Why you picked "your" trike

[cooltech]

I'm curious. What was the deciding factor(s) that helped you make your decison for your trike purchase. Wheather you purchased new or used, Harley, Honda, Yamaha, etc., features you wanted. I suppose those 3 are big factors for us all.
For me, I was not wanting to spend the $30,000+ for a new trike, (although I'm semi_retired and have the cash, I couldn't justify it). So; I went used but it had to have under 50,000 miles-I wanted radio front and rear speakers-cruise control-cargo trailer-rear seat armrests as well as the handgrips-
wind deflectors-trunk and cargo unit behind the back seat.
I thought I'd wind up with a Harley but chose a Honda Goldwing, and i do like the quieter sound, (although seveal people have said to put dif. pipes as the noise will help traffic know your there).
My trike as used, did come with other accesorries as well as the past owner had 5 helmets, 2 with intercom, several pairs of gloves and jackets.
So, there you have it. A happy Goldwing rider.
cooltech

 

[The Wolf]

I have now owned and ridden Goldwings. I started with the 1500 Lehman conversion which was good but did not take the bends very well in Switzerland. I then moved onto 1800 Motortrike this rode very well except when crosswinds would catch the trike and push you over the road a wee bit. The best for me is my 1800 CSC which corners beautifully and I have taken her over the mountains in Spain and Norway without batting an eyelid. I have now replaced the driveshaft as well with the Mountain Trike version...One word SUPERB.............pepperThumbUp

 

[07BlueCSC]

Since all Goldwings are nearly equal in dependability, I chose a CSC because of the body style and ABS compatible. Even though I did have driveshaft problems, I am still happy with my choice.

 

[jmk865]

Got my '94 Kaw. Vulcan 1500 with tow-pac in a trade this past July. Could no longer handle the weight of the Lowrider and had been looking for a trike for two years. We worked out a trade; and after installing a new battery, set of tires, and oil change and tune up; I have ridden the trike 850 miles and am happy I made the trade and can still ride. My old bike had 41000 miles on it; the trike had only 19000.

 

[rwhgme]

Wife picked ours. I wanted a Harley Ultra Classic bike. She said I don't like the way bikes lean..they scare her, so I would be riding solo. She spied a Triglide, sat on it, said "this'll work"...I saw her say it out of the corner of my eye...SOLD! Happy Wife, Happy Life!

 

[trikeleader]

COMFORT is the reason for picking the Renegade. It is easy to enter and exit and rides great! ThumbUp

:10:

 

[SEABILL]

Like you "Cooltech", I couldn't justify the 30k+ for a toy. I wanted the IRS because my wife likes to ride with me. Stumbled on a slightly used and somewhat bruised 05 Goldwing with a CSC kit on it. Both rear fenders needed fiberglass work. Figured I could make it a winter project and have something setup the way I wanted it when I was done.

 

[Frozenshrimp]

Price had a lot to do with my purchase, also I can work on it without taking it into a dealer.

 

[Ret1SG]

Decided on a trike after some shoulder surgery. Found my "03 GL1800 motortrike with only 10,800 miles was triked new by the dealer I bought it from and have no regrets.

 

[rhino 2]

I wanted a Factory built Trike, And at the time i was ready for one 'the only factory trike was the spyder[canam] After suffering with that POS, Harley started to make theTri Glide, And after over 20 thousand miles on the Glide i am happier than a pig in S**t, And if i'm still around by then i'll buy a new 2015 Tri-Glide....ThumbUp

 

[rmrc51]

I definitely couldn't afford a new trike. I was all set to go for a Harley conversion mainly due to the 'foot forward' position as I never liked the cramped position of the Valkyrie or Goldwing. But I did like the fact of the Goldwing's cooler running engine, it's reliability, comfort and power. Once Roadsmith came out with their new Comfort Controls for the Goldwing that moved your feet 3 inches forward and 1 inch down, I kinda made a leap-of-faith and found a 2005 wing with a brand new Roadsmith conversion. I had the Comfort Controls installed even before I picked the trike up in Alabama. It was the first time that KD Cycle even saw this new accessory. Do they make a difference? Yes, although your feet are still no way near the same position as a Harley or other cruiser, but it's still a great improvement and one that I can deal with. As for the conversion, I always new that I'd either go with a Roadsmith or Hannigan for the longer wheelbase and IRS. My "Wing-Smith" is a truly comfortable trike and one that will be with me for hopefully many years to come. No regrets!

 

[Bill Reber]

When my wife wanted to ride again I was on a DL 1000 and I loved that bike , but it was not for Patricia who called it a "crotch Rocket" ya right ! so we went to a shop that had a 2010 Ultra HD and also sold wings , I was already for the HD but Pat wanted to sit on both, yep she said BUY THE WING ! Two weeks or so after the purchase I came down with cancer and lost much of my strength and balance so that's why the wing is now a wing/champion trike. Why Champion ..she liked the looks better .:Shrug:

 

[cooltech]

When my wife wanted to ride again I was on a DL 1000 and I loved that bike , but it was not for Patricia who called it a "crotch Rocket" ya right ! so we went to a shop that had a 2010 Ultra HD and also sold wings , I was already for the HD but Pat wanted to sit on both, yep she said BUY THE WING ! Two weeks or so after the purchase I came down with cancer and lost much of my strength and balance so that's why the wing is now a wing/champion trike. Why Champion ..she liked the looks better .:Shrug:

Bill, hope your rides are a blast and that your cancer is kept abate. All the best to you.
cooltech Vince

 

[tomg]

I love my Stallion !! It cost less than a Harley or Goldwing and came with a lot nice things to have. I think it rides better and handles better too. I have over 40k miles and ride it daily.

Tomg

 

[msocko3]

When I 1st started to choose a trike I liked and chose the Harley because it was a factory trike with a warranty, plus I've always owned Harley's. I had the Triglide for 22,000 miles before I decided going on a trip and wondering what would break next was to much for me. So I ditched the Harley in favor of a new 2012 GL1800.

Funny thing about this whole turn of events is I ended up going where I first thought of going before I bought the Harley Triglide. When I was first looking at getting a trike I mentioned to my dad my idea of the ultimate traveling machine would be a Goldwing pulling a trailer, I even had my eye on a leftover wing. The Harley owner in me couldn't bring myself to make the switch.

Well here I am today setting in the place I almost went in spring of 2009. I chose the Hannigan conversion for my 2012 Wing based on reputation and the looks of their Gen 2 body styles. I've been riding it every chance I get, even hooked the trailer to it to run some errands vs taking the truck. Now I can't wait for next year to get here so I can take some trips.

 

[87Trike1200]

This may sound (or really be) nuts, but here's what I did.

Everybody else knows what "brand" of trike they want and then locates what they believe to be a good installer - regardless of location. You hear of folks going hours away or hundreds of miles in search of a good dealer for the "brand" they want.

I did the opposite. I found the closest installer I could find (18 miles, 25-30 minutes), went to visit and "interview" him and see some of his work. He seemed knowledgeable, runs a clean & neat shop, and he turned out to be a Motor Trike dealer. I figured, "tough to go wrong" with MT. Now, 7000+ miles later, everything is good and I'm a happy camper. ThumbUp

If I ever have an issue, he's 18 miles away. Sounds good to me...

 

[Geezzer Glide]

Well after 40 years of riding owning 20 different motorcycles the wife and I decided that sooner or later my 900 lb Ultra was going to start getting heavy sooner or later so we started talking about getting a trike now so that it would be paid for before I retire and I am on a reduced fixed income. We decided that when the time came to get a trike it would be a Harley. Sorry I'm not a Wing fan. Well I checked on converting my 08 Ultra to a Trike and after figuring the value of my 08 and the cost of converting it we decided that buying a new Tri Glide when we were ready to was the better way to go.
We went a while and didn't talk much about it. One Saturday morning we were having our coffee and the wife said let go to the Harley dealer and check out the Tri Glide. So we did. Well all the dealer had was 1 all black Tri Glide. Again I just don't like an all black bike so it was out. Dealer checked and said he had 3 scheduled to be coming in. 1 all black Ultra, No. 1 Street Glide Model Tri Glide, No, I wanted the Ultra, and 1 Cool Blue and Black Ultra. We seen the pic of it in that color and liked it. He showed us a 2 wheeled bike on the show room floor that was the Cool Blue Color so we could actually see what the blue looked like in person. Pic's don't always make the color look the same. We really liked it. The wife said lets do it. With a little dickering I made a fair deal on the Tri Glide with a couple goodies thrown in. Seeing as the Tri Glid wasn't even built yet it did take about 2 1/2 weeks for the dealer to get it in. Picked it up May 16th 2011 and now have 22,000 miles on it and love it. Ya 30K is a lot but I have worked my butt off my whole life and the wife agreed that I should get the new Tri Glide I really wanted instead of settling for someone elses left overs because of the price. I just tell my kids I'm spending your inheritance, deal with it. What ever may be left when I am gone they are more than welcome to but until then I'm going to enjoy life as much as I can and not worry how much will be left for others when I'm gone.
Dan

 

[FRR]

When I decided to convert my Wing I looked at all the different options. I knew I sure did not want a solid axle and I liked the CSC design, width, and LARGE trunk. I'm happy with my choice. I'm impressed with their service also.

 

[cooltech]

Loving the stories being shared on this topic. So cool to make our decisons for our own reason's. Isn't freedom great!
cooltech

 

[sparky1597]

Was going to put a Tow PAC on my 11 Ultra limited, after breaking my leg, and not riding more than 2K the summer before due to back issues(not wanting to get stranded when back ache becomes full blown can't walk pain). Read a lot about it, but then decided on 13 Tri Glide due to it being a manufacturer warranty, bumper to bumper. Have 3800 miles since April 2013 purchase (leg surgeries to remove broken screws in leg) sidelined me a couple times.

 

[Stan66]

Having owned, ridden and loved over 50 bikes over a 50 year period, I was gifted with a 2005 HD Nightrain in 2005. The absolute perfect bike for me. Rode and pampered it for 5 years. Then I dropped it in the parking lot at work one morning. Dropped it again making a slow turn-around on a side street. Dropped it again at work one afternoon. Had another heart attack. Took the Train out for a 1,000 mile trip to NC; nervous the whole trip. Decided on that trip that maybe it was time to go 3. Having owned several HD Servicars back "in the day", I loved the simplicity of the old flatties.

Not a Dresser fan, so when I saw the announcement of the 2010 Streetglide, with its basic down and dirty no frills look, said to my self....That's the one. Searched the internet, got on the phone and found one on-the-floor about 80 miles from me in my favorite color - basic black. Called'em and said get it ready. Told my Wife, lets's take a ride. Drove up to the dealer, stroked him a check and "Bob's your uncle". Dealer said break it in easy, under 50, for the first 500 miles; wife said "You don't know my husband, do you?" Hit the interstate and bam...love at first ride. Still got the Train and my old Shovels, but the XXX always is my first choice, whether around town or eating up miles. Confidence level, and all that. At 68, with a bad heart and advancing MS, the only logical way to go for an old scooter tramp who can't give up the road rush.

Best money I ever spent, other than the $7.00 for the last marriage license. Now Momma has her own trike and we love slipping down the road together.

 

[bikerbillone]

Stan, now there's a great post and human interest story. Sure wish you the very best with the health issues, you and the Mrs. are doing the right thing now. That's my goal, enjoy it while I can.

 

[Ol' Man Jeb]

We had to take this elderly couple in consideration (wait, that was us), plus the PO was close to home and had a decent starting price on the trike as we didn't want to spend ALL the kids inheritance. So far we're happy with our '96 wing/MT.:Trike1:

 

[Moe55]

My wife has MS she has ridden with me for 30 years (MS for 23). At the start of the summer she said she was feeling uncomfortable on the turns. This is a women that rode the Dragon with me and at the end she said that was fun can we do it again. In order to keep her in the wind as much as possible we went to a trike. So far have a little over a 1,000 miles on it and she is smiling every time we come back from a ride. All is good.

 

[spydercatjohn]

Wife wanted the stability of a trike, and I wanted a new trike with a warranty and under $26,000. She fell in love with the look and comfort of a 2013 blue Can Am Spyder RT so I bought it mainly for her. We are very happy with our purchase and joined a local motorcycle club.

 

[bikerbillone]

Wife wanted the stability of a trike, and I wanted a new trike with a warranty and under $26,000. She fell in love with the look and comfort of a 2013 blue Can Am Spyder RT so I bought it mainly for her. We are very happy with our purchase and joined a local motorcycle club.

I hope this is a good choice for you and keeps you guys on the road. I sure like the looks of the 2014 with the improvements. Not that I would dump my Road Smith, just saying my opinion of the 2014 CanAm at this stage of their development.

 

[werewolf]

In high school and college I rode about 8 to 9 months a year

In south central Kansas, that can be some COOLER weather

in late fall and early spring.

It was 3 miles to school and 4 miles to work.

The first was a Yamaha 200 and the last was V65 Magna.

Along about 1983, Im headed to Wichita and making good time

when I went down hard on a curve. The v65 had major road rash

and bent handlebars, brake and foot pegs. I walked away with a ruined

jacket, jeans, boots and gloves. The helmet had damage too.

I took that as a HINT and sold the bike

Other than a quick ride around the block on whichever new bike a friend

might have bought, I did not really ride for 25 years.

Back in high school in the late 70s I had got a catalog from either Stires or Wilmac. Which ever became Arizona custom trikes.

But the cheapest factory built trike was 6K and I had only paid 4K for my NEW Datsun 210 car LOL I couldnt see paying that much for a trike.

Fast forward to 2007ish. The wife and I are in McPherson visiting my mom and as we leave town, here is this old trike sitting in front of a business for sale. I look at it, the owner lets me take it for a test drive. I had inherited some money BUT I really didnt need it.

So as we are approaching Hutchinson, my wife asks "are you still thinking about that trike?" I told her yeah.

She shrugs, we got the money, you want it , go back and get it.

So 26 miles back, a little haggling and I am riding MY 1977 WilMac home.

Its got issues, we are working on them a bit at a time.

She (the NON rider) now enjoys riding enough, that we made the run to Sturgis this year.

First long trip.

Am I happy with it, Yes, but the VW rear end has limitations.

I am seriously considering buying a used Yamaha Roadstar

and putting a Champion kit on it

OR I see some good buys on triked Honda Valkyries.

A friend has one and swears he will never let it go.

 

[Lakeman]

I looked at one Honda, then wanted Harley only. Got 05 Ultra Classic/Lehman, smokey gold & black with the Champion reverse. Turns out exactly what I wanted, love it. Would not change anything!

 

[Blondie Gal]

Walked into South Austin dealer, saw this big black monster sitting on the showroom floor, looked at John, said "This one," and that was that.

 

[GoNoGo]

The push-button electric raising/lowering windshield..

..and the $11,000 savings over a comparably equipped new T/G