Trike Kit for 2005 GL1800

[tndragonrider]

I am truly sorry for this being a redundant thread but I am new to the group and have ridden four trike conversion on a GL1800. CSC, Hannigan, Roadsmith and Motor Trike. All with IRS. I have narrowed it down to two trikes based on what everyone recommends about that seat of your pants feel. This is doubled by my wife as a passenger and this is being done because she can't ride on two wheels anymore.

After riding them all we both like the Motor Trike the best (go figure most folks think they are rough riding because of the short wheelbase). Personally I like the look and storage capacity of the MT Razor over the Roadsmith HTS1800. Now I live in Tennessee and I am a fairly aggressive rider. That being said when I tested the Roadsmith, the dealer did not have one ( nor does he recommend) the pre-load suspension upgrade. I felt that this was detrimental to the test since we both are rather stout in frame and I feel the preload would have adjusted for that. It gave me the feeling of mushy suspension.

I plan on making a decision in the next couple of weeks.

The problem is that I can't find a HTS1800 conversion with the pre-load locally and I don't want to just order it and then not like it with it. The Roadsmith is a better deal by about $1300-2000. Also he has a 2012 used level II with conversion for only $7k more than triking mine.

So now is the questions; will the preload make up the difference on the Roadsmith to give me what I want? Or should we just stay with the MT Razor conversion? I might have further questions after reading some replies>

Thanks for assisting.

TNDRAGONRIDER

[Fabricater]

I am truly sorry for this being a redundant thread but I am new to the group and have ridden four trike conversion on a GL1800. CSC, Hannigan, Roadsmith and Motor Trike. All with IRS. I have narrowed it down to two trikes based on what everyone recommends about that seat of your pants feel. This is doubled by my wife as a passenger and this is being done because she can't ride on two wheels anymore.

After riding them all we both like the Motor Trike the best (go figure most folks think they are rough riding because of the short wheelbase). Personally I like the look and storage capacity of the MT Razor over the Roadsmith HTS1800. Now I live in Tennessee and I am a fairly aggressive rider. That being said when I tested the Roadsmith, the dealer did not have one ( nor does he recommend) the pre-load suspension upgrade. I felt that this was detrimental to the test since we both are rather stout in frame and I feel the preload would have adjusted for that. It gave me the feeling of mushy suspension.

I plan on making a decision in the next couple of weeks.

The problem is that I can't find a HTS1800 conversion with the pre-load locally and I don't want to just order it and then not like it with it. The Roadsmith is a better deal by about $1300-2000. Also he has a 2012 used level II with conversion for only $7k more than triking mine.

So now is the questions; will the preload make up the difference on the Roadsmith to give me what I want? Or should we just stay with the MT Razor conversion?

I might have further questions after reading some replies>

Thanks for assisting.

TNDRAGONRIDER

1st I will say buy what you like and best fits your needs.I am no expert on trikes ,so keep that in mind.

All the trike brands you listed have a good reputation as far as I know and I consider them the top 4 manufactures.I installed my own Roadsmith conversion last fall,and have the adjustable preload.It does make a difference in how the trike handles and firms the ride up.I pull a trailer and wanted to be able to adjust as needed.I had a motortrike years ago and it don't compare to the motortrike conversion now on the market.The one thing to consider is the air bags that motor trike uses,not that they are bad,many cars and trucks are now using air bags,but if a air line has a small leak,it can be hard to find and you would have to add air as needed,or get the on board compressor as part of the kit,so it could self level as needed.As for the wheel base being shorter ,it has its place and I like the look of the shorter wheel base.One other good thing about the air bags is it can be adjusted to the load as well.The thing I looked at was the width of the rear fenders.The motortrike and Roadsmith are about the same and will fit in the bed of a truck.The wider ones will not go through the tailgate opening,Atleast on my F350.i have a loader,and that was important to me.The trikes that are wider should corner better,but I cant say I have much experiance with that.I am not saying one is better than the other,just something's to think about,and buy what fits your needs the best.

[tndragonrider]

The other thing I noticed is that the trunk capacity of the Roadsmith HTS1800 is about 5.25 cu ft. and the MT Razor is 9.2 cu ft. The capacity of the GL1800 saddlebags is supposed to be 4.4 cu ft. So the Roadsmith is barley larger. I really wished the dealer had one with the preload so I could've test with it. Also after driving over 200 miles to get to him he gave me a bike with the fuel light on and needle on E. He claimed he doesn't keep much gas in them. SO my ride was limited by the fuel given. The nearest gas station was over 18 miles away.<br />
<br />
If money was the only thing I would go for the Roadsmith based on the deal. But The unknown about what the ride quality would be with the pre-load especially since the dealer claims it is too stiff from the factory and he would soften it up if he could.

[Gold Rush]

Howdy tndragonrider. Maybe I can shed some insight on your dilemma. I rode a MotorTrike Adventure conversion (same exact chassis as the Razor) for 50,000 miles and beat the tar out of the twisties!! That is no brag - just fact. If that is the style riding you intend to do the discussion can stop right here. I have a 2015 GL1800 converted with the 2015 Roadsmith HTS1800 kit complete with the preload adjust, HD torsion bar, and spare gas tank options. I'll tell you in no uncertain terms that the MotorTrike will out run me in the tight twisties. In moderate stuff I'll keep up no problem. As for ride comfort; the Roadsmith is far superior. Properly set shocks and properly adjusted preload result in HUGE ride improvement over the MotorTrike IRS conversions.

All of this is fact!

Don't let any installer talk you out of the preload option and I'd also get the HD torsion bar option. If they refuse then find another qualified dealer/installer. There are plenty out there willing to build what you really want instead of just selling what they have on the floor for sale.

I personally did not get the automatic version because I do not like not having control over those functions. There are several members here with similar set ups to mine so hopefully they will chime in to reinforce my statements. 90 % of my riding now is not aggressive twisties so the Roadsmith HTS1800 is a perfect fit. On those occasions when I do push the envelope some I just bump up the preload and motor on.

I hope this helps you some. If you'd like to chat about it I'd be glad to talk with you. Send me a PM and we can hook up.

[mhgoldwing]

I also have a Roadsmith. Originally I had the Accuride System but after three failures due to (recently discovered) faulty pressure switch I went to the standard coil over shocks because my load doesn't vary that much 95% of the time. I live and ride in the Arkansas twisties and I hold my own with all other conversions as far as hard riding in the curves goes. Out on the highway I would put the Roadsmith up against any conversion for ride and handling as the longer wheelbase really smoothes out the ride. My wife and I are also on the heavy side.

A big factor in my choice is the excellent mfg assistance when needed. Also, Roadsmith uses common auto parts instead of custom designed hardware that has to be purchased from the mfg. The is comforting when on the road. If I decide to purchase another trike it will be another Roadsmith or possibly a Hannigan; assuming nothing major changes in the way the trikes are built.

I now have 54,000 on my Roadsmith and other than the faulty air pressure sensor, which has now been fixed by mfg., I have had zero issues. I love the ride and handling .

[FuzzyWuzHe]

I agree with the "let your heart be your guide" method.

Although I've never gone through the "conversion" process, I have be talked out of stuff and talked into other stuff. In almost every situation, my heart would of been the way to go.

I think it was Shakespeare that said it, "To thy known self be true" ... although I don't follow this in a lot of my life, I do when it come to major purchases. Too many "used car salesmen" out there that, as stated before, will sell you what they have in hand or what they feel is the best product.

Go with a company with a good reputation.

Go with a dealer with a good reputation.

Most importantly, Go with what set your heart free.

[Wingrider55]

A big factor in my choice is the excellent mfg assistance when needed. Also, Roadsmith uses common auto parts instead of custom designed hardware that has to be purchased from the mfg. The is comforting when on the road. If I decide to purchase another trike it will be another Roadsmith or possibly a Hannigan; assuming nothing major changes in the way the trikes are built.



Roadsmith was the best move I made. Tried them all before I purchased. Got the adjustable suspension and the HD sway bar.

[tndragonrider]

One of the things I have noticed is that Motor Trike seems to take a long time to answer calls (call backs) vs Roadsmith. Is this what everyone else has discovered in the past?

[JaysGone]

As I have no riding experience with other kits at all.
I can answer about MTs customer service.
For myself, my experiences have been more than satisfactory. It was several conversations with Richard alone that convinced me to buy my trike. Also I have had zero issues with call backs in regards to purchasing parts or help in getting repairs done on my trike.
101% positive in my book.

[Future Triker]

One of the things I have noticed is that Motor Trike seems to take a long time to answer calls (call backs) vs Roadsmith. Is this what everyone else has discovered in the past?

Call back time may depend on who you've been talking to? I've been quietly "stalking" the forum for a little bit now, observing and doing my homework as I'm in no rush and won't be making a purchase anytime soon. I did call Motor Trike about a month ago and ended up talking with a Richard for a while. He was very informative and seemed to be knowledgeable on the technical side so asked him what his job was for them. According to him, they don't have "titles" so to speak, but he handles all of the service and warranty for all of their dealers worldwide as well as any customer technical issues that the dealers are unable to address. When I asked him about sales, he said that someone else in the office handles dealer sales, and is much more knowledgeable than him on that side of things (I don't remember her name to save my life though). I talked to her and asked a few questions, but since they don't sell direct, I didn't waste too much of her time since I want to do my own kit instead of having someone else build it.

Just putting that out there as food for thought as it may be a factor in call backs also.

[Gorilla]

Call back time may depend on who you've been talking to? I've been quietly "stalking" the forum for a little bit now, observing and doing my homework as I'm in no rush and won't be making a purchase anytime soon. I did call Motor Trike about a month ago and ended up talking with a Richard for a while. He was very informative and seemed to be knowledgeable on the technical side so asked him what his job was for them. According to him, they don't have "titles" so to speak, but he handles all of the service and warranty for all of their dealers worldwide as well as any customer technical issues that the dealers are unable to address. When I asked him about sales, he said that someone else in the office handles dealer sales, and is much more knowledgeable than him on that side of things (I don't remember her name to save my life though). I talked to her and asked a few questions, but since they don't sell direct, I didn't waste too much of her time since I want to do my own kit instead of having someone else build it.

Just putting that out there as food for thought as it may be a factor in call backs also.

Future Triker I am sending you this link: www.cutnshootcustoms.com This is Bazook's business link. He is the owner of this Forum and has his business just outside of Houston. Contact him for advise and help in making your decision. He is the MAN

[tndragonrider]

Thanks Gorilla but I have already been in touch with him. He is "The Man!"

[tndragonrider]

Well I appreciate everyone's help and opinion. But after careful deliberation I finally decided to "go with my heart," and pull the trigger on the Motor Trike Razor. It will be completed in about a month. Then I can join the world of trike ownership!

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Congrats ... always good to go with your heart ... now the hard part comes ... waiting ...

[tndragonrider]

In keeping everyone abreast of my trike kit progress, here is my Wing loaded up on the trailer for a 2 hour drive to the dealer in Chattanooga (Southern Honda Powersports). The kit is already at the dealer and it should be ready within a couple of weeks, or less. More to follow.



- - - Updated - - -

BTW that is my 30x40 garage in the background. The stall on the right is for my Lance truck camper. The one on the left was for my Triton bass boat, which I just sold (boo-hoo) to get the money to trike my Wing. That is so I can began taking my wife of 37 years with me once again. She broke her left ankle on Mother's Day 2007 in an unrelated accident. And hasn't been able to ride on a 2 wheelers ever since.

[tndragonrider]

Well the Wing is at Southern Honda Powersports in Chattanooga awaiting paint and installation. I have sent my front wheel to Classic Chrome is Santa Ana and it arrived there today. I have already received my Avon Cobra Trike tyre along with new "All Balls" wheel bearings. My rake kit arrives on Monday from Bazooka and all the extra chrome goodies and stuff is already trickling in. I should soon be on the road again, weather permitting, with my new MT Razor trike. Photos after the conversion will be forthcoming!

Also all this talk has a neighbor and friend to convert back over to a Goldwing. MrJohn and I will be venturing to Orlando, FL on Sunday to pick up his "New" 2014 GL1800, with only 5,000 miles. He got it at a great price and plans and having it converted to a Motor Trike Razor very soon. Welcome to the "Wonderful World of Goldwing," again MrJohn! I believe he plans on ordering a rake kit from Bazooka as well as he gets closer to the conversion process. Yours truly will be doing the installation of it for him.

[tfdeputydawg]

tndragonrider-make sure many pics are during the install process

[tndragonrider]

Thanks Deputy Dawg!

[Skeet7373]

Are you adding the aqua boards? What are you paying for the chrome wheel?

Karen

[tndragonrider]

Yes to the Aqua sheilds (running boards). I sent my wheel to Classic Chrome Plating in Santa Ana, CA. It cost $285 for my wheel or an extra $50 if you want exchange. They do good work. Their process is to strip the wheel of paint or clear coat, next they buff it to a high luster, then they coat it in copper, then nickel, then copper again, then nickel again and finally chrome. When completed it is cleaned and waxed before boxing for shipping back to me. Return shipping is included in the price.