After riding on 2 wheels for the last 20 years, I'm ready to buy a trike. I've owned Harleys in the past but I'm concerned about buying a Tri Glide account I feel like it wil not have enough power. We really like the Goldwing conversions but unsure of which company to go with. If I buy a Honda Goldwing, I'm sure I will catch hell from my Harley friends. I would like to hear from both Harley and Honda owners on their view and reason which brand they went with. Also Honda owners, which conversion and why.
Which Brand?
- Thread starter TrikeDawg
- Start date
Currently riding a Honda GL1800 with a Roadsmith conversion. Last trike was a BMW with Hannigan kit. Both are about the same, but after a lot of miles I believe I like the Hannigan better. Bigger trunk space for one thing and slightly better ride (I can't say exactly why though).
I've owned a number of different bikes in the past. I like to do as much of my own maintenance as possible. The Honda has been the easiest for me so far. The BMW was a royal pain to get at the innards.
Brief experience with a Harley was pretty straightforward but seemed like I was fixing one thing or another every week end and had to keep a constant supply of Kitty Litter on hand to soak up the oil on the garage floor.
I've only bought one bike new, a Suzuki 305, so have never been able to get warranty service at a dealer. Couldn't justify spending the money for a bike off the show room floor.
Don't worry about taking grief from the Harley riders. Unless they're pure bada** idiots they won't care what tag your ride has on it. I've ridden with a lot of HD bikers and they are just another set of brothers on the road.
(Oh, yeah. Remember that trikes ride in the back of a Harley tour so bring your earplugs or you'll be near deaf after an hour on the road.)
I've owned a number of different bikes in the past. I like to do as much of my own maintenance as possible. The Honda has been the easiest for me so far. The BMW was a royal pain to get at the innards.
Brief experience with a Harley was pretty straightforward but seemed like I was fixing one thing or another every week end and had to keep a constant supply of Kitty Litter on hand to soak up the oil on the garage floor.
I've only bought one bike new, a Suzuki 305, so have never been able to get warranty service at a dealer. Couldn't justify spending the money for a bike off the show room floor.
Don't worry about taking grief from the Harley riders. Unless they're pure bada** idiots they won't care what tag your ride has on it. I've ridden with a lot of HD bikers and they are just another set of brothers on the road.
(Oh, yeah. Remember that trikes ride in the back of a Harley tour so bring your earplugs or you'll be near deaf after an hour on the road.)
Welcome glad you joined us. Ride all you possibly can and make your own decision. The installer will be a big factor. Good luck in your search. RIDE SAFE.
Welcome to Trike Talk! :wave4:
I think one of the things you should think about is the type of rear suspension you want: IRS or straight axle. Each has pros and cons, and each has its supporters among trike riders. I actually chose the conversion on the basis of the installer I chose. They are a CSC dealer, which is IRS, but also are a HD dealer and sell Tri Glides, which is a straight axle. I liked the conversion, because of its ride and styling. Three years down the road, I'm happy with my decision with both the conversion kit and the installer. Best of luck with your decision, and make sure you ask questions!
I think one of the things you should think about is the type of rear suspension you want: IRS or straight axle. Each has pros and cons, and each has its supporters among trike riders. I actually chose the conversion on the basis of the installer I chose. They are a CSC dealer, which is IRS, but also are a HD dealer and sell Tri Glides, which is a straight axle. I liked the conversion, because of its ride and styling. Three years down the road, I'm happy with my decision with both the conversion kit and the installer. Best of luck with your decision, and make sure you ask questions!
Welcome to Trike Talk, glad you joined us.
- Moderator
- #7
welcome aboard. so many variables to your question. first if you are looking for a new machine then a HD tri or freewheeler is worth looking at. The warrantee is there and it is a good dependable machine. Harleys have not piddled on the floor for quite awhile now.
If new is not your major requirement then there are many other choices. You have to decide if you are going to do the install or have someone else do it. You can also buy a all ready converted used trike. The most important issue on a conversion is how good was the installer. A great conversion can be trashed by a bad installer. Therefor if you buy used make sure to go over it good.
the rear suspension is either IRS or straight axle. Different strokes for different folks on that issue. A well setup straight axle does ride nice. After deciding the installer and the rear suspension it comes down to what you like. Before all that you have to decide what the donor bike is. Like I said at the start so many variables.
I went with the TRI for the warrantee and I like Harleys. I have extensively modified it to my preferences. I love the out come.
If new is not your major requirement then there are many other choices. You have to decide if you are going to do the install or have someone else do it. You can also buy a all ready converted used trike. The most important issue on a conversion is how good was the installer. A great conversion can be trashed by a bad installer. Therefor if you buy used make sure to go over it good.
the rear suspension is either IRS or straight axle. Different strokes for different folks on that issue. A well setup straight axle does ride nice. After deciding the installer and the rear suspension it comes down to what you like. Before all that you have to decide what the donor bike is. Like I said at the start so many variables.
I went with the TRI for the warrantee and I like Harleys. I have extensively modified it to my preferences. I love the out come.
skuuter
One of the Origionals
What Gorilla has said....I like em' ALL....Hondas, Harleys, Triumphs, etc. I do prefer IRS, but could easily live with a straight axle...and...WELCOME to TRIKE TALK.....ThumbUp
I have a Triglide and love the bike until I either hit a bump or pothole. Like Mr. Kay said; Pick the Ones that fit your riding preference. If I had to do it over again, I would go with the Independent Suspension rear end. I put a Bigger Cam and Larger Air flow and Duallies and love the Engine Torg. a lot better. The older I get tho, I wouldn't even mind getting a Honda 1800. I'm 64.:Coffee:I am a Harley Man, and been one for alooooooooooong time. But I am getting to that age where I just don't care what my Harley ridin buddies think anymore.
Welcome from Mooresville, NC. You'll find great people and lots of info here. Enjoy the ride! ThumbUp
Go to a Dealership and test ride the new Tri-Glide and/or Freewheeler. Go to a conversion company(s) and test ride some of what they have to offer. Like you I am a HD fan. But I like all of the conventional trikes. I've found many a GW conversion that was appealing to the eye as well as others.
I went with a Harley Ultra Classic and a Hannigan Transformer conversion. I had the Harley and love it then had it converted. I chose the Hannigan Transformer kit for the independent trailing arm suspension, large trunk, and Great looks. After researching several kits I chose the Hannigan for the suspension, a trailing arm rolls over bumps a little softer than the others and Hannigans is about as simple and light as you will find. The company is great to deal with and wants to make sure you are happy. I might go with a Goldwing if I bought another trike but it will be a Hannigan conversion. My reason for the Harley is they are easier to work on than a Goldwing. I have had some Goldwings and find the Harley easier to work on.
Buy What You Likw
It doesn't matter what your H-D friends think it's what you're comfortable riding on. I bought a new Tri-Glide after riding 2-wheel H-D's for more than a dozen years. As the quote says above, with the hi-output 103 and two of us riding I have plenty of power. Everyone I rode with in the past accepts a Trike just fine. "Get what you like to ride and enjoy it'. If some 2-wheelers have a problem remember "it is their problem!" I love my Trike! AJ
It doesn't matter what your H-D friends think it's what you're comfortable riding on. I bought a new Tri-Glide after riding 2-wheel H-D's for more than a dozen years. As the quote says above, with the hi-output 103 and two of us riding I have plenty of power. Everyone I rode with in the past accepts a Trike just fine. "Get what you like to ride and enjoy it'. If some 2-wheelers have a problem remember "it is their problem!" I love my Trike! AJ
- Thread starter
- #14
I'm leaning towards the Harley Tri Glide account of support after the sale having 8 Harley dealers within 60 miles of me. I haven't totally ruled out a Goldwing yet. Of the two, which ones run cooler?
That would be the Wing!
Yep, ride them all and enjoy the Free ride
A wise investor counseled me to purchase the ride I could spend the most time on comfortably. To achieve this goal a multitude of test riding is the order of the day.
As stated well above, ride as many as you can. All I can add to this is don't limit yourself to one or two brands. There are some good conversions for Suzuki, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Indian, Victory and others. All have their good and bad points. Have fun with the search.
Hello Trike Dawg and welcome to the website from the U.P. of Michigan. I ride a 90 Gold Wing /Lehman trike. It currently has 103k miles on it and purrs like a kitten every day. I haven't had anything out of the ordinary happen with this trike that many other people have had too, such as the lamination on the center console. The majority of other things have been wear and tear items. Ride safe.
We have an 08 Goldwing, bought new, then added a Roadsmith kit in 2012. A wrench has never touched it, except for oil changes. Love it. Welcome from S.E. Missouri.
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