads. Ride quality on the Hannigan IRS is far superior, Handling in the twisties is pretty much a wash between the three,IMO,but the IRS swallows up bumpy corners.
(2) Our trike's Champion mechanical reverse is much better than H-D's problematic electric unit.
(3) The rear disc brakes on our Hannigan are much stronger and more linear than H-D's repair-prone units.
(4) I much prefer the lighter steering feel of our trike's HHI 5deg billet trees,compared to H-D's 3deg trees.
(5) The Hannigan trunk is larger than a TG or FW trunk. Still not big enough,though. We purchased a Bushtec trailer for longer rides.
(6) Hannigan uses Progressive Suspension gas shocks on the rear.

However,if I were starting again from scratch,I would almost certainly buy a used trike. Have seen some tremendous deals in our classifieds here.

 

[J.T.M.]

Advantages of a kit
1. I pay taxes on the bike, the trike kit is just an accessary
2. A kit is almost always different from any other trike around.
3. The Transformer like some of the others has a larger trunk.
4. An IRS rides smoother and handles curves better than a solid axle.
5. My insurance lists the conversion as an accessary that does not depreciate.
6. I have not seen a trike like mine but parked between two triglides that looked identical
7. The mechanical reverse is trouble free and should last as long as the trike plus is variable
8. With the Transformer I can have the tour pack or a cover that eliminates it.


Look at Clint 44's trike and mine they are the same kit.

 

[GARYD]

I have had a 2012 and a 2014 TG. Loved them both.

1. I agree an IRS is great on bad roads, but I don't ride on bad roads or very little so the thousands of $$$$ extra for one is not worth it to me.
2. I have never had a problem with the TG's reverse. I once had to back up about 75' - no problem.
3. Riding on the interstates there is no difference between the two.
4. Any Harley dealer will work on it.
5. I like the look of the TG, that's why I bought it. I don't want some other design - especially that one that looks like a pregnant egg.
6. Trunk is plenty big enough for me - 2 up maybe not.
7. I like the solid feel of the steering, I don't want a lighter feeling front end.
8. I think a factory trike will be a lot easier to sell then a fabricated one.
9. If you have a problem with the conversion, where is the closest dealer?
10. Finally, I guess I'd be a little worried if out on the road and I have a problem, will the Harley dealer work on it? That's a big deal for me. That's why I have a 7 year warranty(piece of mind). Can you buy a 7 year warranty on a conversion kit???


Good luck

 

[clint44]

I knew GaryD would respond to this thread. :laugh: Dang,you are a crotchety old goat! Wish I could meet you,someday. ThumbUp

7 year warranty? You need an expensive piece of paper to give you peace of mind? Maybe you bought the wrong bike if you worry about its reliability that much. :cxtv:

Different strokes for different folks,, Just think,there probably wouldn't be a TrikeTalk,if it wasn't for conversions.
Zook might be selling life insurance,instead! :laugh:

 

[J.T.M.]

At this time if I had to give up my pride and joy I would buy a GoldWing and take it straight to Hannigan for a conversion. I think the Goldwing is a better bike. Quieter, smoother, more comfortable. I own a Harley but have had goldwings. Now I have opened up another can of worms, is that going to get me banned from the forum? LOL!!

 

[1dn5up]

Tell ya what----- if HD offered IRS , i would be first on the trade in line. There sooooooo aniquated

 

[GARYD]

I knew GaryD would respond to this thread. :laugh: Dang,you are a crotchety old goat! Wish I could meet you,someday. ThumbUp

7 year warranty? You need an expensive piece of paper to give you peace of mind? Maybe you bought the wrong bike if you worry about its reliability that much. :cxtv:

Different strokes for different folks,, Just think,there probably wouldn't be a TrikeTalk,if it wasn't for conversions.
Zook might be selling life insurance,instead! :laugh:

Well, he wanted comparisons so I gave him mine as you did. That's what a forum is suppose to be for, right?

After my 2003, 2010 Limited and my 2012 TG all had extensive problems, you bet I have a 7 year warranty. Thankfully I had the warranty on the Limited and TG. Saved a ton of money.
Yep, I get more and more crotchety every year - I deserve it.

 

[Gorilla]

This is why they say different strokes for different folks. Some like the HD some like the conversion. Whos right NEITHER its what makes you happy thats whats right for you. Both views survive.

 

[bikerbillone]

JTM, good post.

 

[clint44]

At this time if I had to give up my pride and joy I would buy a GoldWing and take it straight to Hannigan for a conversion. I think the Goldwing is a better bike. Quieter, smoother, more comfortable. I own a Harley but have had Goldwings. Now I have opened up another can of worms, is that going to get me banned from the forum? LOL!!

You know,J.T.,sometimes I've thought the same thing about a GW trike. But,I've thought the same thing about a BMW 1600GT.
Heck,what can I say,I like all kinds of trikes,now. Must be getting old.

 

[roadking2]

Not a big fan of straight axle or the electric reverse which seems to break down about as often as it works. I prefer IRS and the way more dependable mechanical reverse and I'm more than pleased with my Champion conversion. I tested all manner of trikes before I converted and in all honesty, the TriGlide was closer to the bottom of the list than it was to the top. The freewheeler wasn't out when I did mine, but I doubt I'd have an opinion much different from my opinion on the TriGlide. Converting also gave me a longer wheelbase than the Tri and way more trunk space. It's your dime. Spend it how you want. What are you riding now and why do you need to possibly convert a brand new bike? Can't you maybe do the bike you have or maybe a year old bike or something like that?

 

[Capt.Bob]

I don't understand why the electric reverse on the TGU is getting such a bad rap? Granted, mine is a 2016 TGU and has never given me a moments problem in the 6 months I have owned it and I do not hesitate to use it when I need it. It may be that the MOCO has modified the newer ones such that they are not problematic like some of the older ones? Then again, we don't know how much strain folks are putting on their TGU's treating the electric reverse maybe like it is simply a 7th gear only going in the other direction? :Shrug:

Roadking2, tell us how you really feel about the TGU. Capt.Bob without IRS :Crap:

 

[frostbite51]

I'm surprised, with the rising popularity of trikes, that Honda doesn't have a three wheel Goldwing. Give it IRS and Honda reliability and I think you would see a lot of them on the road...

 

[J.T.M.]

I don't understand why the electric reverse on the TGU is getting such a bad rap? Granted, mine is a 2016 TGU and has never given me a moments problem in the 6 months I have owned it and I do not hesitate to use it when I need it. It may be that the MOCO has modified the newer ones such that they are not problematic like some of the older ones? Then again, we don't know how much strain folks are putting on their TGU's treating the electric reverse maybe like it is simply a 7th gear only going in the other direction? :Shrug:

Roadking2, tell us how you really feel about the TGU. Capt.Bob without IRS :Crap:

When your warrantee runs out and they want almost $1400 to repair the reverse you will understand how the electric reverse gets a bad rap. That is what they wanted to charge a friend of mine, he went mechanical.

- - - Updated - - -

I'm surprised, with the rising popularity of trikes, that Honda doesn't have a three wheel Goldwing. Give it IRS and Honda reliability and I think you would see a lot of them on the road...

I would sure try one out if it has IRS

 

[roadking2]

I don't understand why the electric reverse on the TGU is getting such a bad rap? Granted, mine is a 2016 TGU and has never given me a moments problem in the 6 months I have owned it and I do not hesitate to use it when I need it. It may be that the MOCO has modified the newer ones such that they are not problematic like some of the older ones? Then again, we don't know how much strain folks are putting on their TGU's treating the electric reverse maybe like it is simply a 7th gear only going in the other direction? :Shrug:

Roadking2, tell us how you really feel about the TGU. Capt.Bob without IRS :Crap:

Your reverse is either on or off with no speed control. Mechanical will go as fast or slow as you want. Mechanical is more like the reverse on your car. If you want to go faster, twist the grip. If you want to know about the problems with electrical, just do a search on this forum or a google search. There are PLENTY of problems with electric. As far as the TGU, I DID express my feelings. IMO there are much better options than what Harley is putting out, but to each his own. If you love your Tri, great! If you like a solid axle, and electric reverse thats great too. I don't. I like IRS better and I like mechanical reverse better. I also like my bigger trunk. I'm happy with my conversion and if you are happy with what you have, that's all that matters.

 

[rhino 2]

When your warrantee runs out and they want almost $1400 to repair the reverse you will understand how the electric reverse gets a bad rap. That is what they wanted to charge a friend of mine, he went mechanical.

:Agree: Went mechanical about a year ago... Now i don't have to ride around a parking lot with a 30 thousand dollar trike circling around like an old lady trying to find that perfect spot to park in.. I can park anywhere i want and back out anytime i want, without any help from the gravity gods......

 

[Capt.Bob]

Your reverse is either on or off with no speed control. Mechanical will go as fast or slow as you want. Mechanical is more like the reverse on your car. If you want to go faster, twist the grip. If you want to know about the problems with electrical, just do a search on this forum or a google search. There are PLENTY of problems with electric. As far as the TGU, I DID express my feelings. IMO there are much better options than what Harley is putting out, but to each his own. If you love your Tri, great! If you like a solid axle, and electric reverse thats great too. I don't. I like IRS better and I like mechanical reverse better. I also like my bigger trunk. I'm happy with my conversion and if you are happy with what you have, that's all that matters.

Roadking 2. It appears that I have encountered an all knowing, fully vetted critic for the entire trike world! :xzqxz:

Thankfully, on this site, there appear to be more humble, less self-assured folks that like myself are wallowing through the muck of ignorance and self-deception and are having a lot of fun on our Tri Glides and other lesser rides that you have deemed to be inferior. That is in itself amazing. Ride safe and watch out for me in a parking lot if I loose control of my one-speed electric reverse trike with a straight axle:AGGHH:

 

[roadking2]

Roadking 2. It appears that I have encountered an all knowing, fully vetted critic for the entire trike world! :xzqxz:

Thankfully, on this site, there appear to be more humble, less self-assured folks that like myself are wallowing through the muck of ignorance and self-deception and are having a lot of fun on our Tri Glides and other lesser rides that you have deemed to be inferior. That is in itself amazing. Ride safe and watch out for me in a parking lot if I loose control of my one-speed electric reverse trike with a straight axle:AGGHH:

I tried to be as straight forward and honest with my opinion as I could. You seem intent on finding something you don't like in my response. You asked how I felt about the Tri, and I told you. Don't like getting a honest answer, don't ask the question. I said if you are happy with your Tri, good for you. I'm not trying to tell anyone what's best. All I said was what was best FOR ME and why I don't like what's best for you. If you like the straight and are happy with the electric and the trunk size and wheelbase and everything else the Tri offers is to your liking I'm real glad you found the trike for you. The trike for me has IRS, mechanical reverse, a longer wheelbase than what the Tri has and I also like having a larger trunk. What I like is what I like and I'm not going to apologize for it. You're happy with your trike and I'm happy with mine. Good for you and good for me. I'm not anti Tri. It's just not the trike for me. They are fine if that's what you like. I like something else better. You don't like something else better and that's cool. I got no problem with you or anyone else having a triglide. I don't care for the fairing or the lowers and I don't have or want a tour pack. I also don't want or need a radio. Does that bother you too? Now, I hope I've made myself clear. Oh, the only thing I deem inferior is the electric reverse. The solid axle is just something I don't like as well as IRS. Is any of this sinking in?

 

[clint44]

Well said and I fully agree,Ken.

 

[J.T.M.]

Some people like Fords, some like Chevys, some like Dodges. Thank goodness we all don't like the same thing. As for me I had several AMCs and a couple of Ramblers.

 

[Capt.Bob]

I tried to be as straight forward and honest with my opinion as I could. You seem intent on finding something you don't like in my response. You asked how I felt about the Tri, and I told you. Don't like getting a honest answer, don't ask the question. I said if you are happy with your Tri, good for you. I'm not trying to tell anyone what's best. All I said was what was best FOR ME and why I don't like what's best for you. If you like the straight and are happy with the electric and the trunk size and wheelbase and everything else the Tri offers is to your liking I'm real glad you found the trike for you. The trike for me has IRS, mechanical reverse, a longer wheelbase than what the Tri has and I also like having a larger trunk. What I like is what I like and I'm not going to apologize for it. You're happy with your trike and I'm happy with mine. Good for you and good for me. I'm not anti Tri. It's just not the trike for me. They are fine if that's what you like. I like something else better. You don't like something else better and that's cool. I got no problem with you or anyone else having a triglide. I don't care for the fairing or the lowers and I don't have or want a tour pack. I also don't want or need a radio. Does that bother you too? Now, I hope I've made myself clear. Oh, the only thing I deem inferior is the electric reverse. The solid axle is just something I don't like as well as IRS. Is any of this sinking in?

Roadking 2, I was kind of baiting you back for fun and it probably was not the coolest thing I could do. My concern was that people have very idiosyncratic likes and dislikes and there is no really correct answer. I was sort of hassling you and I apologize for being such a smart ass but ranking one's personal likes and making strong statements that impact others decisions was my concern. I hear what your saying and if you look at my own posts, I have lamented on numerous threads that Harley has been kind of lame in not adopting IRS. Hell, I find Harley's to be somewhat like tractors and rather unsophisticated in some of their engineering but they serve many purposes for my current tastes.

Making trike decisions is a very personal choice and there are all kinds of factors that play into one's choice as we all know (different horses for different courses). You don't know me and I don't know you and so I try and stay away from overarching statements that are made to include everybody's experiences, preferences, etc. as being a statement of fact. As a former scientist, I would have had my ass professionally handed to me if I had ever been that bold. Here on an Internet forum where everybody's opinions are deemed to carry equal weight, I think we all tend to put out stronger statements because there are generally few repercussions for those statements. I know for sure that a couple of things that have been said to me over the Internet in the past 20 years would have evoked a physical response from me that likely would have precluded the poster from opening their mouth in my presence or I would have felt compelled to close it for them. Such is the nature of this two-dimensional ether that we are communicating in.

I guess my un-smart ass response would be that I am delighted that you like what you like and try to give all my fellow posters the latitude to enjoy whatever it is they have bought or want to buy. Please consider that calling my $33k purchase ugly does not endear me to your viewpoints.

BTW, I am amazed at how much I like my built-in radio and GPS. The radio without a headset is crap on the road but is terrific for slower moving where I play oldies rock and roll. It makes me smile so broadly that you would be amazed and I laugh when I come up to a stop light and am like a teenager blasting my radio too loud. I think I am loosing some high frequency hearing Additionally, I just retired which is a very weird experience and will think nothing of hopping on my trike like I am going to do this coming week and riding about 6k miles out West. With about 400k seat miles on two-wheels over the past 50 years and about 96 two-wheel bikes in my past (including a bunch of sport bikes, touring bikes, cruisers, dirt bikes, etc.) and now one trike, I think there is room for all of our preferences without trying to make others feel anything but more adequate. Just my .02. Bob

 

[bikerbillone]

I'm one of those that prefers the pros and the cons of a brand trike. I want to hear opinions, even if it's a bad word on my RoadSmith, I need to know if something might go south, or an opinion that I don't agree with or had not heard, that gives me an alert, I'm not offended. Let me say on the RS, the manual rear brake came with the conversion, I sure wouldn't pay for that feature, don't need it, don't want it. If ya don't set it so the trike doesn't move, then one is likely to forget it's on until it begins to smell, not good, one more thing to go wrong if you're not careful. Here's the thing, the older ya get, more more ya forget. Having said all that, I encourage these opinion posts, some are hesitant to post thinking that it's gonna bring on some counter post that's not kind. Oh well, it's not a perfect world.

 

[Papa Zook]

Roadking 2. It appears that I have encountered an all knowing, fully vetted critic for the entire trike world!

..........
Roadking 2, I was kind of baiting you back for fun and it probably was not the coolest thing I could do.

Baiting for fun? You are correct, that is not cool, so why go there? The OP asked for opinions and Roadking's is no less valid than yours. You've been here one month..show some respect. Now, carry on guys...this is a good thread.