Which is best the Champion Independent Suspension or Solid Suspension.

[glawrence7]

Which is best the Champion Independent Suspension or Solid Suspension.

I've just joined and I'm in the process of purchasing an 1800 Honda Gold wing trike within a year. I would like to know which is the best. It does not matter the cost, I just want a very good ride for my wife and I. Thanks in advance.

 

[trikeleader]

Re: Which is best the Champion Independent Suspension or Solid Suspension.

glawrence7,
First I want to welcome you to Trike Talk. You do not have to own a trike to become a member of Trike Owners International "TOI" It is FREE and easy to do on this site.
The best trike is the one you like, they are all good. I would suggest you go to a few dealers and test ride each. Make sure the wife is with you on the ride so she can give her input on what she thinks. The solid suspension usually gives you a little more lower trunk space, but it is the ride that counts. Also remember that the suspension can be adjusted hard or soft by adjusting a control on the dash area of the trike. The lower the number the softer the ride. It is all a matter of choice.
Tom

 

[Lucky]

Re: Which is best the Champion Independent Suspension or Solid Suspension.

welcome glawrence.You have found the best trike forum around.Good folks and info.You have started off with a tough question.The answer is all about personal pref.I have a Motor Trike that I really like,but I would look for a dealer/installer that is close to you.You have an advantage over me in that money is no object.

 

[Nana]

Re: Which is best the Champion Independent Suspension or Solid Suspension.

glawrence, Welcome to TrikeTalk!

If I am not mistaken, you are specifically asking about the two suspensions that Champion offers. First of all, the solid suspension has fewer moving parts, so always will have fewer potential issues. That said, when a product is well built, history has shown that the IRS can be just as reliable and trouble-free as the solid suspension.

I have their solid suspension on mine and love it! Never a moment of problem with the trike kit, handles corners with ease, solid on the road. I keep my rear tires inflated to about 18 psi which is crucial for riding comfort. With that, I never have a problem with a rough ride. Note that I ride solo 99% of the time, so others have a different tire pressure that is best for them. I suspect that a passenger might feel the bumps a bit more as they are sitting right over that rear axle, however with the right tire pressure and shock adjustment that should not be an issue.

I understand that the IRS can make the passenger's ride more smooth, so you may want to consider it if you carry a passenger most of the time. I have never ridden one, so I can't speak for any difference myself.

As with almost all new vehicles/kits, Champion IRS had a few bugs to be worked out over their first year, and you may hear from some owners who got one of those kits. But Champion is very committed to quality and customer satisfaction! I am confident that they have those issues corrected, and I would not hesitate to go with either their solid or IRS suspension, if I were you.

 

[Robo]

Re: Which is best the Champion Independent Suspension or Solid Suspension.

My wife and I have a 06 Goldwing converted in April with a Champion IRS and variable sway control. We took a 1200 mile trip in June with all kinds of road condition (curves, mountain and hills) and couldn't ask for a better ride. We were fully loaded and pulling a trailer and have no complaints at all. I would recommend the IRS to anyone.

 

[1800 06 Champion Trike]

Re: Which is best the Champion Independent Suspension or Solid Suspension.

I have the Champion solid axle kit.
We have over 20,000 miles of great riding.
Not one bit of trouble with it and it rides great.
You should try them both and make your choice.:yes:

 

[trikes4ever]

Re: Which is best the Champion Independent Suspension or Solid Suspension.

I have no direct experience with IRS, but have seen the Mystery Design up close and talked to a guy who uses them in his conversions. They are not cheap, but appear to be very solid and well built, and if you want to go all out they have a tilting version. You did say that money was no issue:Shrug:.

 

[wingking51]

Re: Which is best the Champion Independent Suspension or Solid Suspension.

I triked my 06 GL1800 in March. It has the CRT suspension. I had a problem with too much camber on rear wheels that caused premature tire wear. Champion has corrected the problem at no expense to me through the dealer that built my trike. I thought it rode and handled great before the change to the suspension. It rides and handles even better now!

When I was shopping for my trike, I asked the dealer about the difference between the solid axle and CRT suspension,and what would justify the extra money for the independent. He told me that I wouldn't notice the difference in ride as much as my wife would. It would be smoother over bumps, RR tracks, etc. My wife absolutely loves the ride she gets on the trike and she feels much safer on 3 than 2 wheels. This was our first riding season on a trike and we rode over 8000 fantastic miles:yes:

 

[tfdeputydawg]

Re: Which is best the Champion Independent Suspension or Solid Suspension.

Specific to the exact question you asked. That answer is up to you to determine. No one can tell you which one is best for you.
General consensus seems to be:
Solid Axle=Better cornering, IRS= Smoother ride no matter the brand.
Now, not asked but IMHO there are many I would choose ahead of Champion!
Such as Hannigan, CSC and Motor Trike for IRS. I did not find solid axle versions to my liking, nor did my wife. Nor did we care for the Champion IRS(very early model and may have suffered from the Camber problem widely suffered by many of the early kits.
What made the biggest difference was the IRS brand I choose lengthened the wheel base, which provided a smoother ride for me and a much smoother ride for my wife. It is also the widest on the market( not sure what benefit that provides).

 

[katfish16]

Re: Which is best the Champion Independent Suspension or Solid Suspension.

I've just joined and I'm in the process of purchasing an 1800 Honda Gold wing trike within a year. I would like to know which is the best. It does not matter the cost, I just want a very good ride for my wife and I. Thanks in advance.

Welcome to the board, U have gotten some very good advise. Some of the things U might want to do as suggested,, ride as many different models as U can.. We all love the conversion we have, so U have to find the one that suits U and ur co-rider.. Also make sure if u are having the trike built to add the things that might come in handy ie" extra gas tank??? That might be good if U ride in a area where the gas stations are few and far between.. Then do U want ground effects??? There are threads already on all of these..
If U cannot find the threads ask,, we will be glad to help...
Best of luck, and make sure Ur co-rider is involved in every decision,,,,:Bow Down:

 

[skuuter]

Re: Which is best the Champion Independent Suspension or Solid Suspension.

WELCOME to TRIKE TALK.....just a tiny 2 cents from me. I have ridden both Solid Rear Axle and IRS Trikes (I own a Motor Trike IRS Gold Wing), and I prefer the handling of the IRS, even in tight twisties. The IRS requires some "personalization" of the air pressures, but I can "flick" mine really well now...:wtg:....just a matter of personal preferance...ThumbUp

 

[Comanche]

Re: Which is best the Champion Independent Suspension or Solid Suspension.

I ride one-up with the solid axle. I have 26,000 miles on the tirke and I put over 13,000 on them. It took me a while to get used to the trike (I was blaming Champion and should have been yelling at Honda), but got new a new front tire and the suspension balanced and I ride everywhere in as much comfort as a 72 year old guy can. I just ignore some of the ills. <br />
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If you want easier steering, you will probably want a rake kit. I have a 5.5 degree kit on mine with MBL risers. I put Kuryakyn risers on them, but did not like those so I switched them out. You will definitely want a comfortable seat and a good back rest. Those are a must. I know I am getting off topic as you want the difference between solid axle and IRS. I just do not know anything about IRS. <br />
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On the front wheel I put Centramatic wheel balancers and what a difference in smooth riding.

I highly recommend those. Also have other goodies, Fog lights, riding lights (state laws do not allow both to be on at the same tiem) but I use the riding lights in conjunction with high beams for going down dark roads especially where critters like to stand so I can see them. They can see me also.<br />
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I have a CB as I ride often in groups. Before you put highway pegs on try several styles so you get the ones that fit you. I put three or four different sets on mine (at my expense) , but now have the Kuryakyn off set dualys that fit me. <br />
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One $10.00 investment is a Crampbuster. It fits on your right handlebar to rest your palm on it while riding and maintaining a steady speed. Of course, you will have cruise control, but that is not always practical to maintain especially in stop and go traffic or on twistys etc. The Crampbuster adds to your comfort. <a href="http://www.crampbuster.com" target="_blank">CrampBuster - The Original Motorcycle Cruise Control</a> Just a personal note.

I am not a fan of the Goldwing with the Nav installed. I put my own Garmin on mine with lots of music on the 4 gig card and I entertain myself all day long. Speaking of All Day Long, many people think that the Russell DAY Long seat is the best on the market. I do not have one of those, but those who do love them.<br />
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Soirry for the book. Welcome to the forum.

 

[Gorilla]

Re: Which is best the Champion Independent Suspension or Solid Suspension.

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>glawrence7</strong>
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<div class="message">I've just joined and I'm in the process of purchasing an 1800 Honda Gold wing trike within a year. I would like to know which is the best. It does not matter the cost, I just want a very good ride for my wife and I. Thanks in advance.</div>

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</div>Welcome aboard. Irs for the better ride. Straight axle for better performance. But the differences are not that much.