We upgraded to a GL1800 and a RoadSmith trike kit at the same time. We were riding a GL1500 with a solid rear axle kit and we loved it. That machine was pretty long in the tooth and we wanted to upgrade to a newer machine that could possibly last us for the remainder of our riding days. We found an '06 GL1800 that had few miles on the clock and which belonged to an acquaintance in our home state and bought it. We then, after considerable research on line and in person, decided that we wanted a RoadSmith kit with IRS. Another long time acquaintance who is a trike installer located about an hour away from us highly recommended the RS kit. This man had been installing various brands of kits for some time, and he was very positively impressed with the RS brand.
I was very impressed by the fact that a majority of the mechanical parts associated with the kit were parts that were available off the shelf in most well appointed parts stores. I liked the design of the suspension and I very much liked the fact that the drive shaft was purpose made for the kit and that the u-joints again were well known readily available parts. We were able to ride an RS kit a couple of times prior to our decision, and we found the longer wheel base and the IRS to be a significant improvement over what we had been riding. My wife, who is almost always present with me when I ride was very pleased with the ride in her seat.
We did not get the running boards or the extra fuel tank. I don't personally care for or need either one, and we have not been sorry we left those options off. We did opt for the 5.5 RS steering kit with Progressives Springs installed in the front forks. We have ridden this kit nearly 20,000 miles since very early 2011. At this point, we are entirely pleased with our choice. It rides very well, it handles very well, we think it looks good, it has more storage space than some other brands (we got the added storage space at the front of the trunk over the rear axle, and we have not had one single complaint or problem with the machine in the time we've owned it. We also tow a trailer almost all the time (an Aluma MCT) and the hitch that comes with the trike kit is way more than adequate for the towing job.
My installer friend has told me that he has had very few complaints about the RS kits that he has installed and these were for relatively minor things, such as readjustment of the trunk latch or similar. He has basically continued to service the other brand kits that he's installed, but is now only installing RS kits, last I heard. I know that there are other good kits on the road, but I have absolutely no reason to ever want another brand. Our experience with the RS kit has been very positive. I have no qualms about recommending the RS kit to anyone, and I have done so many times. I know of at least three other riders who have since purchased RS kits for their GL 1800s and all of them are very satisfied.
I have no experience with the newer suspension that automatically adjusts to compensate for different loads, but I have had no occasion to mess with my suspension settings since getting them initially set for my wife and I with the trailer. I have made no changes on the few occasions when I've ridden single up without the trailer, and I could tell no real difference in the ride quality. The machine is always ready to go when we want to go. I check the tire pressure regularly and change the oil when it comes time for that, and otherwise, we just ride and enjoy the ride. What's not to like? Folks, that's my personal opinion, and that of my wife after the miles and time listed above. You may have different likes and tastes than we do, but we are completely happy and satisfied RoadSmith owners.