Test Ride Question...Buying Without One
Hi. looking to eventually buy a used Valkyrie or Honda Tike, everyone says to test ride as many as you can, but there very few trikes around where I live and even then not all the ones I'm interested in, Roadsmith, MotorTrike, DFT; and if I find one from a private seller they may not allow a test ride.
I'll be at Americade, MotorTrike is there, but their ride is just figure eights in a parking lot, so my question is, have any of you bought a trike based on what make you liked and no test rides, are the different kits that radically different?
Thanks
Frank
Sorry you live so far out.
We have been to many event s like you. Some time the rides are just trough a parking lot pretty much what you were talking about. I will say that Motortrike has left us take trike out for a good test ride 16 to 20 miles on nice twisty roads.
The last Motortrike I had out for a test ride was a reverse trike. I like it a lot. they are a little less expensive to buy than the rear tike.
I just bought a 2014 GoldWing with CSC side car kit on it. It was in the middle of a snow storm. It has 3400 miles still looks like new. Looking it over top to bottom it was spotless and the engine of course started and sounded like a GoldWing should. (My brother in Law owns an engine shop and all he dose is rebuild engines for the last 40 years. Believe me it an engine isn't right he will tell you.) I still haven't ridden yet other than on and off the trailer to bring it home and park it in the Garage.
If you can have a friend that knows or works on trikes go to check it out that would be great. I have done this with used cars and tractors some times. Have take my wrench turning friend with me.
It sounds like you are doing your home work.
Good Luck