What is your opinion of the Roadsmith AccuRide leveling system?

[StorminNormin]

What is your opinion of the Roadsmith AccuRide leveling system?

I am in the process of setting the requirements (well wish list) for my Roadsmith trike conversion and one of the items is the AccuRide leveling system. So is there anyone out there that has this system and what do you think?

Thank you for your input.

 

[tfdeputydawg]

Re: What is your opinion of the Roadsmith AccuRide leveling system?

My honest opinion, it's another expensive "come on" in an attempt to out do competitors!
One of the reasons I settled on a Hannigan was the simplicity and therefore ease of Maintenance of the suspension system.
My installer set the shocks for what his experience deemed they should set at and I have never changed them.
Loaded, 1 or 2 up, I have never noticed that much change in the ride.
An extra cost that is not really required!
However, my opinion is worthless as to what may or may not satisfy you! You should test one with and one without for the decision you need to make.

 

[bikerbillone]

Re: What is your opinion of the Roadsmith AccuRide leveling system?

I do not have accuride on my RS, the installer was straight up with me, said I didn't need it. My opinion, it is an option not worth the big investment.

 

[bigred06]

Re: What is your opinion of the Roadsmith AccuRide leveling system?

We have a 2013 with Roadsmith kit on it with no adjustment. I debated about it and decided after riding it that we didn't need it. We don't carry a big load and we are not large, The shock preloads are already on softest setting so can adjust them harder and didn't really see the need for pricey adjustment to make ride harder yet. Some say it is a must, me, not so much. You will just have to make the decision based on your test ride of hopefully both types. bigred06

 

[rmrc51]

Re: What is your opinion of the Roadsmith AccuRide leveling system?

I do not have accuride on my RS, the installer was straight up with me, said I didn't need it. My opinion, it is an option not worth the big investment.

We have a 2013 with Roadsmith kit on it with no adjustment. I debated about it and decided after riding it that we didn't need it. We don't carry a big load and we are not large, The shock preloads are already on softest setting so can adjust them harder and didn't really see the need for pricey adjustment to make ride harder yet. Some say it is a must, me, not so much. You will just have to make the decision based on your test ride of hopefully both types. bigred06

I agree with both statements above regarding what my installer also suggested and my current settings at the softest level.

 

[Ozarkryder]

Re: What is your opinion of the Roadsmith AccuRide leveling system?

The Accuride system does what it says, and pretty well. Adjusts the rear suspension for the load placed on it. the question is when would you need it? If you were often riding solo, then with a passenger, adding a trailer then taking it off, loading down the trunks then running empty it might be a handy thing to have. Our '04 wing has a manual adjustment for the rear with presets. That is enough for us unless we are pulliing the loaded Bunkhouse camper, then it is easy enough to set the rear suspension manually. For some it might be just what they need, but for us, and YMMV, if I was having a trike built I'd put the money in to wing guards, the steering kit or other farkles you have an eye on.

 

[mhgoldwing]

Re: What is your opinion of the Roadsmith AccuRide leveling system?

I have the Accuride system and love it. When solo it never adjusts. But my wife and I are heavy so when she gets on the system goes to work. Additional luggage, aux fuel, trailer, etc. all change the weight and the Accuride system keeps the bike within a small window height change and I never need to guess or manually adjust. Personally, I think it works well and am happy I got it.

Also, we live and ride in the Arkansas twisties and having the bike always set at the proper height helps in the curves and ground clearance. Worth it to me.

 

[StorminNormin]

Re: What is your opinion of the Roadsmith AccuRide leveling system?

Thank you everyone for your gracious input. Now I have even more decisions to make. Do I or Don't I? That is the question! Well, one of them anyhow. After all, it's only money right? Unless of course you are a little short on it when it comes down to the nitty gritty. Truth be known I am not even sure of the way I am going to be able to ride it. All I really know right now is I do want the trike and I do want the Roadsmith.

It has certainly been an eye opener just in the process of lining out all of the necessities to get the kit. Since I have not been on a 2-wheeler in so long, 17 years, and now so close to the trike. I am still getting my seat back on 2. If you know what I mean. I really can't even go riding without thinking about the crash and I have to tell myself to relax and enjoy the ride. That is also one reason I am looking forward to the trike.

Again, thasnk you all for your input.

 

[3 4 the road]

Re: What is your opinion of the Roadsmith AccuRide leveling system?

We have a 2013 with Roadsmith kit on it with no adjustment. I debated about it and decided after riding it that we didn't need it. We don't carry a big load and we are not large, The shock preloads are already on softest setting so can adjust them harder and didn't really see the need for pricey adjustment to make ride harder yet. Some say it is a must, me, not so much. You will just have to make the decision based on your test ride of hopefully both types. bigred06

Well, this thread has certainly raised some questions for me.

I recently bought an '08 GL 1800 with a '13 RS kit. I never even knew I had the option of adjusting the shocks. It certainly didn't say anything about it in the manual I got from RS. I would appreciate any hints as to how I would do this, or where I might find instructions for it.

Right now, I think the shocks are set super hard, as the trike seems to feel every little bump on the road. It almost feels like there aren't any!

Thanks for any input.

 

[bikerbillone]

Re: What is your opinion of the Roadsmith AccuRide leveling system?

I know the adjustment is there 'cause there's a special spanner wrench in my RS for the adjustment, I just never got to the adjusting. The installer said it didn't need adjusting, so there ya go, a wrench and no need for adjusting. So I'll be watching for follow up posts on this.

There are a few details the RS manual doesn't cover when you start digging. I heard they were revising, but who knows, won't help us folks that have purchased. It's been my experience that I am unable to talk with the technicians on the phone that builds the thing, the office mgr is the go to person. Guess that has some merit since RS wants the techs doing conversions, not talking with owners. Of course, I could ride to the shop that's about two hours away, go in the back door and talk with either tech, but why would I do that? Dopn't get me wrong, this is not a rant, cause I like my RS very much, just observations.

 

[rmrc51]

Re: What is your opinion of the Roadsmith AccuRide leveling system?

I also have that spanner wrench but never used it. When I bought my Roadsmith, I had asked the installer about the acu-ride which he said I really didn't need. (He was either trying to save me money or extra work on his part, lol). I asked him to set the manual adjustment on the rear to the softest setting. She rides great and I've never felt the need to re-adjust. Just my opinion.

 

[Solidbob]

Re: What is your opinion of the Roadsmith AccuRide leveling system?

The spanner wrench you are referring to is to adjust the Progressive Coil Over Shocks on the rear. Very hard to do once the body is on, but it can be done. If your body rolls on a turn moving this adjustment higher stiffens the ride and the roll factor. Only do this with NO adjustments on the manual DASH Goldwing Sway Bar Adjuster, move the shock up one notch and go ride, each time move only one notch up and try it again (same on both sides). When you find the best ride using only this adjustment / leave it alone! Now your next adjustment would be the manual Sway Bar Tension Control which was your GW Rear Shock Adjustment, Start at 1 and work your way up depending on the balance of roll control you want, weight added to trike (trailer & Passenger) . Mine stays between 5 & 12 and will go higher. If your trike is squatting in the rear moving the shocks up a couple of notches helps this. ACCUride I am not sure about, I selected the keeping of the manual adjustment and adjusting the shocks - figured I can make these adjustments myself while traveling, if the ACCUride goes west out in the woods somewhere it my be a long way to find a dealer who knows the details of working on it...

A couple of tips: Progressive sells a spanner that fits on a 3/8" Extension so the adjustment is made easier ....

Now as for your manual Sway Bar Tensioner it is used with either the Standard Sway Bar or the Heavy Duty one which I have ( 1" dia). It operates hydraulically by applying tension to the bar. The good news, if your knob works from about 2 or 3 and up your golden - if your stock actuator only works from about 10 & up your actuator is low on hydraulic fluid (should have been checked and topped off by your installer). If you have your Goldwing Manual it has details to fill, but I do not think it is accessible with the body on, I could be wrong... but don't think so.

2001 - 2010 Goldwing - http://trikeshop.com/media/docs/ht-hts1800-01-10-instructions.pdf

2011 - up Goldwing - http://trikeshop.com/media/docs/ht-hts1800-instructions.pdf

I have found no instructions to refill the actuator on a Trike.... I fear the body comes off to gain access!!
Really don't know.. maybe another member has done this or an installer knows a shortcut???

 

[bikerbillone]

Re: What is your opinion of the Roadsmith AccuRide leveling system?

Good post Bob, but am I confused, you bet. From your post: "Now your next adjustment would be the manual Sway Bar Tension Control which was your GW Rear Shock Adjustment, Start at 1 and work your way up depending on the balance of roll control you want, weight added"...

This is the the 'old' GW Rear Shock Adjustment button which goes up to 21 or something like that, right???? The tech told me that was disconnected and no was no longer functional. You think he gave me questionable information? If the rear shock adjustment is operable, I want to give it a try it on the Sway Bar. Further, did I read right, that adjusting tension on the coils 'up' stiffens the ride? I would think that running the tension down on the coils would stiffen the coils and the ride. Just asking, you know way more about this than I do for sure.

 

[Solidbob]

Re: What is your opinion of the Roadsmith AccuRide leveling system?

Yes that is the manual Goldwing button to adjust the shock on the rear of the Goldwing.

If you have ACCUride your adjuster may not function or may even be removed, instructions for installing the ACCUride are in the two manuals above.

The manual adjuster was a N/C item when my conversion was done, they now charge for ACCUride & the manual adjuster.

The coil over shocks are very similar to regular bike shocks and adjust the same way, they are generally set on the soft setting which is all the way down for the softest ride and some body roll in turns. As in the picture from the Progressive website : http://www.progressivesuspension.com/metric/12_13_14/index.html

If you notice the lower ring around the bottom of the shock turns to 5 different positions by using that little spanner wrench, as you turn the ring it moves the spring upward to shorten its length and give a stiffer spring setting or shock preload. These shocks only have the lower adjuster.

This article has 4 parts showing suspension function: http://www.progressivesuspension.com/tech/index.html

These are the spanner wrench's available: Check Ebay - http://www.progressivesuspension.com/toolsmetric/#

If your installer indeed did eliminate your GW Shock adjuster and did not install ACCUride you only have shocks to adjust...and you will have no way to tension your sway bar... :gah:

Hope that helps....

 

[bikerbillone]

Re: What is your opinion of the Roadsmith AccuRide leveling system?

Thanks Solid, a pic is worth a lot of words. I see the adjustment is from the bottom of the shock, not the top as I had visualized. Makes sense now.

So you think, maybe, the shock adjust switch/linkage may not be disconnected on the RS if there's no accuride? No accuride on mine, I opted out on that one. Guess I need to get in touch with my trike shop.

 

[Solidbob]

Re: What is your opinion of the Roadsmith AccuRide leveling system?

Not sure when you had your install but if that switch on the dash does nothing your only adjustment is the shocks...

Everyone should get this: [h=5]Adjustable Pre-Load[/h][h=5][/h]The other suspension option we now offer is an Adjustable Pre-Load system. We tie right into the GL1800's existing suspension adjustment system that's controllable right from the dash. By the push up or down of a button, this system hydraulically pre-loads the fixed springs for various loads, and allows the rider to manually adjust the ride as they see fit. We use high quality Progressive coil over shocks combined with the springs.

This is a must have if you do not get ACCUride... as
you have no easy adjustment otherwise. I'm sure it's a
tear down to add...as it comes with the kit and attaches
to your old shock actuator. Hope I'm wrong...

 

[bikerbillone]

Re: What is your opinion of the Roadsmith AccuRide leveling system?

Not sure when you had your install but if that switch on the dash does nothing your only adjustment is the shocks...

Everyone should get this: Adjustable Pre-Load



The other suspension option we now offer is an Adjustable Pre-Load system. We tie right into the GL1800's existing suspension adjustment system that's controllable right from the dash. By the push up or down of a button, this system hydraulically pre-loads the fixed springs for various loads, and allows the rider to manually adjust the ride as they see fit. We use high quality Progressive coil over shocks combined with the springs.

This is a must have if you do not get ACCUride... as
you have no easy adjustment otherwise. I'm sure it's a
tear down to add...as it comes with the kit and attaches
to your old shock actuator. Hope I'm wrong...

Interesting. I don't have the Accuridde, nor do I have the adjustable pre-load. I do see now where it was offered as an option for $299 at time of conversion. Looking back I probably should have gotten it, seems it was not promoted. Probably cost a fortune now to get it done.

 

[Solidbob]

Re: What is your opinion of the Roadsmith AccuRide leveling system?

May be worth asking the question, not sure your type of riding but it comes in very handy, your installer should have pointed that out. So your shock adjustment is it, did you get all your parts back from the conversion? Your actuator, hoses and rear shock should be in your parts, if you have to buy an actuator Ebay or the Forum Classifieds are your best bet. Find a take off were they got ACCUride or another kit suspension from a different mfgr and did not use it.

That sucks... hope its not the national debt... and hope you got all your parts from your installer.. Call !!!!

 

[bikerbillone]

Re: What is your opinion of the Roadsmith AccuRide leveling system?

Thanks again Bob for that informative post. It's been over a year since my conversion, and yes, I did get all the parts, sold a few but not having a place to store what was left, it wound up in the you know where.

I'm not good at wrenching, just the simple maintenance, and yes, I do place a lot of blame on the RS shop for not providing good information like, if you can't afford the Accuride, then try the alternative. That's their job for prospective buyers who know little or nothing about the world of trikes.
At this point, I see great cost in removing tupperware to get it done., and therefore will let it go.

Too bad I'm not close to Texas, we could get together and compare ideas.

 

[Solidbob]

Re: What is your opinion of the Roadsmith AccuRide leveling system?

I only know what I know based on reading details and doing my own work. I sure am not a know it all and don't profess to be.... I would still give your installer a call if he's still in business, they may not even know what to tell you!! It's ashame info was not provided, that's a not very well trained installer for ya. Maybe he'll feel some need to help.... Good Luck.... and keep us informed..:Coffee:

 

[Solidbob]

Re: What is your opinion of the Roadsmith AccuRide leveling system?

Here are the closest Roadsmith certified dealers: Explain your problem and what happened and see what they can do, it's just a few phone calls, The Trike Shop Daytona is a factory shop

Xtreme Powersports	Tampa	FL	33619	813-626-6060	-	49 Miles
Trikes by Design	Inverness	FL	34450	866-344-8637	-	58 Miles
Citrus Cycle Center	LeCanto	FL	34451	352-527-0129	-	58 Miles
Tampa Bay Trikes	Clearwater	FL	33762	(727) 530-9500	1 Trikes	68 Miles
Trike Shop of Daytona	Daytona Beach	FL	32114	386-257-0609	7 Trikes	77 Miles

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[bigred06]

Re: What is your opinion of the Roadsmith AccuRide leveling system?

Bikerbillone, don't let anyone tell you that you should have the manual or the other accuride system. They are fine if you want them, but the average rider needs neither. My wife and I both weigh about 160-170 and have a fairly stiff ride with the 2 main shock preloads set at softest setting. I do not pull a trailer anymore nor carry heavier loads, but if we did, I would adjust the shock preloads stiffer and would probably be fine. I have played with the shock preloads and they will stiffen the ride quite a bit if they are set the the max. I do have the heavy duty sway bar which also makes it a little stiffer ride. Good luck and enjoy it, whatever you decide. bigred06

 

[bikerbillone]

Re: What is your opinion of the Roadsmith AccuRide leveling system?

<font size="3">Thanks Big, I need to get up under there and make careful inspection of the setting. I don't see any way I'll be doing anything different than I'm doing.</font> Were talking $ here, and I don't have deep pockets.

 

[bikerbillone]

Re: What is your opinion of the Roadsmith AccuRide leveling system?

I see bigred is running the softest setting, so I'll be starting with that preload, what are others running on the RS?

 

[StorminNormin]

Re: What is your opinion of the Roadsmith AccuRide leveling system?

When I get my wing triked, hopefully in the next few months, I am opting for the Progressive Air Shocks but not the AccueRide System. Since I have the 95 GL1500SE, it already has the on-board compressor to work with the Progressive Air shocks. Yeah, you are right they are $299, but since I have the air adjust already I figured that I would go ahead and keep that function available.<br />
<br />
Now I just need a starting point to adjust the rear end in the first place. Can I or should I adjust the load while setting on the bike or with it on the center stand. Remember I have not triked it as yet. Darn -it!!<img src="images/smilies/gah.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Gah" class="inlineimg" />

 

[Solidbob]

Re: What is your opinion of the Roadsmith AccuRide leveling system?

Normin, <br />
<br />
The HT1500 is totally different than the 1800 kits, air shocks are only for the 1500<br />
<br />
<b>Air Shocks</b><br /><br />An alternative suspension option offered for the HT1500 is Air Shocks. These are high quality Progressive brand air shocks that allow you in integrate directly into the bikes existing compressor system. This allows the luxury of suspension adjustment from the dash, as the original GL1500 featured.

 

[beenthere]

Re: What is your opinion of the Roadsmith AccuRide leveling system?

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>StorminNormin</strong>
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<div class="message">When I get my wing triked, hopefully in the next few months, I am opting for the Progressive Air Shocks but not the AccueRide System. Since I have the 95 GL1500SE, it already has the on-board compressor to work with the Progressive Air shocks. Yeah, you are right they are $299, but since I have the air adjust already I figured that I would go ahead and keep that function available.<br />
<br />
Now I just need a starting point to adjust the rear end in the first place. Can I or should I adjust the load while setting on the bike or with it on the center stand. Remember I have not triked it as yet. Darn -it!!<img src="images/smilies/gah.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Gah" class="inlineimg" /></div>

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</div>Mine was same bike,2 up fully loaded maybe 450#,on cs 80#.worked fine.With RS trike air shocks 10#/30# in shocks and 20#/22# in rear tires works for us.<img src="images/smilies/thumbup.gif" border="0" alt="" title="ThumbUp" class="inlineimg" />

 

[bikerbillone]

Re: What is your opinion of the Roadsmith AccuRide leveling system?

Interesting, 20/22 lbs in the rear tires. RS recommendation was 26 which I was running, but increased to 30, couldn't tell the difference. Maybe I'll try the 20/22. I keep searching for the right combination.

 

[beenthere]

Re: What is your opinion of the Roadsmith AccuRide leveling system?

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>bikerbillone</strong>
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<div class="message">Interesting, 20/22 lbs in the rear tires. RS recommendation was 26 which I was running, but increased to 30, couldn't tell the difference. Maybe I'll try the 20/22. I keep searching for the right combination.</div>

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</div>The roads are a lot rougher in Pa.<img src="images/smilies/gah.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Gah" class="inlineimg" />

 

[bigred06]

Re: What is your opinion of the Roadsmith AccuRide leveling system?

I run the rear tires at 20 and the front at 35. Seems to be the best ride and tire wear at those settings. Although I am running the stock front tire and they never get good mileage on a trike, at least any trikes I have had. bigred 06