Trike ride quality question on CSC IRS....

[bamaboy]

We purchased a 2004 GL1800 with CSC kit. It has the independent rear suspension. The trike rides considerably rougher than the 2 wheel GL1800 we replaced it with. As far as dips and bumps it rides as smooth as the 2 wheel version. But, when crossing train tracks or entrance drive gutter drains at an angle, or when only one rear wheel finds a dip or rut, it tends to rock to one side and this aggravates the disc in my wife's back. Says she feels as if she's getting whiplash. Is this just a characteristic of 3 wheels in general, or is there an adjustment to help soften the ride of the rear wheels in general? I run about 25lbs in the rear tires because 32lbs was a little too harsh. I noticed that the rear spring has a threaded section on each end for adjustment of spring rate and there is a lot of threads exposed towards the ends. Looks like spring rate is set pretty high for each wheel. Any suggestions?

 

[Lucky]

You can try runnung the rear tires at 22#.That should help some.I also think CSC uses air shocks.If you have them try lowering the pressure in them.RIDE SAFE

 

[mhgoldwing]

The basic movement, side-to-side, that your describing is normal for three wheels. A two wheeler with it's wheels in the same path does not experience this. A car does the same as a trike because the vehicle can be moved from side to side.

 

[philmcc]

You can run as little 18 lbs. in the rear tires. I would drop to 18 lbs. and add 1 lb.at a time until it is were you want it.

 

[bamaboy]

Unless we can soften up the jolts a little, our trike days may be numbered. I don't experience as much feedback as a driver because I'm not locked into the drivers backrest like the passenger is in the rear backrest. We have the Ultimate seat and backrest on the trike and noticed that the passenger back rest sits a little deeper than stock. This creates a wrap around effect and may be locking her in too much. I might try a stock seat and-or backrest for comparison, if I can find one close by.

 

[Copasetic]

I have a 2012 Victory/CSC and don't experience this.
Why not give CSC a call. I've met them at Daytona and Sturgis and they're great. Always been very helpful whenever I called with questions.

 

[bamaboy]

We tried out a Victory CCT (2 wheel) this weekend. Very smooth ride and wife was very comfortable on it. We are going to try and stay with the trike for now, but a Victory trike could be another option for us.

 

[MDGeorge]

What I have found, after 3 or 4 months of riding a 2008 GL1800 with the CSC is that at higher speed, the side to side rock is very limited. Not an issue at all.
When going slow, there is a bit to deal with. I have learned to take it easy over bumps and pot holes when going slower.
I really don't think it would make any difference if you have a Goldwing of a Victory or any other bike.
Tire pressure made a big difference for us. I run 24# in the rear.
Also, getting the front end right made a big difference.

 

[07BlueCSC]

You can try runnung the rear tires at 22#.That should help some.I also think CSC uses air shocks.If you have them try lowering the pressure in them.RIDE SAFE

CSS uses the mono-shock from the 1800. It is NOT an air-shock. You can only adjust the pre-load on the left side of the fairing beneath the side pocket.
Lower tire pressure helps.

 

[FRR]

I think you will find that any three wheel trike is going to rock back and forth regardless of the make or trike configuration. You can't change physics. BUT a kit with IRS is much easier on the passenger than a solid axle, that is for sure.

 

[kwputt]

There is a center coil over spring in the center of the bike under the seat. If you download the CSC installation manual you will find the measurements from the bottom of the rear end housing to the ground. Depending on how your trike is loaded you can adjust the spring tension to change the spring rate.

 

[kwputt]

http://www.californiasidecar.com/downloads/COBRA_Installation_Instructions.pdf

The link above is for the Cobra conversion.