Why not independant suspension?
- Thread starter frocco
- Start date
I recently added Legend air suspension. I know a couple others on this forum have as well. In my opinion, it is much improved over Harley's stock air suspension system. Feels way more solid overall, is instantly adjustable on the fly and really makes a difference (to me) on rough roads.
I think this is why so many people convert their own harley-because they want IRS.
First off Goldwings do not come as trikes. Depending on the kit that was installed there are kits that have independent suspension and there some that have a solid rear axle.
Harley used Lehman trikes to help get the ball rolling for HD to produce the Triglide. I have a Motortrike with a solid rear axle with air bags and adjustable on board air suspension with compressor I had installed is a great riding/handling trike.
A solid axle is stronger overall then a independent axle, plus a solid axles have fewer moving parts and require less maintenance and adjustments
Harley used Lehman trikes to help get the ball rolling for HD to produce the Triglide. I have a Motortrike with a solid rear axle with air bags and adjustable on board air suspension with compressor I had installed is a great riding/handling trike.
A solid axle is stronger overall then a independent axle, plus a solid axles have fewer moving parts and require less maintenance and adjustments
To start with Honda has never built a trike. Aftermarket builders put different kits on the Goldwing. Some have IRS others don't.
Harley was built with Lehman parts. One popular conversion with IRS is Roadsmith.
Looks like I missed the last post.8)
They are correct, but the Irs does give a better ride. but the cost is way higher. And a lot more can go wrong. Harley (Lehman) is a very simple concept. Not necessarily the most advanced,nor the most technical, but works well.
I have a 07 ultra with a Roadsmith trike. I will never go back to a solid axle. I love the way they ride and handle. I think Harley will eventually change to indepdent we just have to wait and see.
I know one thing not everything we buy is exactly perfect..But there are pros and cons on the straight axle versus the IRS. But I know that the Harley rear ride can be better with the correct shocks and other tweeks that some have done.
Yes we spent alot of cash for these bikes. As for anyone thinking about buying a new trike ..Please test ride the bike over bumps.turns etc. It will give you a idea how the Straight axle rides versus the IRS.
As some of us have done the Lengend air suspension makes the ride so much nicer than the stock shocks..
Yes we spent alot of cash for these bikes. As for anyone thinking about buying a new trike ..Please test ride the bike over bumps.turns etc. It will give you a idea how the Straight axle rides versus the IRS.
As some of us have done the Lengend air suspension makes the ride so much nicer than the stock shocks..
I know DFT trikes has a solution they make a kit for the Tri Glides..IRS kit
Not to disparage the Goldwings here but When I tried 3 brands of conversions before the Harley tri-glide it was a really windy and gusty day and even 2 up we were blown all over the place.
All I heard from the dealer was Independent rear suspension over and over but the trikes were all over the road to the point where I was pretty nervous about riding them.
I can see where they might ride better but then again I was a bit more worried about the handling. I didn't find them to ride that much smoother or anything. To each his own. I'm sure they'll all get you there.
All I heard from the dealer was Independent rear suspension over and over but the trikes were all over the road to the point where I was pretty nervous about riding them.
I can see where they might ride better but then again I was a bit more worried about the handling. I didn't find them to ride that much smoother or anything. To each his own. I'm sure they'll all get you there.
- Thread starter
- #11
Thanks for sharing this.
I did not have the option of riding one with IRS.
If I change the suspension, will that void the warranty?
Shocks probably not..unless they can prove it created the problem
IRS kit most likley yes
I loved the TriGlide look but when I was told the Harley wouldn't be offering IRS 2012 we decided to look elsewhere. Bought an Ultra Classic Limited with a Roadsmith conversion with IRS and very happy so far. Maybe Harley will offer the IRS as I think that some folks might trade in for newer models and with so many people buying Trikes it might be in their best interest. Harley is already losing plenty to the Spyder market so they better wise up and listen to the consumer. I am seeing lots of used TriGlides in the Harley Dealerships so I wonder what those former owners are buying now????
I rode the different suspensions before I bought my 2011 TG and did'nt feel that much difference the IRS did do better on small bumps but both tires hit on ridges and you feel it no matter IRS or not. I like the idea of being able to go to any HD dealer and not have to worry about if they work on trikes or not plus the warrenty. I'll stick with Sweetie
We are looking to go to a trike...you are so right about the warrenty work...
I'm on my 2nd Roadsmith & I have never had any issues with getting warranty work done. Roadsmith offers 3 years/1 million miles vs. Harley 2 years/? miles. With a Trike and all the potential mechanical problems, I like prefer a 3 year warranty. Harley has covered warranty work on the bike itself when it was needed.
What is the opinion of passengers and the straight vs. IRS?
What is the opinion of passengers and the straight vs. IRS?
Can't answer about IRS but as the difference between Harley and Goldwing, I have had 2 GL1800 Goldwings with Champion kits installed. They performed great road a little smoother than My '11 TG but they were wider and longer. I also couldn't ride all day because of the sitting position I have severe rumitoid artheritus and the Goldwing caused me a lot of pain. The TG is narrower in the seat and engine area and has a different sitting posittion. Goldwings are great but not for me. Do miss the cool ride in heavy traffic. Going to work on the heat issues on my TG this fall we are traveling now .
I also agree with Maryland triker.
I seriously doubt Harley will offer IRS - at about $5000 more - no one will buy it. I rode a DFT trike at a Harley dealers "Trike Days" last year. The DFT was great when I rode along the outside edge of the road where all the bumps are. Yes, theDFT was smoother, but on a normal road I didn't see/feel any difference whatsoever. No way would I spend $8000 (?) more for the conversion.
I just watch where I ride and try to avoid any bad road conditions. Not hard to do really. And my bank account it still full.
I seriously doubt Harley will offer IRS - at about $5000 more - no one will buy it. I rode a DFT trike at a Harley dealers "Trike Days" last year. The DFT was great when I rode along the outside edge of the road where all the bumps are. Yes, theDFT was smoother, but on a normal road I didn't see/feel any difference whatsoever. No way would I spend $8000 (?) more for the conversion.
I just watch where I ride and try to avoid any bad road conditions. Not hard to do really. And my bank account it still full.
Our local dealer sells a lot of TriGlides. They have had two DFT conversions traded in on new TrifGides in the last six months. To me that says somthing. With the set up I have now on my 2011, my wife loves the ride. With the 1-1/4 lift, air pressures adjusted in tires and shocks and differant seat, we both enjoy the ride.ThumbUp
I have only owned my 2012 TG since last Oct.with only 5500 miles on it, but I have found, for me, a great riding tip. I try to hit potholes, manhole covers, etc with the front wheel only. That produces the least amount of shock/wiggle. Hitting one with either of the rear wheels produces quite a jolt throughout the whole bike.
Has anyone else found that to be the case?
Has anyone else found that to be the case?
No I try to avoid the potholes etc..Or I hit my twin turbo boosters and fly over the potholes.... :laugh:
:laugh:
I have a read a few posts and it's easy to say this thread has taken a turn into the "Opinion Zone"
Here are some facts a friend of mine posted in a physics forum.
Derivation of the roll stiffness:
The reaction torque (Tϕ) can be found with the spring force (Fs) times the lever arm length (s/2) for both springs:
Tϕ=2×Fss2=Fss
The spring force is equal to the spring rate times the spring compression (or extension) based on the roll angle (ϕ) and lever arm length (s/2):
Fs=Ksϕs2
Which leads to:
Tϕ=0.5Kss2ϕ
Since roll stiffness is defined as the amount of torque per roll angle:
Kϕ=Tϕϕ=0.5Kss2
So for independent suspensions, the same procedure applies. All you have to do is to replace Ks with the wheel rate and s with the track width (where the wheel rates are acting).
For the straight axle with inclined springs, multiply the roll rate by the cosine of the inclination angle.
In English... And independent rear has a great sweet spot and a wider spread for that sweet spot which we will call.. a good ride!
IRS is a better ride over more surfaces than a solid axle, IRS will perform better in turns than a solid axle. Over all IRS systems are just plain better. Almost all sports cars have independent suspension as do many trucks these days and many passenger cars. Trikes are not motorcycles they are trikes. And why the Triglide frame is based on the FLH frame it is set up differently than a motorcycle It's more like 1/3 motorcycle 2/3 automobile.
I can see your point on being able to take your Harley to the dealer and not ever having to hear the we don't work on those here. But, many a trike owner I have spoken with have little or just basic repairs done on their " conversion trike" over it's life time and are very happy with the trike of their choice.
Do IRS Trikes have short comings??? YES they do! Tires will wear out faster, they will require more maintenance over the life time of the product and like a solid axle they may or may not require some set up time to get into a sweet spot for you and or you and your navigator.
So, it's ok to prefer a solid axle over an IRS but, to state it's better is an invalid Premise.... In MY OPINION! ThumbUp
Here are some facts a friend of mine posted in a physics forum.
Derivation of the roll stiffness:
The reaction torque (Tϕ) can be found with the spring force (Fs) times the lever arm length (s/2) for both springs:
Tϕ=2×Fss2=Fss
The spring force is equal to the spring rate times the spring compression (or extension) based on the roll angle (ϕ) and lever arm length (s/2):
Fs=Ksϕs2
Which leads to:
Tϕ=0.5Kss2ϕ
Since roll stiffness is defined as the amount of torque per roll angle:
Kϕ=Tϕϕ=0.5Kss2
So for independent suspensions, the same procedure applies. All you have to do is to replace Ks with the wheel rate and s with the track width (where the wheel rates are acting).
For the straight axle with inclined springs, multiply the roll rate by the cosine of the inclination angle.
In English... And independent rear has a great sweet spot and a wider spread for that sweet spot which we will call.. a good ride!
IRS is a better ride over more surfaces than a solid axle, IRS will perform better in turns than a solid axle. Over all IRS systems are just plain better. Almost all sports cars have independent suspension as do many trucks these days and many passenger cars. Trikes are not motorcycles they are trikes. And why the Triglide frame is based on the FLH frame it is set up differently than a motorcycle It's more like 1/3 motorcycle 2/3 automobile.
I can see your point on being able to take your Harley to the dealer and not ever having to hear the we don't work on those here. But, many a trike owner I have spoken with have little or just basic repairs done on their " conversion trike" over it's life time and are very happy with the trike of their choice.
Do IRS Trikes have short comings??? YES they do! Tires will wear out faster, they will require more maintenance over the life time of the product and like a solid axle they may or may not require some set up time to get into a sweet spot for you and or you and your navigator.
So, it's ok to prefer a solid axle over an IRS but, to state it's better is an invalid Premise.... In MY OPINION! ThumbUp
And we all know what opinions are like, don't we?
Candy and Grand ma's cook'n ?
Did someone say it was better? Or did they just say they liked theirs better?
I would probably agree the IRS is better, but I'll be damned if I'm going to spend $5k to $13k to acquire it. I have no problems with my TG suspension.
And on 90% of the roads I travel on that much money would be a sin to waste on an IRS. Just MY opinion.
I would probably agree the IRS is better, but I'll be damned if I'm going to spend $5k to $13k to acquire it. I have no problems with my TG suspension.
And on 90% of the roads I travel on that much money would be a sin to waste on an IRS. Just MY opinion.
Just today I talked with the Warranty Dept. from Legend Air Suspension, I'm 100% positive that that's the way to go! From watching videos on youtube and looking over the info, they make the stock H-D shocks look like garbage!! They stand behind their warranty 100% as well. I was told from the person from Legend Air that if I bought their shocks and I wasn't absoulutly sastified with them, they would "customize" them at no charge to make me happy! He told me that he has done that to a customer that bought them and said that they felt that the ride should be softer. The rep from Legend said that they did what they had to do to make that person happy. There are definately cheaper places that sell the air shocks for $200 to $300 cheaper, so it pays to surf the web and do a lil shopping on this one!!
I installed Legends about three weeks ago on an '99 TG. On the really lousy roads up my ay, I think they make a real difference!
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