Boss Hoss info wanted

knockdolian · Nov 10, 2015

Hi all, Im in UK and am looking at maybe buying a BH trike. its a 96 model. Obviously an early one. Are there any issues with the early ones I should look out for. They are a lot more expensive here so don't want to buy a heap of trouble.
Any advice greatly appreciated

peteg59 · Nov 11, 2015

B/H trikes are pretty rigs.
About the only downside I can think of beside the pricetag, would be the physical size. Not sure of the turning radius on the 96 model, but a majority of UK roads are fairly narrow so that might be another consideration.
Drivetrain parts are fairly inexpensive here in the states, & with mail order companies that serve the globe, you shouldn't have to wait long for "spares".
I'm sure you're aware of all of that already & have it covered, so go for it!ThumbUp

knockdolian · Nov 11, 2015

Boss Hoss

peteg59 said:
B/H trikes are pretty rigs.
About the only downside I can think of beside the pricetag, would be the physical size. Not sure of the turning radius on the 96 model, but a majority of UK roads are fairly narrow so that might be another consideration.
Drivetrain parts are fairly inexpensive here in the states, & with mail order companies that serve the globe, you shouldn't have to wait long for "spares".
I'm sure you're aware of all of that already & have it covered, so go for it!ThumbUp

Thanks for the reply mate. My main concern is the age of the trike. I believe 96 was the first year of full production and whether there are any issues with the early ones. Ive read thet they are very hot to ride being cast iron. The one im looking at is £21K over $30K a lot of money for 20 year old trike. Would I do better to save a bit longer and get a later one.
Thanks again

clint44 · Nov 13, 2015

Boss Hoss did not build a production trike until 2000. Lots of BH bikes were converted later,though.

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knockdolian said:
Thanks for the reply mate. My main concern is the age of the trike. I believe 96 was the first year of full production and whether there are any issues with the early ones. Ive read thet they are very hot to ride being cast iron. The one im looking at is £21K over $30K a lot of money for 20 year old trike. Would I do better to save a bit longer and get a later one.
Thanks again

I would pass on that deal,at that price. You could probably buy a 2010 or maybe even later for $30K.
I sold our modified 2006 BH 57 Chev trike last year,for $32,500.

knockdolian · Nov 14, 2015

I would pass on that deal,at that price. You could probably buy a 2010 or maybe even later for $30K.
I sold our modified 2006 BH 57 Chev trike last year,for $32,500.

Thanks very much for the information. Unfortunately your a day to late. ive just agreed to buy it subject to a viewing. Im sure I read BH started trike production in 96 ? The problem is here in the UK they just don't turn up. This is probably only the second ive seen for sale in maybe 6-7 years of looking. I will go and look anyway its the coup model. The other one I saw was the 57 Chev like yours but with shocking paint. Anything I can look for to confirm its authenticity maybe chassis plate etc ?
Cheers

Dirtydan · Nov 14, 2015

I've always wanted a Boss Hoss. The two things stopping me have always been price and lack of storage space. I suppose if it at least bags and or a trunk I could get past the price.

hogcowboy · Nov 14, 2015

There's not storage in those like the 57 Chevy? I always thought the trunk on those was storage.:xzqxz:

knockdolian · Nov 14, 2015

The one im looking at has a trunk. its the forks that concern me, why are they not USD ?

clint44 · Nov 15, 2015

Dirtydan said:
I've always wanted a Boss Hoss. The two things stopping me have always been price and lack of storage space. I suppose if it at least bags and or a trunk I could get past the price.

You've never looked at one of their 57 Chev or Sierra pick-up bodies.have you? They both have huge trunks. Our 57's trunk was so big that a trailer was never considered.

If you shop around,a nice Boss Hoss trike can be bought for $30K or even less.

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knockdolian said:
The one i'm looking at has a trunk. its the forks that concern me, why are they not USD ?

Upside down forks weren't introduced until 2001.

knockdolian · Nov 16, 2015

Clint44 said:
You've never looked at one of their 57 Chev or Sierra pick-up bodies.have you? They both have huge trunks. Our 57's trunk was so big that a trailer was never considered.

Thanks for your input. Yes Ive seen both and road the Chev trike in Daytona in 09. That's when I got the bug !! Im looking at the 32 coupe because that's what is for sale here in the UK. Here they are very rare. Im looking at it Sunday

clint44 · Nov 16, 2015

Deuce bodies are the exception when it comes to BH trunks. They are very small.

knockdolian · Nov 20, 2015

Thanks Clint. I appreciate the trunk is small on the Coupe but how small. Will two full face Helmets go in ??

clint44 · Nov 21, 2015

knockdolian said:
Thanks Clint. I appreciate the trunk is small on the Coupe but how small. Will two full face Helmets go in ??

Probably not.

captdanwh · Nov 22, 2015

Boss Hoss handling

I have come close to looking at buying one but am concerned about their handling. Do they handle like a regular trike or are the like driving a semi into the twisties? Can anyone tell me if they are hot to sit on during summer months and what kind of gas mileage do they get? I am always looking to buy a new toy to play with but i would like to hear from riders who own one.

hogcowboy · Nov 22, 2015

I can't speak about a trike but I have a friend that has the 2 wheel version and he has no trouble at all in the twisties which really surprised me. I led and he led so I got a taste both ways. I suspect if the forks are raked properly there wouldn't be a problem. I can't speak to any heat issue except to say he never complains. That could mean anything though. Some people just aren't affected by heat.

knockdolian · Nov 22, 2015

captdanwh said:
I have come close to looking at buying one but am concerned about their handling. Do they handle like a regular trike or are the like driving a semi into the twisties? Can anyone tell me if they are hot to sit on during summer months and what kind of gas mileage do they get? I am always looking to buy a new toy to play with but i would like to hear from riders who own one.

Update, I went and saw it today and bought it. Its huge !! to answer some of your questions as Ive been trawling the forums. I have rode one myself and as far as I can remember they go very well and will go round corners like on rails. Apparently they will get hot at lights in the hot weather but no more uncomfortable than a HD. Gas miles 25-30 MPG. I get mine next weekend so can tell you more soon. As Im in UK I don't need to worry too much about it getting hot

Gorilla · Nov 23, 2015

Congrats enjoy the ride

clint44 · Nov 24, 2015

captdanwh said:
I have come close to looking at buying one but am concerned about their handling. Do they handle like a regular trike or are the like driving a semi into the twisties? Can anyone tell me if they are hot to sit on during summer months and what kind of gas mileage do they get? I am always looking to buy a new toy to play with but i would like to hear from riders who own one.

Steering is pretty nice. The 2000-2006 Boss Hoss trikes come stock with +3deg raked trees and they can suffer from occasional head shake at low speeds or when crossing over an obstacle.(railroad tracks,etc) A low cost steering damper will eliminate the problem,though. The 2007-later trikes have +5deg trees which made the steering even nicer and very little if any head shake. I installed a pair of Kewl Metal +15deg raked trees on our 2006 BH trike and though expensive,it made a huge difference in steering effort and looked great too,IMO.

Boss Hoss trikes are a blast to ride in the twisties and if I had a choice between our BH trike and H-D trike,I would probably choose the BH. The Hannigan IRS ride quality on our H-D trike is better than anything I've ever ridden,though. However,you just can't beat the raw power of a V8 trike. As for heat,it's not bad at all,unless you get stuck in stop & go traffic,in 100deg weather.

However,the 2012-newer trikes are powered by GM's all-aluminum LS engines which are even better and they also are equipped with 4L70 four speed automatic transmissions w/overdrive. The earlier models use a TH350 three speed auto w/o overdrive.

Gas mileage varies by powertrain. A trike with a ZZ-502 big block would probably get around 15mpg. Our 2006 with ZZ4 350 (385hp/TH350 auto) would get around 18-22mpg. The newer LS engines with sequential port fuel injection can get over 30mpg,even the 505hp 6.2L LS3.

knockdolian · Nov 25, 2015

Clint44 said:
Steering is pretty nice. The 2000-2006 Boss Hoss trikes come stock with +3deg raked trees and they can suffer from occasional head shake at low speeds or when crossing over an obstacle.(railroad tracks,etc) A low cost steering damper will eliminate the problem,though. The 2007-later trikes have +5deg trees which made the steering even nicer and very little if any head shake. I installed a pair of Kewl Metal +15deg raked trees on our 2006 BH trike and though expensive,it made a huge difference in steering effort and looked great too,IMO.

Thanks for the Info. Unfortunately my budget wont stretch to a new one so a 96 will have to do. Ive been riding my home built HD trike for 10 years. The BH is going to handle better than that unless I got it right with the build. Anyway it arrives tomorrow lunch time. Very excited