Trike Shopping

[cavie]

With any luck, I'll be Trike shopping after the first of the year. I believe my finances are going to put me into the 1500 market. I would prefer 1800. I'm new to this type of bike. Anything to look for good or bad? What is an expected price range. I'm seeing them in SW Florida for 14,000 to 18,000. Anything below 14,000 seems to be outriggers. I have found a multitude of scammers. They are everywhere.

 

[michaelnmississippi]

With any luck, I'll be Trike shopping after the first of the year. I believe my finances are going to put me into the 1500 market. I would prefer 1800. I'm new to this type of bike. Anything to look for good or bad? What is an expected price range. I'm seeing them in SW Florida for 14,000 to 18,000. Anything below 14,000 seems to be outriggers. I have found a multitude of scammers. They are everywhere.

last year we purchased a 1999 1500 with a csc installed on it in 2005... trike had 17000 miles on it. we paid $17000 it had a lot of bling... that price will give you an idea...

Do a search on how to check for transmission trouble..

I forgot how ..but think it was park on uneven ground and listen for a noise?

Expect to see the 1500 with the half moon discoloring on the digital clock.. that is very common problem..

Look for cracked welds on the older trike rear end attach points... when i was shopping i found 2 different trikes that had this problem.... The owners truely seemed suprised when i pointed it out to them..

If you havent purchased anything before march my wife is gonna sale her trike ..it will have around 24000 miles at that time. prolly sale it in the $14500 range


I am sure others will chime in,,,, Good luck with your search and dont be in a hurry .. Buy with caution.

 

[JaysGone]

Your in a good area to look around at different dealers to see whats what.
Just one word of advice.
Don't do what I did and make an impulsive decision.
What I have come to realize way to late with trikes.
The kit never seems to loose any value to the seller.
Prices have or seem to be. To me anyway.
Full price installed for the kit, plus the value of the bike.
Do your homework, test ride what you can.
Find what fits you and the other half.
Then look everywhere.
Look look look then buy.
Its a buyers market now and will only be more so come spring time.
This is a big country shipping is easy and doesn't cost a ton.
Anything used is a gamble.
Try to find out why the owner is selling.
That in itself should be a decent indication of why the bikes being sold.
Mileage with big Hondas isn't an issue in general.
1500s go forever.
I bought a physical wreck of a 99 Valkyrie non running to rebuild myself then trike, miles unknown, the engine itself needed next to nothing.
Didn't trike it rebuilt it and sold it.

 

[SMSgt]

Stay away from Complete Cycle of Rome GA. I got mine from there and have had to nearly rebuild it myself and there are still things that I need to fix now that mod season is here.
Good luck and don't be in a hurry. There are more trikes than buyers out there so you can have your pick.

 

[THEREALTRIKKY]

Some advice I give people who are shopping for anything with an engine in it. If you are seriously considering a purchase, talk to the seller about having an authorized dealer for that particular brand look over the bike. If there truly is nothing wrong with it, shouldn't be a problem. Make it a part of the purchase requirements. If the bike checks out, and all is well, you'll pay for the fee to have them go over it. If something is wrong and needs to be addressed, have the seller agree to pay the fee to have the shop look it over.


It may take some haggling to get them to agree, but it's also cheap insurance over what could turn into a money pit!

 

[cavie]

It's time to turn up the heat on my trike shopping. I've been researching for about 3 months now. I was all set to purchase a 1500 (budget concerns). Stopped by my mechanic to pic his brain and he advised me to go the extra bucks and get an 1800. Gave me lots of reasons why. Many of which I had already heard here. I'll be looking for something in the 2001-2004 I'm guessing. I'm not gonna worry about what brand kit is on it. Not enough $$ to be fussy. Have trailer will travel.

 

[SMSgt]

Have you looked in our classified section of the trike talk forum?

 

[John Luciano]

MHO. Buy a northern bike. North of the Mason-Dixon Line . Reason. They are stored 6 months, lower miles, they see less hot sun less paint fade. Buy it at this time of year get a good price.
In their defense, the 1500 has more leg room. Bullet proof ( over 1996)

 

[cavie]

MHO. Buy a northern bike. North of the Mason-Dixon Line . Reason. They are stored 6 months, lower miles, they see less hot sun less paint fade. Buy it at this time of year get a good price.

In their defense, the 1500 has more leg room. Bullet proof ( over 1996)

The northern bikes are a good Idea. I'm sure I'm gonna have to settle for a 1500. $$$$$$

 

[John Luciano]

1500 in this area ( 1994 to 2000) are still going for $16,000 to $18,000 in good shape and with less than 100,000 miles. The 2001 and newer 1800 start about $21,000 and as high as $28,000.
Nothing wrong with a good running low mileage 1500.

 

[trikerider]

Cavie,

I was looking around and saw this trike at the Haus of trikes and bikes in ft myers. It is somewhere within your budget.

2000 Honda Gold Wing CSC Trike Kit IRS
Price is $15399
Miles are 30651

 

[Bill Reber]

Punta Gorda has a new trike builder , it's a small shop and they build a trike kit both SA and a IRA

 

[THEREALTRIKKY]

If you end up taking serious consideration on an 01-05 GL 1800.. Take a very close look @ the frame just below the battery box (more to the rear) and in the same place on the right side. It's not at all uncommon for these frames to "crack" in this area. The left side cracks first, then the added stress and flex can cause the right side to crack. I have a good friend that has done many frame swaps, and repairs to these year models, both 2 and 3 wheelers alike.

The crack may almost look like a "line" in the paint.. If you see anything in this point questionable, have someone take a closer look at it. That can turn into a major expense quickly.

It's not an issue on the 06 and newer bikes as they reinforced this area with bracing.

 

[ErieBigDawg]

With any luck, I'll be Trike shopping after the first of the year. I believe my finances are going to put me into the 1500 market. I would prefer 1800. I'm new to this type of bike. Anything to look for good or bad? What is an expected price range. I'm seeing them in SW Florida for 14,000 to 18,000. Anything below 14,000 seems to be outriggers. I have found a multitude of scammers. They are everywhere.

Here's a couple up here in the Pa.

area.

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/mcy/4191637655.html

http://harrisburg.craigslist.org/mcd/4176974917.html

Dave

 

[cavie]

I've found a couple of 18's for 17,000. It's just hard to spend that much on a 10 year old bike. I'm sure I will have to settle for a 15 but in no hurry. For now I'll keep riding my '03 Vol. and trying to convince the wife to up the anty. thanks for the help. I intend to go to Ft Myers and talk to House of Trikes. Tesch is a builder in Punta Gorda. Nice folks. I have been thinking of buying a 2 wheeler and having them trike it.

 

[cavie]

I've pretty much decided I can't afford an 1800 wing. I did find an 05 for 15,000.00 but it had 165,000 miles. I've begun looking at the VTX1800. I can afford these. Found and 05 for $9000.00. and 08 for 15,000.00. Any info on the vtx 1800?

 

[cavie]

going to look at a 2005 VTX 1800 motor trike conversion 11000 mikes. $9000.00 Anything to look for??

 

[arkieron]

I have a 2003 VTX 1800 C I bought in 2007 with 15000 miles on it. I have 38000 miles as to date with no mechanical problems whatsoever! I did have a 6 degree rake installed and it improved the handling a lot. I also changed out the hard stock seat for a Big Boy Ultimate. I really enjoy this trike, best money I have ever spent! Just keep up regular maintenance and you should have no problems at all.

 

[John Luciano]

Great trike value. Got the Goldwing power just missing storage and accessories ( radio,intercom,wind weather protection,)

 

[scribe5]

going to look at a 2005 VTX 1800 motor trike conversion 11000 mikes. $9000.00 Anything to look for??

I've had my 2003 VTX 1800C for about 6 years and it's been trouble free. The only maintenance that needs to be done is to check the valve clearance--ask if that's ever been done. And also do a ground fix or ask if that's been done--here's the best website on all things VTX:

http://www.vtxoa.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?6-VTX-1800-Tech-Board

There has also been some problems with a flange bearing on rear drive, but since you want to trike, that doesn't matter. It's pretty much a bullet-proof ride and many have reached 100,000 miles and more. I still have mine and really enjoy it. Good luck.

 

[cavie]

Re: Trike Shopping (desision time)

My fingers are sore. I'm interested in to 2 at the same shop. I want you guys to help me decide which on to buy. I want the good and the bad.

I'm leaning towards the VTX. Like the looks. No Tupperware. Looks like a motorcycle. Mustang seats, low miles. some extra goodies. Is 1300cc enough motor for a trike. No long distance riding in my future.

Both have rake kits installed.

They tell me wings will go 300,000. Has goodies also.

1997 Goldwing 90,000.00 miles. $13,500

2005 VTX 1300 W/Champion kit. 20,000 miles $13,299

http://showroom.auction123.com/central_florida_bus_and_auto_sales_cycles_golf

 

[John Luciano]

I have a 1997 wing. Love it. Extremely dependable. If I didn't have a dealer within 100 miles of me. Wait I don't .( at least one I would trust) it would not bother me. Only real trouble I had was the alternator brushes stuck. Got it fixed at an independent shop for $35.00. They say you should do it every 40,000 miles. And had a front tire replaced at the Yamaha dealer.
The VTX is a fine bike for a single guy one up... When Honey is on board I need luggage room, pocket book, extra jacket, gloves, and room for anything she finds to purchase. Only reason I own the Wing.

 

[scribe5]

"I'm leaning towards the VTX. Like the looks. No Tupperware. Looks like a motorcycle. Mustang seats, low miles. some extra goodies. Is 1300cc enough motor for a trike. No long distance riding in my future. "

Depends on definition of enough...If it were me, I'd keep looking for an 1800. I like the grunt of the big engine and with the extra weight, those cc's come in handy. Also, the 1800s have fuel injection and the 1300's have carbs. I am never going back to carbs. You can also add a trunk to the back on either the 1300 or 1800 conversion for a bit more storage. If you are into long-distance touring, I'd go with the Wing. For short weekenders and such. VTX is fine.

 

[Veritas44]

IF you decide on the VTX as the Core/Bike of YOUR Trike,,,
No Brainer-the 1800 over the 1300 Hands-Down Period.
Then, the Roadsmith conversion.

It's Winter, Buyer's Market and NO HURRY. Be patient, don't settle, don't limit your search radius, use all the internet sources at your avail. One will turn up.

 

[cavie]

Re: Trike Shopping (almost over)

I think I found it. I think I can get this for $12,600.00 TTT OTD. '97 90,000 miles. Tell me what you guys think. Is this a Roadsmith kit? Rake kit says Trike shop. Bike is in Florida. Trike shop is in Daytona. They do Roadsmith.

 

[John Luciano]

You didn't pick it up yet. black in a Gold wing is rare. I have only seen a few. Don't know y... Looks good . See if the timing belt was ever changed?
Look under it , is it ind rear if not it is not Roadsmith.

 

[Papa Zook]

Re: Trike Shopping (almost over)

I think I found it. I think I can get this for $12,600.00 TTT OTD. '97 90,000 miles. Tell me what you guys think. Is this a Roadsmith kit? Rake kit says Trike shop. Bike is in Florida. Trike shop is in Daytona. They do Roadsmith.

Good looking trike and the GL1500s are bulletproof. Thats an older Motor Trike conversion, called the "Classic". Not that older is a bad thing, but I would check the rear brakes, the older MT GL1500 conversions came with drum brakes and they were sometimes a little soft. Just check it over good and drive it and it should be a good buy, has lots of bling on it.

 

[cavie]

I let my mechanic decide between the black wing and my second option. This is his choice.

I'll pull the trigger in the am (wed) $12,600.00 TTT OTD '05 1300 vtx 20,000 miles Champion w/rake

My choice also. Looks like a motorcycle, no Tupperware. No reverse, but I do live in Florida. Kinda on the flat side here. No long distance in my future. Just weekend stuff.