RoadSmith ~ AccuRide or Adjustable PreLoad

[bikerbillone]

Comments on units? Trying to make a choice. Also welcome comments on the 3 degree rake vs the 5 1/2 degree......Progressive springs worth the extra bucks? I'm also positive on the aux fuel tank even though it adds weight. Thanks for the comments.

[rmrc51]

Okay,, here's my take/opinion and thoughts.<br />
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I can't comment on the 3 degree rake. I have a 6 degree and I love it. Makes steering very easy and I don't find it too touchy at high speeds. (Although my high speeds are usually 65 max)<br />
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I was told my my installer that the accu-ride and/or preloader really wasn't necessary. I've already taken my better half on a few rides and for the life of me, I can't see any difference in the trike body dropping to the point an adjustment is required. (In all honesty, I don't see it drop at all). So, I guess he was right. How-ever I'm sure other RS owners who have these options can share actual hands on experience and observations.<br />
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My service manager talked me out of the progressive springs as I'm not the kind of rider who drives aggressively (twisties and such). He also mentioned that it would give more of a stiff ride up front and my main consideration has always been as smooth a ride as possible. So, I didn't have them installed either.

(More money saved for additional accessories, lol)<br />
<br />
Now as far as the fuel tank. I really wanted that option. But once again, not only my installer but my service manager as well (who I trust 100%) talked me out of the aux tank. The main reason was by the time I need to fuel up with the stock tank, I'd be looking for a break from riding. Another reason was that it's just that much more fuel I have to treat and/or replace if I'm not riding as much as I'd like to. How-ever, if I was planning on some trips out West (which I'll never do) then the aux tank can be a real benefit as in some areas out there, gas stations are far and few in-between. So once again, more money saved adn a great excuse to buy more accessories! <img src="images/smilies/laugh.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Laugh" class="inlineimg" /> (But,,, I still kinda feel I would've liked to have that option).<br />
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So,, that's my 2 cents on why I have my Roadsmith setup as I do. And,, I just love this trike more as each day passes. <img src="images/smilies/smiley-score010.gif" border="0" alt="" title="10" class="inlineimg" />

[mhgoldwing]

I have the Accuride and love it. I do see a difference between solo and two-up (we're both above average weight) and the Accuride system always pumps up meaning the bike has lowered beyond &quot;normal&quot; range. When we travel and are loaded to the max, including a Packit Rak, again the system compensates and re-levels suspension. Bottom line, I would buy it again because I like the idea of the suspension always being in the optimum position regardless of how I load the trike, and I don't have to manually guess where it needs to be.<br />
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I have 6 degree rake and think anything less than 5.5 degree (recommended by Roadsmith) would not be sufficient on the long wheel base Roadsmith for best handling. <br />
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I also have the auxilliary fuel and would also purchase it again. Great peace of mind and gives me the choice of where I fill up because of the extended range. Also is a safe guard in &quot;wide open spaces&quot; of not running out of fuel.

[oldbear]

I've got the 5.5 rake, adjustable pre-load and the auxiliary tank. After talking with the folks at Roadsmith I pretty much determined that the Accuride, while nice, was not needed for the way I ride. The rake really is &quot;power steering&quot; and I like it a lot. As for the auxiliary tank, DO IT. It gives you some real legs to the bike and let's you decide when and where to stop for fuel rather than being limited by the range of the stock tank. I typically run the stocker dry and then switch over. The reserve is then pumped into the main and when I stop to refuel, the reserves gets all &quot;fresh&quot; gas (and I &quot;top off&quot; the main tank). It's worked very well for us and we are extremely pleased. Also, I ordered the lighted mudflaps and the little LED lights for the top of the fenders. They look great and really give you a LOT of light on the backend, making you very visible to the cages.

Good luck and ride safe.

[bikerbillone]

Bear, you've done my wish list pretty much exactly. Getting the aux tank, the lights, not sure about the trunk light, doesn't look like I'm gonna need it. Not getting the Wing Guards at this time. If I need them, get 'em later. At my 5'9&quot;, getting the Kury risers.

[oldbear]

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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">Bear, you've done my wish list pretty much exactly. Getting the aux tank, the lights, not sure about the trunk light, doesn't look like I'm gonna need it. Not getting the Wing Guards at this time. If I need them, get 'em later. At my 5'9&quot;, getting the Kury risers.</div>

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</div>You'll love it! A great ride and a lot of fun. It costs a little more but get wha tt you want. I figured I'd only do this once, so why not get it right. The folks at Roadsmith were great for me to work with, and I could not be more pleased with the result. The only thing I've added (or would reccoment) is that you consider a fork brace.

I put a superbrace on mine and really like the results. Makes a great handling bike even better. Enjoy your ride!

[bikerbillone]

Thanks all for the encouragement on the RoadSmith and options. Big step and expense, so it all comes together. By the way, Bear, I have the superbrace on the two wheels already, agree, good addition. You've made the case, this is only gonna happen once at my age, so the list of 'stuff' sort of grows, as does the cost, of course. If and when I sell it, if I don't crash a fender, some lucky dude will get a fine machine. Also gonna put a couple of those small convex mirrors on as suggested by some so I can see those humongous fenders. The very last thing I want to do, is bust one of those gas pump pole guards.

[rmrc51]

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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"> Also gonna put a couple of those small convex mirrors on as suggested by some so I can see those humongous fenders. The very last thing I want to do, is bust one of those gas pump pole guards.</div>

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</div>Make sure you also get Roadsmith's 'Crash Bar Mount'. It just might save your fender if you do ride too close to some object.

[hisst]

I have a 12 Roadsmith with a front fork brace..........progressive springs with adjustable shock.............I ordered the Roadsmith with a accu-ride but found it to be a generic ride an could not adjust it in any way...I love to run corners at a good rate of speed an the accu-ride just didn't cut it for me I do have the 5.5 degree front end but still had to have too much force to make the Roadsmith to get thru the corners when I was really pushin it an caused body roll..............the Accu-ride is maybe good for about 80 per cent of the accu. ride riders......I did install the adjustable shock an set them to the max............found that it corners lot better an even had less steerin force because of less body roll.......... an it even stays straighter just drivin down the road because the road bumps cause less body roll but then I am vry fussy how my Roadsmith handles............guess this is why the Roadsmith gives us a choice on what type of ride we want............Hisst

[bikerbillone]

hsst, no accuride on my order. What is the max setting? Since I don't mine yet, not sure how that work.

[wiredgeorge]

My installer, KD Cycle LLC told me they have never installed an AccuRide as the standard suspension was up to duty. I was give a pre-load wrench but found that the factory settings were very comfy. The EZ Steer kit for a GL1500 is 3 degrees rake and I have it installed. I am now pretty comfortable with the way my trike steers and wouldn't change it for more rake.

[Deadeye]

You asked also about Progressive springs. I can tell you that when I bought my 09 gl1800 Hannigan it came with stock springs and I could not adjust the headlight high enough because of the downward angle of the front end. It was also almost impossible to clear a speed bump without dragging. Progressive springs solved both problems.

[Mgammon]

I have everything on mine .. Accu Ride, Progressive, 5 1/2* rake .. Everything Roadsmith<br />
offered ... LOVE IT ALL ... The only thing that rubs me a little raw is when the pump comes on it feeds massive static into the audio system, well, the CB side .. <br />
If the CB is off I don't hear it .. Easy go around .. Just turn the squelch up for the first couple minutes of the ride, then cut it back down ...<br />
I love to push it hard in the twisties and recently took it through Deals Gap and the N. Jawga mountain roads .. No problem<br />
with Accu ride keeping up with the changes ..

Since it is all automatic, just one less thing you have to dicker with ... My<br />
Accu Ride system keeps the body pretty flat in the turns and really don't feel any roll. <br />
One other thing that I added up front was the auto wheel balancers, and risers on the handlebars. <br />
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Had the spring system on my past 95 Honda Roadsmith, and the Accuride is soooooo <br />
much better ... The Aux tank is awesome and give you and extended range out to <br />
about 352 miles using main and aux tank ... The progressive springs brings a lot of <br />
front end stability and you never have to worry about them again.<br />
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Who is doing your conversion .. Highly recommend The Trike Shop in Daytona Beach .. They are super ..